Patents by Inventor Mark A. Rain

Mark A. Rain 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: 10738882
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Patent number: 10619728
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Patent number: 10619727
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Patent number: 10281030
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Publication number: 20190113136
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Patent number: 10125874
    Abstract: Valve assemblies include a valve body having a fluid passage through the valve body and a valve member disposed in a chamber of the valve body. The valve assembly further includes a first seat and a second seat, where both seats are configured to contact and provide a seal between the valve body and the valve member to at least partially inhibit fluid flow through the fluid passage. Methods of providing a seal in a valve include forcing a primary seat into a seat portion of a valve body to provide a seal between a valve member and the valve body with the primary seat and deflecting at least one arm of a secondary seat to provide another seal between the valve member and the valve body with the secondary seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Rain
  • Publication number: 20180112780
    Abstract: Valve assemblies include a valve body having a fluid passage through the valve body and a valve member disposed in a chamber of the valve body. The valve assembly further includes a first seat and a second seat, where both seats are configured to contact and provide a seal between the valve body and the valve member to at least partially inhibit fluid flow through the fluid passage. Methods of providing a seal in a valve include forcing a primary seat into a seat portion of a valve body to provide a seal between a valve member and the valve body with the primary seat and deflecting at least one arm of a secondary seat to provide another seal between the valve member and the valve body with the secondary seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventor: Mark A. Rain
  • Publication number: 20180073630
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Publication number: 20180073631
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Publication number: 20180031119
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Patent number: 9403532
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing the output speed of a transmission in a vehicle, whereby the transmission includes a speed sensor and a controller and the vehicle includes a proximity sensor. The method includes measuring the output speed with the speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method further includes receiving an input signal from the proximity sensor and comparing the input signal to a signal threshold. The output speed of the transmission can be controlled based on the values of the measured output speed, throttle percentage, and input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Conn, Mark A. Rains
  • Patent number: 9169921
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling double transition shifts in an automatic transmission having multiple gear sections. During a double transition shift, the system performs simultaneous closed loop control of the primary oncoming clutch in the primary gear section and the secondary off-going clutch of the secondary gear section. Before the input shaft of the secondary gear section is fully pulled down or the secondary off-going clutch becomes overheated, the system switches closed loop control of the input shaft to the secondary on-coming clutch of the secondary gear section. The system utilizes model-based calculations to determine the initial clutch pressure settings when a clutch enters closed loop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: John Andrew Byerly, John P. Kresse, Mark A. Rains, Jeffrey K. Runde
  • Publication number: 20150032347
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling double transition shifts in an automatic transmission having multiple gear sections. During a double transition shift, the system performs simultaneous closed loop control of the primary oncoming clutch in the primary gear section and the secondary off-going clutch of the secondary gear section. Before the input shaft of the secondary gear section is fully pulled down or the secondary off-going clutch becomes overheated, the system switches closed loop control of the input shaft to the secondary on-coming clutch of the secondary gear section. The system utilizes model-based calculations to determine the initial clutch pressure settings when a clutch enters closed loop control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: John Andrew Byerly, John P. Kresse, Mark A. Rains, Jeffrey K. Runde
  • Patent number: 8935068
    Abstract: A method of selecting a gear ratio of a transmission. The method includes measuring a current road grade with a sensing device and communicating the current road grade measurement to the controller. The controller receives a signal corresponding to a service brake input and determines a desired maximum acceleration limit of the vehicle. The method also includes calculating a predicted vehicle acceleration, measuring a current vehicle acceleration, and calculating an error value as a function of the predicted vehicle acceleration and measured vehicle acceleration. The method also computes an estimated required tractive braking effort and estimated tractive braking effort for at least one of N automatically selectable gear ratios of the transmission and selects one gear ratio of the N automatically selectable gear ratios for the operation of the transmission based on a comparison of the estimated required tractive braking effort and estimated tractive braking effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kresse, John A. Byerly, Todd Dygert, Mark A. Rains
  • Publication number: 20140336890
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of selecting a gear ratio of a transmission. The method includes measuring a current road grade with a sensing device and communicating the current road grade measurement to the controller. The controller receives a signal corresponding to a service brake input and determines a desired maximum acceleration limit of the vehicle. The method also includes calculating a predicted vehicle acceleration, measuring a current vehicle acceleration, and calculating an error value as a function of the predicted vehicle acceleration and measured vehicle acceleration. The method also computes an estimated required tractive braking effort and estimated tractive braking effort for at least one of N automatically selectable gear ratios of the transmission and selects one gear ratio of the N automatically selectable gear ratios for the operation of the transmission based on a comparison of the estimated required tractive braking effort and estimated tractive braking effort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: John Kresse, John A. Byerly, Todd Dygert, Mark A. Rains
  • Patent number: 8718886
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling double transition shifts in an automatic transmission having multiple gear sections. During a double transition shift, the system performs simultaneous closed loop control of the primary oncoming clutch in the primary gear section and the secondary off-going clutch of the secondary gear section. Before the input shaft of the secondary gear section is fully pulled down or the secondary off-going clutch becomes overheated, the system switches closed loop control of the input shaft to the secondary on-coming clutch of the secondary gear section. The system utilizes model-based calculations to determine the initial clutch pressure settings when a clutch enters closed loop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: John Andrew Byerly, John P. Kresse, Mark A. Rains, Jeffrey K. Runde
  • Publication number: 20140019023
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling double transition shifts in an automatic transmission having multiple gear sections. During a double transition shift, the system performs simultaneous closed loop control of the primary oncoming clutch in the primary gear section and the secondary off-going clutch of the secondary gear section. Before the input shaft of the secondary gear section is fully pulled down or the secondary off-going clutch becomes overheated, the system switches closed loop control of the input shaft to the secondary on-coming clutch of the secondary gear section. The system utilizes model-based calculations to determine the initial clutch pressure settings when a clutch enters closed loop control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: John Andrew Byerly, John P. Kresse, Mark A. Rains, Jeffrey K. Runde
  • Patent number: 8483919
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling double transition shifts in an automatic transmission having multiple gear sections. During a double transition shift, the system performs simultaneous closed loop control of the primary oncoming clutch in the primary gear section and the secondary off-going clutch of the secondary gear section. Before the input shaft of the secondary gear section is fully pulled down or the secondary off-going clutch becomes overheated, the system switches closed loop control of the input shaft to the secondary on-coming clutch of the secondary gear section. The system utilizes model-based calculations to determine the initial clutch pressure settings when a clutch enters closed loop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: John Andrew Byerly, John P. Kresse, Mark A. Rains, Jeffrey K. Runde
  • Patent number: 8463482
    Abstract: An improved method for predicting the health of a power transmission and an apparatus for practicing the same are provided. The method includes: monitoring a total number of converged shifts after a first shift has converged; determining if the total number of converged shifts is greater then a calibrated number of completed converged shifts; if yes, determining an initial clutch volume, an initial free running clearance, a free running clearance, and a free running clearance per face and monitoring a change in free running clearance per face; determining if either the free running clearance per face is greater than a calibrated free running clearance per friction surface for failure or if the change in free running clearance per face is greater than a calibrated change in free running clearance per friction surface for failure; if yes, activating a service indicator configured to warn vehicle occupants that transmission service is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Rains, Brett R. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8170758
    Abstract: An automatic transmission may be coupled to an internal combustion engine. A shift selector may be coupled to the transmission and may have a plurality of user selectable inputs for controlling operation of the transmission that are electrically connected to a control circuit. The control circuit may include a memory having a value stored therein that relates to operation of the transmission. The memory may further include instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to change the value stored in the memory to a different value upon detection of user selection of a predefined sequence of two or more of the plurality of user selectable inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Rains