Patents by Inventor John Armstead

John Armstead 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: 9353853
    Abstract: A transmission includes a latch valve with latched and de-latched states. In the de-latched state, the latch valve directs a control pressure to a clutch apply circuit. In the latched state, which is entered in response to a control pressure higher than a latch pressure, the latch valve directs a line pressure to the clutch apply circuit. A controller manages the transition from latched to de-latched differently depending upon the transmission input torque and gear state. At high transmission input torque, the controller first reduces the control pressure to rapidly accelerate a spool in the latch valve, and then increases the control pressure to prevent clutch slip. At low torque, the controller reduced the pressure to an intermediate value during the transition and then reduces it again. At moderate torques, the controller reduces the pressure directly to a target pressure in a single step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Kendrick Morrison, Cory LaRoche, Derek Kinch, John Armstead, Brian Michael O'Neil, Pramod Kumar Jain
  • Publication number: 20160097448
    Abstract: A transmission includes a latch valve with latched and de-latched states. In the de-latched state, the latch valve directs a control pressure to a clutch apply circuit. In the latched state, which is entered in response to a control pressure higher than a latch pressure, the latch valve directs a line pressure to the clutch apply circuit. A controller manages the transition from latched to de-latched differently depending upon the transmission input torque and gear state. At high transmission input torque, the controller first reduces the control pressure to rapidly accelerate a spool in the latch valve, and then increases the control pressure to prevent clutch slip. At low torque, the controller reduced the pressure to an intermediate value during the transition and then reduces it again. At moderate torques, the controller reduces the pressure directly to a target pressure in a single step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Alexander Phillip McDonnell, Kendrick Morrison, Cory LaRoche, Derek Kinch, John Armstead, Brian Michael O'Neil, Pramod Kumar Jain