Patents by Inventor Robert A. Muchmore

Robert A. Muchmore 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: 8701851
    Abstract: A selectable mass flywheel assembly for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a first mass and a second mass. The first mass is connected to a crankshaft of an engine and the second mass engages with a clutch to transfer torque from the engine to a transmission. The two masses are rotationally coupled to each other with a spring and damper assembly. The flywheel assembly further includes a locking mechanism that engages both masses during the startup of the engine to lock the two masses together to minimize the vibrations and pulsations in the powertrain during startup of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael Partridge, Robert A. Muchmore, Paul A. Piorkowski, Michael S. Powell
  • Publication number: 20120085198
    Abstract: A selectable mass flywheel assembly for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a first mass and a second mass. The first mass is connected to a crankshaft of an engine and the second mass engages with a clutch to transfer torque from the engine to a transmission. The two masses are rotationally coupled to each other with a spring and damper assembly. The flywheel assembly further includes a locking mechanism that engages both masses during the startup of the engine to lock the two masses together to minimize the vibrations and pulsations in the powertrain during startup of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Partridge, Robert A. Muchmore, Paul A. Piorkowski, Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 7060662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a high level of a silicon-containing antifoam agent in automatic transmission fluid (“ATF”) applications. More specifically, the invention relates to a formulation and method for the reduction or elimination of pump whine that occurs in high-pressure pumps used to circulate transmissions fluids in vehicles. The invention also relates to fully formulated ATFs, to transmissions lubricated with such ATFs, and to vehicles containing transmissions lubricated with such ATFs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Afton Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Muchmore, Reuben Sarkar, Anthony J. Rollin, Samuel H. Tersigni, Marc Deweerdt, Stede Granger
  • Publication number: 20050054542
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a high level of a silicon-containing antifoam agent in automatic transmission fluid (“ATF”) applications. More specifically, the invention relates to a formulation and method for the reduction or elimination of pump whine that occurs in high-pressure pumps used to circulate transmissions fluids in vehicles. The invention also relates to fully formulated ATFs, to transmissions lubricated with such ATFs, and to vehicles containing transmissions lubricated with such ATFs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Muchmore, Reuben Sarkar, Anthony Rollin, Samuel Tersigni, Marc Deweerdt, Stede Granger
  • 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
  • Patent number: 5398562
    Abstract: An engine/transmission drive connection has dual mass damper disposed between the engine output and the transmission input. A pair of starter ring gears are secured to members spanning the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Muchmore
  • Patent number: 5121821
    Abstract: A coupling interconnecting an engine and the impeller of a torque converter in a vehicle powertrain has first and second inertia masses interconnected by a spring and friction isolator. The coupling is effective to decrease the inertia mass of the engine and to increase the inertia mass of the transmission thereby providing a change in the natural frequency of the vehicle powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Poorman, Robert A. Muchmore
  • Patent number: 5062517
    Abstract: A rotary damper is mounted to a clutch pressure plate within a torque converter clutch of an automatic transmission. The rotary damper is tuned to minimize the magnitude of a natural frequency of rotary vibration in a driveline system induced by the engine firing frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Muchmore, William H. Roth