Patents by Inventor Roger Joseph Rademacher

Roger Joseph Rademacher 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: 9242545
    Abstract: A method of executing a downshift in a fixed-gear powertrain having an input node and an output node related by a starting speed ratio before the downshift and a finishing speed ratio after is provided. The downshift includes a torque phase and an inertia phase. A starting output torque is calculated as a function of a starting driver request. An electric machine applies a starting regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the starting output torque divided by the starting speed ratio. A finishing output torque is calculated as a function of a finishing driver request. The electric machine applies a finishing regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the finishing output torque divided by the finishing speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Craig J. Hawkins, Adam J. Heisel, Christopher E. Whitney, Matthew D. Whitton, Roger Joseph Rademacher, Keith D. Van Maanen
  • Patent number: 9067599
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having autostart functionality, a source of fluid pressure when the engine is off, a flow control solenoid that outputs a variable clutch pressure, a transmission, an electric motor, and a controller. The transmission includes a clutch in fluid communication with the solenoid. The clutch applies via the clutch pressure to establish a first gear launch state. The motor is powered via a rechargeable energy storage system. The controller executes a method to transmit pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals to the solenoid upon detection of a set of conditions triggering the autostart event to lower clutch pressure to a first calibrated level. Restart of the engine is commanded, and the clutch pressure increases toward a second calibrated level while engine speed is increasing. The controller discontinues the PWM control signals and increases clutch pressure to line pressure when the input speed exceeds a calibrated threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Keith D. Van Maanen, Roger Joseph Rademacher, Craig J. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20140257607
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having autostart functionality, a source of fluid pressure when the engine is off, a flow control solenoid that outputs a variable clutch pressure, a transmission, an electric motor, and a controller. The transmission includes a clutch in fluid communication with the solenoid. The clutch applies via the clutch pressure to establish a first gear launch state. The motor is powered via a rechargeable energy storage system. The controller executes a method to transmit pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals to the solenoid upon detection of a set of conditions triggering the autostart event to lower clutch pressure to a first calibrated level. Restart of the engine is commanded, and the clutch pressure increases toward a second calibrated level while engine speed is increasing. The controller discontinues the PWM control signals and increases clutch pressure to line pressure when the input speed exceeds a calibrated threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Keith D. Van Maanen, Roger Joseph Rademacher, Craig J. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20120101697
    Abstract: A method of executing a downshift in a fixed-gear powertrain having an input node and an output node related by a starting speed ratio before the downshift and a finishing speed ratio after is provided. The downshift includes a torque phase and an inertia phase. A starting output torque is calculated as a function of a starting driver request. An electric machine applies a starting regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the starting output torque divided by the starting speed ratio. A finishing output torque is calculated as a function of a finishing driver request. The electric machine applies a finishing regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the finishing output torque divided by the finishing speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Craig J. Hawkins, Adam J. Heisel, Christopher E. Whitney, Matthew D. Whitton, Roger Joseph Rademacher, Keith D. Van Maanen
  • Patent number: 8116932
    Abstract: A system includes an auxiliary pump that provides pressurized fluid to a transmission during an engine auto stop/start event. A mechanical pump provides pressurized fluid to a transmission during engine operation after the engine auto stop/start event. An auxiliary pump diagnostic system includes a slip determination module that determines slip of a torque converter based on an engine speed and a transmission input speed. A fault determination module diagnoses a fault in the auxiliary pump in response to an engine auto start and based on the slip of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: William L. Aldrich, III, Steven A. Tarnowsky, Michael E. Polom, Roger Joseph Rademacher, Donald D. Crites, Keith D. Van Maanen, Brian M Porto, Michael Chernyak
  • Patent number: 7881846
    Abstract: A driveline clunk control system for a vehicle having an engine that drives a driveline through a transmission includes a transmission output shaft speed (TOSS) sensor that generates a TOSS signal and a first module that receives the TOSS signal and that determines a secondary parameter (?TOSS) based on the TOSS signal. A second module detects onset of a clunk condition based on the ?TOSS and a third module regulates operation of the vehicle to inhibit the clunk condition when the onset of the clunk condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Paul E. Reinke, Roger Joseph Rademacher
  • Publication number: 20100217470
    Abstract: An auxiliary pump diagnostic system includes a slip determination module and a fault determination module. The slip determination module determines slip of a torque converter based on an engine speed and a transmission input speed. The fault determination module diagnoses a fault in an auxiliary pump based on the slip of the torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: William L. Aldrich, III, Steven A. Tarnowsky, Michael E. Polom, Roger Joseph Rademacher, Donald D. Crites, Keith D. Van Maanen, Brian M. Porto, Michael Chernyak