Patents by Inventor Scott H. Wittkopp

Scott H. Wittkopp 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: 8251856
    Abstract: A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Clinton E. Carey
  • Publication number: 20120214638
    Abstract: A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing. Each of the clutches and brakes are located within specific areas defined by the planetary gear sets and the housing walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Publication number: 20120214637
    Abstract: A rear wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing. Each of the clutches and brakes are located within specific areas defined by the planetary gear sets and the housing walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Publication number: 20120214635
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input and output member, four planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, five interconnecting members continuously interconnecting members of the four planetary gear sets and six torque transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first members, second members, and third members with at least one of another of the first members, second members, third members, and a stationary member. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 8240224
    Abstract: A transmission is connectable to an input member and includes an output member, first and second shafts, first and second countershafts, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Craig S. Ross, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 8241169
    Abstract: An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either clutches or brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Clinton E. Carey, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Patent number: 8241167
    Abstract: A front wheel drive transmission is provided having a transmission input member, a transmission output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake arranged within a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8240443
    Abstract: A powertrain is provided that has an engine and a torque converter. The engine is configured to provide oil to the torque converter for operation of the torque converter. The engine oil may provide both the fluid coupling and torque converter clutch apply and release functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Hamid Vahabzadeh, Scott H. Wittkopp, Edwin T. Grochowski
  • Patent number: 8241168
    Abstract: An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either clutches or brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Clinton E. Carey, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Publication number: 20120202638
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes and are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp, Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart
  • Publication number: 20120202639
    Abstract: A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Clinton E. Carey, Andrew W. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20120202637
    Abstract: An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Publication number: 20120196718
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft and four planetary gear assemblies each having a first, a second and a third element. The automatic transmission includes six fixed or rigid interconnections: one from a third element of the second planetary gear assembly to a second element of the fourth planetary gear assembly, one from a second element of the third planetary gear assembly to the second element of the fourth planetary gear assembly, one from a third element of the first planetary gear assembly to a second element of the second planetary gear assembly, one from a third element of the third planetary gear assembly to a first element of the fourth planetary gear assembly and one from an element of the second planetary gear assembly to an element of the first planetary gear assembly. The automatic transmission also includes four clutches and three brakes which may be selectively engaged to provide nine, ten or eleven speed transmission operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Bret M. Olson
  • Patent number: 8231498
    Abstract: An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 8231499
    Abstract: An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 8231500
    Abstract: An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 8231497
    Abstract: An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 8226521
    Abstract: An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either clutches or brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 8226512
    Abstract: The hybrid transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The hybrid transmission includes a motor/generator, three planetary gear sets, five torque-transmitting devices, three external gear sets and a final drive gear set. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with one of the external gear sets. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various planetary and external gear members, the input shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, James B. Borgerson
  • Patent number: 8226514
    Abstract: Various embodiments of electrically-variable transmissions are provided that have two motor-generators, two planetary gear sets, and two torque-transmitting mechanisms, including a rotating-type clutch and a stationary-type clutch. An input member is connected for common rotation with a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. Carriers of both of the planetary gear sets are connected for common rotation with one another, and with an output member. The first motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear of the first planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set. A drive transfer assembly transfers torque from components establishing the first axis of rotation to components establishing the second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edwin T. Grochowski, Scott H. Wittkopp, James B. Borgerson, James M. Hart