Patents by Inventor Norman Kenneth Bucknor
Norman Kenneth Bucknor 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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Patent number: 6918360Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve and a movable spool valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve and a feedback channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes an on/off valve in fluid communication with the feedback channel to enable and disable the feedback channel to control motion of the spool valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Zongxuan Sun, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Jie Tong
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Patent number: 6886510Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve and a movable spool valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve and a first feedback channel and a second feedback channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes a first on/off valve and a second on/off valve in fluid communication with the first feedback channel and the second feedback channel to enable and disable the first feedback channel and the second feedback channel, whereby the first on/off valve and the second on/off valve control motion of the spool valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Zongxuan Sun, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
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Patent number: 6883474Abstract: An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve, a movable spool valve, and a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly further includes a mechanical feedback interconnecting the engine valve and the spool valve to control the position of the spool valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Norman Kenneth Bucknor
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Patent number: 6846263Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. Also, one planetary gear member is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is not continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with at least one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the fixed interconnections, the input shaft, the output shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan
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Patent number: 6830141Abstract: A friction-based clutch actuation system includes a rotatable input shaft, an output shaft, at least one input clutch plate operatively supported by the input shaft, and at least one output clutch plate operatively supported by the output shaft and moveable thereon. The friction-based clutch actuation system also includes at least one electric motor and at least one piezoelectric actuator operatively connected to the at least one electric motor. The friction-based clutch actuation system further includes a controller electrically connected to the at least one electric motor and the at least one piezoelectric actuator to activate said at least one electric motor to move the piezoelectric actuator relative to the at least one output clutch plate and to activate the piezoelectric actuator to apply a force to the at least one output clutch plate to engage the at least one input clutch plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
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Publication number: 20040231946Abstract: A friction-based clutch actuation system includes a rotatable input shaft, an output shaft, at least one input clutch plate operatively supported by the input shaft, and at least one output clutch plate operatively supported by the output shaft and moveable thereon. The friction-based clutch actuation system also includes at least one electric motor and at least one piezoelectric actuator operatively connected to the at least one electric motor. The friction-based clutch actuation system further includes a controller electrically connected to the at least one electric motor and the at least one piezoelectric actuator to activate said at least one electric motor to move the piezoelectric actuator relative to the at least one output clutch plate and to activate the piezoelectric actuator to apply a force to the at least one output clutch plate to engage the at least one input clutch plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
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Publication number: 20040194741Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve and a movable spool valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve and a feedback channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes an on/off valve in fluid communication with the feedback channel to enable and disable the feedback channel to control motion of the spool valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Zongxuan Sun, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Jie Tong
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Publication number: 20040194743Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve and a movable spool valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve and a first feedback channel and a second feedback channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes a first on/off valve and a second on/off valve in fluid communication with the first feedback channel and the second feedback channel to enable and disable the first feedback channel and the second feedback channel, whereby the first on/off valve and the second on/off valve control motion of the spool valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Zongxuan Sun, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
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Publication number: 20040194740Abstract: An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve, a movable spool valve, and a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly further includes a mechanical feedback interconnecting the engine valve and the spool valve to control the position of the spool valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventor: Norman Kenneth Bucknor
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Patent number: 6793605Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and three fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is not continuously connected to any of planetary gear members. In some family members, the output shaft is continuously connected with at least one member of the first or second planetary gear set or continuously connected with a member of the third planetary gear set and selectively connectable with at least one member of the first, second or third planetary gear set.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro
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Patent number: 6776738Abstract: A family of power transmissions has a plurality of family members each of which have three planetary gearsets, each having three members, and six torque transmitting mechanisms. An output shaft is continuously interconnected with at least one planetary member. An input shaft is selectively interconnected with respective planetary members through at least two of the torque transmitting mechanisms. One member of the second planetary gearset and one member of the third planetary gearset are continuously interconnected, and another member of the third planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with a transmission housing. The remaining torque transmitting mechanisms provide selective interconnections between two planetary members or between a planetary member and the housing, the input shaft, and the output shaft. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engaged in combinations of four to establish at least seven forward speeds and one reverse speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Chunhao J. Lee, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Chi-Kuan Kao
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Patent number: 6767306Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and a fixed interconnection. Also, one planetary gear member is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the fixed interconnections, the input shaft, the output shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
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Patent number: 6758785Abstract: A family of power transmissions includes three planetary gearsets, which each have a member interconnected with one of the other planetary gearsets, and two of the planetary gearsets have a second member continuously interconnected. Each family member includes six torque-transmitting mechanisms which are engaged in combinations of two to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio within the planetary gear arrangement between the transmission input shaft and the transmission output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Chunhao J. Lee
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Patent number: 6752739Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the fixed interconnections, the input shaft, the output shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan
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Patent number: 6746360Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. Also, one planetary gear member is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is not continuously connected to the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with at least one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the fixed interconnections, the input shaft, the output shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan
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Patent number: 6746361Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. Also, one interconnecting member is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is not continuously connected to any of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with at least one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the fixed interconnections, the input shaft, and the output shaft, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan
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Patent number: 6746358Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms. First and second interconnections continuously connect members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is not continuously connected to any of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the fixed interconnections, the input shaft, and with the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Chi-Kuan Kao
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Patent number: 6743145Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and a fixed interconnection. Also, one planetary gear member is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is not continuously connected with any of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the input shaft, the output shaft, and with the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
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Patent number: 6743147Abstract: A family of transmissions having a plurality of family members each having three planetary gearsets and six torque-transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gearsets and the torque-transmitting mechanisms are interconnected such that at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio can be established within the three planetary gearsets and transmitted between an input shaft and an output shaft, by selectively engaging the torque transmitting mechanisms in combinations of four.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Chunhao J. Lee, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Chi-Kuan Kao, Madhusudan Raghavan
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Patent number: 6743141Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and three fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is not continuously connected to any of the planetary gear members. An output shaft is continuously connected with a member of the first or second planetary gear set or continuously connected with a member of the third planetary gear set and selectively connectable with at least one member of the first or second planetary gear set. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the fixed interconnections, the input shaft, the output shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan