Patents by Inventor Eric J. Manning

Eric J. Manning 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: 10125863
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to and from a torque converter that is operatively associated with a lockup clutch. The torque converter is disposed upstream of an outlet regulator that maintains a predetermined pressure in the torque converter. Power transmission in a powertrain can be directed through the torque converter during a hydrodynamic mode and can be directed through the lockup clutch during lockup mode. To switch between the hydrodynamic mode and the lockup mode, the hydraulic circuit includes a diverter valve to selectively direct pressurized hydraulic fluid between the torque converter and the lockup clutch. When operating in the lockup mode, the diverter valve further diverts hydraulic fluid discharged for the torque converter to bypass the outlet regulator disposed downstream of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Boston, Eric J. Manning, Benjamin D. Nauman
  • Publication number: 20180187777
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to and from a torque converter that is operatively associated with a lockup clutch. The torque converter is disposed upstream of an outlet regulator that maintains a predetermined pressure in the torque converter. Power transmission in a powertrain can be directed through the torque converter during a hydrodynamic mode and can be directed through the lockup clutch during lockup mode. To switch between the hydrodynamic mode and the lockup mode, the hydraulic circuit includes a diverter valve to selectively direct pressurized hydraulic fluid between the torque converter and the lockup clutch. When operating in the lockup mode, the diverter valve further diverts hydraulic fluid discharged for the torque converter to bypass the outlet regulator disposed downstream of the torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Boston, Eric J. Manning, Benjamin D. Nauman
  • Patent number: 9958060
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to and from a torque converter that is operatively associated with a lockup clutch. The torque converter is disposed upstream of an outlet regulator that maintains a predetermined pressure in the torque converter. Power transmission in a powertrain can be directed through the torque converter during a hydrodynamic mode and can be directed through the lockup clutch during lockup mode. To switch between the hydrodynamic mode and the lockup mode, the hydraulic circuit includes a diverter valve to selectively direct pressurized hydraulic fluid between the torque converter and the lockup clutch. When operating in the lockup mode, the diverter valve further diverts hydraulic fluid discharged for the torque converter to bypass the outlet regulator disposed downstream of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Boston, Eric J. Manning, Benjamin D. Nauman
  • Publication number: 20170159807
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to and from a torque converter that is operatively associated with a lockup clutch. The torque converter is disposed upstream of an outlet regulator that maintains a predetermined pressure in the torque converter. Power transmission in a powertrain can be directed through the torque converter during a hydrodynamic mode and can be directed through the lockup clutch during lockup mode. To switch between the hydrodynamic mode and the lockup mode, the hydraulic circuit includes a diverter valve to selectively direct pressurized hydraulic fluid between the torque converter and the lockup clutch. When operating in the lockup mode, the diverter valve further diverts hydraulic fluid discharged for the torque converter to bypass the outlet regulator disposed downstream of the torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Boston, Eric J. Manning, Benjamin D. Nauman