Patents by Inventor Steven L. Melvin

Steven L. Melvin 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: 7124051
    Abstract: A data link tester comprises a computer capable of a connection with a communications bus in a piece of equipment having at least one component in selective contact with the bus. The computer contains instructions for (1) building a roster comprising at least one identifier of the component and (2) then performing a diagnostic step comprising at least one of (i) analyzing communications received from the communications bus to determine the condition of communications with respect to the component, (ii) determining whether a message that contains the identifier has been received from the communications bus within a specified period of time, and (iii) diagnosing at least one fault condition in CAN communications in the communications bus by performing at least one CAN message check comprising determining whether a CAN message has been received from the communications bus and then performing at least one second diagnostic step. In some embodiments, the piece of equipment is a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jack D. Patterson, Matthew W. Starks, Steven L. Melvin, Kevin D. Snow, Roger Allen Graves, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6480774
    Abstract: A convertible transmission system for a vehicle having an input shaft for connection to an engine and an output shaft for delivering rotational power to at least one axle. The transmission has a plurality of available gear ratios resulting in a maximum number of available gear ratios. In addition, a programmable controller is provided for selectively controlling the transmission to operate in a first operating configuration utilizing a first predetermined number of the available gear ratios that is less than the maximum number of available gear ratios. Moreover, the programmable control can have additional transmission configurations by selectively modifying certain operating characteristics, including for example, available gear ratios, desired operating gear ratios, maximum torque limits, shift points, default starting gear ratio, data relating to a predetermined shift strategy, a coast down gear ratio, shift delay timing, and/or skip shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Snow, Steven L. Melvin, Matt W. Starks, Douglas C. Gooch
  • Patent number: 6434455
    Abstract: A logistic service system includes a programmable vehicle module, a service computer, a central server, a first data link connecting the module to the service computer and a second data link connecting the service computer to the central server. Component information retrieved from the module and stored on the server is used to service the module. The component may be subjected to diagnostics or updated with new parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Snow, Matt W. Starks, Steven L. Melvin, Douglas C. Gooch, Edward Handley
  • Patent number: 5938711
    Abstract: An automated mechanical transmission system (92) including anti-hunt logic (FIG. 7) and logic allowing the operator to reduce or cancel the anti-hunt logic offsets by post-shift throttle pedal (THL) manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jon A. Steeby, Daniel P. Janecke, Warren R. Dedow, Steven L. Melvin