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).

  • Publication number: 20040053728
    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 three fixed interconnections. 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 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 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Publication number: 20040053735
    Abstract: A family of transmissions is incorporated into powertrains to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between an engine and a final drive mechanism. Each of the family members includes three planetary gearsets, one of which is an input planetary gearset and the other two are interconnected ratio planetary gearsets. Each transmission family member employs three rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms (clutches) and two stationary type torque-transmitting mechanisms (brakes) to provide the six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. These torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engaged in combinations of two during the establishment of the speed ratios within the family member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Chi-Kuan Kao, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Publication number: 20040053727
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Chi-Kuan Kao, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Patent number: 6705968
    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, two brakes and two clutches. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected with at least one member of the planetary gear arrangement and an output member that is continuously connected with another of the planetary gear members. The two brakes and two clutches 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 five forward speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6705967
    Abstract: A transmission family has a plurality of members that each provide six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio and a neutral condition. Each family member has three planetary gear sets that are serially arranged and interconnected to form a planetary gear arrangement and five torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gear sets may each be of the single pinion type or double pinion type. In either event each planetary gear set has three rotatable members, namely a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and a planet carrier assembly member. One member of each of the three planetary gear sets are continuously interconnected, in other words three members are interconnected. Another member in each of two planetary gear sets are also continuously interconnect. At least one member of one of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with an input shaft and at least one member of another of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with an output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Chi-Kuan Kao, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Raymond James Haka
  • Patent number: 6705969
    Abstract: A family of transmissions incorporating three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms is effective in a powertrain to produce at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. The planetary gearsets each have three planetary gear members in which two of the planetary gearsets have two members continuously interconnected and one of those planetary gearsets and the remaining planetary gearset have two members continuously interconnected. The remaining planetary gearset has one member continuously connected with the transmission housing and the transmission output shaft is continuously connected with at least one member of the planetary gearsets. The planetary gearsets have members that are selectively interconnected with the transmission input shaft through three selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6702710
    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 one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 6695741
    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, two brakes and two 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 connected with another of the planetary gear members. The two brakes and two clutches provide interconnections between various gear members and with the input, the output shaft, or the transmission housing, in some instances, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least five forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Chunhao J. Lee, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6689010
    Abstract: A family of power transmissions includes three planetary gearsets, each of which has three members, and six torque-transmitting mechanisms, which are selectively engageable to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. Each of the family members has a first member of the first planetary gearset continuously interconnected with a first member of the second planetary gearset, a second member of the second planetary gearset continuously interconnected with a first member of the third planetary gearset, and a second member of the first planetary gearset continuously interconnected with either a third member of the second planetary gearset or a second member of the third planetary gearset. One member of the first planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with a transmission housing, and a transmission output shaft is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one the planetary gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Chunhao J. Lee, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Patent number: 6689011
    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. Two fixed interconnections continuously connect members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets. One of the fixed interconnections is also connected to 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 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Publication number: 20040023744
    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. Two fixed interconnections continuously connect members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets. One of the fixed interconnections is also connected to 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 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: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Publication number: 20040023745
    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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6682455
    Abstract: A family of six-speed planetary transmissions incorporates three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms to produce at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The planetary gearsets are interconnected with three interconnecting members. The first of the interconnecting members continuously interconnects a first member of each of the first and second planetary gearsets, a second of the interconnecting members continuously interconnects a second member of each of the first and second planetary gearsets, and a third of the interconnecting members continuously interconnects a member of the second planetary gearset with a member of the third planetary gearset. The output shaft is continuously interconnected with at least one member of the planetary gearsets. The transmission input shaft is selectively connectible with members of the planetary gearsets through at least two of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6679802
    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 with three fixed interconnections and six 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. The six 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 seven forward speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Chi-Kuan Kao, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6679803
    Abstract: A family of power transmissions which are utilized in a powertrain include three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two to provide a reverse drive ratio and six forward speed ratios. The torque-transmitting mechanisms include at least three rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms and, two stationary type torque transmitting mechanisms in some family members, four rotary type torque transmitting mechanisms and one stationary type torque-transmitting mechanism in other family members, and five rotary type torque transmitting mechanisms in still other family members. The planetary gearsets are of either the single pinion type or of the double pinion type of planetary gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Chi-Kuan Kao, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6672988
    Abstract: A 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 continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another 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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Chi-Kuan Kao
  • Patent number: 6672987
    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 continuously connected to at least of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuosly 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 two to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6669597
    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. A fixed interconnection continuously connects members of the first and second planetary gear sets with the transmission housing. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to 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 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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
  • Patent number: 6669595
    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. Two fixed interconnections continuously connect members of the first and second planetary gear sets. Also, one planetary gear member is continuously connected to 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 one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6666788
    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, one brake, and three 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 connected with another of the planetary gear members. At least one member of the first gear set is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The brake and three clutches 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 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Kenneth Bucknor, Patrick Benedict Usoro, Madhusudan Raghavan