Patents by Inventor Christopher L. Danks

Christopher L. Danks 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).

  • Control of automatic transmission shift by wire range selection
    Patent number: 9200707
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission includes using actuation of a button of a shift module to produce a signal representing a desired gear, using the signal and a second signal commanding a park range to determining a priority range, using a shift mechanism to attempt engagement of the transmission in the priority range, and if the priority range is park and park is not engaged, engaging a park brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Todd C. Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark E. Zyskowski, Christopher L. Danks, Matthew L. Fyie, Charles C. Poon, William R. Goodwin, Richard R. Hathaway
  • Shift-by-wire default-to-park functional verification
    Patent number: 8671745
    Abstract: A method for testing a transmission gear shift device includes using an electric machine and a primary mechanism to place the device and a secondary mechanism, latched to the primary mechanism, in a park position, using a motor to delatch the secondary mechanism from the primary mechanism, using the electric machine to absorb energy released by a spring when delatching, and using the electric machine to relatch the secondary mechanism to the primary mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Tehnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Deurloo, William R. Goodwin, Christopher L. Danks, Louis A. Nagy
  • Shift-By-Wire Default-To-Park Functional Verification
    Publication number: 20120131993
    Abstract: A method for testing a transmission gear shift device includes using an electric machine and a primary mechanism to place the device and a secondary mechanism, latched to the primary mechanism, in a park position, using a motor to delatch the secondary mechanism from the primary mechanism, using the electric machine to absorb energy released by a spring when delatching, and using the electric machine to relatch the secondary mechanism to the primary mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Deurloo, William R. Goodwin, Christopher L. Danks, Louis A. Nagy
  • Control of Automatic Transmission Shift by Wire Range Selection
    Publication number: 20120078478
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission includes using actuation of a button of a shift module to produce a signal representing a desired gear, using the signal and a second signal commanding a park range to determining a priority range, using a shift mechanism to attempt engagement of the transmission in the priority range, and if the priority range is park and park is not engaged, engaging a park brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Todd C. Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark E. Zyskowski, Christopher L. Danks, Matthew L. Fyie, Charles C. Poon, William R. Goodwin, Richard R. Hathaway