James Henry Devore

US Patent:

6641505, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Jan 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/060426

Inventors:

Robert Anthony Sayman - Eriskirch, DE
Rupert Kramer - Friedrichshafen, DE
Mario Steinborn - Friedrichshafen, DE
James Henry DeVore - Laurinburg NC

Assignee:

ZF Meritor, LLC - Maxton NC

International Classification:

B60K 4102

US Classification:

477177

Abstract:

A system and method of controlling an automatic clutch to prevent a motor vehicle engine from stalling is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining an engine stall threshold, detecting accelerator pedal actuation, detecting current engine speed, and comparing current engine speed to the engine stall threshold. If the engine speed is below the engine stall threshold, a controller detects and compares vehicle acceleration to predetermined threshold acceleration such that the automatic clutch is actuated only when the vehicle acceleration is below the threshold acceleration. The system includes the step of detecting foot brake position such that the automatic clutch is only actuated if the foot brake is properly actuated. The controller will then actuate the automatic clutch to proportionally decouple the engine from the transmission to prevent engine stall. The automatic clutch will remain open until detecting a predetermined clearing condition.

US Patent:

6769523, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Dec 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/324646

Inventors:

Ronald P. Muetzel - Pinehurst NC
Robert A. Sayman - Eriskirch, DE
James H. Devore - Laurinburg NC

Assignee:

ZF Meritor, LLC - Maxton NC

International Classification:

B60K 4122

US Classification:

192 355, 192 361, 74335

Abstract:

A strategy for overcoming a tooth butt condition includes changing a target closed clutch position over time. When a tooth butt condition exists, a controller selectively closes a clutch to provide limited engagement between the engine and the transmission. A first target closed clutch position is used on the first attempt. If the tooth butt condition is not resolved, the controller then changes the target closed clutch position to provide a different level of engagement between the engine and the transmission. This process is repeated until the tooth butt condition is resolved, a preselected period of time expires, a maximum number of attempts has been completed or the maximum desirable closed clutch position has been used.

US Patent:

6874383, Apr 5, 2005

Filed:

Jun 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/602115

Inventors:

Robert A. Sayman - Laurinburg NC, US
James H. Devore - Laurinburg NC, US
Mario Steinborn - Friedrichshafen, DE
Ronald P. Muetzel - Southern Pines NC, US
Rupert Kramer - Friedrichshafen, DE

Assignee:

ZF Meritor, LLC - Maxton NC

International Classification:

F16H059/36

US Classification:

74335

Abstract:

The inventive transmission has at least two different shift modes for shifting between the same two gear ratios. A control unit electronically senses various vehicle conditions and based on this information selects the appropriate shift mode suited for the particular driving situation. The transmission then shifts from one gear ratio to another based on this selection.

US Patent:

6939268, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Nov 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/701269

Inventors:

James H. DeVore - Laurinburg NC, US
Winfried Sturmer - Euerbach, DE
Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann - Meckenbeuren, DE
Ludger Ronge - Eriskirch, DE
Loren C. Dreier - Vass NC, US
Robert A. Sayman - Laurinburg NC, US
Ronald P. Muetzel - Friedrichshafen, DE
Muneer AbuSamra - Southern Pines NC, US

Assignee:

ZF Meritor LLC - Maxton NC

International Classification:

B60K041/02
G06F017/00
G06F019/00

US Classification:

477175, 477 70, 477180, 701 67

Abstract:

A vehicle transmission system includes a transmission component that has an engaged condition where torque can be transferred from a vehicle engine to a drive component, and a non-engaged condition where torque is prohibited from being transferred to the drive component. A controller generates control signals to control whether the transmission component is in the engaged or non-engaged condition. The controller also identifies when a vehicle start maneuver is a coast start based on vehicle conditions existing just prior to or during the vehicle start maneuver. When a coast start is identified, the controller generates a control signal to either disengage the transmission component or to maintain the transmission component in the non-engaged condition until engine speed generally matches transmission component speed. The controller can directly control engagement by automatically actuating a movable transmission member or can indirectly control engagement by controlling engine speed. Once engine speed and transmission component speed are generally within a common speed range during coasting, the transmission component is engaged.

US Patent:

7000751, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Dec 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/744475

Inventors:

Muneer AbuSamra - Southern Pines NC, US
Ludger Ronge - Eriskirch, DE
Winfried Sturmer - Euerbach, DE
Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann - Meckenbeuren, DE
Loren Christopher Dreier - Vass NC, US
Robert Anthony Sayman - Laurinburg NC, US
James Henry DeVore - Laurinburg NC, US
Ronald Peter Muetzel - Friedrichshafen, DE

Assignee:

ZF Meritor, LLC - Maxton NC

International Classification:

F16D 43/08

US Classification:

192105CP, 192 7022, 192103 A, 192114 R

Abstract:

A normally open clutch assembly includes a device holding a centrifugal weight in a position causing axial movement of pressure plates and thereby a clamping force between pressure plates and the friction disks. The clamping force holds the friction disks in a desired aligned position during assembly.

US Patent:

7149617, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Nov 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/701791

Inventors:

James Henry DeVore - Laurinburg NC, US
Robert Anthony Sayman - Laurinburg NC, US
Ronald Peter Muetzel - Southern Pines NC, US

Assignee:

ZF Meritor, LLC - Maxton NC

International Classification:

G06F 7/00

US Classification:

701 67, 701 52, 192 351

Abstract:

A control for a transmission and a clutch monitors conditions to determine when a vehicle associated with the clutch and transmission is likely in a stationary state. If the vehicle appears to be stationary, with the transmission engaged and the clutch open, then the control determines that the transmission should be moved to a neutral position. Upon movement to the neutral position, the control then closes the clutch. It is preferable for a vehicle remaining stationary to have its clutch closed and its transmission in neutral than to have its transmission engaged and its clutch open. In a further aspect of this invention, the neutral state is verified by testing the ability to move one of the transmission shift components. If the transmission shift component can move beyond a predetermined amount, this is indicative that the transmission is in neutral.

US Patent:

7158872, Jan 2, 2007

Filed:

Nov 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/266820

Inventors:

James Henry DeVore - Laurinburg NC, US
Robert Anthony Sayman - Laurinburg NC, US
Ronald Peter Muetzel - Southern Pines NC, US

Assignee:

ZF Meritor LLC - Maxton NC

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 67, 701 1, 701 51

Abstract:

A control for a transmission and a clutch monitors conditions to determine when a vehicle associated with the clutch and transmission is likely in a stationary state. If the vehicle appears to be stationary, with the transmission engaged and the clutch open, then the control determines that the transmission should be moved to a neutral position. Upon movement to the neutral position, the control then closes the clutch. It is preferable for a vehicle remaining stationary to have its clutch closed and its transmission in neutral than to have its transmission engaged and its clutch open. In a further aspect of this invention, the neutral state is verified by testing the ability to move one of the transmission shift components. If the transmission shift component can move beyond a predetermined amount, this is indicative that the transmission is in neutral.

US Patent:

7232021, Jun 19, 2007

Filed:

Dec 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/731558

Inventors:

Muneer Abusamra - Southern Pines NC, US
Ronald Peter Muetzel - Pinehurst NC, US
James Henry DeVore - Laurinburg NC, US
Robert Anthony Sayman - Laurinburg NC, US

Assignee:

ZF Meritor, LLC - Maxton NC

International Classification:

F16D 23/10
F16D 43/24

US Classification:

192105C, 192 30 W

Abstract:

A centrifugal clutch assembly includes a sleeve movable to selectively engage the clutch assembly independent of rotational speed. The clutch assembly includes centrifugal weights that move radially responsive to rotation of the clutch assembly. The centrifugal weights move pressure plates between clamped and open positions in response to a desired rotational speed. The sleeve is movable to selectively engage the pressure plate independent of rotational speed of the clutch assembly.