Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Howard D. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6739443
    Abstract: A double-acting baulkring-type synchronizer (18) includes fiction surfaces (24,48 and 26,50) and jaw teeth and jaw teeth (28,54,30,56) for synchronizing and positively connecting forward and reverse gears (14,16) to a shaft (12). Initial engaging movement of a shift sleeve (34) from a neutral position activates pre-energizers (52 or 100) effect engagement of the friction surfaces for engaging blocker surfaces (44a,54a,46a,56a) that prevent asynchronous engagement of the jaw teeth. The pre-energizers include clearances and centering forces to prevent momentary engagement of the friction surfaces associated with the reverse gear and the forward gear when the shift sleeve is moved back to the neutral position from a position of engaged the jaw teeth (28,54 or 30,56) associated respectively with the forward and reverse gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Josevaldo Roberto Fernandez
  • Patent number: 6636795
    Abstract: A powertrain system (10) control for controlling engine (12) output torque as a function of engaged ratio of a transmission (14). Separate torque limits, A, B, C, D, respectively, are set for start ratios, intermediate ratios, direct ratio and overdrive ratios. The torque limits are set such that A<B<C>D and B<D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J. Morscheck
  • Patent number: 6588562
    Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer (18) includes multiple cone friction surfaces (28a, 36a 32a 36b and 30a, 38a, 34a, 38b) and jaw clutch spline teeth (26a, 20a, 22a) for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting gears (14,16) to a shaft (12). Inner rings 32, 34 respectively define the friction surfaces (32a, 34a) and ramp surfaces (32b, 34b) that move a boost member 42 radially outward to engage self-energizing surfaces (44c, 26g and 44d, 26f) to provide additive self-energizing forces in response to limited rotation of the inner rings by synchronizing torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Josevaldo Roberto Fernandez
  • Patent number: 6588561
    Abstract: A synchronizer (18) includes cone clutch friction surfaces (24,48 and 26,50) for frictionally synchronizing gears (14,16) to a shaft (12), and jaw clutch teeth (28,30) engagable with jaw teeth (36a,36b) defined on a shift sleeve (34) for positive connecting the gears to the shaft. A plurality of self-energizing/blocker members (62) transmit shift force applied to the shift sleeve and self-energizing force to friction rings (40,42) via blocker surfaces (44r,44s,44p,44q) defined by blocker members (44) that have opposite ends (44c,44d) attached to the friction rings. The blocker members also disengage the friction surfaces of one cone clutch prior to engagement of to the friction surfaces of the other cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Josevaldo Roberto Fernandez
  • Patent number: 6561948
    Abstract: A control system/method for controlling a vehicle drivetrain (10) including an engine (18), a transmission (12) and, a centrifugal clutch (20) for drivingly coupling the engine output (136) to the transmission input shaft (28) during vehicle launch. A system controller (50) issues command output signals (56) for controlling engine speed (ES) on a closed loop basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald K. Markyvech, Thomas A. Genise
  • Patent number: 6520040
    Abstract: A control method/system for controlling range section (14) shifting in a range-type transmission (10) having a “repeat-H” shift mechanism. Under certain conditions, a shift from the highest ratio position in low range (4/8) toward the lowest ratio position (1/5) will cause an automatic shift to the high range, even if the range selector (96) is in the low range selection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Thomas Cox
  • Patent number: 6491603
    Abstract: A method/system for controlling shifting in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) utilized on a vehicle having an engine brake (ECB), preferably controlled by an ECU (28). Shifts to be initiated while the engine brake is active and engine brake assisted upshifts are evaluated with regard to the engine built in engine brake deactivation response delay (TECBDEACTIVATE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jon A. Steeby
  • Patent number: 6467598
    Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer (18) for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting gears (14,16) to a shaft (12). The synchronizer includes a cone clutch surfaces (24,48) and (26,50) which are engaged by an operator shift force and limit means (54,56) producing a counter force for decreasing the amount of operator shift force transmitted to cone clutch friction surfaces in response to the synchronizing torque exceeding a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Graeme Andrew Jackson, Carl Christopher John Smith
  • Patent number: 6467597
    Abstract: A baulkring-type synchronizer (18) includes cone clutch friction surfaces (24,48 and 26,50) for frictionally synchronizing gears (14,16) to a shaft (12), and jaw clutch teeth (28,30) engagable with jaw teeth defined on opposite ends of splines (36) for positive connecting the gears to the shaft. Pluralities of rigid self-energizing members (62) are drivingly interposed between blocker teeth (44,46) affixed to baulkrings (40,42) and self-energizing ramp surfaces (60a-60d) defined on an outer circumference of a hub 32 affixed to the shaft (12). A shift sleeve (34) is slidably splined to the hub (32) and is moved by a shift force and an additive force provided by the self-energizing ramp surfaces. Both forces react against the blocker teeth to engage the friction surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Josevaldo Roberto Fernandez
  • Patent number: 6461272
    Abstract: A method/system for controlling an automated mechanical transmission system (10) utilized on a vehicle and having a manually operated master friction clutch operator (48). To protect from driveline damage due to dynamic clutch “popping,” upon sensing dynamic vehicle conditions (OS >REFVSPEED) and clutch (16) not engaged, transmission (14) engaged and THL>REFTHL, a controller (28) causes engine speed (ES) to be limited to a target value (EST) substantially equal to input shaft speed (IS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Boardman, Karen L. Marx
  • Patent number: 6445992
    Abstract: A control for a vehicle drive line system (10) including an automated vehicle dry master clutch (14) drivingly interposed in between a fuel-controlled engine (12) and the input shaft (20) of a mechanical transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Stanley Wheeler, Alfred John Richardson
  • Patent number: 6419063
    Abstract: A self-energizing synchronizer (10) of the pin-type, double-acting with friction rings (22, 36 and 24, 38), jaw clutches (26, 28) engagable with jaw clutches (30b, 30c) defined by an annular member (30), three circumferentially spaced pins (40) including blocker shoulders for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw clutches, pre-energizer assemblies (42) to ensure initial engagement of the friction rings and blocker shoulders in response to initial engaging movement of a shift flange (32), and self-energizing producing an additive axial force (Fa) in response to cams (50b, 50c, 20e, 20f) and ramp (48e, 48f, 48g, 48h) reacting synchronizing torque. The ramps are defined by an H-shaped link (48) and the flange is axially secured to the annular member abutments (52, 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy S. Smith
  • Patent number: 6409629
    Abstract: A method/system for controlling upshifting in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) utilized on a vehicle preferably having an ECU (28) operated friction upshift brake (26). To prevent thermal damage to the upshift brake, a predicted brake temperature (TEMPp) at completion of an aided upshift is determined and compared to an allowable maximum (TEMPMAX). If predicted brake temperature exceeds the maximum (TEMPp>TEMPMAX) using the upshift brake for the upshift is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Alan R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6375596
    Abstract: A method/system for controlling an automated mechanical transmission system (10) utilized on a vehicle. To protect from driveline damage due to improper clutch engagement during vehicle launch conditions, the master friction clutch (16) is partially engaged to determine a direction of rotation of the input shaft (18) from the non-directional signal (IS) received from a non-directional speed sensor (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jon A. Steeby
  • Patent number: 6374951
    Abstract: An improved splash-type lubrication system (100) for a change-gear transmission (102). A closely fitting gear shroud (104) is provided with upper openings (106, 108, 110) allowing the countershaft and main shaft gears to mesh and directs splashed lubricant (112) toward needle bearings (44) supporting main shaft gears (38, 40) on the main shaft (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Michelhaugh, John C. Bierlein
  • Patent number: 6364810
    Abstract: A controller-assisted, manually shifted compound transmission system (10) and splitter shift control method therefor. Auxiliary splitter section (16B) shifts are automatically implemented by a splitter shifter (28) under commands (56) from a controller (54). The splitter ratio to be engaged is determined as a function of a target engine speed (EST) under sensed and expected vehicle operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas A. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6364083
    Abstract: A synchronizer (10) with improved blockers (41) and pre-energizers (43). The synchronizer includes blocker pins (40) that extend axially through blocker openings (41a) in a radially extending shift flange (32) and split pin pre-energizers (42) having pairs of members (44) extending axially through pre-energizer openings (43a) in the flange. The openings (41a,43a) are defined by blocker and pre-energizer rings (41,43) respective disposed in openings (32a,32b) in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Gluys, Robert E. Servoss
  • Patent number: 6361473
    Abstract: A controller-assisted, manually shifted transmission system (10) utilizes a shift inhibit mechanism (48) to inhibit out-of-synchronous shifts and unintended disengagement of ratios. An intent to shift (ITS) and target ratio (GRT) are determined from a shift lever position sensor (46) and a force sensor (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Mason, Alan C. Stine, Douglas C. Hughes, Karen L. Marx
  • Patent number: RE37697
    Abstract: A pin-type, double-acting synchronizer mechanism (22) includes friction clutches (24,36 and 26,38), jaw clutches (28,14b,16b), self-energizing ramps, (13f,13g,13h,13i and 29e,29f,29g,29h), and springs (33) to limit the maximum self-energizing or additive force provided by the ramps. The ramps act between a shaft (12) and jaw clutch (28). A shift flange (32) is rotatably fixed to the jaw clutch (28) by splines which allow relative axial movement against the force of the springs (33). The jaw clutch (28) and the shaft (12) include mating splines (29,13) divided into spline portions (29a,29b,29c,29d and 13a,13b,13c,13d,13e) to define the ramps to control limited relative rotation between the jaw clutch (28) and shaft (12), and to provide surface area and structural strength for transmitting full torque to the shaft and gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Nellums, Eugene R. Braun
  • Patent number: RE38615
    Abstract: A system and method for decreasing the time required to complete a ratio change in an electronically enhanced powertrain system is provided. The powertrain system includes a number of devices for providing a retarding torque to engine rotation to increase the decay rate of the engine speed during an upshift. These devices include an engine brake and an input shaft brake. A retarding torque is also provided by increasing engine accessory load by controlling various engine accessories such as a cooling fan, an air compressor, a hydraulic pump, an air conditioning compressor, and an alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John Dresden, III, Thomas A. Genise, Simon Hornby, Ronald K. Markyvech, Richard A. Nellums, John E. Stainton