Patents Represented by Attorney Donald F. Scherer

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  • Transmission and control with hydraulically actuated synchronizers
    Patent number: 5445042
    Abstract: A countershaft type power transmission has a plurality of hydraulically actuated synchronizers which are selectively operable to establish the gear ratios in the transmission. Each synchronizer is effective to control one or more ratios and is positionable between neutral positions. A hydraulic control system is provided to control the movement of the synchronizers and to hydraulically force each synchronizer to neutral when it is not called upon for ratio establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Deady
  • Molded torque converter stator and integral race for a one-way torque transmitter
    Patent number: 5431536
    Abstract: A torque converter stator has a plurality of blades integrally molded between inner and outer rim portions. The inner rim portion has an outer race of a one-way torque transmitting device integrally molded therewith. The outer race includes a plurality of cam surfaces and spring abutment surfaces for the one-way device which cooperate with roller, springs and an inner race which are later assembled therewith to complete the one-way torque transmitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. By, Donald G. Maddock, Theodore E. Hojna
  • Hydraulic forward/reverse shift fork control for a power transmission
    Patent number: 5425688
    Abstract: A shift fork for a forward-reverse shift mechanism has a hydraulic piston portion for moving the shift fork. The piston is controlled by a hydraulic valve system. The valve system is effective to delay the engagement of the respective forward and reverse, hydraulically-operated, torque transfer devices. The shift fork will enforce the establishment of the proper power path through a synchronizer prior to the engagement of the torque transfer control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Raszkowski
  • Multi-speed power transmission
    Patent number: 5425283
    Abstract: A countershaft type multi-speed power transmission has a plurality of gear meshes disposed on three axes including a forward final drive gear and a reverse final drive gear. Both the low forward ratio and the reverse ratio drive paths include a common one-way device. The gear meshes and a plurality of selectively operable friction clutches are positioned on shafting disposed on the three axes to provide a compact overall axial length for the transmission assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Wehking
  • Vibration damping structure in a bolted assembly
    Patent number: 5421684
    Abstract: An assembly of housings is secured is secured together by a plurality of bolt members. The assembly is subject to a source of vibration, such as an internal combustion engine. To ensure the natural frequency of the bolt is outside the operating range of the engine, tolerance support rings are installed to reduce the effective length of the bolts and thereby increase the natural frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Scott T. Kluemper
  • Clutch and damper assembly
    Patent number: 5401213
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a friction clutch has a plurality of springs trapped in a cage member. The springs provide a resilient drive connection between input and output members of the clutch damper. The input member of the clutch damper is a pressure plate on which a friction surface is disposed. The output member is a hub which is connected to the output shaft of a torque converter. Embossments are formed on the members of the damper, such as the cage, the input or output member, to provide friction hysteresis between relatively rotatable members of the damper. The normal force for the friction hysteresis is established by a washer spring which is positioned by embossments also formed on one of the damper members. The angular excursion permitted by the damper springs is limited by openings formed in one damper member and tabs formed on another damper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Muchmore, Gerald C. Danielewicz, Wayne L. Spitler, Randy L. Melanson
  • Engine/transmission drive connection with bridging starter gear
    Patent number: 5398562
    Abstract: An engine/transmission drive connection has dual mass damper disposed between the engine output and the transmission input. A pair of starter ring gears are secured to members spanning the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Muchmore
  • Transmission control with electronic governor and trim boost
    Patent number: 5399130
    Abstract: A transmission control has a redundancy control for upshift and downshift control of friction torque transmitting devices in a power transmission. The control solenoid valves providing for continued governor and accumulator trim boost in the event of a malfunction, in either the electrical system or the hydraulic system, which affects the governor pressure schedule. A reverse control signal, from a manual valve, is effective to remove the malfunctioning solenoid valve from effective operation in the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. Long
  • Powertrain and control having a plurality of accumulators
    Patent number: 5393273
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission has a hydraulic control system for establishing a plurality of forward drive ratios and a reverse drive ratio. Each drive ratio is established by the engagement of a fluid operated friction device, such as a clutch or brake. The engagement timing of each friction device is controlled in part by an accumulator. Each accumulator is disposed to accommodate friction devices, such that five forward speed and one reverse speeds require only a maximum of three accumulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond J. Haka
  • Method of making a ring gear
    Patent number: 5392517
    Abstract: A ring gear is formed from a blank taken from a hot extruded tube stock. The tube stock is extruded to predetermined dimensions substantially smaller than the finished ring gear blank. A toroidal blank is cut from the tube stock and measured to determine the mass thereof. The blank is expanded by rolling it to new inner and outer diameters and width after which a set of gear teeth are formed on the periphery of the expanded blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Lyon, Henry J. Cameron
  • Self-energizing vehicular brake system with electronically actuated hydraulic balance forces
    Patent number: 5390986
    Abstract: A vehicular braking system embodying the present concept utilizes multi-plate brake packs in conjunction with a mechanical actuating system that comprises first ramps secured to ground and second ramps presented from an annular apply cam member as well as a brake apply annulus, the latter being disposed adjacent the brake pack with rollers between the ramps and between the brake pack and the brake apply annulus. The annular apply cam member is connected to the brake pedal by a suitable linkage so that actuation of the pedal transmits brake apply torque to the apply cam member which results in the application of an apply force to the brake pack by virtue of the rollers which effect axial translation of the brake apply annulus in response to rotation of the annular apply cam member. The system also includes an anti-lock brake system which is actuated in response to depression of the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Hall III
  • Countershafts power transmission
    Patent number: 5390560
    Abstract: A countershaft transmission has an input shaft and a coaxial output shaft which are disposed in parallel with a pair of countershafts. The countershafts position and support a floating bearing support which is positioned to support ends of the input and output shafts. The countershafts each have a selectively engageable clutch disposed thereon which selectively control the establishment of drive ratios between the input shaft and the respective countershafts. A plurality of forward and reverse ratios are selectively established, between the input and output shafts through the countershafts, by selectively engaging a plurality of synchronizers. The synchronizers cooperate with a plurality of ratio gears on the countershafts and output shaft to establish the ratios. The ratio gears that establish the lowest forward ratios are fully disengageable from their respective countershafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Ordo
  • Power transmission and control
    Patent number: 5390562
    Abstract: A transmission control in a multi-speed transmission gear arrangement is responsive to thrust forces generated at the gear member controlled by an on-coming friction device during a ratio interchange to generate a control signal. The control signal is used to begin the disengagement process of the off-going friction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James F. Sherman
  • Method of making a torque converter assembly
    Patent number: 5384958
    Abstract: A torque converter has an end cover or input shell which is stamped from a sheet metal plate and has a stiffening fluid portion and an outer flow formed annular rim. The impeller, turbine and stator are assembled along with a torque converter clutch after which the rim portion of the end cover is welded to the impeller. The impeller and the cover have a flange or radially extending portion that is selectively trimmed to control the dynamic balance of the assembly. The turbine member is cast with the outer core and blade portions integral and an inner core member is welded thereto. This is completed prior to assembly within the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory F. O'Daniel, Dennis M. Provenzano
  • Torque transmitting structure and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 5384949
    Abstract: A torque transmitting structure for an automatic transmission has an inner hub for rotating the structure and an outer annular shell. The annular shell has an internal radial spline portion, an external brake surface, a torque tube and an axially facing drive connecting surface. The annular shell is manufactured in a flow forming process, wherein a cup-shaped blank is secured on a mandrel which has a shape complementary to the internal shape of the shell. Forming rolls engage the outer surface and are moved axially relative to the mandrel in a manner to form the desired outer contour of the shell. After the flow forming operation, the shell is removed from the mandrel, the axial drive connection is formed by metal removal and the hub is bonded to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Helmut A. H. Wodrich, Mario S. Zanet
  • Cranking clutch assembly for use in conjunction with an input isolator for a vehicular drivetrain
    Patent number: 5385221
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle drivetrain. The drivetrain includes an input shaft means and a fluid torque converter having a cover, an impeller and a turbine. A starter ring gear is secured to the torque converter cover to be engaged by a starter pinion. A coupling having first and second inertia masses operatively connects said input shaft means to the cover of the torque converter. An input isolator is disposed between the first and second inertia masses for permitting relative movement therebetween. A cranking clutch includes a driveplate and a Belleville spring, the Belleville spring biasing the driveplate against the torque converter cover and reducing the likelihood of the starter pinion disengaging prematurely from the starter ring gear during the engine start procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Keith D. Van Maanen
  • Shift control mechanism for a multi-speed countershaft transmission
    Patent number: 5385223
    Abstract: A neutral-reverse shift control actuator is provided in a countershaft transmission. The actuator is operatively connected through a resilient detent mechanism to a forward shift control mechanism. During a neutral-reverse shift maneuver, the drive connection partially manipulates the forward synchronizer, such that synchronization between the input and output shaft is achieved during a reverse shift maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventor: Cesar F. Certeza
  • Transmission control valve system
    Patent number: 5378207
    Abstract: A hydraulic control has valves for controlling the drive range selection and ratio interchange in a power transmission including a selector valve, a shift valve and a coast control valve. Each of these valves has a rotary spool distribution member for directing pressurized fluid to passages in a housing from which the fluid is delivered to the proper transmission mechanisms. The control simultaneously exhausts other transmission mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Paul D. Stevenson
  • Reversing assembly for multi-speed transmission
    Patent number: 5378208
    Abstract: An assembly for receiving input power and delivering that power to a range pack transmission in either a forward or a reverse mode. One or more first gears are drivingly connected to the source of input power. One or more second planet gears are also drivingly connected to the source of input power. The first and second planet gears are meshingly interconnected. The first planet gears meshingly engage a ring gear that may be selectively grounded to effect reverse rotation of the sun gear with respect to the carrier. The second planet gear meshingly engages the sun gear which serves as an output to deliver power from the reversing assembly to a range pack transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Hall, III
  • Brake apply response control
    Patent number: 5368137
    Abstract: A brake apply system having both a mechanical system and a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system will supply the majority of braking effort. It is desirable to initiate the mechanical system slightly before the fluid brake system. If only light braking pressure is engaged upon the brake system of the operator, the brake system control valve will reduce the amount of flow to the brake apply piston. To provide for a more rapid filling, and therefore more consistent brake reaction times within the system, a valve mechanism responsive to the reaction torque within the locating brake members is provided to establish a direct fluid connection between the brake apply piston and the line pressure or main pressure of the transmission control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph A. Clemens