Patents by Inventor Christopher Jay Weingartz

Christopher Jay Weingartz 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: 8733521
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating an electro-hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission having seven forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse. The control system includes an oil delivery subsystem, a clutch control subsystem and a synchronizer control subsystem. All three subsystems are under the control of a transmission control module. The method of operation includes gathering data from various shaft speed, clutch position and shift actuator position sensors and utilizing pressure control (PCS) and flow control (FCS) solenoid valves and a logic valve to pre-stage and engage (and disengage) hydraulic shift actuators associated with a requested and current gear and to sequentially engage one of a pair of input clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Patent number: 8702564
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system and method for controlling a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices and logic valve assemblies in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Philip C. Lundberg, John R. Czoykowski, Bret M. Olson, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20140007727
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a pressure signal to an actuator piston to control movement of a synchronizer actuator fork of a transmission includes moving the synchronizer actuator fork from a start position into a target position by applying an initial fluid pressure value. The time required to move the synchronizer actuator fork is measured to define a measured actuation time, and compared to a target actuation time. A correction factor is applied to the initial fluid pressure value to define a revised fluid pressure value when the measured actuation time is not within a pre-defined time range of the target actuation time. When the measured actuation time is greater than the pre-defined time range of the target actuation time, the initial fluid pressure value is increased. When the measured actuation time is less than the pre-defined time range of the target actuation time, the initial fluid pressure value is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Matthew D. Whitton, Steven P. Moorman, Matthew Kempeinen
  • Patent number: 8579762
    Abstract: A clutch control system for a vehicle includes a shift command module and an offgoing clutch control module. The shift command module commands an upshift of a clutch-to-clutch transmission when an engine torque is less than a predetermined negative torque. The offgoing clutch control module increases an offgoing clutch pressure above a predetermined apply pressure in response to the command. An offgoing clutch is fully engaged when the offgoing clutch pressure is greater than the predetermined apply pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A Yacoub, Matthew D. Whitton, Craig J. Hawkins, Mark A. Schang, Robert L. Williams, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Patent number: 8560192
    Abstract: A control system includes a pressure control solenoid and a flow control solenoid having an input in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid. A piston adjusts a position of a shift fork and includes a first area in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid and a second area in fluid communication with the flow control solenoid. A fork sensor senses a position of a shift fork. A flow determining module determines a fork velocity for the shift fork, adjusts the fork velocity to generate an adjusted fork velocity based on the position, and generates a flow command for the flow control solenoid based on the adjusted fork velocity. A pressure determining module generates a pressure command for the pressure control solenoid. The shift fork is at least one of moved from a sync position to an engaged position and from an engaged position to a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Steven P. Moorman, Xuefeng Tim Tao, Chinar S. Ghike, Andreas Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 8504267
    Abstract: A control system includes a pressure control solenoid and a flow control solenoid having an input in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid. A piston adjusts a position of a shift fork and includes a first area in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid and a second area in fluid communication with the flow control solenoid. A fork sensor senses a position of a shift fork. A slip sensing module estimates slip acceleration between an input shaft and a gear. A flow determining module generates a flow command for the flow control solenoid. A sync control module determines a slip acceleration profile including an estimated slip acceleration, adjusts the estimated slip acceleration based on the measured slip acceleration, and generates a pressure command for the pressure control solenoid based on the adjusted slip acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Steven P. Moorman, Xuefeng Tim Tao, Chinar S. Ghike, Andreas Gustavsson
  • Publication number: 20120145502
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices and logic valve assemblies in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Philip C. Lundberg, John R. Czoykowski, Bret M. Olson, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20120145504
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system and method for controlling a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices and logic valve assemblies in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Philip C. Lundberg, John R. Czoykowski, Bret M. Olson, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20120145503
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system and method for controlling a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices and logic valve assemblies in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATINONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Philip C. Lundberg, John R. Czoykowski, Bret M. Olson, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20120138413
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating an electro-hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission having seven forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse. The control system includes an oil delivery subsystem, a clutch control subsystem and a synchronizer control subsystem. All three subsystems are under the control of a transmission control module. The method of operation includes gathering data from various shaft speed, clutch position and shift actuator position sensors and utilizing pressure control (PCS) and flow control (FCS) solenoid valves and a logic valve to pre-stage and engage (and disengage) hydraulic shift actuators associated with a requested and current gear and to sequentially engage one of a pair of input clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20120137806
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes controlling a plurality of pressure and flow control devices in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Philip C. Lundberg, John R. Czoykowski, Bret M. Olson, Chinar S. Ghike, James D. Hendrickson, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20120138408
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes controlling a plurality of pressure and flow control devices in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: STEVEN P. MOORMAN, PHILIP C. LUNDBERG, JOHN R. CZOYKOWSKI, BRET M. OLSON, CHINAR S. GHIKE, JAMES D. HENDRICKSON, CHRISTOPHER JAY WEINGARTZ
  • Publication number: 20120010046
    Abstract: A clutch control system for a vehicle includes a shift command module and an offgoing clutch control module. The shift command module commands an upshift of a clutch-to-clutch transmission when an engine torque is less than a predetermined negative torque. The offgoing clutch control module increases an offgoing clutch pressure above a predetermined apply pressure in response to the command. An offgoing clutch is fully engaged when the offgoing clutch pressure is greater than the predetermined apply pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Yacoub, Matthew D. Whitton, Craig J. Hawkins, Mark A. Schang, Robert L. Williams, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20110252910
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission (DCT) control module includes a position control module that actuates a shift fork of the DCT during a first shift state based on a measured shift fork position and a target shift fork position. A force control module adjusts a control force associated with the shift fork during a second shift state based on synchronizer slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Andreas Gustavsson, Tomas Carlsson, Ludvig Franzen, Mikael M. Johansson
  • Publication number: 20110257857
    Abstract: A control system includes a pressure control solenoid and a flow control solenoid having an input in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid. A piston adjusts a position of a shift fork and includes a first area in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid and a second area in fluid communication with the flow control solenoid. A fork sensor senses a position of a shift fork. A slip sensing module estimates slip acceleration between an input shaft and a gear. A flow determining module generates a flow command for the flow control solenoid. A sync control module determines a slip acceleration profile including an estimated slip acceleration, adjusts the estimated slip acceleration based on the measured slip acceleration, and generates a pressure command for the pressure control solenoid based on the adjusted slip acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Steven P. Moorman, Xuefeng Tim Tao, Chinar S. Ghike, Andreas Gustavsson
  • Publication number: 20110257855
    Abstract: A control system includes a pressure control solenoid and a flow control solenoid having an input in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid. A piston adjusts a position of a shift fork and includes a first area in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid and a second area in fluid communication with the flow control solenoid. A fork sensor senses a position of a shift fork. A flow determining module determines a fork velocity for the shift fork, adjusts the fork velocity to generate an adjusted fork velocity based on the position, and generates a flow command for the flow control solenoid based on the adjusted fork velocity. A pressure determining module generates a pressure command for the pressure control solenoid. The shift fork is at least one of moved from a sync position to an engaged position and from an engaged position to a neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Steven P. Moorman, Xuefeng Tim Tao, Chinar S. Ghike, Andreas Gustavsson