Patents by Inventor Paula J. Armstrong

Paula J. Armstrong 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: 7766790
    Abstract: A controllable selectable one-way clutch is provided for use within a hybrid transmission. The clutch comprises an outer and inner race, and a first and second selector plate. A transmission motor controller synchronizes the speeds of the races to facilitate application and release of the clutch, and a transmission controller communicates a signal to the clutch for re-positioning of the plates to apply and release the clutch. The clutch has three operational modes, including freewheeling and holding torque in one direction or both directions. A method is also provided for applying a selectable one-way clutch in a vehicle having a hybrid transmission with a motor controller and a transmission controller, including synchronizing the clutch speed using the motor controller, detecting the direction of the race speed difference, communicating the race speed difference to the transmission controller, and selecting between the clutch operational modes in response to the detected speed difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Stevenson, Paula J. Armstrong, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Publication number: 20080223681
    Abstract: A controllable selectable one-way clutch is provided for use within a hybrid transmission. The clutch comprises an outer and inner race, and a first and second selector plate. A transmission motor controller synchronizes the speeds of the races to facilitate application and release of the clutch, and a transmission controller communicates a signal to the clutch for re-positioning of the plates to apply and release the clutch. The clutch has three operational modes, including freewheeling and holding torque in one direction or both directions. A method is also provided for applying a selectable one-way clutch in a vehicle having a hybrid transmission with a motor controller and a transmission controller, including synchronizing the clutch speed using the motor controller, detecting the direction of the race speed difference, communicating the race speed difference to the transmission controller, and selecting between the clutch operational modes in response to the detected speed difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Paul D. Stevenson, Paula J. Armstrong, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 7308977
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a transmission having a pressurized fluid source includes selectively engageable clutch plates including an apply plate. A piston is movable between an apply position and a release position to respectively engage or release the clutch plates. An apply plate cover cooperates with the apply plate to at least partially form an annular cavity that is sealed to contain pressurized fluid provided by the pressurized fluid source when the piston is moved to the apply position, thereby allowing pressurized fluid flow radially inward across the engaged clutch plates. The annular cavity is opened to allow fluid to empty therefrom when the piston is moved to the released position, thereby allowing centrifugally pumped fluid to flow radially outward across the released clutch plates. A method of reversing cooling fluid flow across clutch plates is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel M. Maguire, Paul D. Stevenson, Paula J. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6960150
    Abstract: A power transmission has three planetary gearsets, which are selectively controlled by five torque-transmitting mechanisms to establish six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio for the transmission. The torque-transmitting mechanisms include piston mechanisms, which are slidably disposed within members of the transmission housing including a front end cover, a rear end cover, and a shell interconnecting the front end cover and the rear end cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paula J. Armstrong, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 6929576
    Abstract: A power transmission includes three interconnected planetary gearsets and five selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gearsets and torque-transmitting mechanisms are disposed within a transmission housing. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio in the planetary gearsets between an input shaft and an output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paula J. Armstrong, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 6923742
    Abstract: A power transmission has three planetary gearsets, which are interconnected and also having at least one member continuously drivingly connected with an input shaft. Two of the planetary gearsets are connected with an output shaft. Five torque-transmitting mechanisms are disposed between two end walls and an outer housing, which define four spaces within the power transmission. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are disposed within two or more of the four spaces or combinations of two of the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paula J. Armstrong, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 6913556
    Abstract: A compact longitudinal transmission has an input shaft rotatably supported in a front end wall, an output shaft rotatably supported in a rear end wall, and a housing interconnecting the front end wall and the rear end wall. Three planetary gearsets disposed within the housing are controlled by five torque-transmitting mechanisms including four friction disc or plate mechanisms and one band mechanism. The band mechanism being disposed radially outboard of the rearmost one of the planetary gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paula J. Armstrong, Scott H. Wittkopp