Patents by Inventor Grantland I. Kingman
Grantland I. Kingman 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: 8234954Abstract: A transmission has a motor assembly with a stationary portion surrounding a rotor. The transmission also includes a clutch housing. A transmission casing surrounds the motor and the clutch housing. The stationary portion is rigidly connected to and supported by the clutch housing. Thus, a separate housing for the motor/generator is avoided. The housing may also support one or more motor bearings, seals, clutch pistons, or clutch plates.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan G. Holmes, Grantland I. Kingman
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Patent number: 8115351Abstract: A cooling system for an electrically variable transmission includes an electric motor having a plurality of connectors. The plurality of connectors are each assembled within a plurality of connector openings in a terminal block. Fluid from within a passageway is supplied by a pressurized fluid source, and an orifice for the passageway is located adjacent to one of the plurality of connector opening. The fluid flowing from the passageway is directed onto one of the plurality of connectors.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Reinhart, Kevin P Coleman, Eric S. Tryon, William S. Reed, Grantland I. Kingman
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Publication number: 20110296662Abstract: An input shaft for a hybrid transmission includes a cylindrical hollow shaft portion having internal and external surfaces. The internal surface defines an internal cavity coaxial with the hollow shaft portion and has a splined portion configured to allow power to be transferred to the hollow shaft portion. The input shaft may further include a freeze plug press-fit in the internal cavity, configured to fluidly seal the inner cavity in embodiments with a cavity extending throughout the input shaft. The splined portion may be a broached spline. A method of manufacturing a hybrid powertrain includes forming a hollow transmission input shaft and press-fitting a plug into it, such that the shaft is internally fluid sealed. The shaft is mated to the transmission which may then be filled with fluid and tested for operability. The shaft may be dry-mated to an engine output member for common rotation therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Timothy J. Reinhart, Gregory W. Kempf, Joel E. Mowatt, Alan G. Holmes, Grantland I. Kingman
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Patent number: 8057310Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes an engine having a damper assembly secured to the engine. The damper assembly includes a ring gear. A hybrid transmission having an input shaft is mounted on the mounting shaft of the damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an engine face plate and a transmission face plate secured to the engine face plate. The ring gear is secured to at least one of the transmission face plate and the engine face plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Reinhart, Grantland I. Kingman
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Patent number: 8010060Abstract: RF signal noise in a powertrain utilizing a power inverter module and electric motor is attenuated by providing a low impedance connection between a transmission output shaft and housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: William T Ivan, Edward L. Kaiser, Grantland I. Kingman, David J. Trzcinski
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Patent number: 7847444Abstract: An electric motor assembly in a vehicle powertrain is provided with a generally annular stator fit within an interior cavity of the powertrain defined by a housing. Roll pins are fit between the housing and the stator. The stator may have a plurality of first geometric features and the housing a plurality of second geometric features. The first geometric features are be configured to align with the second geometric features when the stator is fit within the cavity, with the roll pins fit between the housing and the stator at the aligned first and second geometric features. A method of assembling the electric motor assembly is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Grantland I. Kingman, Alan G. Holmes
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Publication number: 20100300797Abstract: A cooling system for an electrically variable transmission includes an electric motor having a plurality of connectors. The plurality of connectors are each assembled within a plurality of connector openings in a terminal block. Fluid from within a passageway is supplied by a pressurized fluid source, and an orifice for the passageway is located adjacent to one of the plurality of connector opening. The fluid flowing from the passageway is directed onto one of the plurality of connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Timothy J. Reinhart, Kevin P. Coleman, Eric S. Tryon, William S. Reed, Grantland I. Kingman
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Publication number: 20100139452Abstract: A transmission has a motor assembly with a stationary portion surrounding a rotor. The transmission also includes a clutch housing. A transmission casing surrounds the motor and the clutch housing. The stationary portion is rigidly connected to and supported by the clutch housing. Thus, a separate housing for the motor/generator is avoided. The housing may also support one or more motor bearings, seals, clutch pistons, or clutch plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Grantland I. Kingman
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Publication number: 20100081510Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes an engine having a damper assembly secured to the engine. The damper assembly includes a ring gear. A hybrid transmission having an input shaft is mounted on the mounting shaft of the damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an engine face plate and a transmission face plate secured to the engine face plate. The ring gear is secured to at least one of the transmission face plate and the engine face plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Timothy J. Reinhart, Grantland I. Kingman
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Patent number: 7615903Abstract: An electromechanical transmission is provided with a structural support member that supports a motor/generator in a space efficient way; particularly, the motor/generator is supported from one side only to save space axially in the transmission. Specifically, a stationary structural support member circumscribes an outer surface of and supports a stator while extending radially-inward of a rotor and at least partially supporting the rotor. A rotor hub rotatable with respect to the structural support member is used to support an inner surface of the rotor. The structural support member substantially encloses the stator and rotor from one direction along the axis of rotation. However, the stator and rotor have no additional support members in the opposing axial direction such that they are unenclosed from an opposing axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Michael R. Schmidt, Donald Klemen, Grantland I. Kingman
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Hybrid powertrain with electrically variable transmission having parallel friction launch and method
Patent number: 7610976Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a control unit that regulates electric power interchange an energy storage device and a motor/generator for causing selective torque generation by the motor/generator and for controlling engagement of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The control unit is configured to place the torque-transmitting mechanism in slipping engagement to launch the vehicle and thereby decouple a fixed relationship between engine torque and motor/generator torque or between engine torque and torque at the output member. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle powertrain is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Michael R. Schmidt, Donald Klemen, Larry T. Nitz, Grantland I. Kingman, Anthony H. Heap, Gregory A. Hubbard, Brendan M. Conlon -
Publication number: 20090253523Abstract: An input shaft for a hybrid transmission includes a cylindrical hollow shaft portion having internal and external surfaces. The internal surface defines an internal cavity coaxial with the hollow shaft portion and has a splined portion configured to allow power to be transferred to the hollow shaft portion. The input shaft may further include a freeze plug press-fit in the internal cavity, configured to fluidly seal the inner cavity in embodiments with a cavity extending throughout the input shaft. The splined portion may be a broached spline. A method of manufacturing a hybrid powertrain includes forming a hollow transmission input shaft and press-fitting a plug into it, such that the shaft is internally fluid sealed. The shaft is mated to the transmission which may then be filled with fluid and tested for operability. The shaft may be dry-mated to an engine output member for common rotation therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., GENERAL MOTORS CORPOATIONInventors: Timothy J. Reinhart, Gregory W. Kempf, Joel E. Mowatt, Alan G. Holmes, Grantland I. Kingman
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Publication number: 20090212649Abstract: An electric motor assembly in a vehicle powertrain is provided with a generally annular stator fit within an interior cavity of the powertrain defined by a housing. Roll pins are fit between the housing and the stator. The stator may have a plurality of first geometric features and the housing a plurality of second geometric features. The first geometric features are be configured to align with the second geometric features when the stator is fit within the cavity, with the roll pins fit between the housing and the stator at the aligned first and second geometric features. A method of assembling the electric motor assembly is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Grantland I. Kingman, Alan G. Holmes
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Publication number: 20090058010Abstract: RF signal noise in a powertrain utilizing a power inverter module and electric motor is attenuated by providing a low impedance connection between a transmission output shaft and housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: William T. Ivan, Edward L. Kaiser, Grantland I. Kingman, David J. Trzcinski
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Patent number: 6455947Abstract: A power combining apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle comprises a planetary gear set comprising a sun gear, a ring gear connected to an output shaft, a plurality of planet gears, and a carrier assembly rotatably supporting the plurality of planet gears journaled with the sun and ring gears. A torque transmitting arrangement is coupled to the sun gear and to the shaft of the variable power source for influencing rotation of the sun gear according to the rotation of the variable power supply shaft for causing rotation of the sun gear, thereby influencing rotation of the ring gear and the output shaft. The carrier assembly of the planetary gear arrangement is selectively connectable to the constant power source for selectively influencing rotation of the carrier assembly of the planetary gears and the ring gear, to thereby influence rotation of the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: BAE Systems Controls, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Lilley, Grantland I. Kingman
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Publication number: 20020109357Abstract: A power combining apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle comprises a planetary gear set comprising a sun gear, a ring gear connected to an output shaft, a plurality of planet gears, and a carrier assembly rotatably supporting the plurality of planet gears journaled with the sun and ring gears. A torque transmitting arrangement is coupled to the sun gear and to the shaft of the variable power source for influencing rotation of the sun gear according to the rotation of the variable power supply shaft for causing rotation of the sun gear, thereby influencing rotation of the ring gear and the output shaft. The carrier assembly of the planetary gear arrangement is selectively connectable to the constant power source for selectively influencing rotation of the carrier assembly of the planetary gears and the ring gear, to thereby influence rotation of the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Timothy J. Lilley, Grantland I. Kingman
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Patent number: RE41034Abstract: A power combining apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle comprises a planetary gear set comprising a sun gear, a ring gear connected to an output shaft, a plurality of planet gears, and a carrier assembly rotatably supporting the plurality of planet gears journaled with the sun and ring gears. A torque transmitting arrangement is coupled to the sun gear and to the shaft of the variable power source for influencing rotation of the sun gear according to the rotation of the variable power supply shaft for causing rotation of the sun gear, thereby influencing rotation of the ring gear and the output shaft. The carrier assembly of the planetary gear arrangement is selectively connectable to the constant power source for selectively influencing rotation of the carrier assembly of the planetary gears and the ring gear, to thereby influence rotation of the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Lilley, Grantland I. Kingman