Patents by Inventor Keith D. Van Maanen

Keith D. Van Maanen 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: 6208036
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain has an internal combustion engine, a power transmission and an electric drive. The electric drive includes a stator secured in the housing of the power transmission and a rotor secured to the outer periphery of the torque converter of the power transmission. Both the rotor and the impeller of the torque converter are directly connected with the engine. A torque converter clutch is disposed for selective engagement between the impeller and turbine of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David Gordon Evans, Keith D. Van Maanen
  • Patent number: 5749439
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a multi-speed transmission having a primary storage reservoir which has sufficient volume to contain the transmission fluid when the temperature thereof is at or below a predetermined temperature. At higher temperatures, a portion of the hydraulic fluid is directed to a cooling device which also provides secondary storage. A valve mechanism is provided to control the hydraulic fluid flow such that below the predetermined temperature, hydraulic fluid is not directed to the cooling device which is drained by the valve mechanism to the primary storage. The valve mechanism is temperature-responsive whereby at temperatures above the predetermined temperature a portion of the hydraulic fluid must fill and pass through the cooling device before being directed to a lubrication circuit and returned to the primary storage, thereby increasing the storage volume available to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Keith D. Van Maanen
  • Patent number: 5385221
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle drivetrain. The drivetrain includes an input shaft means and a fluid torque converter having a cover, an impeller and a turbine. A starter ring gear is secured to the torque converter cover to be engaged by a starter pinion. A coupling having first and second inertia masses operatively connects said input shaft means to the cover of the torque converter. An input isolator is disposed between the first and second inertia masses for permitting relative movement therebetween. A cranking clutch includes a driveplate and a Belleville spring, the Belleville spring biasing the driveplate against the torque converter cover and reducing the likelihood of the starter pinion disengaging prematurely from the starter ring gear during the engine start procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Keith D. Van Maanen
  • Patent number: 5086887
    Abstract: An anchor pin for a brake band having a reaction surface which provides at least a line of contact between itself and the surface of the brake band anchor bracket and also allows the pin to be oriented such that its centerline need not pass through the center of the brake drum. The reaction surface angle relative to the centerline of the pin is defined by a plane which includes the axis of rotation of the drum and a point of contact between the brake band and the pin. The reaction surface is normal to the direction of force applied by the brake band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Keith D. Van Maanen, Jeffrey K. Baran
  • Patent number: 5013289
    Abstract: A power transmission has three countershaft gear sets which provide selective input members for a pair of interconnected simply planetary gear arrangements. The planetary gear arrangements have the sun gears interconnected, a ring gear and a carrier interconnected, another carrier connected with a transmission output shaft and another ring gear connected with one of the transfer gear sets. The other two transfer gear sets are connected with respective ones of the interconnected members. A plurality of selectively engageable clutches and brakes are arranged to establish input and reaction members for the planetary gear arrangement to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Keith D. Van Maanen