Patents by Inventor Edward J. Billings

Edward J. Billings 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).

  • Patent number: 10697500
    Abstract: A clutch assembly and a torque converter assembly having a clutch assembly, for an automotive transmission, are provided. The clutch assembly includes a clutch plate and a piston or pressure plate configured to selectively engage the clutch plate, the piston being movable between an applied position and a released position. An annular seal is disposed adjacent to the piston, wherein movement of the piston and hydraulic pressure causes the annular seal to move between a sealed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Victor M Roses, Edward J Billings
  • Publication number: 20190301612
    Abstract: A system for venting air from an automatic transmission clutch piston cavity includes a piston positioned in a piston cavity. The piston is slidably disposed to engage a clutch. A lip seal is seated in a seal groove of the piston. The lip seal includes: a body of a resilient material; multiple slots preformed about an outer perimeter of the body, each of the slots opening outwardly from an outer perimeter surface of the lip seal; and an angular spacing separating successive ones of the slots. Air within the piston cavity is vented through the multiple slots by application of a pressurized fluid against the lip seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Johnson W. Maina, Edward J. Billings
  • Patent number: 10344842
    Abstract: A multi-piece seal assembly for use in a torque converter of a motor vehicle includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and an elastomer compensation layer disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner and outer rings are made from a composite wear material. Tabs on the inner and outer ring interlock with matching slots on the elastomer compensation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Billings, John G. Dorrough, Carl Eric Fonville
  • Publication number: 20190136914
    Abstract: A clutch assembly and a torque converter assembly having a clutch assembly, for an automotive transmission, are provided. The clutch assembly includes a clutch plate and a piston or pressure plate configured to selectively engage the clutch plate, the piston being movable between an applied position and a released position. An annular seal is disposed adjacent to the piston, wherein movement of the piston and hydraulic pressure causes the annular seal to move between a sealed position and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Victor M Roses, Edward J Billings
  • Patent number: 9742177
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a circular resilient grommet-type seal having one or more through axial openings equal in number to the wires which pass through the seal and a rigid wire channel or guide which is received within a complementary pocket aligned with the seal between the seal and a reaction surface. The rigid wire channel or guide is retained in the pocket and carries any force exerted on the seal by pressure within the device to the aligned reaction surface. A method of installation includes the steps of mounting an electrical device within a component, routing the electrical wires leading from the device through an opening, routing the wires through corresponding openings in a grommet-type seal, pressing the seal into the opening, routing the wires through passageways in the rigid wire channel or guide and installing the guide in a complementary pocket which is aligned with the seal at one end and includes a reaction surface at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Addison T. Solak, Edward J. Billings
  • Publication number: 20160290509
    Abstract: A multi-piece seal assembly for use in a torque converter of a motor vehicle includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and an elastomer compensation layer disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner and outer rings are made from a composite wear material. Tabs on the inner and outer ring interlock with matching slots on the elastomer compensation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: EDWARD J. BILLINGS, JOHN G. DORROUGH, CARL ERIC FONVILLE
  • Publication number: 20150318680
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a circular resilient grommet-type seal having one or more through axial openings equal in number to the wires which pass through the seal and a rigid wire channel or guide which is received within a complementary pocket aligned with the seal between the seal and a reaction surface. The rigid wire channel or guide is retained in the pocket and carries any force exerted on the seal by pressure within the device to the aligned reaction surface. A method of installation includes the steps of mounting an electrical device within a component, routing the electrical wires leading from the device through an opening, routing the wires through corresponding openings in a grommet-type seal, pressing the seal into the opening, routing the wires through passageways in the rigid wire channel or guide and installing the guide in a complementary pocket which is aligned with the seal at one end and includes a reaction surface at the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Addison T. Solak, Edward J. Billings
  • Patent number: 8756784
    Abstract: A seal protector assembly is provided. The seal protector assembly includes a cavity for encasing a seal. A plug or cap is removably attached to the protector seal. After shipment of the transmission, the plug or cap is removed. Once any potential damage to the seal during assembly has passed, the protector is then removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Caleb G. Harmon, Edward J. Billings, Kelly Pietras
  • Patent number: 8636125
    Abstract: A dual clutch actuation device generates the axial compression force required to compress a first and second set of frictional elements of a dual clutch module. Dual clutch actuation device includes a first and second annular piston. The annular pistons are arranged in concentric annular piston slots. Together the piston and annular slots form annular piston chambers. The actuation device further includes a first set of wiper seals and a second set of wiper seals disposed in a first and a second annular channel in each of the annular pistons. Advantageously, contamination of the piston chambers is reduced or eliminated through the wiping or cleansing action of the first and second set of wiper seals against walls of the annular slots formed in the housing of the actuation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John A. Diemer, Edward J. Billings, Joakim Hogberg, James M. Partyka, Robert Neil Paciotti
  • Publication number: 20110179620
    Abstract: A seal protector assembly is provided. The seal protector assembly includes a cavity for encasing a seal. A plug or cap is removably attached to the protector seal. After shipment of the transmission, the plug or cap is removed. Once any potential damage to the seal during assembly has passed, the protector is then removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Caleb G. Harmon, Edward J. Billings, Kelly Pietras
  • Publication number: 20110048887
    Abstract: A dual clutch actuation device generates the axial compression force required to compress a first and second set of frictional elements of a dual clutch module. Dual clutch actuation device includes a first and second annular piston. The annular pistons include a first end that is in contact with annular bearing assemblies. The annular bearing assemblies are in contact with actuation levers that are in contact with the first set of frictional elements. The annular pistons are arranged in concentric annular piston slots. Together the piston and annular slots form annular piston chambers. The piston chambers are filled with hydraulic fluid. The actuation device further includes a first set of wiper seals and a second set of wiper seals disposed in a first and a second annular channel in each of the annular pistons. When the hydraulic fluid is pressurized the pistons slide out of the annular slots and apply a force on the actuation levers which in turn apply an axial compression force on the frictional elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John A. Diemer, Edward J. Billings, Joakim Hogberg, James M. Partyka, Robert Neil Paciotti
  • Patent number: 7712581
    Abstract: A transmission having a sealing baffle is disclosed. The transmission further includes a transmission case, a torque converter housing and a torque transfer member. The transmission case has a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket mounted for rotation therein. The torque converter housing has a fluid pump for pumping lubrication fluid. The torque converter housing is configured to mount to the transmission case. The torque transfer member is coupled to the drive sprocket and to the driven sprocket for transferring a driving torque from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket. The first baffle is mounted to the torque converter housing. The first baffle has a base, a first flange extending from a first side of the base, a second flange extending from a second side of the base and a sealing lip formed in the second flange. The sealing lip contacts the transmission case to form a seal to prevent the fluid from flooding the torque transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc
    Inventors: Edward J. Billings, Jatin B. Desai, James J. Idoni, Richard F. Olenzek
  • Publication number: 20080072703
    Abstract: A transmission having a sealing baffle is disclosed. The transmission further includes a transmission case, a torque converter housing and a torque transfer member. The transmission case has a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket mounted for rotation therein. The torque converter housing has a fluid pump for pumping lubrication fluid. The torque converter housing is configured to mount to the transmission case. The torque transfer member is coupled to the drive sprocket and to the driven sprocket for transferring a driving torque from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket. The first baffle is mounted to the torque converter housing. The first baffle has a base, a first flange extending from a first side of the base, a second flange extending from a second side of the base and a sealing lip formed in the second flange. The sealing lip contacts the transmission case to form a seal to prevent the fluid from flooding the torque transfer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: Edward J. Billings, Jatin B. Desai, James J. Idoni, Richard F. Olenzek