Patents by Inventor Robert E. Rhein

Robert E. Rhein 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: 9488172
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The pump assembly includes a housing defining a cavity extending along a central axis to present a wall disposed radially relative to the central axis and a base transverse to the central axis. The pump assembly also includes a first gear disposed in the cavity. The first gear has a first side and a second side each extending along the central axis. The first side faces the wall and the second side opposes the first side. The first side of the first gear is complementary to the wall. The wall defines a recess adjacent to the cavity and spaced from the base. The recess is in fluid communication with the cavity for providing lubrication between the wall and the first side of the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Rhein
  • Patent number: 9020740
    Abstract: A system includes a sump, a pump having a steady-state speed, a fluid component that receives the fluid from the fluid pump, and a controller. The controller detects a soak condition of the system in which the pump load is low as fluid is moved into vacated fluid passages. The steady-state speed of the pump is temporarily increased by adding a calibrated overspeed value to the steady-state speed, for a calibrated duration. The controller reduces the pump speed to the steady-state speed after the calibrated duration has elapsed. A method includes detecting the soak condition and temporarily increasing the steady-state speed via the controller by adding the calibrated overspeed value to the steady-state speed, for a calibrated duration, when the soak condition is detected. A control system includes a processor and storage medium having instructions embodying the method, with detection of the soak condition provided via measurement of fluid temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John J. Koenig, Terry S Johnecheck, Robert E. Rhein
  • Publication number: 20140105756
    Abstract: A system includes a sump, a pump having a steady-state speed, a fluid component that receives the fluid from the fluid pump, and a controller. The controller detects a soak condition of the system in which the pump load is low as fluid is moved into vacated fluid passages. The steady-state speed of the pump is temporarily increased by adding a calibrated overspeed value to the steady-state speed, for a calibrated duration. The controller reduces the pump speed to the steady-state speed after the calibrated duration has elapsed. A method includes detecting the soak condition and temporarily increasing the steady-state speed via the controller by adding the calibrated overspeed value to the steady-state speed, for a calibrated duration, when the soak condition is detected. A control system includes a processor and storage medium having instructions embodying the method, with detection of the soak condition provided via measurement of fluid temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John J. Koenig, Terry S Johnecheck, Robert E Rhein
  • Publication number: 20130315770
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The pump assembly includes a housing defining a cavity extending along a central axis to present a wall disposed radially relative to the central axis and a base transverse to the central axis. The pump assembly also includes a first gear disposed in the cavity. The first gear has a first side and a second side each extending along the central axis. The first side faces the wall and the second side opposes the first side. The first side of the first gear is complementary to the wall. The wall defines a recess adjacent to the cavity and spaced from the base. The recess is in fluid communication with the cavity for providing lubrication between the wall and the first side of the first gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATION LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Rhein
  • Patent number: 8287254
    Abstract: The present invention comprehends a gerotor or gear pump driven by a permanent magnet motor which exhibits cogging torque, i.e., resistance to rotation when de-energized caused by interaction between permanent magnets in the rotor and teeth on the stator. Such interaction causes the rotor to come to rest in one of many defined rotational positions and resist rotation when electrical power to the motor has been terminated. The permanent magnet motor is coupled, preferably directly, to a gerotor pump having meshing rotors or a gear pump having meshing gears. When the motor is de-energized, the pump rotors or gears come to rest and their rotation is resisted by the cogging torque of the motor. The invention finds particular application in automotive transmissions and systems with parallel pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Rhein, Todd A Frerichs, Peter Bostwick
  • Patent number: 8230973
    Abstract: A pump system for use in a transmission includes a first pump, a second pump, and a sump. A first fluid passage connects an inlet of the first pump to a sump filter connected to the sump. A second fluid passage connects an inlet of the second pump to the sump filter of the sump. A third fluid passage connects the inlet of the first pump with the inlet of the second pump. A bypass outlet is in communication with the third fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Rhein, Todd A. Frerichs
  • Publication number: 20090142208
    Abstract: The present invention comprehends a gerotor or gear pump driven by a permanent magnet motor which exhibits cogging torque, i.e., resistance to rotation when de-energized caused by interaction between permanent magnets in the rotor and teeth on the stator. Such interaction causes the rotor to come to rest in one of many defined rotational positions and resist rotation when electrical power to the motor has been terminated. The permanent magnet motor is coupled, preferably directly, to a gerotor pump having meshing rotors or a gear pump having meshing gears. When the motor is de-energized, the pump rotors or gears come to rest and their rotation is resisted by the cogging torque of the motor. The invention finds particular application in automotive transmissions and systems with parallel pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Rhein, Todd A. Frerichs, Peter Bostwick
  • Publication number: 20090139800
    Abstract: A pump system for use in a transmission includes a first pump, a second pump, and a sump. A first fluid passage connects an inlet of the first pump to a sump filter connected to the sump. A second fluid passage connects an inlet of the second pump to the sump filter of the sump. A third fluid passage connects the inlet of the first pump with the inlet of the second pump. A bypass outlet is in communication with the third fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Rhein, Todd A. Frerichs
  • Patent number: 7470066
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transmission pump bearing assembly having an integral seal. The apparatus preferably includes an outer race retained by a pump body such that the outer race is fixed relative thereto. An inner race is disposed radially within the outer race, and is engaged by a damper hub such that the inner race rotates along with the damper hub. The inner race includes a radially recessed portion adapted to accommodate a seal and maintain tight clearance to control leakage. A plurality of bearing members are disposed radially between the inner race and the outer race. The seal disposed within the radially recessed portion of the inner race is configured to engage the pump body and thereby seal an interface between the inner race and the pump body such that leaked hydraulic fluid is restricted from passing therebetween. A bearing cage is configured to axially retain and/or to maintain circumferential spacing of the plurality of bearing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Diemer, Robert E. Rhein