Patents by Inventor Randy Lewis Melanson

Randy Lewis 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: 8967353
    Abstract: A transmission includes a housing defining a sealed interior and an input hub rotatably coupled to the housing. A gear set is disposed within the housing and configured for receiving a torque from an engine. The transmission further includes an isolator assembly and a bypass clutch, each disposed within the sealed interior of the housing. The isolator assembly is configured for selectively damping drivetrain inertia and/or vibration. The bypass clutch selectively engages and disengages the isolator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Victor M. Roses, John A. Diemer, Randy Lewis Melanson, Douglas John Dwenger, Randal William Arndt, Pete R. Garcia, Michael L. Duhaime
  • Patent number: 8292012
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle engine and a transmission. A first electric motor is driveably connected to the transmission. A second electric motor is driveably connected to the vehicle engine. At least one selectively engagable clutch is located between the engine and the transmission to provide slip. The at least one clutch is engaged after the engine reaches a predetermined speed differential with the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Henryk Sowul, Victor M. Roses, Randy Lewis Melanson
  • Publication number: 20110169360
    Abstract: A transmission having an electric motor/generator includes a transmission housing and a bearing support rigidly connected to the transmission housing and substantially enclosed by the transmission housing. A stator housing is substantially enclosed by the transmission housing, and is rigidly joined to the bearing support by a plurality of rivets, such that torque may be transferred between the stator housing and bearing support. The stator housing may be formed from a first material, and the bearing support may be formed from a second material, different from the first material. The stator housing and bearing support meet at an interface region, which may be characterized by an absence of a welded connection between the stator housing and the bearing support. The interface region may be characterized as a slip fit, such that the stator housing and bearing support are matable by hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy J. Reinhart, Joel E. Mowatt, Randy Lewis Melanson, John H. Price
  • Publication number: 20110100157
    Abstract: A transmission includes a housing defining a sealed interior and an input hub rotatably coupled to the housing. A gear set is disposed within the housing and configured for receiving a torque from an engine. The transmission further includes an isolator assembly and a bypass clutch, each disposed within the sealed interior of the housing. The isolator assembly is configured for selectively damping drivetrain inertia and/or vibration. The bypass clutch selectively engages and disengages the isolator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Victor M. Roses, John A. Diemer, Randy Lewis Melanson, Douglas John Dwenger, Randal William Arndt, Pete R. Garcia, Michael L. Duhaime
  • Publication number: 20110061954
    Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine, a transmission and a coupling system interconnecting the engine and the transmission. The coupling system includes an electric motor/generator. The electric motor/generator is coupled to an input shaft. An engine disconnect clutch interconnects the engine with the input shaft. A fluid coupling interconnects the input shaft and the transmission. The engine disconnect shaft is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position for starting the engine and/or isolating the electric motor/generator from the engine. The engine disconnect clutch includes a default position disconnecting the electric motor/generator from the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Tejinder Singh, Henryk Sowul, Victor M. Roses, Randy Lewis Melanson, Shawn H. Swales
  • Publication number: 20090321157
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle engine and a transmission. A first electric motor is driveably connected to the transmission. A second electric motor is driveably connected to the vehicle engine. At least one selectively engagable clutch is located between the engine and the transmission to provide slip. The at least one clutch is engaged after the engine reaches a predetermined speed differential with the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Henryk Sowul, Victor M. Roses, Randy Lewis Melanson