Patents by Inventor Todd A. Frerichs
Todd A. Frerichs 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).
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Patent number: 10371246Abstract: A breather vent assembly includes a vent main body defining an internal vent passage and including a proximal end, a distal end, and an upwardly extending retainer portion disposed outward of the distal end. A cap is coupled to the vent main body and disposed at the distal end. A tortuous path is defined between the vent main body and the cap and a fluid vapor flows through the internal vent passage and the tortuous path to thereby vent the fluid vapor from a transmission. A reservoir is defined between the distal end and the upwardly extending retainer portion and configured to receive a condensate when a portion of the fluid vapor condenses in the tortuous path. A drain passage extends through the vent main body and fluidly couples the reservoir and the internal vent passage such that the condensate in the reservoir is drained back to the vehicle transmission.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Todd A Frerichs, John N Henley
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Publication number: 20170276230Abstract: A breather vent assembly includes a vent main body defining an internal vent passage and including a proximal end, a distal end, and an upwardly extending retainer portion disposed outward of the distal end. A cap is coupled to the vent main body and disposed at the distal end. A tortuous path is defined between the vent main body and the cap and a fluid vapor flows through the internal vent passage and the tortuous path to thereby vent the fluid vapor from a transmission. A reservoir is defined between the distal end and the upwardly extending retainer portion and configured to receive a condensate when a portion of the fluid vapor condenses in the tortuous path. A drain passage extends through the vent main body and fluidly couples the reservoir and the internal vent passage such that the condensate in the reservoir is drained back to the vehicle transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Todd A. Frerichs, John N. Henley
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Patent number: 8887498Abstract: A system for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid includes a pump. A bypass valve assembly includes an inlet port in communication with the pump and an outlet port in communication with an accumulator. The pump and the accumulator are both in communication with a hydraulic control system that controls, lubricates, and cools a transmission of a motor vehicle. The bypass valve assembly has a valve moveable between at least a two positions. The bypass valve assembly is operable to bypass the accumulator when the vehicle is first started such that the pump charges the hydraulic control system before charging the accumulator. The accumulator provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic control system after vehicle start.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Todd A. Frerichs, Brian W. Whitmarsh
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Patent number: 8764977Abstract: A sump filter assembly for filtering hydraulic fluid supplied by a transmission sump includes a filter housing, a support member, a retainer member, and a biasing member. The filter housing has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface opposes a bottom surface of the transmission sump. The support member includes a first end portion attached to the filter housing. The retainer member is slideably connected to the support member and includes a first end portion having a retaining surface, wherein the retaining surface opposes the top surface of the filter housing. The biasing member has a first end in contact with the retaining surface of the retainer member and a second end in contact with the top surface of the filter housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Todd A Frerichs, Michael P. Fannin, John A. Diemer, Robert Neil Paciotti
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Patent number: 8287254Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert E. Rhein, Todd A Frerichs, Peter Bostwick
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Patent number: 8230973Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert E. Rhein, Todd A. Frerichs
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Publication number: 20110146820Abstract: A system for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid includes a pump. A bypass valve assembly includes an inlet port in communication with the pump and an outlet port in communication with an accumulator. The pump and the accumulator are both in communication with a hydraulic control system that controls, lubricates, and cools a transmission of a motor vehicle. The bypass valve assembly has a valve moveable between at least a two positions. The bypass valve assembly is operable to bypass the accumulator when the vehicle is first started such that the pump charges the hydraulic control system before charging the accumulator. The accumulator provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic control system after vehicle start.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Todd A. Frerichs, Brian W. Whitmarsh
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Publication number: 20110084015Abstract: A sump filter assembly for filtering hydraulic fluid supplied by a transmission sump includes a filter housing, a support member, a retainer member, and a biasing member. The filter housing has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface opposes a bottom surface of the transmission sump. The support member includes a first end portion attached to the filter housing. The retainer member is slideably connected to the support member and includes a first end portion having a retaining surface, wherein the retaining surface opposes the top surface of the filter housing. The biasing member has a first end in contact with the retaining surface of the retainer member and a second end in contact with the top surface of the filter housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Todd A. Frerichs, Michael A. Fannin, John A. Diemer, Robert Neil Paciotti
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Publication number: 20090139800Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Robert E. Rhein, Todd A. Frerichs
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Publication number: 20090142208Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Robert E. Rhein, Todd A. Frerichs, Peter Bostwick