Patents by Inventor John C. Schultz

John C. Schultz 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).

  • Publication number: 20120080003
    Abstract: A dual drive pump system for rear wheel or front wheel drive automatic transmission in a motor vehicle includes a dual drive pump disposed off-axis of the transmission input shaft axis and driven by a gear train driven by a hub. The dual drive pump is also driven by a gear train driven by an engine starter motor. Torque multiplication through the gear train allows the dual drive pump to have a smaller displacement while still providing the hydraulic pressure needs of the transmission. The dual drive pump may be driven by either an engine or the engine starter motor depending on the operating conditions of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: John C. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20120042846
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes a rotary pump, an eductor, and a solenoid valve and is configured to provide pressurized oil to an engine. The rotary pump is configured to generate oil flow. A supplemental supply line selectively provides pressurized oil into the eductor. The solenoid valve is movable between a first position and a second position. The solenoid valve supplies a fluid signal that allows pressurized oil to flow from the supplemental supply line and into the eductor when the solenoid valve is in the first position to increase the volume of oil flowing from a sump of the engine into the rotary pump. When the solenoid valve does not supply a fluid signal, pressurized oil is prevented from entering the eductor and the volume of oil flowing from the sump and through the eductor to the rotary pump is not increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David R. Staley, John C. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20120038982
    Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel and a directional backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. A double sided prism film is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the directional backlight. The prism film includes a first surface having a series of cylindrical lenses adjacent the liquid crystal display panel and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a series of non-contiguous prisms adjacent the directional backlight. Each of the non-contiguous prisms is separated from adjacent prisms by a transmissive flat portion or an opaque portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: John S. Huizinga, Rolf W. Biernath, Vincent W. King, John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott
  • Publication number: 20120034123
    Abstract: A vane pump for an automatic transmission includes a housing which may be spaced from the axis of the transmission input shaft axis and driven by a chain or gear train driven by the torque converter hub or disposed on and about the axis of the transmission input shaft and driven at engine speed. The vane pump includes a pair of port plates which reside on the end faces of a pump body having a cylindrical chamber which receives an eccentrically disposed rotor that is coupled to a stub shaft. The rotor includes two halves that define a central chamber. The rotor also includes a plurality of radial slots which receive a like plurality of vanes. The outer ends of the vanes are in contact with the wall of the cylindrical chamber and the inner ends are in contact with a single vane ring received within the central chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: John C. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20120033443
    Abstract: A backlight includes a light guide and a first and second light source adapted for independent operation and arranged to inject a first and second light beam, respectively, into the light guide through different portions of the light injection surface. Each light source includes a lamp and a concave reflector to partially collimate light from the lamp. One major surface of the light guide includes prismatic structures that are parallel to a first axis. Another major surface of the light guide includes lenticular structures that are parallel to each other but perpendicular to the prismatic structures. The lenticular structures limit spatial spreading for light that remains in the light guide. Each light source cooperates with the light guide to provide light that is substantially laterally confined to a transverse band of the light guide, even though the light guide contains no gaps that define slats to accomplish such confinement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Erik A. Aho, John C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8109857
    Abstract: An automatic shifting power transmission includes a hydrodynamic fluid drive device, a first reaction clutch disposed in series with the hydrodynamic fluid drive device, a variable capacity clutch disposed in parallel with the hydrodynamic fluid drive device, and an electric machine disposed in series with the hydrodynamic fluid drive device and the first reaction clutch. A method of controlling the automatic transmission includes slipping the first reaction clutch corresponding to a first gear engagement to affect a first gear launch maneuver when engine load is at or above a first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Victor M. Roses, John C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8105049
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a transmission has a diffuser housing with a fluid inlet passage that feeds one or more pump inlet ports, and a fluid return passage, such as to return fluid from a pressure regulator valve, that is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet passage. The hydraulic system also has a filter housing with a filter outlet portion that is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet passage upstream of the pump inlet port(s). The fluid return passage is downstream of the filter outlet portion. Thus, flow through the fluid return passage can create suction, causing increased flow through the filter outlet portion, such as from a fluid sump. Specifically, the diffuser housing is configured so that the fluid inlet passage has a converging portion downstream of the filter outlet portion and a diverging portion downstream of the converging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: John C. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20120020110
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R. Destain
  • Patent number: 8098347
    Abstract: A backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide having a light emission surface and an opposing light extraction surface, a first side extends between the light emission surface and the light extraction surface, and a second side extends between the light emission surface and the light extraction surface, the second side opposing the first side. A centerline extends parallel to the first side and second side and is equidistant from the first side and the second side. A center elongated prism extends along the centerline and forms a portion of the light extraction surface. A plurality of elongated prisms extend parallel to the center elongated prism wherein the prisms are progressively more canted for each subsequent elongated prism further from the center elongated prism. A plurality of light sources disposed along the first side and the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, Michael J. Sykora, John C. Schultz, John C. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110311387
    Abstract: A vane pump for an automatic transmission includes a housing which may be spaced from the axis of the transmission input shaft axis and driven by a chain or gear train driven by the torque converter hub or disposed on and about the axis of the transmission input shaft and driven at engine speed. The vane pump includes a pair of port plates which reside on the end faces of a pump body having a cylindrical chamber which receives an eccentrically disposed rotor that is coupled to a stub shaft in an off-axis arrangement. The rotor includes a plurality of radial slots which receive a like plurality of vanes. The outer ends or edges of the vanes are in contact with the wall of the cylindrical chamber and the inner ends or edges are in contact with a pair of vane rings received within recesses in the ends of the rotor. The vanes are thus constrained between the wall of the chamber and the vane rings which positively determine their radial positions as they and the rotor rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOBY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8068187
    Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel and a directional backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. A double sided prism film is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the directional backlight. The prism film includes a first surface having a series of cylindrical lenses adjacent the liquid crystal display panel and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a series of non-contiguous prisms adjacent the directional backlight. Each of the non-contiguous prisms is separated from adjacent prisms by a transmissive flat portion or an opaque portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John S. Huizinga, Rolf W. Biernath, Vincent W. King, John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott
  • Publication number: 20110285927
    Abstract: A backlight suitable for use in an autostereoscopic display includes a light guide and a first and second light source assembly. The light guide has opposed first and second major surfaces, and opposed first and second side surfaces. The first and second light source assemblies are disposed to inject visible light into the light guide through the first and second side surfaces, respectively. Substantially all of the first side surface highly transmits a second light portion out of the light guide into air, the second light portion originating from the second light source assembly, and substantially all of the second side surface highly transmits a first light portion in a corresponding fashion. One or more first non-emitting surfaces of the first light source assembly are disposed at least partially between two light-emitting surfaces of the first light source assembly, and are adapted to substantially absorb visible light to reduce crosstalk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora
  • Patent number: 8059217
    Abstract: A scanning backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel and with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A first light source is disposed along the first side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side, and a second light source is disposed along the second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, David J. Lundin, Michael A. Meis, John C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8059933
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R Destain
  • Publication number: 20110273636
    Abstract: An LCD device with 3D and 2D sections. The device includes an LCD panel, a light guide with a backlight, and an embedded 3D-2D film stack positioned between the LCD panel and the light guide. The 3D and 2D sections provide for simultaneously viewing visual content in 3D and 2D formats. The device can also include a frame providing a barrier between the 3D and 2D sections and can include other features to enhance the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Martin Kristoffersen, Kathy L. Hagen, Glenn E. Casner, Bonnie W. Albrecht, Robert L. Brott, Scott E. Brigham, John C. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110267799
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) array comprises an array of LEDs mounted to a substrate. The LEDs emit light in a direction generally perpendicular to the substrate. An optical sheet is disposed over the LEDs. At least a portion of light entering one side of the optical sheet from the LEDs is guided within the optical sheet in a direction generally parallel to the substrate. Light extraction features direct light from the optical sheet in a generally forward direction. Such an array is useful for several applications, including space lighting, direct information display and backlighting of liquid crystal displays. The light spreading effect of the optical sheet reduces the amount of black space between LED pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Hung T. Tran, John C. Schultz, Robert M. Emmons
  • Patent number: 8042331
    Abstract: A fixed displacement binary pump is provided for a powertrain on a vehicle. A hydraulic system is operatively connected with first and second discharge ports of the pump and is operable to alternately permit fluid flow through both discharge ports (i.e., full displacement or volumetric output of the pump) or permit flow through only the first discharge port (i.e., partial displacement or volumetric output of the pump). The pump may be packaged in a front support of the transmission. An auxiliary pump may be provided that is operable to supplement the output of the binary pump or to be used when the binary pump is off. A method of operating the binary pump and auxiliary pump is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Daryl A. Wilton, Edward W. Mellet
  • Patent number: 8037989
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for actuating a torque transmitting device in a transmission includes a sump for receiving a hydraulic fluid and a piezoelectric pump for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the sump to the torque transmitting device. A first fluid flow path communicates the hydraulic fluid from the sump to the piezoelectric pump and a second fluid flow path communicates the hydraulic fluid from the piezoelectric pump to the torque transmitting device. An exhaust means selectively communicates the hydraulic fluid from the torque transmitting device to the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, John C. Schultz, Bret M. Olson, Hamid Vahabzadeh, Robert L. Moses
  • Patent number: 8035771
    Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel, and a double sided prism film disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight. The backlight includes a light guide having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and having a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. A plurality of first light sources is arranged along the first side of the light guide for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side. A plurality of second light sources is arranged along the second side of the light guide for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side. The second surface includes a regular array of linear prism or lenticular features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, John C. Schultz, John C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8004622
    Abstract: An LCD device with 3D and 2D sections. The device includes an LCD panel, a light guide with a backlight, and an embedded 3D-2D film stack positioned between the LCD panel and the light guide. The 3D and 2D sections provide for simultaneously viewing visual content in 3D and 2D formats. The device can also include a frame providing a barrier between the 3D and 2D sections and can include other features to enhance the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Martin Kristoffersen, Kathy L. Hagen, Glenn E. Casner, Bonnie W. Albrecht, Robert L. Brott, Scott E. Brigham, John C. Nelson