Patents by Inventor James Robert Somerville

James Robert Somerville 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: 9404575
    Abstract: A transmission control module comprises an actuation module and a flare control module. The actuation module controls actuation of a friction device used in shifting from a first transmission ratio to a second transmission ratio. The transmission ratio is based on an input speed of a transmission divided by an output speed of the transmission. The first transmission ratio is greater than the second transmission ratio. The flare control module selectively generates an engine torque reduction request when a measured transmission ratio is greater than a threshold during a shift from the first transmission ratio to the second transmission ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James Robert Somerville, John J. Koenig, Christopher A. Spangler, Andriy Nikitin
  • Patent number: 9399454
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, and an Electronic Transmission Range Selection (ETRS) system. The transmission has a plurality of clutches, a park pawl, and a park sensor. The ETRS system has a controller and an electronic range selector device. The controller is programmed to detect a delay in pull out of the park pawl from a park position and to control an action of the vehicle in response to the delay by receiving an electronic range request signal to shift from a park operating range to another operating range; receiving a park pawl position signal from the park sensor; determining if pull out of the park pawl from the park position has not occurred by a predetermined time; and increasing one of a line pressure, a clutch pressure, and an idle speed if pull out of the park pawl from the park position has not occurred by the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James Robert Somerville, Joel H. Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20160144845
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, and an Electronic Transmission Range Selection (ETRS) system. The transmission has a plurality of clutches, a park pawl, and a park sensor. The ETRS system has a controller and an electronic range selector device. The controller is programmed to detect a delay in pull out of the park pawl from a park position and to control an action of the vehicle in response to the delay by receiving an electronic range request signal to shift from a park operating range to another operating range; receiving a park pawl position signal from the park sensor; determining if pull out of the park pawl from the park position has not occurred by a predetermined time; and increasing one of a line pressure, a clutch pressure, and an idle speed if pull out of the park pawl from the park position has not occurred by the predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: James Robert Somerville, Joel H. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 8131435
    Abstract: A control system for a transmission of a vehicle comprises an actuation module and an upshift control module. The transmission has a first gear that corresponds to a first transmission ratio and a second gear that corresponds to a second transmission ratio that is less than the first transmission ratio. The actuation module controls an amount torque transferred to the second gear using a friction device. The upshift control module selectively increases the amount of torque transferred to the second gear based on a comparison of the first transmission ratio and a measured transmission ratio at a predetermined period of time after an upshift to the second gear is commanded, wherein the measured transmission ratio is determined based on an input speed of the transmission divided by an output speed of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph P Ivacko, James Robert Somerville, John J. Koenig, Andriy Nikitin
  • Publication number: 20090312921
    Abstract: A control system for a transmission of a vehicle comprises an actuation module and an upshift control module. The transmission has a first gear that corresponds to a first transmission ratio and a second gear that corresponds to a second transmission ratio that is less than the first transmission ratio. The actuation module controls an amount torque transferred to the second gear using a friction device. The upshift control module selectively increases the amount of torque transferred to the second gear based on a comparison of the first transmission ratio and a measured transmission ratio at a predetermined period of time after an upshift to the second gear is commanded, wherein the measured transmission ratio is determined based on an input speed of the transmission divided by an output speed of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Ivacko, James Robert Somerville, John J. Koenig, Andriy Nikitin
  • Publication number: 20090005217
    Abstract: A transmission control module comprises an actuation module and a flare control module. The actuation module controls actuation of a friction device used in shifting from a first transmission ratio to a second transmission ratio. The transmission ratio is based on an input speed of a transmission divided by an output speed of the transmission. The first transmission ratio is greater than the second transmission ratio. The flare control module selectively generates an engine torque reduction request when a measured transmission ratio is greater than a threshold during a shift from the first transmission ratio to the second transmission ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James Robert Somerville, John J. Koenig, Christopher A. Spangler, Andriy Nikitin