Patents by Inventor Daryl A. Wilton

Daryl A. Wilton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160040767
    Abstract: A multi-mode continuously variable transmission in a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a continuously variable unit connected to a planetary gear set arrangement. The planetary gear set arrangement generally includes two planetary gear sets, two brakes, and one clutch and provides multiple modes of ratio selection between the continuously variable unit and a transmission output member. The transmission output member is connected to a chain driven final having only three axes of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Daryl A. Wilton, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 9249841
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, coupling members, and torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish at least eleven forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. A clutch assembly for use in an automatic transmission is provided that includes an apply piston and a stationary fluid supply member. The apply piston is configured to rotate during at least one gear speed of the automatic transmission. The stationary fluid supply member has portions forming a channel in the stationary fluid supply member and defining an outlet end of the channel. The stationary fluid supply member is configured to supply fluid to the apply piston through the outlet end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Daryl A. Wilton, James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 9239103
    Abstract: A multi-mode continuously variable transmission in a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a continuously variable unit connected to a planetary gear set arrangement. The planetary gear set arrangement generally includes two planetary gear sets, two brakes, and one clutch and provides multiple modes of ratio selection between the continuously variable unit and a transmission output member. The transmission output member is connected to a chain driven final having only three axes of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Daryl A. Wilton, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 9222549
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. One of the torque transmitting devices includes a friction clutch disposed in parallel with a binary clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, James B. Borgerson, Daryl A. Wilton
  • Publication number: 20150360551
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle structure that extends along a longitudinal axis. An engine includes a crankshaft that defines a crank axis disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. A transmission includes an output shaft that defines a transmission output axis substantially parallel with the crank axis. The transmission output axis is disposed nearer the forward end of the vehicle structure than the crank axis. The crank axis is disposed vertically above the transmission output axis a distance of about 140 mm. The engine includes at least one cylinder bore that defines a bore axis disposed perpendicular to and may intersect the crank axis. The bore axis may be angled toward the forward end of the vehicle structure to define an angle between the bore axis and a vertical plane. The angle between the bore axis and the vertical plane may be about 18°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: James L. Luttinen, Julian Broadbent, Alan W. Hayman, William A. Bear, James B. Borgerson, Daryl A. Wilton, Robert E. Zeweke, Thomas A. Barth
  • Patent number: 9194444
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, a transmission, a pump for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid and a launch clutch connected between the engine and the transmission for coupling the engine to the transmission when the launch clutch is in an engaged condition and for decoupling the engine from the transmission when the launch clutch is in a disengaged condition. A device is rotationally coupled to the engine and to the pump. The device is translatable along an axis between a first position and a second position. The device moves the launch clutch to the engaged condition when in the first position and does not move the launch clutch to the engaged condition when in the second position. A piston in communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid provided by the pump is configured to translate the device along the axis between at least one of the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daryl A. Wilton, James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 9163704
    Abstract: A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake arranged within a transmission housing. Each of the clutches and the brake are located within specific areas defined by the planetary gear sets and the housing walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, Daryl A. Wilton, Edwin T. Grochowski, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Andrew W. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20150285371
    Abstract: A flexible binary pump system for a motor vehicle transmission includes a shaft, a first vane pump mounted on the shaft and having a first rotor with a first diameter and a first width and a second vane pump mounted on the shaft and having a second rotor with a second diameter and a second width. The first vane pump provides hydraulic fluid to the transmission at a first pressure, and the second vane pump provides hydraulic fluid to the transmission at a second pressure. The first diameter, first width, second diameter, and second width are selected to optimize power consumption of the binary pump system and hydraulic fluid budget for the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Daryl A. Wilton, Philip C. Lundberg
  • Patent number: 9109679
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a gearbox with a forward mode and a reverse mode. The gearbox includes a plurality of gear members and further includes at least two torque transmitting devices such as, a clutch and a brake that are selectively employed to engage various combinations of the gear members such that a particular combination is associated with one of the forward mode and the reverse mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, Daryl A. Wilton, James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 9108498
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system in a vehicle includes a prime mover, a starting device connected to the prime mover, and a transmission having a transmission input shaft connected to the starting device. A pump/motor is functionally interconnected between the starting device and the transmission. A first accumulator is in fluid communication with the motor/pump for storing a hydraulic fluid under pressure and a second accumulator is in fluid communication with the pump/motor for storing hydraulic fluid discharged from the first accumulator. Discharge of the first accumulator drives the pump/motor to provide a drive torque to the transmission input shaft and to provide a drive torque to the prime mover for starting the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Daryl A. Wilton
  • Patent number: 9109683
    Abstract: A transmission with an integrated electric motor includes an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Daryl A. Wilton, James M. Hart
  • Publication number: 20150211609
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake actuatable in combinations of four to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, JAMES M. HART, DARYL A. WILTON
  • Patent number: 9074662
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. One of the torque transmitting devices includes a friction clutch and a binary clutch which have a spring-ball structure disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Daryl A. Wilton
  • Patent number: 9050882
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, electric motor, disconnect clutch and a transmission. The transmission has an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio. The electric motor is connected to the input of the transmission and the engine is selectively connected to the input member through the disconnect clutch. A controller is configured to control the operation of the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Daryl A. Wilton
  • Patent number: 9039556
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for use in a motor vehicle is provided. The transmission assembly has a case for housing components of the transmission and an electromechanical device operable to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The electromechanical device is disposed within the transmission case. The case may have a main housing portion and a bell housing portion, with the electromechanical device housed in the main housing portion, in some variations. A transmission shaft may be rotatably supported within the case and configured to be connected to an engine of the motor vehicle. A connecting device may continuously interconnect the electromechanical device with the transmission shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James B. Borgerson, Daryl A. Wilton, Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 9005072
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake actuatable in combinations of four to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Daryl A. Wilton
  • Publication number: 20150080170
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input member, an output member, a first planetary gear set having first, second, and third members, wherein the first member is interconnected with the input member, a brake connected to the second member of the first planetary gear set, a clutch interconnected between one of the first member, second member, and third member of the first planetary gear set and another one of the first member, second member, and third member of the first planetary gear set, a belt and pulley assembly connected to the third member of the first planetary gear set and the output member, a chain drive interconnected to the output member, and a final drive unit interconnected to the chain drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Daryl A. Wilton, James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 8961350
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input member, an output member, a first planetary gear set having first, second, and third members, wherein the first member is interconnected with the input member, a brake connected to the second member of the first planetary gear set, a clutch interconnected between one of the first member, second member, and third member of the first planetary gear set and another one of the first member, second member, and third member of the first planetary gear set, a belt and pulley assembly connected to the third member of the first planetary gear set and the output member, a chain drive interconnected to the output member, and a final drive unit interconnected to the chain drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Daryl A. Wilton, James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 8939863
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. One of the plurality of torque transmitting devices is an integrated friction launch clutch. A disconnect clutch is in series relationship with the launch clutch and is configured to disconnect the launch clutch from at least one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish at least ten forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Hart, Daryl A. Wilton, James B. Borgerson
  • Publication number: 20150011350
    Abstract: A multi-mode continuously variable transmission in a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a continuously variable unit connected to a planetary gear set arrangement. The planetary gear set arrangement generally includes two planetary gear sets, two brakes, and one clutch and provides multiple modes of ratio selection between the continuously variable unit and a transmission output member. The transmission output member is connected to a chain driven final having only three axes of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, JAMES M. HART, DARYL A. WILTON, CLINTON E. CAREY