Patents by Inventor Richard E. Zuppann

Richard E. Zuppann 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: 20110035121
    Abstract: Receiving sensor data related to position of a gear in a transmission, the sensor data including data from a first sensor and data from a second sensor; determining a first indicated position of the gear from the data from the first sensor; determining a second indicated position of the gear from the data from the second sensor; comparing the first indicated position to the second indicated position; and determining based on the comparison a gear engagement status of the gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Naresh K. Kodela, Richard E. Zuppann, Christopher Pollack, John Manyala, Todd W. Fritz, Ken R. Anderson, Ian D. McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20110035123
    Abstract: A number N of position sensors, each associated with one of N shift rails in a shift rail transmission system, wherein the set of N sensors is divided into subsets and each subset is provided a common reference from a control module; and a processing component that determines from data from each sensor whether the shift rail associated with that sensor is in a position of engagement of a first gear, a position of engagement of a second gear, or in a neutral position. Further, providing a first common reference to a first set of shift rail position sensors; providing a second common reference to a second set of shift rail position sensors; receiving sensor data from each position sensor; determining that the data from the first set of position sensors is unreliable; and operating a transmission using only the gears related to the position sensors in the second set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Naresh K. Kodela, Richard E. Zuppann, Christopher Pollack, John Manyala, Todd W. Fritz, Ken R. Anderson, Ian D. McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20100085178
    Abstract: A set of inputs each selectively provides a discrete signal, whereby the sensor inputs together provide a plurality of discrete signals. A memory includes instructions executable by a processor for receiving the discrete signals, identifying a bit pattern from the discrete signals, and determining a position of a physical member according to the bit pattern and an error condition detected from the discrete signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Todd W. Fritz, Richard E. Zuppann