Patents by Inventor Michael L. Duhaime

Michael L. Duhaime 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: 10543748
    Abstract: A transmission includes input and output shafts, a hybrid module coupled to the input shaft and a gearbox coupled to the module and output shaft. The hybrid module includes a first electric motor under driven by a gearset; a second electric motor coupled to a module output, a disconnect clutch coupled to the gearset and selectively to the input shaft; and a launch clutch coupled to the disconnect clutch and selectively to the module output. The gearbox includes three gearsets and five torque transmitting devices operable to generate six forward speeds. One torque transmitting device is a clutch brake applied with a piston that reaches over a park gear, and one is a selectable one way clutch. Two of the torque transmitting devices are radially stacked rotating clutches. The transmission includes and/or facilitates an engine only mode, an electric only mode, a hybrid mode and a battery charging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Michael L Duhaime, Michael B Solt, Gurunath S Kedar-Dongarkar, Robert S Smyczynski, Ali Sarikhani, Cody J Rhebergen, Sachin A Bhide, Tejinder Singh
  • Publication number: 20190078666
    Abstract: A transmission includes input and output shafts, a hybrid module coupled to the input shaft and a gearbox coupled to the module and output shaft. The hybrid module includes a first electric motor under driven by a gearset; a second electric motor coupled to a module output, a disconnect clutch coupled to the gearset and selectively to the input shaft; and a launch clutch coupled to the disconnect clutch and selectively to the module output. The gearbox includes three gearsets and five torque transmitting devices operable to generate six forward speeds. One torque transmitting device is a clutch brake applied with a piston that reaches over a park gear, and one is a selectable one way clutch. Two of the torque transmitting devices are radially stacked rotating clutches. The transmission includes and/or facilitates an engine only mode, an electric only mode, a hybrid mode and a battery charging mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael L Duhaime, Michael B Solt, Gurunath S Kedar-Dongarkar, Robert S Smyczynski, Ali Sarikhani, Cody J Rhebergen, Sachin A Bhide, Tejinder Singh
  • Patent number: 9809127
    Abstract: Compact integrated battery packs for hybrid vehicles are fully integrated with an on-board cooling system and include both the battery cells for supplying a primary voltage, such as powering a belt-driven starter generator (BSG) unit for engine start/stop, as well as a direct current (DC) to DC converter for stepping down the primary voltage to a secondary voltage for powering low voltage components and/or recharging a lead-acid battery. The on-board DC to DC converter decreases packaging size and eliminates the need for an alternator, which further decreases packaging size. Primary and secondary voltage output ports can also be implemented for quick and easy connection to other components. Configurations include single-layer and dual-layer arrangements with integrated air or liquid cooling for placement in or beneath a trunk of a vehicle, behind or beneath seats in a cab of a pickup truck, and/or beneath a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Michael L Duhaime, Steven L Clark, Oliver Gross
  • Publication number: 20160176312
    Abstract: Compact integrated battery packs for hybrid vehicles are fully integrated with an on-board cooling system and include both the battery cells for supplying a primary voltage, such as powering a belt-driven starter generator (BSG) unit for engine start/stop, as well as a direct current (DC) to DC converter for stepping down the primary voltage to a secondary voltage for powering low voltage components and/or recharging a lead-acid battery. The on-board DC to DC converter decreases packaging size and eliminates the need for an alternator, which further decreases packaging size. Primary and secondary voltage output ports can also be implemented for quick and easy connection to other components. Configurations include single-layer and dual-layer arrangements with integrated air or liquid cooling for placement in or beneath a trunk of a vehicle, behind or beneath seats in a cab of a pickup truck, and/or beneath a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Michael L. Duhaime, Steven L. Clark, Oliver Gross
  • Patent number: 9109674
    Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes an input member, first and second motor-generators and a gear reduction arrangement including at least a first gear coupled to at least one second gear. A first planetary gear set can include a first sun gear, a first ring gear and a first carrier rotatably supporting a plurality of pinion gears in meshing engagement with the first sun gear and ring gear. The first carrier can be non-rotatably coupled to the input member and the first ring gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the at least one second gear. The sun gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the first motor-generator and the first gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the second motor-generator. The torque transmitting device can be configured to selectively fix rotation of the input member in at least one of a first rotational direction and a second opposite rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Michael L Duhaime, Scott A Miller, Dumitru Puiu
  • Patent number: 9022176
    Abstract: An active/passive system for managing the temperature of fluid within an automatic transmission includes two heat exchangers, an active solenoid valve and a passive wax motor valve. A first heat exchanger provides transmission fluid heating and receives a flow of engine coolant. A second heat exchanger provides transmission fluid cooling and is exposed to ambient air. The solenoid valve which is preferably driven by a signal from a transmission control module (TCM) and the wax motor valve cooperate to provide three states of operation: transmission fluid heating, that is, heat added, cooling, that is, heat removed and pass-through or bypass (without heating or cooling).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Tami A. Curtis, Michael L. Duhaime, Anthony P. Tata, Peter Donald Bock
  • Publication number: 20150105200
    Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes an input member, first and second motor-generators and a gear reduction arrangement including at least a first gear coupled to at least one second gear. A first planetary gear set can include a first sun gear, a first ring gear and a first carrier rotatably supporting a plurality of pinion gears in meshing engagement with the first sun gear and ring gear. The first carrier can be non-rotatably coupled to the input member and the first ring gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the at least one second gear. The sun gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the first motor-generator and the first gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the second motor-generator. The torque transmitting device can be configured to selectively fix rotation of the input member in at least one of a first rotational direction and a second opposite rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Duhaime, Scott A. Miller, Dumitru Puiu
  • Patent number: 8967353
    Abstract: A transmission includes a housing defining a sealed interior and an input hub rotatably coupled to the housing. A gear set is disposed within the housing and configured for receiving a torque from an engine. The transmission further includes an isolator assembly and a bypass clutch, each disposed within the sealed interior of the housing. The isolator assembly is configured for selectively damping drivetrain inertia and/or vibration. The bypass clutch selectively engages and disengages the isolator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Victor M. Roses, John A. Diemer, Randy Lewis Melanson, Douglas John Dwenger, Randal William Arndt, Pete R. Garcia, Michael L. Duhaime
  • Publication number: 20130092349
    Abstract: An active/passive system for managing the temperature of fluid within an automatic transmission includes two heat exchangers, an active solenoid valve and a passive wax motor valve. A first heat exchanger provides transmission fluid heating and receives a flow of engine coolant. A second heat exchanger provides transmission fluid cooling and is exposed to ambient air. The solenoid valve which is preferably driven by a signal from a transmission control module (TCM) and the wax motor valve cooperate to provide three states of operation: transmission fluid heating, that is, heat added, cooling, that is, heat removed and pass-through or bypass (without heating or cooling).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tami A. Curtis, Michael L. Duhaime, Anthony P. Tata, Peter Donald Bock
  • Patent number: 8226526
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John R. Czoykowski, Michael L. Duhaime, Chinar S. Ghike, Mark A. Vernacchia
  • Publication number: 20110269598
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Czoykowski, Michael L. Duhaime, Chinar S. Ghike, Mark A. Vernacchia
  • Publication number: 20110100157
    Abstract: A transmission includes a housing defining a sealed interior and an input hub rotatably coupled to the housing. A gear set is disposed within the housing and configured for receiving a torque from an engine. The transmission further includes an isolator assembly and a bypass clutch, each disposed within the sealed interior of the housing. The isolator assembly is configured for selectively damping drivetrain inertia and/or vibration. The bypass clutch selectively engages and disengages the isolator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Victor M. Roses, John A. Diemer, Randy Lewis Melanson, Douglas John Dwenger, Randal William Arndt, Pete R. Garcia, Michael L. Duhaime
  • Patent number: 7934590
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Duhaime, Mark A. Vernacchia
  • Patent number: 7517296
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control system employing a single solenoid valve operable to provide a variable fluid flow to effect cooling if the motor/generator assemblies contained within an electrically variable hybrid transmission. The control system of the present invention selectively controls the cooling of at least one motor/generator assembly of an electronically variable hybrid transmission by selectively controlling valves of various types and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Foster, Charles F. Long, Michael L. Duhaime
  • Publication number: 20070284213
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Michael L. Duhaime, Mark A. Vernacchia
  • Patent number: 4298105
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control for a power transmission has a solenoid controlled shift valve and a hydraulic controlled shift valve. Preferably, the solenoid controlled valve controls the control clutch while the hydraulic controlled valve controls the clutch or brake which is effective to establish a drive ratio in the transmission. When a ratio change involving the disengagement of the clutch or brake occurs, the exhaust fluid therefrom operates on an electrical switch which is effective to provide momentary disengagement of the torque converter clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Duhaime