Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Other

David Beck

Dengfu Zhang

Walter Joseph Ortmann

Kenneth James Miller

Jau-Wen Tseng

Thomas Joseph Cusumano

Matthew Erich Von Der Lippe

Kevin Higgins

Methods and systems are described for controlling output of a fuel cell that generates electrical power for an electric machine that propels a vehicle. In one example, a driver demand power reduction is anticipated and output of the fuel cell is adjusted before the driver demand power is reduced so that a greater amount of electric charge may be stored in an electric energy storage device.

Methods and system for operating a fuel cell vehicle

Methods and system are provided for generating regenerative braking torque at a front axle and a rear axle of a vehicle. In one example, the regenerative braking torque may be a function of a normal load applied to the front axle and a normal load applied to the rear axle.

System and method for improving traction of a vehicle that includes two electric machines

A transmission includes a clutch configured to selectively couple a clutch hub to a clutch housing. The clutch hub includes a channel to provide oil from a central passageway to remove heat from a clutch pack. The oil runs along a disk of the clutch hub to a perforated annular ring of the clutch hub, then through the perforations to the clutch pack. An oil deflector limits the flow of oil at low clutch hub speeds. The deflector is mounted to the clutch hub disk to create a flow restriction. At low speeds, the oil builds up in a reservoir radially inside the restriction and then spills over a dam and is directed away from the clutch pack by a conical surface. The reduced oil flow at low speeds reduces parasitic loss. At higher speeds, centrifugal forces increase the flow rate.

Transmission clutch with passive, speed-based fluid distribution

According to one or more embodiments, a clutch pack includes a first set of clutch plates arranged in an alternating configuration with a second set of clutch plates. The first set of clutch plates has a plurality of friction pads made of friction material and defining channels in the friction material. The channels are configured to allow lubricant to flow between the friction pads. Each of the friction pads defines a groove in the friction pad. The groove is disconnected from the channels. The groove thereby creates a flow induced high pressure region forcing the first set of clutch plates to a center between the second set of clutch plates.

Clutch plate separation for drag loss reduction

A clutch for an automatic transmission includes a clutch pack having a first set of friction disks interleaved with a second set of friction disks. The clutch further includes an annulus having an outer surface connected to the first friction disks and an inner surface. The annulus defines oil holes extending from the inner surface to the outer surface to permit oil to flow from the inner surface to the clutch pack. Air passageways are defined in the annulus and extend through the annulus permitting air to flow from the inner surface to the clutch pack to reduce drag losses between the first and second sets of disks. Each of the air passageways have an entrance that is radially inboard of an entrance of each of the oil holes.

Clutch assembly for automatic transmission

A method and apparatus for removing a propeller hub secured by a nut to a tapered drive shaft. A puller abutment is fixed to the hub in position to engage the nut and prevent axial movement of the nut relative to the hub. Rotation of the nut against the axially immovable abutment results in axial movement of the hub, nut and abutment relative to the shaft, separating the hub from the shaft. Continued rotation of the nut separates the hub and nut from the shaft.

Propeller puller apparatus

A folding boat propeller assembly having a hub and two blades. The radially inner portion of each blade is pivoted to the hub. Upon forward movement of the boat, the blades will automatically be pivoted rearwardly into a closed folded-together position by water resistance. Upon rotation of the hub by the boat's engine, the blades pivot outwardly and forwardly to a driving position.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

David Beck