Patents by Inventor Darren Firth

Darren Firth 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: 9488285
    Abstract: A line pressure valve includes a valve housing having a central cavity and a plurality of inlet and outlet ports, and a spool positioned within the central cavity and axially displaceable therein, the spool having a plurality of radial cutouts that fluidly connect respective inlet and outlet ports based on an axial position of the spool with respect to the valve housing. First and second pumps are fluidly connectable and disconnectable respectively to and from the fluid circuit based on the axial position of the spool via the inlet and outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Adam C. Maurer, Jerry J. Brittan, Robert J. Kanda, Darren Firth, Melissa M. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20150330519
    Abstract: A line pressure valve includes a valve housing having a central cavity and a plurality of inlet and outlet ports, and a spool positioned within the central cavity and axially displaceable therein, the spool having a plurality of radial cutouts that fluidly connect respective inlet and outlet ports based on an axial position of the spool with respect to the valve housing. First and second pumps are fluidly connectable and disconnectable respectively to and from the fluid circuit based on the axial position of the spool via the inlet and outlet ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Adam C. Maurer, Jerry J. Brittan, Robert J. Kanda, Darren Firth, Melissa M. Koenig
  • Patent number: 9115731
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary hydraulic system including a first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit. The hydraulic system further includes a first pump fluidly connected to the first fluid circuit and fluidly connectable to the second fluid circuit, and a second pump fluidly connectable to the first and second fluid circuits. The hydraulic system includes a first valve that may be arranged in a first position for fluidly disconnecting the first and second pumps from the second fluid circuit, a second position for fluidly connecting the second pump to the second fluid circuit and fluidly disconnecting the first pump from the second fluid circuit, and a third position for fluidly connecting the first and second pumps to the second fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Adam C. Maurer, Jerry J. Brittan, Robert J. Kanda, Darren Firth, Melissa Mei Koenig
  • Publication number: 20130098452
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary hydraulic system including a first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit. The hydraulic system further includes a first pump fluidly connected to the first fluid circuit and fluidly connectable to the second fluid circuit, and a second pump fluidly connectable to the first and second fluid circuits. The hydraulic system includes a first valve that may be arranged in a first position for fluidly disconnecting the first and second pumps from the second fluid circuit, a second position for fluidly connecting the second pump to the second fluid circuit and fluidly disconnecting the first pump from the second fluid circuit, and a third position for fluidly connecting the first and second pumps to the second fluid circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Adam C. Maurer, Jerry J. Brittan, Robert J. Kanda, Darren Firth, Melissa Mei Koenig
  • Patent number: 8206265
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a dual clutch automatic transmission having a torque converter. The transmission provides seven forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse. The control system includes a hydraulic pump, a pressure regulator assembly and control valves that provide and release pressurized hydraulic fluid to the torque converter, a pair of input clutches and eight synchronizer clutches. A first pair of control valves are high flow rate valves which are capable of rapidly engaging and disengaging the input clutches. A second pair of high flow rate valves, control valves and spool valves provide a branching control circuit which controls engagement and disengagement of the synchronizer clutches. A control valve linked to the shift lever blocks hydraulic fluid flow to the first pair of high flow rate valves to inhibit input clutch activation when the shift lever is in Park or Neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John R. Maten, Kevin Michael Dougan, Richard T. Tamba, Darren Firth
  • Publication number: 20100099537
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a dual clutch automatic transmission having a torque converter. The transmission provides seven forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse. The control system includes a hydraulic pump, a pressure regulator assembly and control valves that provide and release pressurized hydraulic fluid to the torque converter, a pair of input clutches and eight synchronizer clutches. A first pair of control valves are high flow rate valves which are capable of rapidly engaging and disengaging the input clutches. A second pair of high flow rate valves, control valves and spool valves provide a branching control circuit which controls engagement and disengagement of the synchronizer clutches. A control valve linked to the shift lever blocks hydraulic fluid flow to the first pair of high flow rate valves to inhibit input clutch activation when the shift lever is in Park or Neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Maten, Kevin Michael Dougan, Richard T. Tamba, Darren Firth
  • Patent number: 6898992
    Abstract: A method of controlling the engagement force of the synchronizers of a dual clutch transmission having a plurality of synchronizers to selectively engage and disengage various gear sets, and a plurality of shift actuators adapted to move the synchronizers. The method includes the steps of initiating a control routine to pressurize a shift actuator to move a synchronizer to a predetermined engagement position and determining the necessary level of force required to move the desired shift actuator to the predetermined engagement position such that the engagement movement is effected without excessive force. The method also includes the steps of determining the hydraulic pressure that corresponds to the determined level of force and varying the amount of available hydraulic line pressure delivered to the shift actuator such that the delivered pressure is the amount that corresponds to the determined level of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Koenig, Darren Firth, Mark Buchanan
  • Patent number: 6883394
    Abstract: A method of controlling the positioning of the synchronizers of a dual clutch transmission having a plurality of synchronizers to selectively engage and disengage various gears sets, and a plurality of shift actuators adapted to move the synchronizers. The method includes the steps of initiating a control routine to move a synchronizer to a full engagement position with a gear set and monitoring the positions of all engaged synchronizers. The method also includes reinitiating the control routine to move a synchronizer back into the full engagement position when any engaged synchronizer slips out to a minimum engagement position. Further, the method includes initiating a control routine to move a synchronizer to a neutral position and monitoring the position of all disengaged synchronizers. Also, reinitiating the control routine to move a synchronizer back to the neutral position when any disengaged synchronizer drifts beyond a pre-determined neutral hysteresis position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Koenig, Darren Firth, Mark Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20050029068
    Abstract: A method of controlling the engagement force of the synchronizers of a dual clutch transmission having a plurality of synchronizers to selectively engage and disengage various gear sets, and a plurality of shift actuators adapted to move the synchronizers. The method includes the steps of initiating a control routine to pressurize a shift actuator to move a synchronizer to a predetermined engagement position and determining the necessary level of force required to move the desired shift actuator to the predetermined engagement position such that the engagement movement is effected without excessive force. The method also includes the steps of determining the hydraulic pressure that corresponds to the determined level of force and varying the amount of available hydraulic line pressure delivered to the shift actuator such that the delivered pressure is the amount that corresponds to the determined level of force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Melissa Koenig, Darren Firth, Mark Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20040069082
    Abstract: A method of controlling the positioning of the synchronizers of a dual clutch transmission having a plurality of synchronizers to selectively engage and disengage various gears sets, and a plurality of shift actuators adapted to move the synchronizers. The method includes the steps of initiating a control routine to move a synchronizer to a full engagement position with a gear set and monitoring the positions of all engaged synchronizers. The method also includes reinitiating the control routine to move a synchronizer back into the full engagement position when any engaged synchronizer slips out to a minimum engagement position. Further, the method includes initiating a control routine to move a synchronizer to a neutral position and monitoring the position of all disengaged synchronizers. Also, reinitiating the control routine to move a synchronizer back to the neutral position when any disengaged synchronizer drifts beyond a pre-determined neutral hysteresis position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Melissa Koenig, Darren Firth, Mark Buchanan