Patents by Inventor Kurt Gerlofs

Kurt Gerlofs 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).

  • Patent number: 8635925
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a shift inhibitor apparatus for a multiple speed transmission main section. The transmission includes an input shaft and an output shaft The transmission main section has a plurality of selectively engageable ratios. The transmission also has a range section shiftable between a range high ratio and a range low ratio. The shift inhibitor includes an interlock moveable between a locked condition and a released condition, wherein the interlock selectively prevents a gear shift in the transmission main section. The shift inhibitor also includes a range sensor valve. The range sensor valve selectively detects a range shift of the range section. The range sensor valve selectively causes the interlock to be positioned in the released condition upon detection of a completed range shift. The interlock is selectively positioned by a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Gerlofs, Dave Stevens, Mark Hirsch, Charles Bradley, Michael J. Huggins
  • Patent number: 7509885
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a shift inhibitor apparatus. At least a portion of the range actuating assembly is moveable between a range first ratio and a range second ratio. The portion of the range actuating assembly is moveable, at least in part, in response to a fluid pressure. The range chamber is selectively in fluid communication with a vent. The shift inhibitor includes a main section neutral interlock having an interlock chamber. At least a portion of the main section neutral interlock is moveable between a first condition and a second condition. The interlock chamber is selectively in fluid communication with the vent. The range chamber can be exhausted such that the range section is selectively switched from the first ratio to the second ratio. The interlock chamber can be exhausted such that the main section neutral interlock is selectively switched from the first condition to the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Gerlofs, Dave Stevens, Mark Hirsch, Charles Bradley, Michael J. Huggins, Gerard F. Smith, Michael E. Lemon
  • Publication number: 20060185456
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a shift inhibitor apparatus. At least a portion of the range actuating assembly is moveable between a range first ratio and a range second ratio. The portion of the range actuating assembly is moveable, at least in part, in response to a fluid pressure. The range chamber is selectively in fluid communication with a vent. The shift inhibitor includes a main section neutral interlock having an interlock chamber. At least a portion of the main section neutral interlock is moveable between a first condition and a second condition. The interlock chamber is selectively in fluid communication with the vent. The range chamber can be exhausted such that the range section is selectively switched from the first ratio to the second ratio. The interlock chamber can be exhausted such that the main section neutral interlock is selectively switched from the first condition to the second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Kurt Gerlofs, Dave Stevens, Mark Hirsch, Charles Bradley, Michael Huggins, Gerard Smith, Michael Lemon
  • Publication number: 20060185458
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a shift inhibitor apparatus for a multiple speed transmission main section. The transmission includes an input shaft and an output shaft The transmission main section has a plurality of selectively engageable ratios. The transmission also has a range section shiftable between a range high ratio and a range low ratio. The shift inhibitor includes an interlock moveable between a locked condition and a released condition, wherein the interlock selectively prevents a gear shift in the transmission main section. The shift inhibitor also includes a range sensor valve. The range sensor valve selectively detects a range shift of the range section. The range sensor valve selectively causes the interlock to be positioned in the released condition upon detection of a completed range shift. The interlock is selectively positioned by a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Kurt Gerlofs, Dave Stevens, Mark Hirsch, Charles Bradley, Michael Huggins