Patents Represented by Attorney Donald F. Scherer
  • Patent number: 5762575
    Abstract: A chain drive mechanism has spaced sprockets about which is trained an endless chain. A traveling chain is disposed radially inward of the endless chain and encircles one or the other of the sprockets during power transmission. The traveling chain is transportable between the sprockets so that the speed ratio therebetween can be altered. When encircling a sprocket, the traveling chain is locked or latched to the sprocket. The lock mechanism has a retainer pin and a locking pin. The locking pin is connected for conjoint movement with the retainer pin which is positioned in latched and unlatched positions. In the unlatched position of the retainer pin, the lock pin engages an opening in the link of the traveling chain thereby securing the traveling chain to the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hamid Vahabzadeh, Andrew Leslie Bartos, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
  • Patent number: 5749279
    Abstract: A punch has a hydraulic actuating system incorporating reciprocal pumps and a reciprocal motor. The motor drives a punch secured to a punch plate or retainer into a die to cut friction pads from a sheet of material for placement in a carriage or directly onto a clutch plate. The punch retainer has a resting position during which the sheet of friction material is not contacted by the punch. To ensure the proper resting position, a plurality of power cylinders are pressurized to extend rod members to contact and position the punch retainer as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Haley Gardner
  • Patent number: 5749439
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a multi-speed transmission having a primary storage reservoir which has sufficient volume to contain the transmission fluid when the temperature thereof is at or below a predetermined temperature. At higher temperatures, a portion of the hydraulic fluid is directed to a cooling device which also provides secondary storage. A valve mechanism is provided to control the hydraulic fluid flow such that below the predetermined temperature, hydraulic fluid is not directed to the cooling device which is drained by the valve mechanism to the primary storage. The valve mechanism is temperature-responsive whereby at temperatures above the predetermined temperature a portion of the hydraulic fluid must fill and pass through the cooling device before being directed to a lubrication circuit and returned to the primary storage, thereby increasing the storage volume available to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Keith D. Van Maanen
  • Patent number: 5749451
    Abstract: A clutch assembly has a clearance between the piston and the clutch pack when the clutch is disengaged. This clearance is set and maintained by a one-way mechanism which establishes the limit of linear movement of the clutch piston during piston retraction or disengagement of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin Thomas Grochowski
  • Patent number: 5747883
    Abstract: The cooling for large track laying type vehicles is provided by a fan which circulates air through the powertrain compartment and a radiator. The fan speed is varied to reduce the power requirement when maximum air flow is not needed. The speed of the fan is modulated relative to the engine speed by a separate drive mechanism. The electrical generator speed can also be modulated simultaneously with the fan drive. To provide a compact arrangement, the fan input shaft and generator input shaft are coaxially disposed such that the fan structure surrounds the outer periphery of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Frederick Hammer, Robert Franklin Combs
  • Patent number: 5738608
    Abstract: A power transmission control selectively establishes five forward speeds and one reverse speed by the controlling of three relay valves and two variable pressure TRIM valves. The TRIM valves normally control the pressure in the on-coming and off-going friction devices, respectively. The TRIM valves switch functions between ranges. In the fifth speed, the relay valves provide a pathway or passage for directing the fluid output of one of the TRIM valves to a control area on a system regulator valve to effect a variable main pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Francis Long
  • Patent number: 5730676
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transmission has interconnected simple planetary gear sets having one member connected to each of a pair of motor/generators and another member connectible with an engine through a selectively operable torque transmitting device. Three additional selectively operable torque transmitting devices cooperate with the gear sets, engine and/or the motor/generators to provide three modes of electro-mechanical power transmissions. One of the motor/generators is stationary, at one speed point in each of two modes, thereby providing two high efficiency operating points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Roland Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5720216
    Abstract: A power transmission has a high pressure fluid feed for supplying fluid pressure to the control chamber of a movable sheave. The high pressure fluid is supplied through a tube supported for relative rotation in a pair of spaced bushings. One bushing has radial passages for communicating the high pressure fluid from the tube to the chamber and axial passages on the outer periphery circumferentially spaced from the radial passages. The other bushing has uninterrupted inner and outer sealing surfaces. The space between the bushings receives leakage fluid escaping passed the outer surface of the tube and the inner surface of one bushing. This leakage fluid is redirected, at least partially, by the axial passages to a lubrication passage in the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond James Haka
  • Patent number: 5720374
    Abstract: A rotating clutch has a feed passage that is maintained at a predetermined pressure by a backfill control valve during periods of clutch disengagement when the clutch apply chamber is not pressurized. The valve is slidably disposed in a stationary housing in fluid communication between a pressure source and the apply chamber of the clutch. When the pressure source is reduced below a predetermined level, the valve is positioned to prevent the pressure in the passage from decreasing below the predetermined level while exhausting the clutch apply chamber. When clutch actuation is desired, the pressure source increases to open the backfill valve. With the valve opened by pressure, the fluid pressure is supplied to the clutch apply chamber thereby applying the clutch. The valve is positioned in the housing to admit pressurized fluid from the source to the clutch apply chamber while disconnecting the apply chamber from exhaust when clutch apply is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Robert Dadel, Charles Francis Long, Robert Clinton Utter
  • Patent number: 5690578
    Abstract: A planetary gear transmission has a single sun gear, two ring gears and a carrier assembly having a first pinion gear meshing with the sun gear and one ring, and a second pinion gear meshing with the first pinion gear and the second ring gear. The carrier assembly is continuously connected with a transmission output shaft. Input drive to the planetary gearing is provided through two selectively operable rotating clutches which are connectable with the sun gear and one ring gear, respectively. The sun gear and both ring gears are provided with selectively operable brakes for establishing reaction members within the planetary gear arrangement. In another embodiment of the planetary transmission, a second input drive path is provided through a third selectively operable rotating clutch which is connectable with the other ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Hall, III
  • Patent number: 5685406
    Abstract: Power transmissions of the automatic shifting type have a park gear secured with the transmission output shaft such that the operator can select the park position to maintain the vehicle immobile. A park pawl is pivotally mounted within the transmission housing to selectively engage the park gear. Selective engagement and disengagement of the park gear by the park pawl is controlled by the vehicle operator through manipulation of the linearly movable actuator which is connected to an operator controlled detent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Crum, Michael Rust Toole, Thomas Lynn Bishop, Rayman Eton Bazilio
  • Patent number: 5685408
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic transmission control has a plurality of shift valves or relay valves controlling the selective delivery of pressure fluid to friction devices and for exhausting pressure from the friction devices. One of the shift valves is operable in reverse and low drive range to prevent engagement of a torque converter clutch and is also operable to permit engagement of the torque converter clutch in neutral and in low hold range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Francis Long
  • Patent number: 5673596
    Abstract: Flexible cables require an adjustable end fitting to permit the exact length to be attained at installation in the system in which is to be controlled. The adjusting structure includes a body adjusting portion on the one end of the cable and an adjustable body core which will be attached to one of the working members. Each of the body core and the body adjusting portion have a toothed portion formed thereon which are alignable when the body adjusting portion is inserted within the adjustable body core. A lock member secures these two portions together with a toothed portion which engages the aligned toothed portions on the body members. In order to prevent premature locking of the two elements together, the retaining member is secured out of engagement with the toothed elements and also after engagement of the toothed elements the lock member is secured in the lock position. The positioning of the lock member is controlled by a single retainer clip which is slidably disposed on the adjustable body core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jian Gang Lu
  • Patent number: 5669842
    Abstract: A power transmission has an internal combustion engine and motor/generators which are combined through a summing planetary gearing. The planetary gearing cooperates with downstream gearing to provide a hybrid power transmission. A plurality of auxiliary or power take-off (PTO) shafts are included to permit the operation of auxiliary devices, such as main hydraulic pumps, air conditioners or power steering pumps. A fluid operated clutch is incorporated between the engine and the gearing so that the motor/generators can drive the PTO shafts independently of the engine. The main pump fluid output can be directed to engage the clutch when the engine input is desired. The motor/generators are controlled to provide output speed resulting in one member of the gearing being driven at a speed equal to the idle speed of the engine, such that the clutch can be synchronously engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Roland Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5669473
    Abstract: A hydraulic control for a transmission has a main line regulator, a torque converter clutch relay valve and a torque converter clutch solenoid valve. During torque converter operation, the pressure regulator is subjected to a line pressure bias signal and supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to a control system at a substantially constant pressure level. During torque converter clutch operation, the pressure regulator is subjected to an additional line pressure bias signal and a variable pressure bias signal from the torque converter clutch solenoid valve to provide a modulated pressure control whereby main pressure is varied proportionally with torque converter clutch apply pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Francis Long, Martin Robert Dadel
  • Patent number: 5667454
    Abstract: A power transmission has coaxially aligned input and output shafts. The shafts are interconnected by a multi-speed transmission and the output shaft is connected to a final drive mechanism through a pair of meshing gear members. A planetary reversing gear arrangement is connected between the input and output shafts for reversing the rotational direction from the input shaft prior to delivery to the final drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin Thomas Grochowski
  • Patent number: 5647465
    Abstract: A transmission shift control lever assembly includes a shift detent gate in which a portion of the shift lever is disposed. A latch member is pivotally mounted relative to the gate and is selectively positionable to open and close a path between a "Park" position and other operating positions. The latch is responsive to a spring, an electro-magnetic element or assembly, the lever and a bias spring to establish its position. A one-way device is disposed between the electro-magnet and the latch member such that the shift lever bias spring will urge the shift lever to pivot the latch member into the "Park" position even when the electro-magnet is operating to hold the latch member in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Harley David Burkhard, Frederick Henry Kleinfeld
  • Patent number: 5643125
    Abstract: Power transmissions incorporate gear ratios including a plurality of forward ratios, a neutral condition and at least one reverse ratio. The establishment of each ratio is controlled by selectively engageable hydraulically operated friction devices, such as clutches and brakes. The interchange between forward ratios is controlled by the interchange of at least one friction device. The control elements to accomplish the establishment and interchange of the ratios include a pressure source, shift valve, solenoid control valves and pressure control valves. The solenoid valves are electrically actuated and the hydraulic portion of the control includes elements that permit continued operation of the transmission in selected ratios in the event of electrical discontinuance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Francis Long, Jeffrey Jay Cole, Phillip Franklin McCauley
  • Patent number: 5640322
    Abstract: A system to control the operation of a vehicular transmission embodying the concepts of the present invention utilizes a controller, at least one pulse width modulation solenoid valve and a torque transfer device operatively controlled by each of the solenoid valves so as to regulate a transmission system. The controller operatively imposes not only a varying modulation frequency on each of the solenoid valves, but also a varying modulation duty cycle on each of the solenoid valves. The controller also operatively varies the modulation rate of said frequency and said duty cycle of the fluid pressure operating the plurality of torque transfer devices, thus controlling the operation of each solenoid valve such that it does not impose a torque spike on the operation of the transmission as each solenoid valve applies fluid pressure to the appropriate torque transfer device. Accordingly, the controller provides smooth and quiet operation of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Lee McCafferty, Martin Robert Dadel
  • Patent number: 5620386
    Abstract: An automatic shifting power transmission has at least two selectively engageable devices which provide distinct gear ratios when engaged during normal operation. These devices are pressure released and mechanically engaged by springs to establish tie-up in the transmission when the hydraulic pressure is not present. This tie-up provides a parking condition in the transmission by preventing rotation of the transmission output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Fereydoon Jamzadeh