Patents by Inventor J. Hawkins

J. Hawkins 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).

  • Upshift control of a dry dual-clutch transmission
    Patent number: 9140359
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a dry dual-clutch transmission (dDCT) having a pair of input clutches and a gearbox containing oddly- and evenly-numbered gear sets, and a transmission control module (TCM). Application of one of input clutches connects the engine to a corresponding one of the oddly- or evenly-numbered gear sets. The TCM includes feed-forward PID-based control logic, and a torque-to-position (TTP) table for each input clutch. The TCM commands a position of a designated input clutch during a power-on upshift using the feed-forward, PID-based control logic, and selectively adapts the TTP table as a function of an inertia and acceleration value of the engine. The TCM may apply an asymmetrical handoff profile to commanded oncoming and offgoing clutch torques during the torque phase of the upshift. The TCM may also adjust the TTP table as a function of the frequency of use of the input clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Porto, Matthew D. Whitton, Steven P. Moorman, Craig J. Hawkins, Roberto Diaz
  • Transmission oil pressure control during engine autostart
    Patent number: 9067599
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having autostart functionality, a source of fluid pressure when the engine is off, a flow control solenoid that outputs a variable clutch pressure, a transmission, an electric motor, and a controller. The transmission includes a clutch in fluid communication with the solenoid. The clutch applies via the clutch pressure to establish a first gear launch state. The motor is powered via a rechargeable energy storage system. The controller executes a method to transmit pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals to the solenoid upon detection of a set of conditions triggering the autostart event to lower clutch pressure to a first calibrated level. Restart of the engine is commanded, and the clutch pressure increases toward a second calibrated level while engine speed is increasing. The controller discontinues the PWM control signals and increases clutch pressure to line pressure when the input speed exceeds a calibrated threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Keith D. Van Maanen, Roger Joseph Rademacher, Craig J. Hawkins
  • STEAM GENERATOR SLUDGE LANCE APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20150176837
    Abstract: A sludge lance for a tube and shell steam generator that has a central divider plate that extends substantially the length of a central tube lane substantially bisecting a hand hole through which the tube lane can be accessed. The sludge lance has a nozzle with a spring biased, reciprocally movable plunger that extends against the divider plate and is locked in position by a stream of high pressure cleaning fluid that traverses the nozzle and exits through jets to clean sludge from between the tubes. An alignment tool with a swing arm indexes the jets to assure they are properly aligned with the tube rows and spaced from the divider plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Phillip J. Hawkins
  • METHODS FOR TREATING CANCERS
    Publication number: 20150150881
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating a cancer in a subject (e.g., a human) in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The subject may be very high risk or high risk for the cancer. The subject who has the cancer may also be refractory to at least one chemotherapy treatment, or is in relapse after treatment with chemotherapy, or both. The cancer may be a hematologic malignancy, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Julie Di Paolo, Michael J. Hawkins, Jing Hu, Feng Jin, Flordeliza Melchor-Khan, Anita Reddy
  • Transgenic plants with enhanced agronomic traits
    Publication number: 20150113676
    Abstract: This invention provides transgenic plant cells with recombinant DNA for expression of proteins that are useful for imparting enhanced agronomic trait(s) to transgenic crop plants. This invention also provides transgenic plants and progeny seed comprising the transgenic plant cells where the plants are selected for having an enhanced trait selected from the group of traits consisting of enhanced water use efficiency, enhanced cold tolerance, increased yield, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, enhanced seed protein and enhanced seed oil. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing transgenic seed and plants with enhanced traits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Mark Scott Abad, Thomas R. Adams, Julie A. Alvarez, Mahindra Anuradha, Alice Clara Augustine, Erin Bell, Kristen A. Bennett, Robert J. Bensen, Paolo Castiglioni, Richard E. Cerny, Xianfeng Chen, Jaishree M. Chittoor-Vijayanath, Farah Deeba, Jill Deikman, Molian Deng, Meghan Galligan-Donnarummo, Stephen Duff, Bradon J. Fabbri, Jason Fenner, Mary Fernandes, Karen Gabbert, Barry S. Goldman, Deborah J. Hawkins, Jacqueline E. Heard, Balasulojini Karunanandaa, Dangyang Ke, John R. Ledeaux, Garrett J. Lee, Savitha Madappa, Donald E. Nelson, Obed Patty, Badami S. Pranesh, Qungang Qi, Ramachandra Dhanalakshmi, G. Ramamohan, Thomas G. Ruff, Rick A. Sanders, Sangeetha Singh, Thomas J. Savage, Beth Savidge, Char Shobha, Rajani Monnanda Somaiah, Padmini Sudarshana, Sreekanta Navarathna Suma, Jindong Sun, Rebecca L. Thompson-Mize, Dale L. Val, Srikanth Venkatachalayya, Tymagondlu V. Venkatesh, Kammaradi Vidya, Jingrui Wu, Zhidong Xie, Nanfei Xu, Wei Zheng, Rajani Monnanda Somaiah
  • System and method for controlling a dry dual clutch transmission of a vehicle
    Patent number: 9002606
    Abstract: A system and method can control the dry dual clutch transmission (dDCT) of a vehicle. The method includes modifying a recorded torque-to-position (TTP) table based on a calculated clutch torque difference between a calculated clutch torque and a commanded clutch torque. The commanded clutch torque is provided by a transmission control module and is defined as a clutch torque sufficient to move the vehicle without applying the accelerator applier after the brake applier has been released. The calculated clutch torque is a function of the actual engine torque value, the engine inertia, and the engine acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Craig J. Hawkins, Colin Hultengren
  • Dual clutch transmission vehicle launch control
    Patent number: 8996266
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an engine control module (ECM), and a dual clutch transmission (DCT) assembly. The DCT assembly has first and second input clutches, first and second gear sets selectively connected to the engine via the respective first and second input clutches, and a transmission control module (TCM). In executing a launch control method, the TCM receives a launch request, receives an actual engine torque, and determines the inertia and acceleration of the engine. The TCM then calculates a clutch torque for the particular input clutch used for vehicle launch as a function of the actual engine torque and the product of the inertia and the acceleration, compares the calculated clutch torque to the commanded clutch torque, modifies a torque-to-position (TTP) table depending on the comparison result, and transmits a clutch position signal to the designated input clutch to command an apply position extracted from the TTP table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Colin Hultengren, Craig J. Hawkins, Matthew D. Whitton, Crystal Nassouri, Jonathan P. Kish
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DRY DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION OF A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150088394
    Abstract: A system and method can control the dry dual clutch transmission (dDCT) of a vehicle. The method includes modifying a recorded torque-to-position (TTP) table based on a calculated clutch torque difference between a calculated clutch torque and a commanded clutch torque. The commanded clutch torque is provided by a transmission control module and is defined as a clutch torque sufficient to move the vehicle without applying the accelerator applier after the brake applier has been released. The calculated clutch torque is a function of the actual engine torque value, the engine inertia, and the engine acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Craig J. Hawkins, Colin Hultengren
  • Conduit length adjustment apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8978493
    Abstract: A conduit length adjustment apparatus having first and second housings each having a member structured to engage the respective housing with a first conduit. A housing movement device is connected between the first and second housings and configured to change a distance between the first and second housings. Selective operation of the members and housing movement device causes the first conduit to move into or out of a second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Phillip J. Hawkins
  • STABILIZING MOUTHPIECE WITH LATERAL SHIFT GUARDS
    Publication number: 20150040915
    Abstract: A stabilizing mouthpiece includes features that reduce or prevent displacement of the mouthpiece either laterally or forward and backward when the mouthpiece is in use. In one implementation, the stabilizing mouthpiece may include one or more lateral shift guards that rest adjacent to inner or outer surfaces of a user's molars, incisors, or cuspids. In another implementation, the stabilizing mouthpiece may include elongated ridges or biased grips that resist posterior-to-anterior movement of the mouthpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Safe-T-Gard Corporation
    Inventors: Sheila L. Gottsch, Victor J. Hawkins
  • Tubesheet walker for heat exchanger inspections
    Patent number: 8938044
    Abstract: A robotic tubesheet walker having two rails connected by a central hinge, wherein the central hinge can be opened or closed by an actuation device. Upon each rail is mounted a carriage, wherein each carriage can move along its respective rail toward or away from the central hinge by means of a drive mechanism. Each carriage further contains at least two “gripper” attachment mechanisms, such as camlocks, to grip the tubesheet. The grippers either insert into tube holes within the tubesheet to fasten the respective carriage to the tubesheet, or retract to disengage. Further attached to the central hinge is a tool support fixture, and attached to the tool support fixture is a coupler that holds maintenance or inspection tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Lyman J. Petrosky, Phillip J. Hawkins
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING A TOOL TO THE INTERIOR OF A HEAT EXCHANGE TUBE
    Publication number: 20140332178
    Abstract: A delivery system for remotely driving an eddy current probe through the tubing of a heat exchanger. The system uses a flexible shaft and air pressure to move an inspection probe through the heat exchanger tubes. The flexible shaft initially drives the probe through a sealed conduit to deliver the probe to the tube end at which point a seal on the shaft near the probe head contacts the tube inner surface allowing a buildup of air pressure behind the seal, thus driving the probe through the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Lyman J. Petrosky, Kurt K. Lichtenfels, Phillip J. Hawkins
  • Solder-less electrical connection
    Patent number: 8851939
    Abstract: A solder-less wire connector sleeve of conductive material has a first bore portion extending from a first end and configured for rotatable connection to an end portion of an electrical rod or pin of a subsea connector or the like, and a second bore portion extending from the second end and configured for receiving a wire. The sleeve has a crimp portion overlying the wire receiving end portion. An annular, resilient, snap engaging member is mounted in the first bore portion to extend radially inwardly into the bore, and is configured for resilient, snap engagement in an annular groove in the conductor rod adjacent the tip of the rod to retain the rod in the sleeve while permitting relative rotation between the rod and sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Teledyne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bazenas, Daniel J. Hawkins, Chester P. Piechowiak
  • PUMP SEAL WITH THERMAL RETRACTING ACTUATOR
    Publication number: 20140271288
    Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel. Below a preselected temperature the piston is positively locked with a passive release when the preselected temperature is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson
  • PUMP SEAL WITH THERMAL RETRACTING ACTUATOR
    Publication number: 20140271294
    Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a chamber shell with a material that expands upon a rise in temperature. The portion of the actual length of the piston within the chamber has at least two different diameters with the larger diameter leading in the direction of travel of the piston. Upon a rise in temperature, expansion of the material surrounding the piston within the chamber creates a force on the piston in the desired direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Judith E. Hodgson
  • TRANSMISSION OIL PRESSURE CONTROL DURING ENGINE AUTOSTART
    Publication number: 20140257607
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having autostart functionality, a source of fluid pressure when the engine is off, a flow control solenoid that outputs a variable clutch pressure, a transmission, an electric motor, and a controller. The transmission includes a clutch in fluid communication with the solenoid. The clutch applies via the clutch pressure to establish a first gear launch state. The motor is powered via a rechargeable energy storage system. The controller executes a method to transmit pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals to the solenoid upon detection of a set of conditions triggering the autostart event to lower clutch pressure to a first calibrated level. Restart of the engine is commanded, and the clutch pressure increases toward a second calibrated level while engine speed is increasing. The controller discontinues the PWM control signals and increases clutch pressure to line pressure when the input speed exceeds a calibrated threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Keith D. Van Maanen, Roger Joseph Rademacher, Craig J. Hawkins
  • Minature sludge lance apparatus
    Patent number: 8800499
    Abstract: A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Eric R. Haberman, Jerod J. Rudish, David W. Selfridge
  • Miniature sludge lance apparatus
    Patent number: 8800500
    Abstract: A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Eric R. Haberman, Jerod J. Rudish, David W. Selfridge
  • DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION VEHICLE LAUNCH CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140195129
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an engine control module (ECM), and a dual clutch transmission (DCT) assembly. The DCT assembly has first and second input clutches, first and second gear sets selectively connected to the engine via the respective first and second input clutches, and a transmission control module (TCM). In executing a launch control method, the TCM receives a launch request, receives an actual engine torque, and determines the inertia and acceleration of the engine. The TCM then calculates a clutch torque for the particular input clutch used for vehicle launch as a function of the actual engine torque and the product of the inertia and the acceleration, compares the calculated clutch torque to the commanded clutch torque, modifies a torque-to-position (TTP) table depending on the comparison result, and transmits a clutch position signal to the designated input clutch to command an apply position extracted from the TTP table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Colin Hultengren, Craig J. Hawkins, Matthew D. Whitton, Crystal Nassouri, Jonathan P. Kish
  • UPSHIFT CONTROL OF A DRY DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20140195131
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a dry dual-clutch transmission (dDCT) having a pair of input clutches and a gearbox containing oddly- and evenly-numbered gear sets, and a transmission control module (TCM). Application of one of input clutches connects the engine to a corresponding one of the oddly- or evenly-numbered gear sets. The TCM includes feed-forward PID-based control logic, and a torque-to-position (TTP) table for each input clutch. The TCM commands a position of a designated input clutch during a power-on upshift using the feed-forward, PID-based control logic, and selectively adapts the TTP table as a function of an inertia and acceleration value of the engine. The TCM may apply an asymmetrical handoff profile to commanded oncoming and offgoing clutch torques during the torque phase of the upshift. The TCM may also adjust the TTP table as a function of the frequency of use of the input clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Brian M. Porto, Matthew D. Whitton, Steven P. Moorman, Craig J. Hawkins, Roberto Diaz