Patents by Inventor John William Edward Fuller

John William Edward Fuller 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).

  • Publication number: 20140074367
    Abstract: A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20140066249
    Abstract: An apparatus for multiplexing gear engagement control in an automatic transmission is provided. At least two friction engagement devices are configured to selectively engage and disengage a different gear ratio of the transmission. A trim system is configured to selectively supply engagement and disengagement pressures to at least one fluid passageway. A first control valve is fluidly coupled directly to the at least one fluid passageway and directly to each of the at least two friction engagement devices. The first control valve is configured to selectively route the engagement and disengagement pressures through the first control valve directly to the at least two friction devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20130338889
    Abstract: A transmission includes an electro-hydraulic controller that includes redundancy in the hydraulic circuit that permits single fault failures to be compensated for by changing the flow path of hydraulic fluid to bypass the single fault failure. The redundancy results in the ability of the transmission to maintain full operation in all modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller, Stephen Murray
  • Publication number: 20130338893
    Abstract: A transmission includes an electro-hydraulic controller that includes redundancy in the hydraulic circuit that permits single fault failures to be compensated for by changing the flow path of hydraulic fluid to bypass the single fault failure. The redundancy results in the ability of the transmission to maintain full operation in all modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller, Stephen Murray
  • Publication number: 20130338888
    Abstract: A transmission includes an electro-hydraulic controller that includes redundancy in the hydraulic circuit that permits single fault failures to be compensated for by changing the flow path of hydraulic fluid to bypass the single fault failure. The redundancy results in the ability of the transmission to maintain full operation in all modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller, Stephen Murray
  • Publication number: 20130338891
    Abstract: A transmission includes an electro-hydraulic controller that includes redundancy in the hydraulic circuit that permits single fault failures to be compensated for by changing the flow path of hydraulic fluid to bypass the single fault failure. The redundancy results in the ability of the transmission to maintain full operation in all modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller, Stephen Murray
  • Patent number: 8589043
    Abstract: A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 8578802
    Abstract: An apparatus for multiplexing gear engagement control in an automatic transmission is provided. At least two friction engagement devices are configured to selectively engage and disengage a different gear ratio of the transmission. A trim system is configured to selectively supply engagement and disengagement pressures to at least one fluid passageway. A first control valve is fluidly coupled directly to the at least one fluid passageway and directly to each of the at least two friction engagement devices. The first control valve is configured to selectively route the engagement and disengagement pressures through the first control valve directly to the at least two friction devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20130218430
    Abstract: A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20130123061
    Abstract: A fraction control arrangement for a variator (10) with a pair of races (12, 14, 26) and at least one roller (28) which transfers drive from one to the other. The roller is movably mounted. Its motion enables the speed of one race to be varied relative to the speed of the other race. The variator has a hydraulic traction load actuator (117) which receives a hydraulic traction load pressure and in response urges the races and the rollers into engagement in order to provide traction between them. At least one hydraulic roller control actuator (32) receives opposed first and second reaction pressures and in response to apply a reaction force to the roller. A traction control valve (119, 119a) controls the traction load pressure and is operable in at least two modes. The relationship between traction load pressure and reaction force is different in the two modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: TOROTRAK (DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 8401752
    Abstract: A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20130037144
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supplying fluid to a continuously variable transmission which has a lubrication system and at least one transmission control system. The apparatus comprises first and second pumps (120, 122). The first pump has an output which is connectable to the lubrication system through a supply control valve arrangement (132). The second pump has an output which is connectable to the transmission control system. The apparatus has a transfer passage (128) through which the first pump can be connected to the transmission control system. The supply control valve arrangement is adapted to selectively throttle supply of fluid from the output of the first pump to the lubrication system in order to cause fluid output from the first pump to be diverted through the transfer passage to the transmission control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOROTRAK (DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventor: John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20120302401
    Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for controlling a vehicle drivetrain having an engine provided with a speed governor and a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) incorporating a variator which is constructed and arranged to regulate its reaction torque. The control system comprises a control part (504) movable by the driver to provide a driver input, an open loop subsystem (511) for operatively coupling the control part to the governor (520) to control no-load speed of the governor in dependence on the driver input, a closed loop subsystem comprising a comparator (502) which receives a first control signal deprived from the driver input and corresponding to a target engine speed, and a second control signal corresponding to engine speed, and which adjusts variator reaction torque in dependence upon a comparison of the first and second control signals causing the transmission to load the engine suitably to achieve the target engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20110144870
    Abstract: A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20110144925
    Abstract: A fault diagnostic method for an automatic transmission may include monitoring an operating state of a trim system configured to selectively supply clutch engagement pressure and exhaust to at least one clutch control valve, determining an expected operating state of the trim system based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and generating a fault signal if the monitored operating state of the trim system is different from the expected operating state of the trim system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20110143882
    Abstract: An apparatus for multiplexing gear engagement control in an automatic transmission is provided. At least two friction engagement devices are configured to selectively engage and disengage a different gear ratio of the transmission. A trim system is configured to selectively supply engagement and disengagement pressures to at least one fluid passageway. A first control valve is fluidly coupled directly to the at least one fluid passageway and directly to each of the at least two friction engagement devices. The first control valve is configured to selectively route the engagement and disengagement pressures through the first control valve directly to the at least two friction devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20110144872
    Abstract: A variator lockout valve system for a continuously variable transmission includes a pair of shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is fluidly coupled to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. Electro-hydraulic actuators control the position of each of the shift valves. When the shift valves are in one position, pressure control valves supply fluid pressure to the variator. If one of the shift valves is in another position, one of the pressure control valves is blocked from supplying fluid pressure to the variator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20110087411
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic controller for a continuously variable transmission of the type having a variator (10) with a rotary variator input (17) coupled to a first variator race (14a) and a rotary variator output (29) coupled to a second variator race (16a). At least one roller (20) runs upon the said races to transfer drive from one to the other. The roller is movable to steplessly vary the variator ratio. The variator further comprises at least one hydraulic actuator (36), (38) which acts upon the roller and through which net torque acting on the variator races is referred via the roller to the variator's casing. A hydraulic arrangement is provided for applying to the actuator at least one hydraulic control pressure which determines force applied’ by the actuator and thus determines the reaction torque. The variator is coupled between a rotary transmission input (17) and a rotary transmission output (714) such that the transmission ratio is a function of the variator ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: John William Edward Fuller
  • Publication number: 20100197447
    Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for control of a continuously variable transmission. The transmission includes a variator (10) having a movable torque transfer part (rollers 18) whose position corresponds to a variator drive ratio. A hydraulic actuator (28) is arranged to exert an adjustable force on the torque transfer part. The transmission further comprises a flow control arrangement which is arranged to receive as control inputs (a) the current position of the torque transfer part and (b) a demanded position for it. The demanded position may for example be determined by driver input. The flow control arrangement is adapted to supply through a supply outlet which communicates with the hydraulic actuator a flow of fluid which is modulated in accordance with an error between the two control inputs. The flow of fluid increases with increasing error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Donohoe, Philip Duncan Winter, John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 7625309
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed comprising a transmission input and output between which a variator (V) can be coupled, in either a low regime or a high regime, by gearing (R1, R2, R3, M). The relationship between variator ratio and overall transmission ratio is different in the two regimes. Incorporated in the gearing are first and second clutch means (L, H) both hydraulically actuated, for engaging and disengaging low and high regimes respectively. The gearing provides a synchronous ratio at which a change between low and high regimes, at constant variator ratio, provides no change in the overall transmission ratio. The transmission is provided with hydraulics which incorporate a shift valve (110) which controls application of hydraulic pressures to the first and second clutch means. A change in state of the shift valve (110) causes one clutch means to change from engaged to disengaged and the other to make the opposite transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: John William Edward Fuller