Farzad Samie

US Patent:

7198587, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

Dec 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/736930

Inventors:

Farzad Samie - Franklin MI, US
Scott H. Wittkopp - Ypsilanti MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 3/44

US Classification:

475285, 475275, 475292, 192 431, 192 44, 192 45

Abstract:

A multi-speed transmission is provided with a selectable (reversible) braking one-way clutch operative to brake rotation of a member of a planetary gear set of the transmission when the transmission is in reverse and first speed. First and second rotating input clutches are slipped when the vehicle is launched in reverse or first speed. The transmission is preferably characterized by the absence of a torque converter, but the invention may be implemented with a torque converter if desired.

US Patent:

7349785, Mar 25, 2008

Filed:

Mar 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/813898

Inventors:

Chunhao J. Lee - Troy MI, US
Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale - Troy MI, US
Chi-Kuan Kao - Troy MI, US
Farzad Samie - Franklin MI, US
Richard W. Carlson - Warren MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
B60W 10/02

US Classification:

701 67, 701 51, 477 34, 477 39, 477 70, 477 90

Abstract:

A method is provided for controlling engagement of a clutch which carries torque before, during and after a shifting event in a transmission which is connected to a throttle-controlled engine. The method includes providing a feed forward input command which increases as the engine torque increases and decreases as the engine torque decreases. A feed-back input command is provided as a function of the error between measured clutch slip and a reference slip profile. The feed-forward input command and feed-back input command are summed to provide a clutch control command for controlling engagement of the clutch before, during and after the shifting event to allow a desired amount of clutch slip to damp excitation of the transmission.

US Patent:

7621385, Nov 24, 2009

Filed:

Jun 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/475335

Inventors:

Farzad Samie - Franklin MI, US
Richard W. Carlson - Joliet IL, US
Andrew L. Bartos - Clarkston MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 45/02

US Classification:

192 329

Abstract:

The apparatus of the present invention provides a torque converter for an automatic transmission. The torque converter includes an electronically controlled converter clutch disposed within a torque converter housing. A release passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch is defined between standard functional torque converter components. The release passage is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to release the electronically controlled converter clutch. An apply passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch is also defined between standard functional torque converter components. The apply passage is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to engage the electronically controlled converter clutch. The electronically controlled converter clutch is characterized by the absence of a dedicated hydraulic supply line.

US Patent:

7681675, Mar 23, 2010

Filed:

Dec 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/957844

Inventors:

Farzad Samie - Franklin MI, US
Joel M. Maguire - Northville MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60K 8/00

US Classification:

180 651, 180 6521, 180 65235

Abstract:

An apparatus for reducing parasitic losses in a hybrid electric powertrain of a vehicle includes a drivetrain, an electric motor, and a connecting mechanism operative to selectively engage and disengage the drivetrain and the electric motor.

US Patent:

7824292, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Jul 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/177447

Inventors:

Farzad Samie - Franklin MI, US
Andrew L. Bartos - Clarkston MI, US
Chunhao J. Lee - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16H 41/00

US Classification:

475148

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a rear-wheel drive (RWD) automatic transmission having a stationary member, a two-mode selectable one-way clutch (SOWC), pressurized fluid, and a valve body assembly (VBA). The VBA has a piston, a return spring, and an actuator linkage in contact with the piston and a shift lever of the SOWC. Fluid moves the piston and linkage in one direction to lock the SOWC and enable a reverse mode having no spin losses, and the spring moves the piston and linkage in another direction to unlock the SOWC in a forward mode. A method reduces spin losses by admitting fluid into the VBA to move the piston in one direction to thereby rotate the shift lever of the SOWC to one angular position to lock a driving member of the transmission to the stationary member during reverse, engine braking first gear, and manual low speeds.

US Patent:

7931561, Apr 26, 2011

Filed:

Mar 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/043499

Inventors:

Paul G Otanez - Troy MI, US
Farzad Samie - Franklin MI, US
Chunhao J. Lee - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/06
B60W 10/10

US Classification:

477176, 477 54

Abstract:

A system and method for setting the slip of a torque converter for a plurality of selected engine speeds and transmission gears. The method includes populating a table off-line, typically using a dynamometer, with torque converter slips for a plurality of selected engine speeds and transmission gears. A speed sensor is used to measure vibrations transmitted through the torque converter to the driveline of the vehicle. The sensor signal is sent to an analyzing system where it is converted to the frequency domain. A separate minimum slip value for each selected engine speed and transmission gear is stored in a table so that during vehicle operation, a controller will instruct the torque converter clutch to set the desired converter slip for the current engine speed and transmission gear provided for a particular throttle position and/or engine torque.

US Patent:

7967561, Jun 28, 2011

Filed:

Aug 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/833289

Inventors:

Farzad Samie - Franklin MI, US
Arshia Vahabzadeh - Oakland MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16D 13/72

US Classification:

415178, 19211321

Abstract:

A cooling system is provided for automatic transmission torque converter assemblies having a housing shell and flex plate. The cooling system includes a housing cover having opposing exterior and interior surfaces that define a wall portion and a preferably circular base portion. The base portion is configured to attach to the flex plate, preferably by one or more stud members, to be rotated thereby. The wall portion extends from a periphery of the base portion and is configured to attach to the housing shell. The cooling system also includes a plurality of vane members positioned along the outer periphery of the base portion. The vane members are configured to increase convective dissipation of heat from the torque converter assembly to surrounding ambient air by increasing the heat transfer coefficient and surface area. Optimally, the vanes have a turbine fin configuration, but may alternatively have curved fin or a straight-fin configuration.

US Patent:

8010265, Aug 30, 2011

Filed:

Aug 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/191919

Inventors:

Farzad Samie - Franklin MI, US
Chunhao J. Lee - Troy MI, US
Paul G Otanez - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/02
B60K 23/02

US Classification:

701 55, 477176

Abstract:

A method for adjusting the slip of a torque converter for a plurality of selected engine speeds, transmission gears and engine torque. A sensor is used to determine vibrations transmitted through the torque converter to the driveline of the vehicle. The sensor signal is sent to a controller where it is converted to the frequency domain. If the amplitude of the frequency signal exceeds a threshold, then the algorithm increases/decreases the converter slip until the driveline vibrations equal a threshold.