Patents by Inventor Mark A. Vernacchia
Mark A. Vernacchia 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: 20110269598Abstract: A control system for a hybrid drive unit includes a pressure regulator valve, a first variable bleed solenoid valve for controlling a stationary clutch and a second variable bleed solenoid valve for controlling a rotating clutch. The control system controls the stationary clutch and the rotating clutch to operate the hybrid drive unit in four different modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: John R. Czoykowski, Michael L. Duhaime, Chinar S. Ghike, Mark A. Vernacchia
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Publication number: 20110246033Abstract: A transmission includes a controller that uses force feedback from a detent mechanism to determine appropriate actuator output for achieving a desired transmission range, which faciliates the implementation of “shift by wire” systems on pre-existing transmission designs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Mark A. Vernacchia, William F. Sultze
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Patent number: 8012063Abstract: A pressure assisted park servo assembly for an automatic transmission includes a servo or spool valve which receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from various sources including two solenoid valves and transmission ports. The servo valve controls two flows of pressurized hydraulic fluid to a servo assembly to place the transmission in or release it from park. The improved park servo assembly exhibits enhanced operating speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Stephen W. Powell, Mark A. Vernacchia, Brian W. Whitmarsh, Ryan M. Jenness
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Patent number: 8000859Abstract: A solenoid control system for a vehicle comprises a primary controller, a failover controller, and a failover control module. The primary controller generates a first solenoid drive signal based upon a control signal. The failover controller selectively generates a second solenoid drive signal based upon the control signal. The failover control module receives an operating signal that indicates whether the primary controller is functioning properly and selects the second drive signal to drive a solenoid when the operating signal indicates that the primary controller is not functioning properly.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jack P. Koski, Mark A. Vernacchia
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Publication number: 20110146438Abstract: The present invention provides a system for shifting or controlling a dual clutch transmission where the transmission may operate in at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The system includes a controller and a plurality of solenoids in fluid communication with a valve assembly. Selective activation of the solenoids by the controller engages the valve assembly to provide the first mode and the second mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Vernacchia, Brian W. Whitmarsh, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Wayne B. Vogel, Todd W. Rooney
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Patent number: 7934590Abstract: A park-by-wire subsystem which is internally mounted within an electrically variable hybrid transmission is provided. The park-by-wire subsystem provides a means of selectively placing the electrically variable hybrid transmission in a park condition by the selective actuation of an actuator operatively connected to a lever. The lever enables selective engagement of a park pawl mechanism and incorporates multiple Hall effect switches to monitor the position of the lever. The subsystem is monitored by various switches and sensors to provide control and diagnostic feedback and is activated by a command source controlled by a first control unit. A second control unit is incorporated into the design for required control, monitoring, and diagnostic redundancies.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael L. Duhaime, Mark A. Vernacchia
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Patent number: 7896775Abstract: The present invention provides a system for shifting or controlling a dual clutch transmission where the transmission may operate in at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The system includes a controller and a plurality of solenoids in fluid communication with a valve assembly. Selective activation of the solenoids by the controller engages the valve assembly to provide the first mode and the second mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mark A. Vernacchia, Brian W. Whitmarsh, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Wayne B. Vogel, Todd W. Rooney
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Publication number: 20110029156Abstract: A wireless sensor system for a transmission and other powertrain components in a motor vehicle includes a wireless sensor connected to a component of the motor vehicle. The wireless sensor includes an antenna in communication with a wireless power source and with a wireless transceiver. The wireless power source includes an emitter that creates an electromagnetic resonance between the emitter and the sensor. The wireless transceiver is in communication with the sensor and sends and receives signals to and from the wireless sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Vernacchia, Jack P. Koski, Michael Joseph Balsamo
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Patent number: 7862471Abstract: A solenoid control system for implementation with an electronic range selection (ETRS) system that shifts a transmission range between a park position and an out-of-park position. A first solenoid assembly is operable to control a fluid valve to supply pressurized fluid to urge a valve spool toward a first position. A second solenoid assembly is operable to control a fluid valve to supply pressurized fluid to urge said valve spool toward a second position. A control module selectively energizes one of the first and second solenoids based on a transmission fluid temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Inventors: Jack P. Koski, Mark A. Vernacchia, Stephen W. Powell
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Patent number: 7828684Abstract: A control system for controlling an axle clutch between two half-axles in a motor vehicle is provided. The control system includes two solenoids and a pressure sensor in communication with a controller and a valve assembly. One of the solenoids provides a flow of fluid to engage the axle clutch. The valve assembly cooperates with another of the solenoids to disengage the axle clutch under certain conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Brian W. Whitmarsh, Todd W. Rooney, Mark A. Vernacchia, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Wayne B. Vogel
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Patent number: 7752935Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for a transmission includes a plurality of solenoids and valves in fluid communication with a plurality of actuators. The actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Selective activation of the solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid flow to activate at least one of the actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Vernacchia, Brian W. Whitmarsh, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Todd W. Rooney, Wayne B. Vogel
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Publication number: 20100109661Abstract: A hall-effect switching system comprises a hall-effect switch, a voltage comparison module, and a resistance bypass module. The voltage comparison module compares a supply voltage and a reference voltage. The resistance bypass module selectively adjusts a voltage output to the hall-effect switch based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATION, INC.Inventors: Jack P. Koski, Mark A. Vernacchia
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Publication number: 20090158877Abstract: A Park inhibition solenoid assembly for preventing the undesirable shifting of a transmission from an out-of-Park mode to a Park mode includes a follower and an armature slidably disposed within a valve body/housing and within a solenoid. The follower is moveable between an out-of-Park position and a Park position and the armature is moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The follower and armature include detents for supporting a bearing. The armature and bearing prevent the follower from moving from the out-of-Park position to the Park position when the armature is held in place in the lock position by the solenoid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mark A. Vernacchia, Stephen W. Powell
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Publication number: 20090069151Abstract: A solenoid control system for implementation with an electronic range selection (ETRS) system that shifts a transmission range between a park position and an out-of-park position. A first solenoid assembly is operable to control a fluid valve to supply pressurized fluid to urge a valve spool toward a first position. A second solenoid assembly is operable to control a fluid valve to supply pressurized fluid to urge said valve spool toward a second position. A control module selectively energizes one of the first and second solenoids based on a transmission fluid temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Jack P. Koski, Mark A. Vernacchia, Stephen W. Powell
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Publication number: 20090062976Abstract: A solenoid control system for a vehicle comprises a primary controller, a failover controller, and a failover control module. The primary controller generates a first solenoid drive signal based upon a control signal. The failover controller selectively generates a second solenoid drive signal based upon the control signal. The failover control module receives an operating signal that indicates whether the primary controller is functioning properly and selects the second drive signal to drive a solenoid when the operating signal indicates that the primary controller is not functioning properly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Jack P. Koski, Mark A. Vernacchia
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Patent number: 7490528Abstract: An electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) system for shifting a transmission range of a transmission includes an electro-mechanical park inhibit assembly that operates to disallow the ETRS system from shifting from an Out-of-Park mode to a Park mode under certain circumstances. The park inhibit assembly includes a follower having a recess defined thereon and slidably disposed within a follower bore. In one embodiment a selectively energizable solenoid assembly is mounted substantially perpendicular to the follower and operates to bias a ball into the recess when energized thereby locking the ETRS system in the Out-of-Park mode. In another embodiment the park inhibit assembly includes a selectively energizable motor assembly mounted substantially perpendicular to the follower. The motor assembly operates to enforce the Park and Out-of-Park mode of the ETRS system.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Jack P. Koski, Ryan M. Jenness, Stephen W. Powell, Mark A. Vernacchia
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Publication number: 20080220923Abstract: A control system for controlling an axle clutch between two half-axles in a motor vehicle is provided. The control system includes two solenoids and a pressure sensor in communication with a controller and a valve assembly. One of the solenoids provides a flow of fluid to engage the axle clutch. The valve assembly cooperates with another of the solenoids to disengage the axle clutch under certain conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Brian W. Whitmarsh, Todd W. Rooney, Mark A. Vernacchia, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Wayne B. Vogel
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Publication number: 20080216908Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for a transmission includes a plurality of solenoids and valves in fluid communication with a plurality of actuators. The actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Selective activation of the solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid flow to activate at least one of the actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: MARK A. VERNACCHIA, Brian W. Whitmarsh, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Todd W. Rooney, Wayne B. Vogel
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Publication number: 20080220939Abstract: The present invention provides a system for shifting or controlling a dual clutch transmission where the transmission may operate in at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The system includes a controller and a plurality of solenoids in fluid communication with a valve assembly. Selective activation of the solenoids by the controller engages the valve assembly to provide the first mode and the second mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Mark A. Vernacchia, Brian W. Whitmarsh, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Wayne B. Vogel, Todd W. Rooney
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Publication number: 20080214350Abstract: A pressure assisted park servo assembly for an automatic transmission includes a servo or spool valve which receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from various sources including two solenoid valves and transmission ports. The servo valve controls two flows of pressurized hydraulic fluid to a servo assembly to place the transmission in or release it from park. The improved park servo assembly exhibits enhanced operating speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: STEPHEN W. POWELL, Mark A. Vernacchia, Brian W. Whitmarsh, Ryan M. Jenness