Patents by Inventor Kevin Michael Dougan

Kevin Michael Dougan 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: 20100099537
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a dual clutch automatic transmission having a torque converter. The transmission provides seven forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse. The control system includes a hydraulic pump, a pressure regulator assembly and control valves that provide and release pressurized hydraulic fluid to the torque converter, a pair of input clutches and eight synchronizer clutches. A first pair of control valves are high flow rate valves which are capable of rapidly engaging and disengaging the input clutches. A second pair of high flow rate valves, control valves and spool valves provide a branching control circuit which controls engagement and disengagement of the synchronizer clutches. A control valve linked to the shift lever blocks hydraulic fluid flow to the first pair of high flow rate valves to inhibit input clutch activation when the shift lever is in Park or Neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Maten, Kevin Michael Dougan, Richard T. Tamba, Darren Firth
  • Publication number: 20090288927
    Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly includes an actuator for engaging a torque transmitting element. A mechanism is connected to the actuator. The mechanism is operable to selectively allow fluid communication therethrough. The mechanism communicates between two separate fluid spaces located on opposite sides of the actuator. During movement of the actuator, a fluid is allowed to transfer through the mechanism between the two separate fluid spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Dougan, Steven P. Moorman
  • Patent number: 6695589
    Abstract: An electric motor driven pump has a regulator valve for establishing a system pressure within a predetermined pressure range. The regulator valve has three bias pressures and a spring force imposed thereon. One of the bias pressures assists the spring to increase the system pressure and the other two bias pressures either balance the spring and one bias pressure or lower the system pressure. The one bias pressure is established by an electro-hydraulic control mechanism as a function of operating parameters in a powertrain which uses the fluid pressure from the pump. One of the other bias pressures is equal to system pressure and the last bias pressure is available when a predetermined drive condition is requested in the powertrain. A first electrical switch is activated by fluid pressure from the regulator valve if the system pressure is below the demanded pressure and a second electrical switch is activated by fluid pressure from the regulator valve if the system pressure is above the demanded pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Dougan, Charles Wayne Lewis, Richard Francis Olenzek