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).
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Patent number: 10697500Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Victor M Roses, Edward J Billings
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Publication number: 20190301612Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Johnson W. Maina, Edward J. Billings
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Patent number: 10344842Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Edward J. Billings, John G. Dorrough, Carl Eric Fonville
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Publication number: 20190136914Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Victor M Roses, Edward J Billings
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Patent number: 9742177Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Addison T. Solak, Edward J. Billings
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Publication number: 20160290509Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: EDWARD J. BILLINGS, JOHN G. DORROUGH, CARL ERIC FONVILLE
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Publication number: 20150318680Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Addison T. Solak, Edward J. Billings
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Patent number: 8756784Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Caleb G. Harmon, Edward J. Billings, Kelly Pietras
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Patent number: 8636125Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John A. Diemer, Edward J. Billings, Joakim Hogberg, James M. Partyka, Robert Neil Paciotti
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Publication number: 20110179620Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Caleb G. Harmon, Edward J. Billings, Kelly Pietras
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Publication number: 20110048887Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: John A. Diemer, Edward J. Billings, Joakim Hogberg, James M. Partyka, Robert Neil Paciotti
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Patent number: 7712581Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, IncInventors: Edward J. Billings, Jatin B. Desai, James J. Idoni, Richard F. Olenzek
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Publication number: 20080072703Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INCInventors: Edward J. Billings, Jatin B. Desai, James J. Idoni, Richard F. Olenzek