Patents by Inventor Todd W. Fritz
Todd W. Fritz 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).
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Publication number: 20110035121Abstract: Receiving sensor data related to position of a gear in a transmission, the sensor data including data from a first sensor and data from a second sensor; determining a first indicated position of the gear from the data from the first sensor; determining a second indicated position of the gear from the data from the second sensor; comparing the first indicated position to the second indicated position; and determining based on the comparison a gear engagement status of the gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Naresh K. Kodela, Richard E. Zuppann, Christopher Pollack, John Manyala, Todd W. Fritz, Ken R. Anderson, Ian D. McKenzie
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Publication number: 20110035123Abstract: A number N of position sensors, each associated with one of N shift rails in a shift rail transmission system, wherein the set of N sensors is divided into subsets and each subset is provided a common reference from a control module; and a processing component that determines from data from each sensor whether the shift rail associated with that sensor is in a position of engagement of a first gear, a position of engagement of a second gear, or in a neutral position. Further, providing a first common reference to a first set of shift rail position sensors; providing a second common reference to a second set of shift rail position sensors; receiving sensor data from each position sensor; determining that the data from the first set of position sensors is unreliable; and operating a transmission using only the gears related to the position sensors in the second set.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Naresh K. Kodela, Richard E. Zuppann, Christopher Pollack, John Manyala, Todd W. Fritz, Ken R. Anderson, Ian D. McKenzie
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Publication number: 20100228455Abstract: An exemplary system includes at least one valve configured to control fluid flow in a dual-clutch transmission system. A solenoid is operably connected to the at least one valve and configured to move the valve to a plurality of positions. A primary processing unit is in communication with the solenoid and configured to determine an intended position of the valve. A controller is configured to receive the intended position of the valve from the primary processing unit and generate a primary control signal associated with the intended position of the valve. The solenoid is configured to move the valve to the intended position based on the primary control signal. A secondary processing unit is configured to receive information from the primary processing unit and prevent the primary control signal from controlling the solenoid if the primary processing unit is unable to control the solenoid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Jeffrey P. Hawarden, Steven H. Lapointe, Eric A. Metheny, Todd W. Fritz, John K. Vandervoort
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Publication number: 20100204879Abstract: An exemplary transmission system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to output a signal at least partially representative of a speed of at least one of a first transmission input shaft, a second transmission input shaft, a transmission output shaft, and an engine. A transmission control module is in communication with the plurality of sensors and is configured to identify at least one of the plurality of sensors as a failed sensor and another of the plurality of sensors as a working sensor. The transmission control module is further configured to estimate the signal of the failed sensor based on a predetermined relationship between an expected signal from the failed sensor and the signal received from the working sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Ian D. McKenzie, Anthony Stasik, Jeffrey P. Hawarden, Todd W. Fritz, Thomas R. Connolly, Kim A. Brown
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Publication number: 20100085178Abstract: A set of inputs each selectively provides a discrete signal, whereby the sensor inputs together provide a plurality of discrete signals. A memory includes instructions executable by a processor for receiving the discrete signals, identifying a bit pattern from the discrete signals, and determining a position of a physical member according to the bit pattern and an error condition detected from the discrete signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Todd W. Fritz, Richard E. Zuppann
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Patent number: 6480797Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic control circuit and method for calibrating a transmission shifter and compensating for temperature variations. The electronic control circuit includes a power supply circuit comprising a bias voltage supply and a voltage surge protection circuit; at least one position sensor that receives a surge-protected output bias voltage from the power supply circuit; and a microprocessor that receives one or more position values from the position sensor relating to the physical position of the transmission shifter. The power supply circuit provides a calibration reference signal to said microprocessor. The voltage surge protection circuit protects the calibration reference signal against a surge voltage condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Todd W. Fritz, Edward F. Handley
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Patent number: 6218816Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic control circuit that detects a short-circuit or excess current condition and, in response thereto, cuts off the output current from the system power supply. The circuit is disposed between a system power supply and a load device. An output transistor is connected between the system power supply and the load device to control the level of current supplied to the load device, including cutting off the current supply entirely in case of a short-circuit or excess current condition. The output transistor is controlled by a pre-drive transistor which, in combination with pre-drive resistors, provides a control signal to the output transistor to control the level of output current supplied to the load device. The control signal produced by the pre-drive transistor is dependent upon the output of an operational amplifier that compares the output potential to a pre-determined reference voltage to determine if the output potential has reached a stable level.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Todd W. Fritz, Edward F. Handley
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Patent number: 5491892Abstract: A ground strap and vibration mount assembly (10) effectively mechanically isolates an electronic component from vibration while also providing an electrically conductive path to ground potential. The assembly (10) includes a vibration dampener (16) mounted through an opening (28) formed in a tab (12) projecting from the housing of the vibration sensitive electronic component. An insert (18) is provided therein and a mounting bolt (54) is positioned through a suitable opening (36) formed through the insert (18). An electrically conductive ground strap (40) is wrapped partially around the tab (12). An aperture (52) is formed in one portion (50) of the strap (40) and the bolt (54) passed therethrough. Opposing ends (42) of the electrically conductive connector (40) are secured to the tab (12).Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1994Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Todd W. Fritz, Mark L. Lanting, Alan R. Davis, Stephen A. Edelen, Jack D. Patterson
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Patent number: 5389053Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling a shift event in a transmission wherein a shift actuator develops a force to effect the engagement of a clutch collar and a gear. The method comprises detecting when a non-fully engaged condition of the clutch collar and the gear occurs, indicating either a tooth butt or torque lock condition, and then pulsing the shift actuator, when the non-fully engaged condition is detected, between a relatively low force and a relatively high force to disturb the clutch collar and the gear out of the non-fully engaged condition. The detecting step comprises examining either the axial position of the clutch collar or the axial position of a shift rail operatively connected to the clutch collar with a rail position sensor. Preferably, a signal having a modulated pulse width and a frequency of between about 5 and 20 Hertz is sent to the shift actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Jon A. Steeby, Todd W. Fritz
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Patent number: 5117219Abstract: A smoke and fire detection system wherein a central controller transmits data to remote transponders on a voltage supply line by pulse code modulation (PCM) of the supply voltage, and the transponders communicate with the controller by pulse width modulated (PWM) current pulses over the voltage supply line. A transmitter in the controller supplies a nominal operating voltage to the transponders and transmits a data word comprising a plurality of data bits to the transponders over the line. The transmitter generates each data bit by switching the voltage supplied to the line from the nominal operating voltage to a first voltage corresponding to a first logical level or a second voltage corresponding to a second logical level. A decoder in each transponder derives the transmitted data word.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1990Date of Patent: May 26, 1992Assignee: Pittway CorporationInventors: Lee D. Tice, Todd W. Fritz, Mark A. Kilcommons
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Patent number: 4916432Abstract: A smoke and fire detection system wherein a central controller transmits data to remote transponders on a voltage supply line by pulse code modulation (PCM) of the supply voltage, and the transponders communicate with the controller by pulse width modulated (PWM) current pulses over the voltage supply line. A transmitter in the controller supplys a nominal operating voltage to the transponders and transmits a data word comprising a plurality of data bits to the transponders over the line. The transmitter generates each data bit by switching the voltage supplied to the line from the nominal operating voltage to a first voltage corresponding to a first logical level or a second voltage corresponding to a second logical level. A decoder in each transponder derives the transmitted data word.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1987Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Assignee: Pittway CorporationInventors: Lee D. Tice, Todd W. Fritz, Mark A. Kilcommons