Patents by Inventor Randy L. Melanson

Randy L. Melanson 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: 10138956
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes an engine speed module and a damper control module. The engine speed module is configured to determine a speed of an engine. The damper control module is configured to (i) fully engage a damper bypass clutch of a damper assembly to fully bypass a damper of the damper assembly when the engine is starting and the engine speed is less than a first speed, and (ii) partially engage the damper bypass clutch to partially bypass the damper when the engine speed is greater than or equal to the first speed. The engine is connected to a transmission through the damper when the damper bypass clutch is at least partially disengaged. The damper bypass clutch connects the engine and the transmission to one another independent of the damper when the damper bypass clutch is fully engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Peter D. Bock, Randy L. Melanson, Michael J. Grimmer
  • Patent number: 9506518
    Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber (CPVA) absorbs vibration and transmits a torque between an output of an engine and an input of a transmission of a vehicle. The CPVA includes a plate with at least one retaining member and a first set of vibration absorbers with at least one mass supported by the at least one retaining member. The at least one mass has a predefined movement path with respect to the plate. The CPVA further includes a first torsion vibration damper assembly that connects the CPVA to a turbine of a torque converter that is selectively engaged with engine, and a second torsion vibration damper assembly that connects the CPVA to the transmission. The at least one mass absorbs a vibration of a harmonic order generated by the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Randy L. Melanson
  • Publication number: 20160040738
    Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber (CPVA) absorbs vibration and transmits a torque between an output of an engine and an input of a transmission of a vehicle. The CPVA includes a plate with at least one retaining member and a first set of vibration absorbers with at least one mass supported by the at least one retaining member. The at least one mass has a predefined movement path with respect to the plate. The CPVA further includes a first torsion vibration damper assembly that connects the CPVA to a turbine of a torque converter that is selectively engaged with engine, and a second torsion vibration damper assembly that connects the CPVA to the transmission. The at least one mass absorbs a vibration of a harmonic order generated by the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Randy L. Melanson
  • Publication number: 20120076576
    Abstract: A retaining ring is characterized by a variable effective inner diameter and a variable effective outer diameter to axially retain a first member with respect to a second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randy L. Melanson, Randal William Arndt
  • Patent number: 5401213
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a friction clutch has a plurality of springs trapped in a cage member. The springs provide a resilient drive connection between input and output members of the clutch damper. The input member of the clutch damper is a pressure plate on which a friction surface is disposed. The output member is a hub which is connected to the output shaft of a torque converter. Embossments are formed on the members of the damper, such as the cage, the input or output member, to provide friction hysteresis between relatively rotatable members of the damper. The normal force for the friction hysteresis is established by a washer spring which is positioned by embossments also formed on one of the damper members. The angular excursion permitted by the damper springs is limited by openings formed in one damper member and tabs formed on another damper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Muchmore, Gerald C. Danielewicz, Wayne L. Spitler, Randy L. Melanson