Patents Represented by Attorney Lawrence B. Plant

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  • Battery handle
    Patent number: 5624772
    Abstract: Battery and attachable/detachable carrying handle therefor having restricted detachability including a knob on the battery container and a terminal on the end of the handle for engaging the knob. The knob includes a longitudinally bilaterally truncated cylindrical stem having opposed flat faces and a flange extending radially outward from the stem. The terminal includes a wall defining a pocket for the flange and a socket for the stem. The socket includes a narrow slot-like gate having an opening which is slightly less than the distance between the flat faces on the stem. The flange is sufficiently large as to completely overlie the slot-like gate throughout at least about 180.degree. of rotation of the handle about the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Harry D. Mc Vey, Roger L. Huxhold, John F. Burk
  • Corrosion resistant PEM fuel cell
    Patent number: 5624769
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates a PEM fuel cell having electrical contact elements (including bipolar plates/septums) comprising a titanium nitride coated light weight metal (e.g., Al or Ti) core, having a passivating, protective metal layer intermediate the core and the titanium nitride. The protective layer forms a barrier to further oxidation/corrosion when exposed to the fuel cell's operating environment. Stainless steels rich in CR, Ni, and Mo are particularly effective protective interlayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yang Li, Wen-Jin Meng, Swathy Swathirajan, Stephen J. Harris, Gary L. Doll
  • Electric vehicle battery enclosure
    Patent number: 5620057
    Abstract: Assembly for the thermal management and protection of an electric vehicle battery pack from road water. The assembly includes a corrugated tray for supporting the pack, a housing sealed to the tray, a fan for forcing air through the housing, exhaust vents in the tray for exhausting the air beneath the vehicle, and a shield to prevent road water from entering the housing through the vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Klemen, Steven R. McMullen
  • Shot sleeve and method of making
    Patent number: 5611477
    Abstract: A pressure casting machine having a shot sleeve including a highly thermally conductive metal tube having an erosion-resistant and wear-resistant cermet interatomically bonded to the inside surface of the tube may be made by using an explosive compaction and bonding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yucong Wang
  • Method of making an AC generator rotor segment
    Patent number: 5607525
    Abstract: End segments of a Lundell-type rotor for an AC generator, wherein the base and the teeth portions thereof are compaction molded separately and subsequently joined together and sintered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Gay
  • Lubricous polymer-encapsulated ferromagnetic particles and method of making
    Patent number: 5607768
    Abstract: A mass of ferromagnetic particles encapsulated in a polymeric shell having a plurality of denuded organic lubricant particles adhering to the surface of the shell so as to stand in relief from said surface unimpaired by the polymer or any other binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Howard H.-D. Lee
  • Battery leak testing apparatus
    Patent number: 5606114
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting leaks in hydrogen-generating electric storage batteries including suitable enclosure for the battery, means for overcharging the battery to generate hydrogen pressure therein, and a sensor for detecting the presence of hydrogen in the enclosure. The battery's vent will be suitably plugged or routed to divert any hydrogen escaping through the vent from contaminating the air in the enclosure. A hydrogen accumulator/separator attached to the enclosure concentrates the hydrogen at the hydrogen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William P. Palmer
  • Reusable ergonomic shipping and handling container
    Patent number: 5605246
    Abstract: An ergonomic shipping and handling container having a compartment accessible through an opening in the side thereof which is closed off by a gate slidable in channels formed in opposing sidewalls of the compartment. The gate includes means for preventing the sidewalls from spreading apart during shipping and for hanging the gate along side thereof when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Rausch, Sr., Raymond A. Zagger
  • Secondary cell having a lithium intercolating manganese oxide
    Patent number: 5604057
    Abstract: A secondary lithium ion cell having an anode, a cathode and a nonaqueous electrolyte wherein the cathode comprises sub-micron-size amorphous, microporous, lithium-intercalateable manganese oxide having an internal surface area greater than about 100 m.sup.2 /g. The cathode may include an electrically conductive lithium-intercalateable polymer binder. A sol-gel process for making the amorphous quatravalent manganese oxide is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Gholam-Abbas Nazri
  • Battery leak testing method
    Patent number: 5602328
    Abstract: Method for detecting leaks in hydrogen-generating electric storage batteries including placing the battery in a suitable enclosure, overcharging the battery to generate hydrogen and analyzing the gas in the enclosure for hydrogen. The battery's vent will be suitably plugged or routed to divert any hydrogen escaping through the vent from contaminating the air in the enclosure. A hydrogen accumulator/separator concentrates the hydrogen at the hydrogen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William P. Palmer
  • Annealed polymer-bonded soft magnetic body
    Patent number: 5595609
    Abstract: A method for stress relieving a compression molded magnetic body is provided for purposes of enhancing the magnetic permeability of the magnetic body. The method involves encapsulating ferromagnetic particles with a thermoplastic polymer coating selected from the group consisting of polybenzimidazole and polyimides having heat deflection temperatures of at least about 400.degree. C. which are capable of withstanding elevated temperatures for a duration which is sufficient to anneal the magnetic body formed from the coated metal particles. As a result, the stresses induced in the magnetic core by the compression molding process can be relieved without detriment to the mechanical properties and magnetic characteristics of the magnetic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Gay
  • Composite iron material
    Patent number: 5591373
    Abstract: A mass of ferromagnetic particles moldable into stable, high strength, magnetic cores useful in thermally and chemically hostile environments comprising an iron core and a continuous layer of polyetherimide, polyethersulfone or polyamideimide spray coated onto the surface of each particle. A method of preheating and molding the particles is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Ward, David E. Gay
  • Annealed polymer-bonded soft magnetic body
    Patent number: 5589010
    Abstract: A compression molded soft magnetic core comprising annealed soft ferromagnetic metal particles bonded together in a thermoplastic polymer matrix having a heat deflection temperature greater than about 400.degree. C. and selected from the group consisting of polybenzimidazole and polyimides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Gay
  • Method of making metal matrix composite
    Patent number: 5588477
    Abstract: A method of making a heterogeneous metal matrix composite (MMC), and preform therefor. An open cell foam substrate is infiltrated with a slurry of reinforcement particles carried in a vehicle. The vehicle is removed leaving the particles trapped within the interstices of the foam. In one embodiment, the substrate is a fugitive polymer foam which is removed prior to filling the preform with metal. In another embodiment, the substrate is a metal foam which remains with the preform and the MMC after filling with metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald E. Sokol, Howard H. Lee, Bradley W. Kibbel
  • Method of making lithium-ion cell having deactivated carbon anodes
    Patent number: 5587257
    Abstract: A method of making a secondary, lithium-ion cell having a carbon anode including the step of deactivating the carbon anode by heating the carbon in the presence of oxygen for a time sufficient and at a temperature sufficient to selectively oxidize undesirable, highly reactive carbon atoms therefrom prior to assembling the cell, and a stochiometrically balanced cell made from such deactivated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary G. Tibbetts, Gholam-Abbas Nazri, Blake J. Howie
  • Sand mold member and method
    Patent number: 5582231
    Abstract: A foundry mold member made from a plurality of sand particles bound together with a binder which is concentrated at the contact points between contiguous sand particles and consists essentially of gelatins having a Bloom rating less than about 175 Bloom grams. The sand particles are first coated with a sol of the gelatin, cooled to ambient temperature and conditioned to a prescribed water content necessary to effect migration of the gelatin to the interparticle contact points upon heating of the coated particles in a pattern mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: June-Sang Siak, William T. Whited, Mark A. Datte, Richard M. Schreck
  • Method for making fiber-filled bolstered cushion
    Patent number: 5571465
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for quickly, and substantially uniformly, heating and cooling a bed of polymeric fibers having high melting point and low melting point fibers therein for softening the low melting point fibers and bonding them to the high melting point fibers to form a seat cushion. Hot and cool gases are flowed through the bed of fibers to effect the heating/cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Prem P. Gill, Paul W. Chrenka
  • Method and apparatus for making fiber-filled cushion
    Patent number: 5569425
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for quickly, and substantially uniformly, heating and cooling a bed of polymeric fibers having high melting point and low melting point fibers therein for softening the low melting point fibers and bonding them to the high melting point fibers to form a seat cushion. Hot and cool gases are flowed through the bed of fibers via a plurality of ventilator spikes extending into the fibers in the mold cavity to effect substantially uniform gas flow rates through the fibers for quick more uniform heating/cooling of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Prem P. Gill, Paul W. Chrenka, David W. Whitehead
  • Moldable ferromagnetic particles and method
    Patent number: 5567746
    Abstract: Moldable ferromagnetic particles and method of making a magnetizable molding therefrom. The ferromagnetic particles are spray-coated with a slurry comprising insoluble thermoplastic particles suspended in a solution of a soluble polymer to produce a coating on the ferromagnetic particles which comprises a majority of the insoluble thermoplastic particles embedded in a lesser amount of a binder polymer. When compression molded, the insoluble thermoplastic particles form a continuous matrix for the ferromagnetic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Gay
  • High ampacity electrical quick disconnect
    Patent number: 5562490
    Abstract: A compact high voltage, high ampacity quick disconnect for alternately connecting and disconnecting an electrical power supply from a load. The disconnect includes two spaced apart terminals having axially aligned openings and embedded in a nonconductive housing. A conductive pin engages the openings to electrically couple the connectors. The pin has a handle in one end thereof for locking or moving the pin as needed. An elastomeric seal between the handle and the housing protects the quick disconnect from contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold C. Rybolt, Rebecca J. Holliday, Gregory S. Smith