Patents by Inventor James D. Hendrickson
James D. Hendrickson 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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Publication number: 20100139930Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Dinesh R. Patel, Y. Gil Hilsman, III, Herve Ohmer, Stephane Hiron, Philippe Gambier, Jonathan K.C. Whitehead, Randolph J. Sheffield, Rodney J. Wetzel, John R. Whitsitt, Thomas D. MacDougall, Nitin Y. Vaidya, James D. Hendrickson, John E. Edwards, Donald W. Ross, Rashmi B. Bhavsar
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Patent number: 7708080Abstract: A packer includes a sealing element, a gage and a plurality of foldback rings. The rings are located between the gage and the sealing element.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Seth Conaway, Karen Grosser, James D. Hendrickson
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Patent number: 7703346Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch and a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gears sets having gears that are selectively connectable to at least two countershafts. Moreover, one of the gears of the plurality of co-planar gears sets that provides a reverse gear ratio is selectively connectable to a first countershaft and is in mesh with only one other gear of the plurality of co-planar gears sets that is selectively engagable to a second countershaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: James D. Hendrickson, John A. Diemer, Douglas John Dwenger
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Patent number: 7665537Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Schlumbeger Technology CorporationInventors: Dinesh R. Patel, Y. Gil Hilsman, III, Herve Ohmer, Stephane Hiron, Philippe Gambier, Jonathan K. C. Whitehead, Randolph J. Sheffield, Rodney J. Wetzel, John R. Whitsitt, Thomas D. MacDougall, Nitin Y. Vaidya, James D. Hendrickson, John E. Edwards, Donald W. Ross, Rashmi B. Bhavsar
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Patent number: 7644639Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch, to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a plurality of countershafts. At least one transfer gear set transfers torque from the counter shafts to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: James D. Hendrickson, John A. Diemer, Patrick S. Portell, Henryk Sowul, Ted T. Selever, Tejinder Singh, Craig S. Ross
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Publication number: 20090288895Abstract: An electric torque converter has a torque converter input member connected to the first node of a differential gear set representable by a lever diagram having first, second, and third nodes. A motor/generator is connected to the second node. The third node is connected to an input member of a transmission gearing arrangement. A brake is selectively engagable to ground the first node to a stationary member. Engagement of the brake provides a regenerative braking mode and an electric-only driving mode, with the motor/generator connected to the transmission gearing arrangement through the differential gear set. Various clutches may be provided for lock-up or selective connection of the engine, including arrangements which reduce motor/generator torque required for engine starting while in electric-only driving. A method of operating a vehicle maintains the engine speed at an optimum level to the extent possible given battery charge levels and operator commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2008Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Donald Klemen, Alan G. Holmes, Brendan M. Conlon, James D. Hendrickson, Norman K. Bucknor, Michael R. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7610825Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch, to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a plurality of countershafts. At least one transfer gear set transfers torque from the counter shafts to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2007Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: James D. Hendrickson, Tejinder Singh, Henryk Sowul
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Publication number: 20090249907Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch to achieve torque flow through a dual countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a first countershaft and a second countershaft. A transfer gear set transfers torque from the countershafts to an output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Tejinder Singh, Henryk Sowul, James D. Hendrickson
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Publication number: 20090241714Abstract: The present invention provides a three position hydraulic piston assembly for a gear ratio change mechanism for a transmission exhibiting reduced gear shift noise. The three position hydraulic piston assembly includes a master piston and motion retarding assemblies that act near both travel limits of the master piston. The master piston includes symmetrical passageways that provide hydraulic fluid flow to small chambers at each end of the piston that are closed off as the piston approaches its travel limits. Hydraulic fluid trapped in the chambers decelerates the piston and is bled off through an orifice allowing the piston to reach its travel limit and quickly and quietly engage a gear ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INCInventors: HENRYK SOWUL, TEJINDER SINGH, BRIAN W. WHITMARSH, BRIAN TOOMAN, JAMES D. HENDRICKSON, RICHARD A. PASHNIK
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Patent number: 7510019Abstract: A seal assembly that is usable with a well includes a metal body that is adapted to expand radially inwardly and radially outwardly in response to the body being longitudinally compressed between compressing surfaces. The metal body includes first and second surfaces that do not conform to the compressing surfaces before longitudinal compression of the body and are adapted to contact the compressing surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Yanmei Li, Daniel M. Torbett, Andrew T. Werner, James D. Hendrickson, Nathan Kathol, Vi Nguy
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Patent number: 7473199Abstract: An electrically variable transmission family is provided which has low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first and second differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, up to six selectable torque-transfer devices and possibly a dog clutch. The selectable torque transmitting devices are engaged to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and at least four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transmitting devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Norman K. Bucknor, Tejinder Singh, John A. Diemer, Alan G. Holmes, James D. Hendrickson, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Madhusudan Raghavan
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Publication number: 20080305907Abstract: An input brake assembly is provided for selectively grounding a transmission input member. The packaging location of the input brake assembly does not interfere with, and thus still allows the option of providing a bypass clutch for a flex plate-type flywheel connecting the engine with the transmission input member. The input brake assembly includes a flywheel, preferably a flex plate, for transferring rotary torque between the engine and the transmission input member and a ring gear secured to the outer periphery of the flex plate. A pinion gear is axially movable into and out of meshing engagement with the ring gear. A grounding device is operatively connected to the pinion gear and is operable to prevent rotation of the pinion gear, thereby braking the flex plate as well as the transmission input member operatively connected thereto when the pinion gear is in meshing engagement with the ring gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: James D. Hendrickson, John A. Diemer, Craig S. Ross, Michael H. Pohl, Robert K. Dunlap
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Publication number: 20080202267Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch, to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a plurality of countershafts. At least one transfer gear set transfers torque from the counter shafts to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: James D. Hendrickson, John A. Diemer, Patrick S. Portell, Henryk Sowul, Ted T. Selever, Tejinder Singh, Craig S. Ross
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Publication number: 20080202266Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch, to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a plurality of countershafts. At least one transfer gear set transfers torque from the counter shafts to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: James D. Hendrickson, Tejinder Singh, Henryk Sowul
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Publication number: 20080202265Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch and a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gears sets having gears that are selectively connectable to at least two countershafts. Moreover, one of the gears of the plurality of co-planar gears sets that provides a reverse gear ratio is selectively connectable to a first countershaft and is in mesh with only one other gear of the plurality of co-planar gears sets that is selectively engagable to a second countershaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: James D. Hendrickson, John A. Diemer, Douglas John Dwenger
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Publication number: 20080196526Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch, to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a first and second countershaft. A transfer gear set transfers torque from the countershaft to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2007Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventors: Tejinder Singh, James D. Hendrickson, Henryk Sowul
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Publication number: 20080178696Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a countershaft. A transfer gear set transfers torque from the countershaft to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: JOHN A. DIEMER, JAMES D. HENDRICKSON, PATRICK S. PORTELL, HENRYK SOWUL
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Publication number: 20080161154Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a dual clutch assembly, a countershaft, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include synchronizer assemblies. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Per-Gunnar Bjorck, Mikael Mohlin, John A. Diemer, James D. Hendrickson, Patrick S. Portell, Henryk Sowul
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Patent number: 7387586Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators and five or six selectable torque-transfer devices. The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged to provide an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse), four or more mechanically fixed forward speed ratios and at least one mechanical reverse speed ratio. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide six operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, fixed forward mode and mechanical reverse mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Tejinder Singh, John A. Diemer, Joel M. Maguire, James D. Hendrickson, Norman K. Bucknor, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Alan G. Holmes
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Patent number: 7347797Abstract: An electro-mechanical transmission is provided having an input member for receiving power from an engine and output member. A plurality of gear members is operable for changing speed ratio between the input member and the output member. The input is connected with one of the gear members and the output member is connected with another of the gear members. A motor/generator is continuously operatively connected with the output member (via a planetary gear set) in parallel with the gear member that is continuously connected with the output member. The motor/generator is packaged axially between the input member and the plurality of gear members. The motor/generator is packaged in a packaging space typically utilized for a torque converter in a nonelectro-mechanical transmission. Thus, redesign of the nonelectro-mechanical transmission to achieve the electro-mechanical transmission involves a minimal number of steps.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Henryk Sowul, James D. Hendrickson