Patents by Inventor Matthew R. Knoth

Matthew R. Knoth 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: 9856974
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a multiple mode electro-mechanical drive unit of a motor vehicle includes multiple torque transmitting mechanisms each including at least one friction clutch. Multiple clutch control valves are individually in fluid communication with one of the torque transmitting mechanisms and are operable when actuated to change a condition of the torque transmitting mechanisms from a clutch disconnected condition to a clutch engaged condition. Solenoid valves are individually paired with and in fluid communication with one of the clutch control valves. A normally open variable force solenoid valve is in fluid communication with the solenoid valves. Operation of the variable force solenoid valve sets a hydraulic pressure between any of the solenoid valves in an open condition and its paired clutch control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Knoth, Michael D. Foster, Eric S. Tryon
  • Patent number: 9688257
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a park servo connected to a park mechanism, the park servo having a park side, an out-of-park side, and a biasing member disposed on the park side. A first valve assembly includes a first inlet port in fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a first outlet port, and a first valve for selectively allowing fluid communication between the first inlet port and the first outlet port. A second valve assembly includes a second inlet port in direct fluid communication downstream of the first valve assembly, a second outlet port in direct fluid communication with the out-of-park side of the park servo, and a second valve moveable between an out-of-park position and a park position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Joshua McDonough, Matthew R. Knoth, Philip C Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20170067558
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a multiple mode electro-mechanical drive unit of a motor vehicle includes multiple torque transmitting mechanisms each including at least one friction clutch. Multiple clutch control valves are individually in fluid communication with one of the torque transmitting mechanisms and are operable when actuated to change a condition of the torque transmitting mechanisms from a clutch disconnected condition to a clutch engaged condition. Solenoid valves are individually paired with and in fluid communication with one of the clutch control valves. A normally open variable force solenoid valve is in fluid communication with the solenoid valves. Operation of the variable force solenoid valve sets a hydraulic pressure between any of the solenoid valves in an open condition and its paired clutch control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew R. Knoth, Michael D. Foster, Eric S. Tryon
  • Publication number: 20160167635
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a park servo connected to a park mechanism, the park servo having a park side, an out-of-park side, and a biasing member disposed on the park side. A first valve assembly includes a first inlet port in fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a first outlet port, and a first valve for selectively allowing fluid communication between the first inlet port and the first outlet port. A second valve assembly includes a second inlet port in direct fluid communication downstream of the first valve assembly, a second outlet port in direct fluid communication with the out-of-park side of the park servo, and a second valve moveable between an out-of-park position and a park position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Joshua McDonough, Matthew R. Knoth, Philip C. Lundberg
  • Patent number: 9222576
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, an electrically-driven fluid pump which supplies pressure to a hydraulically-actuated clutch of the transmission, and pump motor sensors positioned with respect to a pump motor of the fluid pump. The sensors are configured to measure electrical properties of the pump motor, and to output the measured electrical properties as input signals. A controller detects when the hydraulic circuit is fully charged by determining an actual speed of the pump motor. The controller calculates an average pump torque and a slope of the average pump torque for the pump motor using the input signals. A flag is set via the controller indicating that a calibrated line pressure has been attained in the hydraulic circuit when the slope of the average pump torque reaches zero and the speed of the pump motor reaches a calibrated speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Knoth, Eric S. Tryon, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Scott T. Weisgerber
  • Publication number: 20150337950
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, an electrically-driven fluid pump which supplies pressure to a hydraulically-actuated clutch of the transmission, and pump motor sensors positioned with respect to a pump motor of the fluid pump. The sensors are configured to measure electrical properties of the pump motor, and to output the measured electrical properties as input signals. A controller detects when the hydraulic circuit is fully charged by determining an actual speed of the pump motor. The controller calculates an average pump torque and a slope of the average pump torque for the pump motor using the input signals. A flag is set via the controller indicating that a calibrated line pressure has been attained in the hydraulic circuit when the slope of the average pump torque reaches zero and the speed of the pump motor reaches a calibrated speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Knoth, Eric S. Tryon, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Scott T. Weisgerber
  • Patent number: 8783135
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical drive-unit includes an input member, an output member, a drive-unit housing, and a gearing arrangement operatively connected to each of the output and input members. The drive-unit also includes a pump for circulating pressurized fluid and an electric motor. The electric motor includes a rotor connected to the gearing arrangement, a stator fixed relative to the drive-unit housing and having wire windings, and a motor housing configured to retain the rotor and the stator. The drive-unit also includes a fluid cavity between the drive-unit housing and the motor housing configured to receive the pressurized fluid. The drive-unit housing defines a passage in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. The drive-unit also includes a fastener having a head and a shank. The fastener is secured within the passage to facilitate discharging the fluid from under the fastener head onto the wire windings for cooling and/or lubrication thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Knoth, William S. Reed
  • Patent number: 8764596
    Abstract: A transmission system of a vehicle comprises a pump, an auxiliary pump, and a transmission. The pump pressurizes transmission oil when an engine is operating. The auxiliary pump operably coupled to the pump and located parallel to the pump that pressurizes the transmission oil when the engine is not operating. The transmission selects a gear ratio based on the pressurized transmission oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Eric S. Tryon, William S. Reed, Matthew R. Knoth
  • Publication number: 20140041482
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical drive-unit includes an input member, an output member, a drive-unit housing, and a gearing arrangement operatively connected to each of the output and input members. The drive-unit also includes a pump for circulating pressurized fluid and an electric motor. The electric motor includes a rotor connected to the gearing arrangement, a stator fixed relative to the drive-unit housing and having wire windings, and a motor housing configured to retain the rotor and the stator. The drive-unit also includes a fluid cavity between the drive-unit housing and the motor housing configured to receive the pressurized fluid. The drive-unit housing defines a passage in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. The drive-unit also includes a fastener having a head and a shank. The fastener is secured within the passage to facilitate discharging the fluid from under the fastener head onto the wire windings for cooling and/or lubrication thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Knoth, William S. Reed
  • Publication number: 20100050626
    Abstract: A transmission system of a vehicle comprises a pump, an auxiliary pump, and a transmission. The pump pressurizes transmission oil when an engine is operating. The auxiliary pump operably coupled to the pump and located parallel to the pump that pressurizes the transmission oil when the engine is not operating. The transmission selects a gear ratio based on the pressurized transmission oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric S. Tryon, William S. Reed, Matthew R. Knoth