Patents by Inventor William R. Pankratz

William R. Pankratz 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: 5845545
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant technique for retaining the cover of an electronically controlled air pressure piston operated automatic overdrive shifter employed on the auxiliary section of a change-speed transmission for heavy on-highway truck. In one embodiment a spring loaded slider tracks movement of the piston to cam a locking pin into engagement with a blind bolt to prevent removal of the cover when the piston is not in the overdrive position thereby requiring test equipment to operate the controller for cover removal. In another embodiment, the cover mounting has portions frangibly removable upon installation with press-in discs covering the bolts thereafter to deter removal. In another embodiment, a blind recessed roll pin is driven through slots in the bolt head to deter removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene R. Braun, William R. Pankratz
  • Patent number: 5186066
    Abstract: An auxiliary transmission section (14) shift control system (230)/method is provided which includes a control member (234) to prevent auxiliary section synchronized clutch (92, 128) damage if the main transmission section (12) is engaged during an auxiliary section shift. Upon sensing main section engagement during a shift into the auxiliary section high-speed ratio, the force used to engage the high speed ratio is reduced from a first to a considerably lower second level by reducing the pressurization of the actuating pressurized fluid. To accomplish this, a dual pressure pressure regulator assembly (234) is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Pankratz, Thomas A. Genise, John Dresden, III, Ronald K. Markyvech