Patents by Inventor Caleb G. Harmon
Caleb G. Harmon 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).
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Patent number: 9194436Abstract: A chip or debris trap or collector retains chips, fragments and other debris generated when a serrated or splined, press fit connection is assembled between a shaft and another component such as a housing, gear, pulley or bearing. The chip collector includes a circumferential channel or groove disposed about the shaft adjacent the ring of serrations or male splines and an adjacent circumferential flange. An optional second channel or groove resides in the other component. As the shaft and the component are assembled, chips, fragments or other debris generated by the interference fit and axial sliding assembly of the components are collected in the channel or channels and retained there as the shaft fully seats within the other component.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Caleb G Harmon, David Eddy, Fred Lewis
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Patent number: 9074642Abstract: A hydraulic fluid filler for a motor vehicle transmission includes a set of holes through which respective springs of a spring pack extend. The filler is generally positioned adjacent to a single retainer ring or between two retainer rings associated with the spring pack. In some implementations, the filler floats between the two retainer rings, while, in other implementations, the filler is securely attached to one or both of the retainer rings. The filler reduces the volume of one of two cavities, chambers, or cylinders positioned on opposite sides of a piston that selectively interacts with a clutch assembly to engage or disengage the clutch assembly. Reducing the volume of one of the cavities, chambers or cylinders effectively reduces the time period the spring pack is then able to apply a restoring force to the piston.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Jeffrey J. McFarland, Chinar S. Ghike, Caleb G. Harmon, Vasanthakumar Chinnusamy
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Patent number: 8813933Abstract: A composite, i.e., two element, two material clutch hub includes an inner sleeve of a heavy, high strength material to and about which is cast an outer element of a lighter, lower strength material. The sleeve typically includes a splined opening that is received on one or two complementarily splined shafts and a plurality of radially oriented pins or lugs or a discontinuous flange about which the outer element is cast. The outer element is splined to the friction plate of a clutch or other component. The high strength material is preferably, though not necessarily, steel and the lighter material is preferably, though not necessarily, an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the sleeve may be a high strength aluminum alloy such as a metal matrix composite (MMC) and the outer element may be a lower strength, different aluminum alloy.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Caleb G. Harmon, Scott William Heitzenrater
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Patent number: 8756784Abstract: A seal protector assembly is provided. The seal protector assembly includes a cavity for encasing a seal. A plug or cap is removably attached to the protector seal. After shipment of the transmission, the plug or cap is removed. Once any potential damage to the seal during assembly has passed, the protector is then removed.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Caleb G. Harmon, Edward J. Billings, Kelly Pietras
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Publication number: 20140112697Abstract: A chip or debris trap or collector retains chips, fragments and other debris generated when a serrated or splined, press fit connection is assembled between a shaft and another component such as a housing, gear, pulley or bearing. The chip collector includes a circumferential channel or groove disposed about the shaft adjacent the ring of serrations or male splines and an adjacent circumferential flange. An optional second channel or groove resides in the other component. As the shaft and the component are assembled, chips, fragments or other debris generated by the interference fit and axial sliding assembly of the components are collected in the channel or channels and retained there as the shaft fully seats within the other component.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Caleb G Harmon, David Eddy, Fred Lewis
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Publication number: 20140110214Abstract: A hydraulic fluid filler for a motor vehicle transmission includes a set of holes through which respective springs of a spring pack extend. The filler is generally positioned adjacent to a single retainer ring or between two retainer rings associated with the spring pack. In some implementations, the filler floats between the two retainer rings, while, in other implementations, the filler is securely attached to one or both of the retainer rings. The filler reduces the volume of one of two cavities, chambers, or cylinders positioned on opposite sides of a piston that selectively interacts with a clutch assembly to engage or disengage the clutch assembly. Reducing the volume of one of the cavities, chambers or cylinders effectively reduces the time period the spring pack is then able to apply a restoring force to the piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey J. McFarland, Chinar S. Ghike, Caleb G. Harmon, Vasanthakumar Chinnusamy
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Publication number: 20120061203Abstract: A composite, i.e., two element, two material clutch hub includes an inner sleeve of a heavy, high strength material to and about which is cast an outer element of a lighter, lower strength material. The sleeve typically includes a splined opening that is received on one or two complementarily splined shafts and a plurality of radially oriented pins or lugs or a discontinuous flange about which the outer element is cast. The outer element is splined to the friction plate of a clutch or other component. The high strength material is preferably, though not necessarily, steel and the lighter material is preferably, though not necessarily, an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the sleeve may be a high strength aluminum alloy such as a metal matrix composite (MMC) and the outer element may be a lower strength, different aluminum alloy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Caleb G. Harmon, Scott William Heitzenrater
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Publication number: 20110179620Abstract: A seal protector assembly is provided. The seal protector assembly includes a cavity for encasing a seal. A plug or cap is removably attached to the protector seal. After shipment of the transmission, the plug or cap is removed. Once any potential damage to the seal during assembly has passed, the protector is then removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Caleb G. Harmon, Edward J. Billings, Kelly Pietras