Patents by Inventor Robert Stanley Wheeler
Robert Stanley Wheeler 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).
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Patent number: 7491152Abstract: A control system and method is provided for controlling engagement of a vehicle master clutch (16) in response to a throttle operating parameter. The method includes the steps of determining a throttle operating parameter value and setting an operating mode of the clutch based on the throttle operating parameter value. The method may include the steps of comparing the throttle operating parameter value to a threshold value and setting the operating mode of the clutch based on the comparison step. The control system includes a microprocessor for receiving signals corresponding to a throttle operating parameter value. The microprocessor sets an operating mode of the clutch based on the throttle operating parameter value or, optionally, the comparison of the throttle operating parameter value to a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Paul Martin Fowler, Robert Stanley Wheeler, Jon A. Steeby, Anthony Stasik, Jeffrey P. Hawarden
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Patent number: 7041031Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calculating a modification to the predetermined amount of torque needed to provide an urge to move sensation for a vehicle, the modification to take account of the weight at which and gradient on which the vehicle is operating and then commanding the engine to generate said modified torque and to transmit the modified urge torque to a clutch device to provide the urge to move according to the current operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert Stanley Wheeler, Alfred John Richardson, Martin Fowler, Keith Wright
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Patent number: 6953410Abstract: An automated clutch system for transferring torque from an engine to a change gear transmission is connected to a processing unit which uses various input parameters to calculate the grade on which the vehicle is operating and its current weight to determine an appropriate start gear to minimise clutch slip when the vehicle is launched from rest.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert Stanley Wheeler, Alfred John Richardson, Martin Fowler, Keith Wright
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Patent number: 6840890Abstract: A control system and calibration method are provided for a vehicle drive line having an automated master friction clutch. The control system utilizes engine torque data supplied by a serial communication data link to identify a clutch control parameter value corresponding to an urge-to-move position of the clutch. The clutch control parameter value identified by the calibration method is stored and utilized by the control system to control the engagement position of the automated clutch in an “urge to move” mode of operation. The inventive calibration method can be utilized across multiple vehicle platforms having different engine, clutch and transmission system components.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: William Joseph Mack, Donald Speranza, Anthony Stasik, Kwok Wah Chan, Jeffrey Philip Hawarden, Robert Stanley Wheeler, Timothy Peter Kelly
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Publication number: 20040058778Abstract: When a vehicle is operating in launch or manoeuvring modes, the vehicle can be controlled by operation of the brake alone; the engagement of the friction clutch is in inverse proportion to the amount of braking effort demanded by the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Robert Stanley Wheeler, Alfred John Richardson, Martin Fowler, Keith Wright
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Publication number: 20040033861Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calculating a modification to the predetermined amount of torque needed to provide an urge to move sensation for a vehicle, the modification to take account of the weight at which and gradient on which the vehicle is operating and then commanding the engine to generate said modified torque and to transmit the modified urge torque to a clutch device to provide the urge to move according to the current operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: Robert Stanley Wheeler, Alfred John Richardson, Martin Fowler, Keith Wright
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Publication number: 20030087726Abstract: A control system and calibration method are provided for a vehicle drive line having an automated master friction clutch. The control system utilizes engine torque data supplied by a serial communication data link to identify a clutch control parameter value corresponding to an urge-to-move position of the clutch. The clutch control parameter value identified by the calibration method is stored and utilized by the control system to control the engagement position of the automated clutch in an “urge to move” mode of operation. The inventive calibration method can be utilized across multiple vehicle platforms having different engine, clutch and transmission system components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: William Joseph Mack, Donald Speranza, Anthony Stasik, Kwok Wah Chan, Jeffrey Philip Hawarden, Robert Stanley Wheeler, Timothy Peter Kelly
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Patent number: 6494810Abstract: A control system and calibration method are provided for a vehicle drive line having an automated master friction clutch. The control system utilizes engine torque data supplied by a serial communication data link to identify a clutch control parameter value corresponding to an urge-to-move position of the clutch. The clutch control parameter value identified by the calibration method is stored and utilized by the control system to control the engagement position of the automated clutch in an “urge to move” mode of operation. The inventive calibration method can be utilized across multiple vehicle platforms having different engine, clutch and transmission system components.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: William Joseph Mack, Donald Speranza, Anthony Stasik, Kwok Wah Chan, Jeffrey Philip Hawarden, Robert Stanley Wheeler, Timothy Peter Kelly
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Publication number: 20020183165Abstract: A control system and calibration method are provided for a vehicle drive line having an automated master friction clutch. The control system utilizes engine torque data supplied by a serial communication data link to identify a clutch control parameter value corresponding to an urge-to-move position of the clutch. The clutch control parameter value identified by the calibration method is stored and utilized by the control system to control the engagement position of the automated clutch in an “urge to move” mode of operation. The inventive calibration method can be utilized across multiple vehicle platforms having different engine, clutch and transmission system components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: William Joseph Mack, Donald Speranza, Anthony Stasik, Kwok Wah Chan, Jeffrey Philip Hawarden, Robert Stanley Wheeler, Timothy Peter Kelly
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Patent number: 6445992Abstract: A control for a vehicle drive line system (10) including an automated vehicle dry master clutch (14) drivingly interposed in between a fuel-controlled engine (12) and the input shaft (20) of a mechanical transmission.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert Stanley Wheeler, Alfred John Richardson
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Publication number: 20010049576Abstract: A control for a vehicle drive line system (10) including an automated vehicle dry master clutch (14) drivingly interposed in between a fuel-controlled engine (12) and the input shaft (20) of a mechanical transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2001Publication date: December 6, 2001Applicant: EATON CORPORATOIN.Inventors: Robert Stanley Wheeler, Alfred John Richardson
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Patent number: 6231474Abstract: A method/system for controlling downshifting in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) utilized on a vehicle having a manually controlled engine brake (46) and foot brake (44) system. The engine speed at which downshifts are commanded (ESD/S) is modified as a function of sensed operation of the engine brake (EB?) and foot brake (FB) systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Philip Hawarden, John Slater Tuson, David Edward Gibbons, Robert Stanley Wheeler, Anthony Stasik
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Patent number: 5875410Abstract: A control system and method for a semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for allowing operator request for direct shifts into a preselected default start ratio (GR.sub.DS) or into a dynamic best gear ratio (GR.sub.DB) under certain predefined conditions. The dynamic best gear ratio, under at least certain vehicle operating conditions, is the higher of a test best gear ratio (GR.sub.TB =ES.sub.TARGET /OS), determined as a function of vehicle speed (OS) and a target engine speed (ES.sub.TARGET), or the default start ratio.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1996Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Paul Martin Fowler, Anthony Stasik, Robert Stanley Wheeler
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Patent number: 5828974Abstract: A control method/system for controlling engagement of reverse ratios in automated vehicular transmission systems (10) having a controller (38) issuing command output signals to non-manually controlled actuators (30, 34) is provided. The controller includes logic rules for (i) sensing predetermined reverse ratio enabling conditions, including remaining in neutral for at least a predetermined period of time (N.sub.T >REF.sub.2) prior to selecting reverse, and (ii) issuing commands to cause a reverse ratio to be engaged only upon sensing such conditions, to minimize accidental engagement of reverse ratios without requiring mechanical interlocks.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1997Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Philip Hawarden, Michael Douglas Whitehead, Paul Martin Fowler, Robert Stanley Wheeler, Anthony Stasik
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Patent number: 5816100Abstract: A control system and method for an automated mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for allowing operator request for a direct skip shift in at least one of the upshift or downshift direction, and for a direct shift into the selected ratio. Retaining the control lever (1) in a displaced position for longer than a reference period of time (REF), such as one or two seconds, will initiate the skip shift procedure.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Paul Martin Fowler, Anthony Stasik, Robert Stanley Wheeler