Joseph John Marhefka

US Patent:

20060042412, Mar 2, 2006

Filed:

Aug 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/924935

Inventors:

Joseph Marhefka - Northampton PA, US
Richard Binkley - Easton PA, US

Assignee:

Mack Trucks, Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

B60K 20/00

US Classification:

074473290

Abstract:

A magnetic fluid shifter damper mechanism for a vehicle transmission may include a shift linkage having a first position and a second position, a magnetic fluid damper disposed between a substantially fixed point and a support point on the shift linkage, a fluid inside the magnetic fluid damper resisting substantially a motion of the support point relative to the substantially fixed point in the presence of a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field is applied substantially to the fluid when the shift lever is in substantially the first or the second position, and wherein the magnetic field is removed substantially from the fluid when the shift lever is substantially between the first and the second position.