Patents by Inventor David A. Thatcher

David A. Thatcher 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: 7885746
    Abstract: A transmission control system for a vehicle includes a first module that generates a first modified signal based on a first position of a driver input device and a second module that receives the first modified signal from the first module. The second module generates a second modified signal based on a second position of the driver input device and regulates operation of a transmission of the vehicle based on the first and second modified signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Ananth Krishnan, David A. Thatcher, Timothy J. Hartrey
  • Patent number: 5291408
    Abstract: A traction control system limits the spin of a vehicle driven wheel at a spin limit value that is a function of the vehicle turn rate and that is decreased as a function of the vehicle turn rate of change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Thatcher
  • Patent number: 5014202
    Abstract: The application of brake pressure to limit the spin of a driven wheel in a traction control system is made adaptive to the torque demand on the engine. This is accomplished by increasing the brake pressure when an excessive spin condition is sensed at a rate that is proportional to a parameter related to engine torque. The ramp is then terminated when the wheel parameters attain certain predetermined conditions. The brake pressure ramp is terminated when the wheel jerk is negative while at the same time the wheel deceleration is below a predetermined value. After the ramp is terminated, the brake pressure of the spinning wheel is controlled based on wheel parameters such as wheel spin ratio or the difference between the speed of the spinning wheel and vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Thatcher
  • Patent number: 4998782
    Abstract: A traction control system for limiting the slip of a driven wheel determines an excessive spinning condition of the wheel in response to an excess driving torque applied from the vehicle engine. If the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value, a braking force is applied to the wheel that is a predetermined function of the spin ratio of the wheel and when the vehicle speed is greater than the predetermined value, a braking force is applied to the wheel that is a predetermined function of the difference between the driven wheel speed and the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Thatcher, Gordon L. Tierney