US3765271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gear shift control system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-28
•
Granted: 1973-10-16
•
Expires: 1992-02-28
Abstract
Abstract An electro-mechanical system is utilized to control changes in the drive ratio of a vehicle engine driven transmission in response to changes in torque input and output of a fluid transmitter and vehicle speed. Speed sensors develop electric signals representing input data fed to a computer programmed in accordance with the characteristics of the fluid transmitter and vehicle speed to actuate the gear ratio changing mechanisms.
Inventors
- 👤 H Dach
- 👤 G Gackstetter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:06
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H59/00; F16H59/14; F16H47/00; F16H47/06; F16H47/08; F16H59/36; F16H59/46; F16H61/00; F16H61/02; F16H61/0202; F16H61/0204; F16H61/0213; F16H2059/465; F16H2059/467; F16H59/38; F16H59/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
In combination with a transmission having an engine driven fluid transmitter connected to a mechanical drive and a drive ratio control mechanism operatively connected to the mechanical drive, a system for effecting changes in the drive ratio of the mechanical drive comprising electrical means for developing a speed signal substantially proportional to the output speed of the fluid transmitter, input signal means for producing an input torque signal substantially proportional to input torque to the fluid transmitter, computer means programmed in accordance with operating characteristics of the fluid transmitter for producing an output torque signal in response to said input torque and speed signals, and control means responsive to said output torque signal of the computer means and output speed of the mechanical drive for selecting the drive ratio through said drive ratio control mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
In combination with a transmission having an engine driven fluid transmitter connected to a mechanical drive and a drive ratio control mechanism operatively connected to the mechanical drive, a system for effecting changes in the drive ratio of the mechanical drive comprising electrical means for developing a speed signal substantially proportional to the output speed of the fluid transmitter, input signal means for producing an input torque signal substantially proportional to input torque to the fluid transmitter, computer means programmed in accordance with operating characteristics of the fluid transmitter for producing an output torque signal in response to said input torque and speed signals, and control means responsive to said output torque signal of the computer means and output speed of the mechanical drive for selecting the drive ratio through said drive ratio control mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said drive ratio control mechanism includes a pressurized source of actuating fluid, valve means connected to the computer means for varying the pressure of the actuating fluid from the source in accordance with the output torque signal, and fluid pressure operated means to which the actuating fluid is delivered for changing the drive ratio in response to control signals from the control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein the fluid transmitter includes an engine driven impeller and a driven turbine connected to the mechanical drive, said control means including a speed sensor driven by the mechanical drive and electronic switch means from which said control signals are developed in response to the output torque signal from the computer means and the output speed signal from the speed sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combiNation of claim 2 wherein the fluid transmitter includes an engine driven impeller and a driven turbine and signal processing means connected to the input signal means for producing said input torque signal as a variable function of the speed ratio between the turbine and impeller of the fluid transmitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein the computer means is programmed in accordance with a function of the speed ratio between the turbine and impeller and the square of the speed of the turbine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein the computer means is programmed in accordance with a function of the speed ratio between the turbine and impeller and the square of the speed of the turbine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
In combination with a transmission having a fluid transmitter, change speed gearing and fluid pressure operated means for changing the drive ratio of the gearing; sensing means driven by the transmission for generating input signals, and data processing means programmed in accordance with operating characteristics of the fluid transmitter and connected to the sensing means for transforming the input signals into an anolog output controlling the fluid pressure operated means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
In combination with a transmission having a fluid transmitter, change speed gearing and fluid pressure operated means for changing the drive ratio of the gearing; sensing means driven by the transmission for generating input signals, and data processing means programmed in accordance with operating characteristics of the fluid transmitter and connected to the sensing means for transforming the input signals into an anolog output controlling the fluid pressure operated means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said fluid transmitter includes impeller and turbine elements and said analog output of the data processing means is a continuous function of the speed ratio between the turbine and impeller elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said data processing means includes an analog computer and the analog output thereof is a function of the square of the speed of the turbine element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said data processing means includes a digital computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3640152A
Cited
US3683720A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |