Patents by Inventor Christopher Rhoades

Christopher Rhoades 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: 8897976
    Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission output speed (TOS) sensor providing a signal indicative of an output speed of the transmission. A controller estimates an actual torque output of the transmission and determines, in real time, a first TOS acceleration based on the signal provided by the transmission output speed sensor and a second TOS acceleration based on the actual torque estimation. The first and second accelerations are compared and a torque transient trigger is activated when the divergence exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lister, Christopher Rhoades, Michael Beyer, Michael Barngrover
  • Patent number: 8862351
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission (100) for a machine is disclosed. The transmission includes a variator (104). The transmission is operated in a first operating range (301). It is determined whether a current speed ratio is within a first predetermined range of a speed ratio associated with a first synchronous point (304) lying between the first operating range (301) and the second operating range (302). A desired speed ratio is determined and it is determined if the desired speed ratio is within a second predetermined range of the speed ratio. A shift between the first and second operating ranges (301, 302) is prevented and the variator (104) is controlled to hold the current speed ratio if the desired speed ratio is within the second predetermined range or the rate of acceleration of the machine is below the threshold acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Beyer, Adam Vaccari, Christopher Rhoades, Adam Nackers, Brian Lister, Mike Barngrover
  • Patent number: 8781696
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, a transmission having a first input connected to an engine output shaft, and a variator. The variator includes a pump connected to the engine output shaft and a motor connected to a second input of the transmission. The pump has a variable setting that is determinable by a position of a pump actuator in response to a command signal. A controller associated is disposed to control operation of the variator, at least in part, by providing the command signal to the pump actuator. The command signal is determined based on an operator command and on a compensation term, which depends on a correlation function of a parameter related to the speed ratio between a pump speed and a motor speed and a flow characteristic of the pump actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Beyer, Chad T. Brickner, Christopher Rhoades
  • Publication number: 20130325272
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, a transmission having a first input connected to an engine output shaft, and a variator. The variator includes a pump connected to the engine output shaft and a motor connected to a second input of the transmission. The pump has a variable setting that is determinable by a position of a pump actuator in response to a command signal. A controller associated is disposed to control operation of the variator, at least in part, by providing the command signal to the pump actuator. The command signal is determined based on an operator command and on a compensation term, which depends on a correlation function of a parameter related to the speed ratio between a pump speed and a motor speed and a flow characteristic of the pump actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Beyer, Chad T. Brickner, Christopher Rhoades
  • Publication number: 20130325270
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission (100) for a machine is disclosed. The transmission includes a variator (104). The transmission is operated in a first operating range (301). It is determined whether a current speed ratio is within a first predetermined range of a speed ratio associated with a first synchronous point (304) lying between the first operating range (301) and the second operating range (302). A desired speed ratio is determined and it is determined if the desired speed ratio is within a second predetermined range of the speed ratio. A shift between the first and second operating ranges (301, 302) is prevented and the variator (104) is controlled to hold the current speed ratio if the desired speed ratio is within the second predetermined range or the rate of acceleration of the machine is below the threshold acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael Beyer, Adam Vaccari, Christopher Rhoades, Adam Nackers, Brian Lister, Mike Barngrover
  • Publication number: 20130325271
    Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission output speed (TOS) sensor providing a signal indicative of an output speed of the transmission. A controller estimates an actual torque output of the transmission and determines, in real time, a first TOS acceleration based on the signal provided by the transmission output speed sensor and a second TOS acceleration based on the actual torque estimation. The first and second accelerations are compared and a torque transient trigger is activated when the divergence exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Brian Lister, Christopher Rhoades, Michael Beyer, Michael Barngrover
  • Patent number: 8568271
    Abstract: A method for preventing shift hunting in a powertrain including an engine and a transmission having a variator, a first gearset, and a second gearset is disclosed. The method includes operating the engine at a first substantially constant speed, detecting a shift condition, and operating the engine at a second substantially constant speed as a function of detecting the shift condition. The second speed is different than the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Adam J. Vaccari, Michael D Beyer, Christopher A Rhoades
  • Publication number: 20120270699
    Abstract: A method for preventing shift hunting in a powertrain including an engine and a transmission having a variator, a first gearset, and a second gearset is disclosed. The method includes operating the engine at a first substantially constant speed, detecting a shift condition, and operating the engine at a second substantially constant speed as a function of detecting the shift condition. The second speed is different than the first speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Adam J. Vaccari, Michael D. Beyer, Christopher A. Rhoades
  • Publication number: 20120065853
    Abstract: A method for preventing shift hunting in a powertrain is disclosed. The powertrain includes an engine and a transmission having a variator, a first gearset, and a second gearset. The engine is operated at a first substantially constant speed. A first transmission shift condition is detected. A desired transmission output torque is determined. The transmission is operated at a transmission torque different than the desired torque as a function of the first shift condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Adam J. Vaccari, Michael D. Beyer, Christopher A. Rhoades
  • Publication number: 20120065854
    Abstract: A method for preventing shift hunting in a powertrain is disclosed. The powertrain includes an engine and a transmission having a variator, a first gearset, and a second gearset. The engine is operated at a first substantially constant speed. A first transmission shift condition is detected. One or more shift hunting prevention methods are selected as a function of operating parameters from a group of shift hunting prevention methods. The one or more shift hunting prevention methods are implemented as a function of detecting the first transmission shift condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Adam J. Vaccari, Michael D. Beyer, Christopher A. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 6446747
    Abstract: A control element arrangement is disclosed for controlling a motor vehicle without conventional pedals and steering wheel. Two control elements are provided which can be operated independently of one another, in which case at least the longitudinal speed and/or at least the steering angle can be controlled optionally by operating one or the other control element. As a result, with respect to the longitudinal and/or the lateral dynamic control, on the one hand, a redundancy is created which increases the operating reliability and, on the other hand, the control-comfort-increasing possibility is created of being able to guide the vehicle alternated by means of one or the other control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Manfred Müller, Werner Reichelt, Peter Frank, Christopher Rhoades
  • Patent number: 5845735
    Abstract: A control element arrangement is disclosed for controlling a motor vehicle without conventional pedals and steering wheel. Two control elements are provided which can be operated independently of one another, in which case at least the longitudinal speed and/or at least the steering angle can be controlled optionally by operating one or the other control element. As a result, with respect to the longitudinal and/or the lateral dynamic control, on the one hand, a redundancy is created which increases the operating reliability and, on the other hand, the control-comfort-increasing possibility is created of being able to guide the vehicle alternately by means of one or the other control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Manfred Muller, Werner Reichelt, Peter Frank, Christopher Rhoades
  • Patent number: 5551746
    Abstract: A side window arrangement is disclosed which has main and auxiliary window cutouts which are separated from one another and are arranged one behind the other in the opening direction of the window, a window side pane having an opening which can be moved into the auxiliary window cutout. The auxiliary window cutout serves as a ventilation cutout located underneath the main window cutout. This arrangement contrasts with known side windows, which, when opened by a small gap to ventilate the vehicle internal space, causes the occupants of the vehicle to be adversely affected by air eddying occurring at head level and by aerodynamic noise. In the case of obliquely previously known arranged side windows, water enters when it is raining even if the windows are only opened slightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Christopher Rhoades, Lucian Reindl, Harald Leschke
  • Patent number: D580826
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christopher Rhoades, Gorden Wagener
  • Patent number: D406804
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bruno Sacco, Harald Leschke, Guenter Hoelzel, Michael Kraemer, Christopher Rhoades
  • Patent number: D406805
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bruno Sacco, Harald Leschke, Guenter Hoelzel, Michael Kraemer, Christopher Rhoades
  • Patent number: D412146
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bruno Sacco, Harald Leschke, Guenter Hoelzel, Michael Kraemer, Christopher Rhoades
  • Patent number: D807786
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Matthias Beiling, Lilia Chernaeva, Volker Leutz, Michael Pacher, Christopher Rhoades