Patents by Inventor Steven F. James

Steven F. James 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).

  • Method for improving a drive-to-park shift
    Patent number: 7311639
    Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a clutch is applied when the vehicle comes to a stop. The application of this clutch locks the output shaft with energy stored therein. When the shift selector is then moved to the park position, the clutch releases the stored energy in a controlled manner by slipping the clutch plates. The controlled slipping reduces the noise as the park pawl tooth contracts an output gear tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Steven F. James, Phillip F. Mc Cauley, Jeffrey K. Runde, Scott T. Kluemper, Andrew L. Mitchell