The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 1995
Filed:
Mar. 22, 1994
Adrian G Kallis, Fargo, ND (US);
Charles D Needham, Fargo, ND (US);
Kevin L Brekkestran, Fargo, ND (US);
Barry D Batcheller, West Fargo, ND (US);
Phoenix International Corporation, Fargo, ND (US);
Abstract
An electronic transmission control system for a self-propelled off-road vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multiple gear powershift transmission. The control system controls the powershift transmission and provides at least one control signal to the engine for selecting the speed at which the engine is to operate. The system includes a first electronic controller that provides transmission control signals required to command the powershift transmission to shift to and operate in any particular one of its forward gears, and second electronic controller that provides at least one engine control signal required to command the engine to operate at one of a number of different desired engine speeds and to monitor the actual engine speed. By use of gear ranges which overlap slightly, and a throttle that is infinitely adjustable within a range of engine speeds, any given ground speed within the range of possible vehicle speeds can be achieved and maintained, as long as engine is operating within its overall power envelope. Once the desired ground speed is specified by the operator, the control system automatically selects the specific transmission gear and engine speed required to achieve the desired ground speed. The control system also performs automatic upshifts or downshifts, as required, to achieve the desired ground speed. The system has a comfort mode, fuel economy mode, and a maximum horsepower mode, all selectable by the operator. The system also supports a pseudo-gear mode where the operator interface indicates there are more gears in the transmission than actually exist.