Patents by Inventor Vijay A. Neelakantan

Vijay A. Neelakantan 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: 10041589
    Abstract: A speed ratio containment process limits the speed ratio of a variator for a CVT for a motor vehicle when rolling backward by commanding a speed ratio that is higher than the actual speed ratio in an overdrive direction. Accordingly, the actual speed ratio moves to a lowest limit, which provides maximum torque when a driver of the motor vehicle steps on the accelerator pedal to resume forward motion of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Zhe Xie, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Publication number: 20180106370
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a prime mover in communication with an input shaft of a transmission, an output shaft of the transmission in communication with a final drive and drive wheels, a park actuator system internal to a housing of the transmission and a park control system mounted to an external surface of the housing of the transmission with a pivot shaft extending through the housing that connects to the park actuator system to selectively place the park actuator system in one of a park configuration and an out of park configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Christopher G. Benson
  • Publication number: 20180100581
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle includes an electro-mechanical park actuator mechanism that provides motive force to an actuator rod of a park actuator, a default to park mechanism that is internal to the transmission housing, and an electromechanical park inhibit mechanism that is internal to the transmission housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Christopher G. Benson
  • Patent number: 9939077
    Abstract: A fluid circuit includes a device, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a sealing member, a biasing device, and an actuator. The sealing member moves inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a smart material that is activated when the temperature of a fluid inside the housing exhibiting at least a first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the second position. The smart material is deactivated when the fluid is a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the device and then to the housing when the sealing member is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler and then to the device when the sealing member is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc., Bend All Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Nancy L. Johnson, Ronald R. Semel, Rory P. McIntyre, Mark J. Heikoop, Vijay A. Neelakantan, Bret M. Olson, Tyler P. Ownby, James H. Brown
  • Publication number: 20180058600
    Abstract: A fluid circuit includes a device, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a sealing member, a biasing device, and an actuator. The sealing member moves inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a smart material that is activated when the temperature of a fluid inside the housing exhibiting at least a first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the second position. The smart material is deactivated when the fluid is a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the device and then to the housing when the sealing member is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler and then to the device when the sealing member is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, DYNALLOY, INC.
    Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Nancy L. Johnson, Bret M. Olson, Vijay A. Neelakantan, Tyler P. Ownby, James H. Brown
  • Publication number: 20180058601
    Abstract: A fluid circuit includes a device, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a sealing member, a biasing device, and an actuator. The sealing member moves inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a smart material that is activated when the temperature of a fluid inside the housing exhibiting at least a first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the second position. The smart material is deactivated when the fluid is a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the device and then to the housing when the sealing member is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler and then to the device when the sealing member is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, BEND ALL AUTOMOTIVE INC, DYNALLOY, INC.
    Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Nancy L. Johnson, Ronald R. Semel, Rory P. McIntyre, Mark J. Heikoop, Vijay A. Neelakantan, Bret M. Olson, Tyler P. Ownby, James H. Brown
  • Publication number: 20180023635
    Abstract: A clutch assembly having a first clutch member, a second clutch member axially slidable in a first axial direction to engage the first clutch member and in a second axial direction to disengage from the first clutch member, a spring biasing the second clutch member in one of the axial directions, a piston actuatable to move the second clutch member in the other of the axial directions, thereby overcoming a biasing force of the spring, and a latching device to selectively lock the piston in at least one of the first axial direction and second axial direction. The latching device includes a selectively retractable locking pin. The piston has an external surface defining a slot to receive the locking pin, thereby locking the piston in the first position or the second position. A method of operating the clutch assembly is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Joseph R. Littlefield, Lawrence A. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 9856931
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system includes a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, a solenoid valve having an output that controls the positions of a pressure regulator valve and a third, stator shift valve. The solenoid valve is a normally high, variable force solenoid valve which provides a control signal to the second and third valves. The second, pressure regulator valve is a multiple port valve which controls hydraulic fluid flow both to a transmission oil cooler (ATOC) and to an exhaust port, thereby maintaining a desired system pressure. The third, stator shift valve is also a multiple port valve and it controls fluid flow to the stator of the electric pump motor to provide cooling and to a dog clutch of the transmission to disengage it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Ajit Singh Grewal
  • Patent number: 9772033
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid that communicates with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) subsystem. In one example, the ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS control valve, a park servo that controls a park mechanism, a plurality of solenoids, and a park inhibit solenoid assembly. In another example, the ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS control valve, an ETRS enable valve, a park servo that controls a park mechanism, a plurality of solenoids, and a park inhibit solenoid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joshua J. McDonough, Philip C. Lundberg, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Publication number: 20170248178
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system includes a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, a solenoid valve having an output that controls the positions of a pressure regulator valve and a third, stator shift valve. The solenoid valve is a normally high, variable force solenoid valve which provides a control signal to the second and third valves. The second, pressure regulator valve is a multiple port valve which controls hydraulic fluid flow both to a transmission oil cooler (ATOC) and to an exhaust port, thereby maintaining a desired system pressure. The third, stator shift valve is also a multiple port valve and it controls fluid flow to the stator of the electric pump motor to provide cooling and to a dog clutch of the transmission to disengage it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Ajit Singh Grewal
  • Patent number: 9688257
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a park servo connected to a park mechanism, the park servo having a park side, an out-of-park side, and a biasing member disposed on the park side. A first valve assembly includes a first inlet port in fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a first outlet port, and a first valve for selectively allowing fluid communication between the first inlet port and the first outlet port. A second valve assembly includes a second inlet port in direct fluid communication downstream of the first valve assembly, a second outlet port in direct fluid communication with the out-of-park side of the park servo, and a second valve moveable between an out-of-park position and a park position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Joshua McDonough, Matthew R. Knoth, Philip C Lundberg
  • Patent number: 9618132
    Abstract: A variable flow orifice for a hydraulic control system in a transmission includes a shape memory alloy that selectively increases and decreases the size of an orifice. The deformation of the shape memory alloy, and therefore the size of the orifice, is a function of the temperature of the transmission. During cold conditions the orifice size is increased and during normal operating conditions the size of the orifice is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Zhe Xie, Vijay A. Neelakantan, Robert L. Moses, John E. Marano
  • Patent number: 9618087
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a four coupling members and a six torque-transmitting mechanisms. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Daryl A. Wilton, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Patent number: 9435428
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid that communicates with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) subsystem. In one example, the ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS enablement valve, an ETRS control valve, a park servo that controls a park mechanism, a plurality of solenoids, and a park inhibit solenoid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Joshua McDonough, Philip C. Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20160169375
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid that communicates with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) subsystem. In one example, the ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS enablement valve, an ETRS control valve, a park servo that controls a park mechanism, a plurality of solenoids, and a park inhibit solenoid assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: VIJAY A. NEELAKANTAN, Joshua McDonough, Philip C. Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20160167635
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a park servo connected to a park mechanism, the park servo having a park side, an out-of-park side, and a biasing member disposed on the park side. A first valve assembly includes a first inlet port in fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a first outlet port, and a first valve for selectively allowing fluid communication between the first inlet port and the first outlet port. A second valve assembly includes a second inlet port in direct fluid communication downstream of the first valve assembly, a second outlet port in direct fluid communication with the out-of-park side of the park servo, and a second valve moveable between an out-of-park position and a park position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Joshua McDonough, Matthew R. Knoth, Philip C. Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20160069451
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid that communicates with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) subsystem. In one example, the ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS control valve, a park servo that controls a park mechanism, a plurality of solenoids, and a park inhibit solenoid assembly. In another example, the ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS control valve, an ETRS enable valve, a park servo that controls a park mechanism, a plurality of solenoids, and a park inhibit solenoid assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: JOSHUA J. MCDONOUGH, PHILIP C. LUNDBERG, VIJAY A. NEELAKANTAN
  • Publication number: 20160053889
    Abstract: A speed ratio containment process limits the speed ratio of a variator for a CVT for a motor vehicle when rolling backward by commanding a speed ratio that is higher than the actual speed ratio in an overdrive direction. Accordingly, the actual speed ratio moves to a lowest limit, which provides maximum torque when a driver of the motor vehicle steps on the accelerator pedal to resume forward motion of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Zhe XIE, Vijay A. NEELAKANTAN
  • Patent number: 9212743
    Abstract: A speed ratio containment process limits the speed ratio of a variator for a CVT for a motor vehicle when rolling backward by commanding a speed ratio that is higher than the actual speed ratio in an overdrive direction. Accordingly, the actual speed ratio moves to a lowest limit, which provides maximum torque when a driver of the motor vehicle steps on the accelerator pedal to resume forward motion of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Zhe Xie, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Patent number: 9200713
    Abstract: A transmission fluid circuit includes a transmission, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a spool and an actuator. The spool is movable inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a smart material configured to be activated in response to the temperature of the fluid exhibiting at least a first temperature such that the actuator is in a first state. The smart material is configured to be deactivated in response to the fluid being a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature such that the actuator is in a second state. The fluid flows from the housing to the transmission and from the transmission the cavity when the spool is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler and from the cooler to the transmission when the spool is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Xiujie Gao, Patrick B. Usoro, Alan L. Browne, Nilesh D. Mankame, Nancy L. Johnson, Shushan Bai, Paul G. Otanez