Randall S Conn

US Patent:

7739021, Jun 15, 2010

Filed:

Jan 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/622590

Inventors:

William J. Wegeng - Avon IN, US
Randall S. Conn - Indianapolis IN, US
Mark A. Rushing - Martinsville IN, US
Ricke D. Katko - Martinsville IN, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 70, 477 53, 477 98

Abstract:

A vehicle transmission retarder control apparatus is provided including an engine, a throttle, a brake, a transmission having an output member with an actual transmission output speed, a speed sensor operable for measuring the actual transmission output speed, a plurality of user-commandable input devices for selecting a desired transmission output speed, and a controller having an algorithm for controlling the amount of retarder request to provide a zero or constant rate of deceleration independently of weight and axle ratio. Additionally, a method is provided for controlling a transmission retarder, including measuring the actual transmission output speed, sensing a desired transmission output speed using a plurality of user-commandable input devices, communicating the actual and desired speeds to a controller, and commanding the retarder to apply a continuously variable opposing torque to the transmission based on the actual and desired output speeds to achieve a constant rate of deceleration.

US Patent:

7841457, Nov 30, 2010

Filed:

Jun 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/770153

Inventors:

Drew A. Crafton - Mooresville IN, US
Charles F. Long - Pittsboro IN, US
Randall S. Conn - Indianapolis IN, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F01M 11/08
B01D 19/00
F16D 25/12

US Classification:

192 48619, 55409, 184 623, 192 8529, 192 8541

Abstract:

A transmission having a shaft driven by a prime mover such as an engine or motor is provided. The transmission includes a first stationary element for supporting the shaft for rotation, and a torque transmitting device connectable to the shaft and rotatable about an axis. The torque transmitting device is actuated by a hydraulic fluid. A first passage is connected to the torque transmitting device and is in communication with the hydraulic fluid. The first passage extends radially inward from the torque transmitting device. A vent passage is located within the first stationary element and is in communication with the first passage. Rotation of the torque transmitting device about the axis separates entrained air from the fluid and urges air radially inward through the first passage and into the vent passage, thereby removing air from the hydraulic fluid and circuit.

US Patent:

7946154, May 24, 2011

Filed:

Mar 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/414266

Inventors:

Mark A. Rains - Indianapolis IN, US
Randall S. Conn - Indianapolis IN, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01N 33/26

US Classification:

73 5305

Abstract:

A system for determining the type of hydraulic fluid employed in a transmission includes a translating valve, a valve position sensor, a hydraulic fluid temperature sensor, and a controller. The valve position sensor is operable to measure the actual time the valve takes to translate within the hydraulic fluid. The controller is operable to compare the actual time of valve translation to an expected time of valve translation. If the actual time of valve translation is different than the expected time of valve translation to a predetermined degree, the controller is operable to signal an operator of the motor vehicle or a service technician that the hydraulic fluid being used in the transmission is not meeting operating expectations.

US Patent:

20080004784, Jan 3, 2008

Filed:

Jun 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/427990

Inventors:

Mark A. Rushing - Martinsville IN, US
Jeffrey E. Shultz - Zionsville IN, US
Bradley L. Mc Cafferty - Zionsville IN, US
Randall S. Conn - Indianapolis IN, US

International Classification:

G06G 7/76

US Classification:

701 70

Abstract:

A method of controlling a driveline retarder of a powertrain including a transmission having a rotatable input shaft connected to an engine and an output shaft connected to the driveline retarder is provided. The method includes determining a set speed value and comparing the set speed value plus a customer modifiable constant value to a current rotational speed value of the output shaft. A driveline retarder cruise modulation torque request value is then calculated when the current rotational speed value of the output shaft is greater than or equal to the set speed value plus the customer modifiable constant value. The driveline retarder is controlled as a function of the driveline retarder cruise modulation torque request value. A powertrain configured to implement the aforementioned method is also disclosed.

US Patent:

20090241645, Oct 1, 2009

Filed:

Mar 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/059409

Inventors:

Mark A. Rains - Indianapolis IN, US
Randall S. Conn - Indianapolis IN, US

International Classification:

G01N 33/26
F01M 1/18

US Classification:

73 5305, 184 64

Abstract:

Transmission oil type may be determined based on the opening time of a transmission latch valve and on oil temperature. An opening time of a latch valve positioned between an oil reservoir and one or more torque transmitting devices of a transmission is determined in response to a command to open the latch valve. A temperature of oil supplied by the latch valve from the oil reservoir to the one or more torque transmitting devices in response to the command to open the latch valve is also determined. The latch valve opening time and oil temperature are monitored over a range of oil temperatures to collect opening times of the latch valve at each of a plurality of oil temperatures within the range of oil temperatures. The transmission oil type is then determined based on the opening times of the latch valve at each of the plurality of oil temperatures.

US Patent:

20120010791, Jan 12, 2012

Filed:

Jul 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/833172

Inventors:

Randall S. Conn - Avon IN, US
Mark A. Rains - Avon IN, US

International Classification:

B60W 10/02
B60W 10/10
B60W 10/18
F16H 61/00
B60W 10/06

US Classification:

701 54, 701 51, 701 53

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method of reducing the output speed of a transmission in a vehicle, whereby the transmission includes a speed sensor and a controller and the vehicle includes a proximity sensor. The method includes measuring the output speed with the speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method further includes receiving an input signal from the proximity sensor and comparing the input signal to a signal threshold. The output speed of the transmission can be controlled based on the values of the measured output speed, throttle percentage, and input signal.

US Patent:

20190327131, Oct 24, 2019

Filed:

Apr 20, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/958009

Inventors:

- Indianapolis IN, US
Randall S. Conn - Avon IN, US

International Classification:

H04L 12/24
H04L 29/08
F16H 61/02

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for initiating over-the-air (OTA) programming (together, OTAP) of a transmission control module (TCM) of a vehicle. In an embodiment, a TCM determines that an OTAP update is available, and responsively presents an update-ready indication via an operator interface of the vehicle, and thereafter determines whether each precondition in a set of one or more preconditions is satisfied, including a precondition that a valid initiate-update instruction has been received via the operator interface. If the TCM determines that each precondition in the set is satisfied, the TCM then responsively initiates installation of the OTAP update. If, however, the TCM determines that at least one precondition in the set is not satisfied, the TCM then responsively does not initiate installation of the OTAP update.

US Patent:

20150192201, Jul 9, 2015

Filed:

Jan 8, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/150061

Inventors:

- Indianapolis IN, US
Randall S. Conn - Avon IN, US
Jeffrey E. Shultz - Zionsville IN, US

International Classification:

F16H 61/00
F16H 57/04
F16D 57/06

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides a method for increasing a volume of hydraulic fluid in a reservoir of a transmission. The method includes providing a retarder mounted to the transmission, an accumulator including an internal cavity, a piston disposed in the internal cavity of the accumulator, a solenoid, a valve, and a controller. The method also includes enabling the solenoid from an off state to an on state, transferring fluid pressure from the valve to the piston, and moving the piston from a first position to a second position in the internal cavity. The method further includes discharging an amount of hydraulic fluid from the internal cavity of the accumulator to the reservoir and increasing the volume of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir.