Published Ford Patent Reveals 11-Speed Automatic Transmission
Ten-speed transmissions not enough? Ford is turning it up to 11 with an 11-speed automatic waiting in the wings.
AutoGuide reports the patent application for the 11-speed was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in early October of 2013, with schematics like the one above showing various combinations of clutches, brakes and gearing.
As for when such a thing will arrive to direct power for an F-150 or a GT, representative Paul Seredynski wouldn’t give confirmation, stating that Ford submits ideas to the patent office “as a normal course of business” in protecting new ideas, and is not an indication of any future plans or products. Until then, consumers will have to settle for the 10-speed unit set for the 2017 Raptor.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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As usual, everyone confuses "patent application filed" with "new product introduction imminent". If Ford engineers have devised a way to make the 11-speed auto transmission, or more likely, have devised a variant that could be helpful in the future, a patent application will be filed. Ford may be trying to lock out competitors, or simply trying, by publishing in the form of a patent application, to protect a right to practice. Further, unless you read the application, and you are familiar with patent language, and you are familiar with the IP in the particular field of automatic transmissions, you don't even know whether it is the fact of having 11 speeds that is being claimed, or some other detail that is being claimed and the 11 speeds are incidental to what is being claimed. "The future" in this case could range from a few years to never. Don't get too excited over filings of automotive patent applications.
This would be amusing to experience. Rather than a CVT constantly and smoothly changing motor speed in variable conditions, I can imagine all sorts of step by step shifting hijinks constantly taking place. I wonder if it would capable of skipping five or more gears for a sudden downshift, or if it will sequence through all the gears ratios?
I own an Audi A4 2.0T with an eight speed transmission and it makes good use of all eight speeds without being busy. So I don't know, maybe nine or ten would be just great.
Just do it.