Patents by Inventor Patrick Benedict Usoro

Patrick Benedict Usoro 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: 6716131
    Abstract: A family of power transmissions, which are individually employed in a powertrain, include three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two to establish a reverse speed ratio and at least six forward speed ratios between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. Each of the family members has a member of a first planetary gearset continuously connected with a member of the second planetary gearset, another member of the second planetary gearset continuously connected with a member of the third planetary gearset, and a third member of the second planetary gearset being continuously connected with a transmission housing. The input shaft and output shaft are continuously connected with at least one respective member of the planetary gearsets. At least two members of the planetary gearsets are non-continuously connected members. These members are components of the first or third planetary gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Chi-Kuan Kao, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Patent number: 6716130
    Abstract: A family of power transmissions wherein each family member includes three planetary gearsets with three interconnecting members providing continuous interconnections between members of the planetary gearsets. The family members further include six selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms, which are engaged in combinations of two to establish seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft of a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Chi-Kuan Kao, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 6716133
    Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least five forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets and four torque-transmitting mechanisms. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one member of the planetary gear arrangement and an output member that is continuously connected with another of the planetary gear members. At least one member of the second planetary gear set is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The four torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members and with the input and the output shaft, and sometimes with the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least five forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Chunhao J. Lee, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6712731
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6712732
    Abstract: A family of transmissions employing three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms provides at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio when the torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of three. Three interconnecting members continuously interconnect six members of the planetary gear sets. The output shaft is continuously interconnected with at least one member of the planetary gear sets, and the input shaft is not continuously interconnected with any member of the planetary gear sets. The torque-transmitting mechanisms consist of both selectively engageable rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms and selectively engageable stationary type torque-transmitting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6712733
    Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least five forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets, first and second interconnecting members, and four clutches. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one member of the third planetary gear set and an output member that is continuously connected with another member of the third planetary gear set. The second interconnecting member continuously connects members of the first and second planetary gear sets with the transmission housing. The four clutches provide interconnections between various gear members, the first interconnecting member, and with the input and the output shaft, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least five forward speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Chunhao J. Lee, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6709360
    Abstract: A family of transmission mechanisms having at least six forward speeds wherein each family member includes three planetary gearsets, five torque transmitting mechanisms, and three interconnecting members. The planetary gear sets each have three members (sun gear member, ring gear member, and planet carrier assembly member). The interconnecting members provide continuous interconnection between the members of the planetary gearsets. An output shaft is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the planetary gearsets. An input shaft is selectively interconnectable with members of the planetary gearsets through three of the torque transmitting mechanisms (clutches). The two other torque transmitting mechanisms (clutches or brakes) selectively interconnect members of the planetary gear sets or selectively interconnect a housing with at least one member of the planetary gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6709358
    Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members each include three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. One of the torque-transmitting mechanisms is a stationary type torque-transmitting mechanism, or brake, and the remaining four of the torque-transmitting mechanisms are of the rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms, or clutches. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one member of the planetary gear arrangement and an output member that is continuously connecting with another of the planetary gear members. At least one other planetary gear member is continuously connected with the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Chi-Kuan Kao, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6709361
    Abstract: A family of power transmissions disposed in powertrains wherein each family member has three planetary gearsets and five selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of three to provide a reverse speed ratio and at least six forward speed ratios between an input shaft and an output shaft. The family members are characterized at least in part by interconnected members of the first and second planetary gearsets and continuously interconnected members of the second and third planetary gearsets. Further, the family members are characterized by the output shaft being continuously connected to one planetary gearset member, and the one member of the first planetary gearset being continuously connected with the transmission housing. One other common characteristic of the family members is that the input shaft is selectively connectible through at least two torque-transmitting mechanisms with members of at least two of the planetary gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6709359
    Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting mechanisms. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one member of the planetary gear arrangement and an output member that is continuously connected with another of the planetary gear members. At least one other planetary gear member is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The five torque transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members and with the transmission housing, the input or output shaft, in some instances, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least six forward speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Chi-Kuan Kao, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Publication number: 20040053732
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
  • Publication number: 20040053737
    Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having five 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 five 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 six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Publication number: 20040053734
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
  • Publication number: 20040053736
    Abstract: 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 between planetary gear members. Also, one of the fixed interconnections is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to a member of the third planetary gear set and an output member that is continuously connected with another member of the third 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 two to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20040053726
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Publication number: 20040053730
    Abstract: A family of transmissions employing three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms provides at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio when the torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of three. Three interconnecting members continuously interconnect six members of the planetary gear sets. The output shaft is continuously interconnected with at least one member of the planetary gear sets, and the input shaft is not continuously interconnected with any member of the planetary gear sets. The torque-transmitting mechanisms consist of both selectively engageable rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms and selectively engageable stationary type torque-transmitting mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Publication number: 20040053738
    Abstract: A family of power transmissions disposed in powertrains wherein each family member has three planetary gearsets and five selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of three to provide a reverse speed ratio and at least six forward speed ratios between an input shaft and an output shaft. The family members are characterized at least in part by interconnected members of the first and second planetary gearsets and continuously interconnected members of the second and third planetary gearsets. Further, the family members are characterized by the output shaft being continuously connected to one planetary gearset member, and the one member of the first planetary gearset being continuously connected with the transmission housing. One other common characteristic of the family members is that the input shaft is selectively connectible through at least two torque-transmitting mechanisms with members of at least two of the planetary gearsets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Publication number: 20040053731
    Abstract: 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 two to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Publication number: 20040053733
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Publication number: 20040053729
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro