Patents Represented by Attorney Christopher DeVries

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  • Variable nozzle turbo (VNT) solenoid temperature estimator
    Patent number: 7089736
    Abstract: A method of creating a solenoid temperature estimator includes operating a solenoid based on a data point including a plurality of operating parameters and determining a temperature of the solenoid. The method further includes recording steady-state values for the temperature and each of the plurality of operating parameters and generating the solenoid temperature estimator based on the steady-state values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Mike M. Mc Donald
  • Auxiliary power generation in a motor transformer
    Patent number: 7092267
    Abstract: A power supply generates alternating current and direct current from a constant-voltage source. A multi-phase pulse width modulation voltage source inverter is connected across the source to output multi-phase alternating current. At least one waveform generator is bridged in parallel with the inverter, with each waveform generator outputting zero-sequence waveform current compensated to maintain the multi-phase current within a predetermined tolerance from a desired set point. A rectifier receives the waveform current and generates direct current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas S. Carlson, John S. Hsu, James M. Nagashima, Constantin C. Stancu, Donald J. Adams, Gui-Jia Su, Gregory S. Smith
  • Method and system for reducing acceleration-based wheel slip utilizing pedal-to-throttle progression tables
    Patent number: 7092810
    Abstract: A system and method is directed to wheel slip for a mobile vehicle. The method provides for monitoring a plurality of vehicle system signal inputs, determining an actual vehicle speed value, a pedal progression vehicle speed value, and a control signal modification value based on the vehicle system signal inputs. The method further provides for determining a control signal value based on the control signal modification value and controlling pedal progression input based on the determined control signal value. The system includes determining an actual vehicle speed value, a pedal progression vehicle speed value, and a control signal modification value based on a plurality of vehicle system signal inputs. The system further determines a control signal value based on the control signal modification value and controls a pedal progression input based on the determined control signal value are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, James L. Worthing
  • Method of providing electric motor torque reserve in a hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 7090613
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain system comprising an electric motor and transmission where the electric motor is operably and selectively coupled to the transmission and adapted to provide an output torque contribution thereto, and the electric motor has a predetermined maximum motor output torque and a predetermined minimum motor output torque which are used to determine a range of permissible control points for at least one transmission control parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Tung-Ming Hsieh, Gregory A. Hubbard
  • PWM control of a lifter oil manifold assembly solenoid
    Patent number: 7086374
    Abstract: A solenoid driver generates a current signal to drive a solenoid of a lifter oil manifold assembly (LOMA) to switch a displacement on demand engine between activated and deactivated modes. The solenoid driver includes a current module that generates the current signal based on a duty cycle signal and a switching module that regulates the duty cycle signal based on the activated and deactivated modes. The duty cycle signal is 100% for a first period after the engine switches to the deactivated mode and is variable for a second period after the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mike M. McDonald, William C. Albertson
  • Position-sensorless control of interior permanent magnet machines
    Patent number: 7088077
    Abstract: A method of controlling an IPM machine having a salient rotor. Stator terminal signals are measured and rotated to obtain synchronous reference frame current signals. A rotor position is estimated based on an impedance generated using the rotor and included in the current signals. The estimated rotor position is used to control the machine. An alternator-starter system in which this method is used can provide high cranking torque and generation power over a wide speed range while providing operational efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Nagashima, Khwaja M. Rahman, Nitinkumar R. Patel, Steven E. Schulz, Terence G. Ward, Stanley K. Fujii
  • Electric motor applied clutch with a drag torque actuator
    Patent number: 7086976
    Abstract: A torque-transmitting mechanism has an electric motor apply apparatus. The electric motor is operable to control a drag torque on a rotatable plate for a torque-to-thrust apparatus. The control of the rotatable plate by the electric motor and drag torque results in a thrust force being applied to the torque-transmitting mechanism such that the torque-transmitting mechanism is conditioned to transmit torque between two members of a power transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Paul D. Stevenson
  • Power take-off state and engine speed request
    Patent number: 7089105
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided for PTO related engine control having improved failure modes and communication with PCM or ECM independent of input architecture. The apparatus includes a control module for a vehicle powertrain having an input circuit receiving signals corresponding to a four-bit code, and a processor connected to the input circuit and outputting a control signal corresponding to one of a plurality of four-bit coded engine control states. The engine control states are coded such that potential errors in communication between the control module and powertrain, and their resulting effects on powertrain operation, are minimized. For example, a single bit change during communication does not result in a transition from one engine control state to another engine control state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Donald A. Eveleth, Barbara A. Shuler
  • High voltage interlock switch
    Patent number: 7084361
    Abstract: A switch device for assembly with a fastener securing an access cover to a high voltage storage device includes a switch connector device connectable to a shroud. The switch connector includes a flange with a bolt hole through which a fastener passes and a first connector having a shorting bar. The shroud includes a second connector with first and second wire cables, mateable to the first connector. The switch device has open and closed positions. In closed position, the shroud is mated to the switch connector device, and conducts electrical signals between the first and second wire cables. The shroud substantially completely obstructs operative access to the fastener. In open position, the shroud is sufficiently unmated from the switch connector device to permit operative tool access to the fastener. The first connector is disconnected from the second connector when in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bowes, Michael J. Howenstein, Ted R. Kisielewski
  • Hydraulic servo assembly for an internal electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) system
    Patent number: 7082851
    Abstract: A hydraulic servo assembly includes a piston slidably disposed within a housing and a pin extending from the piston. The pin is interconnected with a servo link rod of the ETRS system. A port enables inlet of hydraulic fluid to induce movement of the piston and the pin from a first position to a second position to pull the servo link rod thereby shifting the transmission range to the out-of-park position. When in the first position the pin biases a forward-reverse enable (FRE) valve of the ETRS system in a first position. When in the second position a bias force of the pin is relieved from the FRE valve enabling the FRE valve to shift to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Whitmarsh, Stephen W. Powell, Ryan M. Jenness
  • Electronic throttle control with throttle position sensor system and air flow indicators
    Patent number: 7082925
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided for an electronic throttle control (ETC) system having a throttle body assembly. The apparatus includes a throttle actuator, an input circuit receiving sensor signals and having first, second, and third reference voltages, a first throttle position sensor (TPS) connected to the second reference voltage, a second TPS connected to the second reference voltage, a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor connected to the first reference voltage, a manifold airflow (MAF) sensor connected to the third reference voltage, and a processor connected to the input circuit and transmitting a control signal to the throttle actuator based on the sensors, reference voltages, and returns. The ETC system has improved remedial actions responsive to failures of the various sensors, reference voltages, and returns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, John N. Stockbridge, Mark H. Costin, Robert J. Schaller, Timothy J. Hartrey, James L. Worthing, Paul A. Bauerle, Bruce A. Rogers
  • Apparatus and methods for closed loop fuel control
    Patent number: 7082935
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel input to an engine of a vehicle. A feedback signal is received from a sensor that senses engine exhaust. A dither signal having the same frequency as the feedback signal is applied to a fuel control signal controlling fuel to the engine. A proportional/integral correction is applied to the fuel control signal based on the frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Vincent A. White
  • Torque converter with a thin torus turbine
    Patent number: 7082755
    Abstract: A torque converter includes an impeller and a turbine. The impeller has a substantially constant flow area from a radially inward inlet to a radially outward outlet through a toroidal path. The torque converter turbine has an inlet flow area substantially equal to the impeller outlet flow area and an outlet flow area substantially equal to the impeller inlet flow area. The flow area of the turbine along a toroidal path decreases in size from the turbine inlet to a point substantially midway through the flow path from which point the flow area increases so that the outlet flow area is substantially equal to the inlet flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jean M. Schweitzer, Jeya Gandham
  • Oil pressure control system and method for engines with hydraulic cylinder deactivation
    Patent number: 7082918
    Abstract: An oil lubrication and control system, for an engine having cylinder deactivation switching lifters operated at the pressure of the full oil system, is provided with an auxiliary pressure relief valve which opens to control maximum oil pressure in the system whenever the engine speed and temperature conditions lie beyond the ability of the oil pump pressure control unit to maintain the maximum pressure limit. Addition of the auxiliary pressure relief valve allows extended operation of the switching lifters, which are limited by their construction to operation below a prescribed pressure limit. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary pressure relief valve is mounted in the engine crankcase in a bore connected directly with the main oil gallery to provide mounting and actuation of the auxiliary pressure relief valve with a minimum of modifications to the engine oil system design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick J. Rozario, William C. Albertson, James B. Hicks
  • Ultracapacitor useful life prediction
    Patent number: 7081761
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for projecting the useful life Yproj of an ultracapacitor undergoing at least one ON period after an OFF period. The apparatus comprises sensors coupled to the ultracapacitor for measuring the instantaneous voltage V(t) and temperature T(t) thereof as a function of time t, and a measuring system coupled to the sensors, the measuring system receiving V(t), T(t) and computing Yproj based at least in part on combining values of the instantaneous ultracapacitor life Y(V(t),T(t))=10(aT+bV+c) where a, b and c are constants, for different values of t. The measuring system preferably includes program, temporary and non-volitile memory, a processor, a timer and an I/O for communicating with the sensors and other vehicle systems. In a preferred embodiment, values of V(t), T(t) at the beginning and end of the OFF period are also used in determining Yproj.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Yurgil
  • Engine operation during cylinder deactivation
    Patent number: 7080625
    Abstract: An engine control system for controlling engine operation in activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine system includes an engine control that generates a load control signal based on one of an activation and a deactivation signal. An accessory control manipulates operation of an accessory driven by the engine based on the load control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Albertson, Alexander J. Roberts, Thomas E. Bolander, Michael A. Kropinski
  • Intake mixture motion and cold start fuel vapor enrichment system
    Patent number: 7080626
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having an intake manifold, a cylinder and an intake mixture motion system. The intake mixture motion system includes a plate disposed upstream of the cylinder and an actuator that moves the plate between an open position and a closed position to direct cylinder air flow. The plate is in the closed position for a predetermined period after engine start-up. A fuel system communicates with the engine and supplies a first quantity of liquid fuel to the engine at a first A/F ratio. The fuel system supplies a second quantity of vapor fuel to the engine at a second A/F ratio to provide a fuel mixture having a third A/F ratio during the predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Ament, Mary Beth Furness
  • Method for calculating cylinder charge during starting
    Patent number: 7080630
    Abstract: A system and method to control fuel delivery to an engine at startup includes a crank sensor that determines a rotational position of the engine. A control module calculates an air mass of a first cylinder based on the rotational position of the engine and delivers fuel to the first cylinder based on the air mass. The air mass is based on a volume, a pressure and a temperature of the first cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, David P. Sczomak
  • Brake booster vacuum sensor diagnostic
    Patent number: 7076347
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a brake booster sensor includes a monitor that monitors a maximum error and a minimum error based on a brake booster sensor signal over a monitoring period. A first comparator determines one of a pass status and a fail status of the brake booster sensor based on the maximum error and the minimum error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chad W. Lehner, Daniel H. Hooker
  • Optimal selection of input torque with stability of power flow for a hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 7076356
    Abstract: An preferred input torque for a hybrid powertrain is determined within a solution space of feasible input torques in accordance with a plurality of powertrain system constraints that results in a minimum overall powertrain system loss. Aggregate powertrain system losses are calculated at feasible input torques and a solution for the input torque corresponding to the minimum aggregate powertrain system loss is converged upon to determine the preferred input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Hubbard, Anthony H. Heap, Tung-Ming Hsieh