Patents by Inventor Robert R. Smyth

Robert R. Smyth 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: 4899279
    Abstract: A method for controlling an AMT System (10) is provided including sensing the presence of an existing or impending wheel lock-up condition and modifying the method for controlling the system to respond to said wheel lock-up condition in as safe a manner as possible. The method for controlling the AMT System (10) in response to sensing a wheel lock-up condition includes immediately releasing the clutch or coupling (14) and prohibiting the central processing unit (56) from issuing any transmission change gear command output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Cote, Robert R. Smyth
  • Patent number: 4843559
    Abstract: A method for controlling an AMT System (10) is provided including sensing the presence of an existing or impending wheel lock-up condition and modifying the method for controlling the system to respond to said wheel lock-up condition in as safe a manner as possible. The method for controlling the AMT System (10) in response to sensing a wheel lock-up condition includes immediately releasing the clutch or coupling (14) and prohibiting the central processing unit (56) from issuing any transmission change gear command output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Cote, Robert R. Smyth
  • Patent number: 4792901
    Abstract: A method for controlling an AMT system (10) is provided including sensing the recovery mode of operation of the fuel control (26) and, if the fuel control command out signal (THCMD) from the controller (42) is less than the demand input signal (THL), increasing the value of the fuel control command output signal (THCMD) until it is equal to the value of the throttle pedal demand input signal (THL) at a rate dependent upon currently engaged gear ratio (GR) from an initial value dependent upon engine speed (N).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Mack, Robert R. Smyth
  • Patent number: 4774832
    Abstract: An engine idling speed sensing system (34) is provided. System (34) includes circuitry (26) having memory portion (31) and is operative to receive a transmission signal (24); clutch signal (20); throttle signal (21); and engine speed signal (16), and process them and store the result in memory portion (31) according to their respective conditions to provide a stored idling speed value which can be used as a reference point for control for example of a clutch member (4) for enabling smooth engagement of change gears of an automatic transmission (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Smyth
  • Patent number: 4698763
    Abstract: An improved control system for an automatic change gear transmission (10) driven by a throttle (18) controlled engine (12) is provided. The control system includes a processing unit (30) for receiving inputs indicating at least throttle position (18), engine speed (20) and vehicle speed (28) and for processing these inputs in accordance with a program to determine the correct engaged gear ratio and for issuing command signals to a transmission shifting mechanism (26). The processing unit includes a program having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation and is effective to operate in the second mode of operation after a shift until reset to the first mode of operation. The engine speeds (52, 48) at which downshifts and upshifts are commanded in the second mode of operation are modified from the normal engine speeds (42, 40) at which downshifts and upshifts are commanded in the first mode in accordance with the direction of the last shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Smyth
  • Patent number: 4595986
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic mechanical transmission system (2) of the type comprising a throttling control device (19) controlled heat engine (12) a nonpositive coupling such as a friction master clutch (14) and a jaw clutch type multispeed mechanical transmission (10) utilizing a digital microprocessor (100) based electronic controller (30) is provided. The method includes providing logic routines for the microprocessor including a high priority algorithm for processing current inputs to determine current system status and to generate outputs including command outputs based upon current system status and a low priority algorithm for providing a signal indicative of the currently desired gear ratio to the high priority algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Daubenspeck, Robert R. Smyth, Donald Speranza
  • Patent number: 4551802
    Abstract: An improved control method and control system for an automatic change gear transmission (10) driven by a throttle controlled engine (12) is provided. The control system includes a processing unit (30) for receiving inputs indicating at least throttle position (18) and engine speed (20) and for processing these inputs in accordance with a program to determine the correct engaged gear ratio and for issuing command signals to a transmission shifting mechanism (26). The processing unit includes logic rules to determine conditions of operator selected stable operating conditions and to lower the engine speeds at which upshifts are commanded in response to such determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Smyth
  • Patent number: 4523667
    Abstract: A throttle modulation mechanism (10) disposed between a throttle pedal (28) and a fuel control device (12) varies speed and torque of an unshown engine. Mechanism (10) is operable during shifting modes of an unshown transmission driven by the engine to dip and boost fuel delivery to the engine for synchronizing the transmission and/or reducing shifting shocks. Mechanism (10), which is controlled by a transmission logic (14), includes first and second levers (16, 20) interconnected for slaved movement by a torsion spring and fluid actuated cylinders (38, 40) which respectively dip and boost the throttle in response to logic signals applied to solenoid valves (50, 64). A transducer (24), mechanically connected to first lever (16), provides an electrical signal representative of throttle pedal position. Torsion spring (22) includes ends (22b, 22c) preloaded toward each other and clamping levers (16, 20 or 106) into a predetermined relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Smyth
  • Patent number: 4361060
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical automatic transmission system for use in motor vehicles. The automatic transmission comprises a mechanical transmission, gear synchronizer and clutch which have been automated by the addition of electro-mechanical and pneumatic operators and an analog and digital electronic control system. The electronic control system receives operator commands regarding the mode of transmission operation (either automatic or manual) and monitors throttle position, engine speed, transmission countershaft speed, drive shaft (vehicle) speed, and rates of change of these speeds. It also receives information of the present gear ratio and stores data indicating the direction of the last shift. By utilizing this information, the electronic control system selects the optimum transmission gear ratio, effects synchronization of the selected transmission gear elements and controls clutch engagement according to a logic program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Inventor: Robert R. Smyth
  • Patent number: 4081065
    Abstract: A controlled power clutch in which a series of signals are developed to represent engine speed, engine acceleration and throttle position, as well as a signal representing the heat buildup within the clutch over a period of time. The clutch has substantially conventional mechanical components. The clutch includes a control means for controlling the engagement of the mechanical clutch elements and particularly to control the amount of partial engagement in the transition from the clutch being completely disengaged to being completely engaged, the amount of partial engagement being adjusted in response to throttle position and acceleration of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Inventors: Robert R. Smyth, William B. Smyth