Patents by Inventor Robert S. Samanich

Robert S. Samanich 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: 7478709
    Abstract: A vibration damper apparatus has two substantially freely rotatable inertia members disposed within a rotatable hub. Each of the members has a wide semi-cylindrical portion and a narrow semi-cylindrical portion with the wide portion of the first damper member being axially aligned with the narrow portion of the other damper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond J. Haka, James A. Springer, Robert S. Samanich
  • Patent number: 7163095
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a hub with a hub friction surface and an inner surface that cooperate to define a cavity. A damper member is situated within the cavity and is in contact with the hub friction surface. The damper member is rotatable with respect to the hub so that relative movement between the damper ring and the hub friction surface results in energy absorption and dissipation to minimize unwanted clutch vibration. The damper ring is located inside the clutch hub so that it does not adversely affect transmission packaging. The clutch assembly preferably includes a member configured to direct lubricant along an inner diameter of the damper member so that it subsequently flows between the damper ring and the hub friction surface and through holes in the hub to lubricate clutch plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Springer, Robert S. Samanich, Raymond J. Haka, Joel M. Maguire, Peter E. Devlin