Patents by Inventor Michael Roland Schmidt

Michael Roland Schmidt 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: 5730676
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transmission has interconnected simple planetary gear sets having one member connected to each of a pair of motor/generators and another member connectible with an engine through a selectively operable torque transmitting device. Three additional selectively operable torque transmitting devices cooperate with the gear sets, engine and/or the motor/generators to provide three modes of electro-mechanical power transmissions. One of the motor/generators is stationary, at one speed point in each of two modes, thereby providing two high efficiency operating points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Roland Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5669842
    Abstract: A power transmission has an internal combustion engine and motor/generators which are combined through a summing planetary gearing. The planetary gearing cooperates with downstream gearing to provide a hybrid power transmission. A plurality of auxiliary or power take-off (PTO) shafts are included to permit the operation of auxiliary devices, such as main hydraulic pumps, air conditioners or power steering pumps. A fluid operated clutch is incorporated between the engine and the gearing so that the motor/generators can drive the PTO shafts independently of the engine. The main pump fluid output can be directed to engage the clutch when the engine input is desired. The motor/generators are controlled to provide output speed resulting in one member of the gearing being driven at a speed equal to the idle speed of the engine, such that the clutch can be synchronously engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Roland Schmidt