Patents by Inventor Jeffrey E Shultz

Jeffrey E Shultz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140107900
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting and implementing a shift schedule for a transmission in a vehicle that includes an output speed sensor and a controller. The method includes measuring output speed with the output speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method also includes calculating output acceleration and transmission gear ratio with the controller. The shift schedule is selected based on the measured output speed, calculated output acceleration, calculated transmission gear ratio, and throttle percentage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: ALLISON TRANSMISSION INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Jared S. Shattuck
  • Patent number: 8694218
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting and implementing a shift schedule for a transmission in a vehicle that includes an output speed sensor and a controller. The method includes measuring output speed with the output speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method also includes calculating output acceleration and transmission gear ratio with the controller. The shift schedule is selected based on the measured output speed, calculated output acceleration, calculated transmission gear ratio, and throttle percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Jared S. Shattuck
  • Publication number: 20130304339
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for controlling transmission torque to provide hill ascent and/or descent assistance to a vehicle includes applying a clutch hold pressure to one or more clutches of a transmission to lock an output shaft of the transmission to resist roll-back of the vehicle. The clutch hold pressure is applied based on one or more of a transmission output speed signal, an engine throttle signal, and a vehicle brake signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Jared S. Shattuck, Jeffrey E. Shultz, Peter G. York
  • Publication number: 20130304340
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for controlling transmission torque to provide hill ascent and/or descent assistance to a vehicle includes applying a clutch hold pressure to one or more clutches of a transmission to lock an output shaft of the transmission to resist roll-back of the vehicle. The clutch hold pressure is determined as a function of the tractive effort of the vehicle and is applied based on one or more of a transmission output speed signal, an engine throttle signal, and a vehicle brake signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Jared S. Shattuck, Jeffrey E. Shultz, Peter G. York
  • Patent number: 8403813
    Abstract: Embodiments which selectively engage a motor with auxiliary equipment and a final drive assembly of the motor vehicle are disclosed. A transmission of such a motor vehicle may include a transmission input shaft to receive power from the motor, a transmission output shaft, and clutches and associated gears that define power delivered by the transmission output shaft based upon power received by the transmission input shaft. An auxiliary gearbox may include a transmission input gear associated with the transmission output shaft, an equipment output gear to power the auxiliary equipment, and a drive output gear to power the final drive assembly. The motor vehicle may further include a transmission control module to engage the transmission input gear with the equipment output gear by transitioning among locking the transmission output shaft, disengaging the clutches to reduce torque on the transmission output shaft, and placing the transmission in an unlocked neutral state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Scott Mundy
  • Patent number: 8335620
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears and the transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Scott E. Mundy
  • Publication number: 20120303229
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting and implementing a shift schedule for a transmission in a vehicle that includes an output speed sensor and a controller. The method includes measuring output speed with the output speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method also includes calculating output acceleration and transmission gear ratio with the controller. The shift schedule is selected based on the measured output speed, calculated output acceleration, calculated transmission gear ratio, and throttle percentage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Jared S. Shattuck
  • Publication number: 20120279326
    Abstract: Embodiments which selectively engage a motor with auxiliary equipment and a final drive assembly of the motor vehicle are disclosed. A transmission of such a motor vehicle may include a transmission input shaft to receive power from the motor, a transmission output shaft, and clutches and associated gears that define power delivered by the transmission output shaft based upon power received by the transmission input shaft. An auxiliary gearbox may include a transmission input gear associated with the transmission output shaft, an equipment output gear to power the auxiliary equipment, and a drive output gear to power the final drive assembly. The motor vehicle may further include a transmission control module to engage the transmission input gear with the equipment output gear by transitioning among locking the transmission output shaft, disengaging the clutches to reduce torque on the transmission output shaft, and placing the transmission in an unlocked neutral state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Scott Mundy
  • Patent number: 8221289
    Abstract: Embodiments which selectively engage a motor with auxiliary equipment and a final drive assembly of the motor vehicle are disclosed. A transmission of such a motor vehicle may include a transmission input shaft to receive power from the motor, a transmission output shaft, and clutches and associated gears that define power delivered by the transmission output shaft based upon power received by the transmission input shaft. An auxiliary gearbox may include a transmission input gear associated with the transmission output shaft, an equipment output gear to power the auxiliary equipment, and a drive output gear to power the final drive assembly. The motor vehicle may further include a transmission control module to engage the transmission input gear with the equipment output gear by transitioning among locking the transmission output shaft, disengaging the clutches to reduce torque on the transmission output shaft, and placing the transmission in an unlocked neutral state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Scott Mundy
  • Publication number: 20120160045
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears and the transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Scott E. Mundy
  • Patent number: 8135520
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears for establishing a plurality of gear ratios. The transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The transmission controller is in communication with a plurality of control devices for controlling the operation of the transmission. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey E Shultz, Scott E. Mundy
  • Patent number: 7806803
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission in a motor vehicle includes determining a temperature of a fluid in the transmission, determining whether the torque converter lockup clutch is applied, and determining an engine torque of the motor vehicle. Then, the torque converter lockup clutch is applied and the transmission is prohibited from up-shifting if the temperature of the fluid exceeds a threshold, the torque converter lockup clutch is not applied, and the engine torque exceeds a second threshold. Next, a tractive effort of the motor vehicle is determined and the torque converter lockup clutch is deactivated when the temperature of the fluid is less than a third threshold, the tractive effort is less than a fourth threshold, or the engine torque is less than the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E Shultz, Mark A. Rushing, Vickie M. Rushing, legal representative, John P. Kresse
  • Publication number: 20100250076
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting and implementing a shift schedule for a transmission in a vehicle that includes an output speed sensor and a controller. The method includes measuring output speed with the output speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method also includes calculating output acceleration and transmission gear ratio with the controller. The shift schedule is selected based on the measured output speed, calculated output acceleration, calculated transmission gear ratio, and throttle percentage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Jared S. Shattuck
  • Patent number: 7704186
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears for establishing a plurality of gear ratios. The transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The transmission controller is in communication with a plurality of control devices for controlling the operation of the transmission. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Mundy, Jill Ann Hampton, Jeffrey E. Shultz
  • Publication number: 20100044140
    Abstract: Embodiments which selectively engage a motor with auxiliary equipment and a final drive assembly of the motor vehicle are disclosed. A transmission of such a motor vehicle may include a transmission input shaft to receive power from the motor, a transmission output shaft, and clutches and associated gears that define power delivered by the transmission output shaft based upon power received by the transmission input shaft. An auxiliary gearbox may include a transmission input gear associated with the transmission output shaft, an equipment output gear to power the auxiliary equipment, and a drive output gear to power the final drive assembly. The motor vehicle may further include a transmission control module to engage the transmission input gear with the equipment output gear by transitioning among locking the transmission output shaft, disengaging the clutches to reduce torque on the transmission output shaft, and placing the transmission in an unlocked neutral state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Scott Mundy
  • Publication number: 20090281697
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears for establishing a plurality of gear ratios. The transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The transmission controller is in communication with a plurality of control devices for controlling the operation of the transmission. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Scott E. Mundy
  • Patent number: 7497799
    Abstract: A control system operable to engage a torque transmitting mechanism, the control system having at least one variable bleed solenoid valve operable to selectively provide pressurized fluid to selectively engage at least one torque transmitting mechanism. An electronic control unit is also provided to provide control to the at least one variable bleed solenoid valve. The electronic control unit commands the variable bleed solenoid valve to provide the pressurized fluid to the at least one torque transmitting mechanism for a first predetermined time and to subsequently substantially disallow the pressurized fluid to the at least one torque transmitting mechanism for a second predetermined time subsequent to the first predetermined time. The electronic control unit subsequently commands an intermediate pressure level to trim the torque transmitting mechanism into engagement. A method for providing engagement to the torque transmitting mechanism is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan H. Hagelskamp, Jeffrey E Shultz
  • Publication number: 20080312034
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission in a motor vehicle includes determining a temperature of a fluid in the transmission, determining whether the torque converter lockup clutch is applied, and determining an engine torque of the motor vehicle. Then, the torque converter lockup clutch is applied and the transmission is prohibited from up-shifting if the temperature of the fluid exceeds a threshold, the torque converter lockup clutch is not applied, and the engine torque exceeds a second threshold. Next, a tractive effort of the motor vehicle is determined and the torque converter lockup clutch is deactivated when the temperature of the fluid is less than a third threshold, the tractive effort is less than a fourth threshold, or the engine torque is less than the second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Mark A. Rushing, Vickie M. Rushing, John P. Kresse
  • Patent number: 7400961
    Abstract: A method of controlling a driveline retarder of a powertrain including a transmission having a rotatable input shaft connected to an engine and an output shaft connected to the driveline retarder is provided. The method includes determining a set speed value and comparing the set speed value plus a customer modifiable constant value to a current rotational speed value of the output shaft. A driveline retarder cruise modulation torque request value is then calculated when the current rotational speed value of the output shaft is greater than or equal to the set speed value plus the customer modifiable constant value. The driveline retarder is controlled as a function of the driveline retarder cruise modulation torque request value. A powertrain configured to implement the aforementioned method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Rushing, Jeffrey E Shultz, Bradley L. Mc Cafferty, Randall S. Conn
  • Patent number: RE42131
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control mechanism for use with a multi-speed transmission includes a pair of logic valves, which are manipulated during the ratio interchanges and the ratio establishment by aiding in the distribution of fluid pressure from a plurality of trim valves. The logic valves are retained in specific drive ranges in the event of electrical discontinuance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Phillip F. McCauley, Darren J. Weber, Scott E. Mundy, Jeffrey E. Shultz