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).
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Patent number: 9488285Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Adam C. Maurer, Jerry J. Brittan, Robert J. Kanda, Darren Firth, Melissa M. Koenig
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Publication number: 20150330519Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Adam C. Maurer, Jerry J. Brittan, Robert J. Kanda, Darren Firth, Melissa M. Koenig
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Patent number: 9115731Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Adam C. Maurer, Jerry J. Brittan, Robert J. Kanda, Darren Firth, Melissa Mei Koenig
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Publication number: 20130098452Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Adam C. Maurer, Jerry J. Brittan, Robert J. Kanda, Darren Firth, Melissa Mei Koenig
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Patent number: 8206265Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John R. Maten, Kevin Michael Dougan, Richard T. Tamba, Darren Firth
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Publication number: 20100099537Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: John R. Maten, Kevin Michael Dougan, Richard T. Tamba, Darren Firth
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Patent number: 6898992Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventors: Melissa Koenig, Darren Firth, Mark Buchanan
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Patent number: 6883394Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventors: Melissa Koenig, Darren Firth, Mark Buchanan
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Publication number: 20050029068Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2003Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: Melissa Koenig, Darren Firth, Mark Buchanan
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Publication number: 20040069082Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2002Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Melissa Koenig, Darren Firth, Mark Buchanan