Patents by Inventor Sahm Litkouhi

Sahm Litkouhi 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: 9090240
    Abstract: A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an internal combustion engine in a vehicle is provided. The method includes assessing operation of the DCT and ascertaining a mode of operation of a clutch in the DCT. The method also includes predicting, in response to the ascertained mode of operation of the clutch, an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature. The method additionally includes ascertaining whether the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within a predetermined range of time. Furthermore, the method includes activating an indicator configured to signal that the predicted amount of time remaining is within the predetermined range of time. A vehicle having a DCT, an internal combustion engine, and a controller configured to predict thermal loading on a clutch in the DCT is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph B. Burtch, Sahm Litkouhi, John E. Marano
  • Publication number: 20130231833
    Abstract: A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an internal combustion engine in a vehicle is provided. The method includes assessing operation of the DCT and ascertaining a mode of operation of a clutch in the DCT. The method also includes predicting, in response to the ascertained mode of operation of the clutch, an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature. The method additionally includes ascertaining whether the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within a predetermined range of time. Furthermore, the method includes activating an indicator configured to signal that the predicted amount of time remaining is within the predetermined range of time. A vehicle having a DCT, an internal combustion engine, and a controller configured to predict thermal loading on a clutch in the DCT is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph B. Burtch, Sahm Litkouhi, John E. Marano