Patents by Inventor Ron L. Satzler

Ron L. Satzler 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).

  • Control system and method for a multiple range continuously variable transmission using mechanical clutches
    Patent number: 6371882
    Abstract: The control system and method includes a plurality of clutch actuators adapted to be connected to clutches disposed for connecting members of the transmission to an input or output, respectively; first and second electrical motor/generators connected to respective members of the transmission and operable in a motor mode for controllably rotating the members and in a generator mode controllably rotated by the members to generate electrical energy; a sensor for sensing a speed representative of a rotational speed of the input or output; and a processor operably connected to the sensor, the motor/generators and the clutch actuators, the processor being operable for operating one of the motor/generators in the generator mode while operating another of the motor/generators in the motor mode powered by the one of the motor/generators so as to controllably rotate selected of the members of the transmission at speeds corresponding to a sensed rotational speed of the input or output for disconnecting one of the select
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Casey, Ron L. Satzler, Eric D. Stemler