Ford Motor Company Limited

Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Eldon Lamar Goates

Charles Edward Marshall

An automatic transmission control system having gearing that establishes multiple forward driving ratios and a reverse ratio as well as a neutral mode, an electrohydraulic control valve circuit for controlling the application and release of clutch and brake elements for the transmission gearing, a driver-controlled range selector for transmitting operator commands to shift control logic, and a failure mode management circuit that monitors the shift control logic and the response of the transmission system to operator commands, as well as the transmission range selector signals delivered to the shift control logic whereby multiple control redundancies in the electronic range control system ensure that system failures and component failures develop an error signal to alert the driver of possible malfunctions during the range selection period. Range feedback information from the transmission and system validation for the electronic microprocessor output commands when multiple error signals are present will result in a neutral default state for the transmission.

Electronically actuated transmission range control system

A check valve for use in an hydraulic control circuit includes separator plates each having an orifice of predetermined size and a ball retained between the separator plates, adapted to close one of the orifices and to open a port and parallel passages communicating with a chamber in which a ball is retained. The ball chamber is in continual communication with the orifice that is not closed by the ball.

Orifice scheduling ball check valve

A multi-directional planetary transmission mechanism adapted to establish plural torque flow paths between a driving member and a driven member including a one-way torque delivery clutch located in the torque flow path from the torque input element of the planetary gear system and a torque output shaft, and a friction brake means for anchoring the torque input element of the planetary gearing to establish a change in torque ratio wherein provision is made for disengaging the one-way clutch to interrupt torque delivery therethrough in either a driving direction or a coast direction and simultaneously anchoring said torque input element of said gearing to provide a torque reaction point.

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Westland, MI, United States of America

Eldon Lamar Goates