Patents by Inventor Todd William Fritz
Todd William Fritz 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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Publication number: 20230184314Abstract: A sensor assembly configured for use with a locking differential received in a differential case includes a sensor housing, a switch element and a sense element. The sensor assembly is configured to determine a position of an armature in relation to a stator. The armature moves relative to the stator between engaged and disengaged positions corresponding to the locking differential being in a locked and unlocked state. The sensor housing is coupled relative to the differential case of the locking differential. The switch element is disposed in the sensor housing. The sense element moves with the armature. The sensor assembly is configured to change state based on a position of the sense element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Todd William Fritz, John O. Manyala, Nick Peter Gillette, Ken Raymond Anderson
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Patent number: 11585421Abstract: A sensor assembly configured for use with a locking differential received in a differential case includes a sensor housing, a switch element and a sense element. The sensor assembly is configured to determine a position of an armature in relation to a stator. The armature moves relative to the stator between engaged and disengaged positions corresponding to the locking differential being in a locked and unlocked state. The sensor housing is coupled relative to the differential case of the locking differential. The switch element is disposed in the sensor housing. The sense element moves with the armature. The sensor assembly is configured to change state based on a position of the sense element.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Todd William Fritz, John O. Manyala, Nick Peter Gillette, Ken Raymond Anderson
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Publication number: 20200116245Abstract: A sensor assembly configured for use with a locking differential received in a differential case includes a sensor housing, a switch element and a sense element. The sensor assembly is configured to determine a position of an armature in relation to a stator. The armature moves relative to the stator between engaged and disengaged positions corresponding to the locking differential being in a locked and unlocked state. The sensor housing is coupled relative to the differential case of the locking differential. The switch element is disposed in the sensor housing. The sense element moves with the armature. The sensor assembly is configured to change state based on a position of the sense element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Todd William Fritz, John O. Manyala, Nick Peter Gillette, Ken Raymond Anderson
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Patent number: 9523429Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Naresh Kumar Kodela, Richard Earl Zuppann, Christopher Pollack, John Manyala, Todd William Fritz, Ken R. Anderson, Ian Daniel McKenzie
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Publication number: 20130345941Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Naresh Kumar Kodela, Richard Earl Zuppann, Christopher Pollack, John Manyala, Todd William Fritz, Ken R. Anderson, Ian Daniel McKenzie
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Patent number: 8521376Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Naresh Kumar Kodela, Richard Earl Zuppann, Christopher Pollack, John Manyala, Todd William Fritz, Ken R. Anderson, Ian Daniel McKenzie
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Patent number: 8521380Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Naresh Kumar Kodela, Richard Earl Zuppann, Christopher Pollack, John Manyala, Todd William Fritz, Ken R. Anderson, Ian Daniel McKenzie
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Patent number: 8510004Abstract: An exemplary system includes at least one valve configured to control fluid flow in a dual-clutch transmission system. A solenoid is operably connected to the at least one valve and configured to move the valve to a plurality of positions. A primary processing unit is in communication with the solenoid and configured to determine an intended position of the valve. A controller is configured to receive the intended position of the valve from the primary processing unit and generate a primary control signal associated with the intended position of the valve. The solenoid is configured to move the valve to the intended position based on the primary control signal. A secondary processing unit is configured to receive information from the primary processing unit and prevent the primary control signal from controlling the solenoid if the primary processing unit is unable to control the solenoid.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Jeffrey Philip Hawarden, Steven Harvey Lapointe, Eric Allen Metheny, Todd William Fritz, John Kimmel Vandervoort
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Patent number: 8412425Abstract: An exemplary transmission system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to output a signal at least partially representative of a speed of at least one of a first transmission input shaft, a second transmission input shaft, a transmission output shaft, and an engine. A transmission control module is in communication with the plurality of sensors and is configured to identify at least one of the plurality of sensors as a failed sensor and another of the plurality of sensors as a working sensor. The transmission control module is further configured to estimate the signal of the failed sensor based on a predetermined relationship between an expected signal from the failed sensor and the signal received from the working sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Ian Daniel McKenzie, Anthony Stasik, Jeffrey P. Hawarden, Todd William Fritz, Thomas R. Connolly, Kim Ann Brown
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Patent number: 8044787Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Todd William Fritz, Richard Earl Zuppann