Patents Assigned to Chrysler Group LLC
  • System and method for structure stiffness determination
    Patent number: 8770037
    Abstract: In at least one implementation, a method for determining the stiffness of a structure may include connecting a test member to the structure, directing a beam of light at a measurement surface carried by at least one of the test member or the structure, impacting an impact surface carried by the test member with a known impact force, and determining the movement of the measurement surface that is caused by the impact. The movement of the measurement surface may be determined as a function of changes in the length of the beam of light and the stiffness of the structure may be a function of the magnitude of the measurement surface movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Beyer, James M. Dwornick, Murthy Kowsika, R. Elliott Crews, David T. Chuey
  • Thermal management of cabin and battery pack in HEV/PHEV/BEV vehicles
    Patent number: 8753762
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has an electric traction motor and a battery pack that provides power to the motor. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells. A thermal system includes a battery pack coolant loop, a cabin coolant loop, a power electronics coolant loop and a plurality of controllable valves controlled by a controller to select thermal modes by controlling flow paths of coolant in one or more of the coolant loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Major, Mark Utter
  • Method and system for battery charging and thermal management control in electrified vehicles
    Patent number: 8751085
    Abstract: A method and a control system for charging a battery in a plug-in hybrid or all electric vehicle, thermally conditioning the battery, and/or thermally conditioning the passenger compartment of the plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicle. Multiple variables may be used in order to determine the optimal timing of conducting the charging and thermal conditioning processes including time required to complete the processes, energy costs, and user set preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Major, Mark Utter, Jian Cao
  • System and method for detecting unintended stimulus at a vehicle pedal
    Patent number: 8744671
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a vehicle pedal are disclosed. According to the present disclosure, the method comprises determining whether a stimulus has been detected at the vehicle pedal. When the stimulus has been detected, the method comprises receiving sensor data from a sensor system, the sensor data being indicative of a shape of the stimulus, and determining whether the shape of the stimulus corresponds to an unintended object based on the sensor data. When the shape of the stimulus corresponds to an unintended stimulus, the method comprises performing an unintended stimulus operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Rami Abousleiman, Feisel Weslati
  • Window regulator glass attachment guide cover
    Patent number: 8739467
    Abstract: A guide cover that guides attachment of a window pane to a mounting bracket includes a body operable to removably attach to a first portion of the mounting bracket to position the body in an attached position relative to the mounting bracket. The body, the mounting bracket, and the window pane are operable to be moved as a unit by the regulator assembly with the body in the attached position. Moreover, the guide cover includes a guide surface included on the body. The guide surface and the second portion of the mounting bracket define an opening into a channel when the body is in the attached position. The guide surface is operable to guide the window pane through the opening into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Reno, Robert E. Ciborowski, Mihaela Colfescu
  • Variable electric auxiliary heater circuit pump
    Patent number: 8740104
    Abstract: A heating and ventilation system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The system having a heater core supplied with engine cooling fluid via a variable flow pump for heating an air flow supplied to the passenger compartment. The system additionally having a controller for controlling the pump to increase engine cooling fluid mass flow-rate in response to a detected temperature decrease of the engine cooling fluid when the engine is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Mark Bigler, Mark Hill, Allan Flanagan, Joseph Balog
  • Multi-functional tailgate for a vehicle
    Patent number: 8740279
    Abstract: A tailgate can include first and second frames, doors and sets of touchpads. The frames can be coupled to the vehicle to selectively pivot about a first axis, and can be selectively coupled to the vehicle via respective frame latches. The doors can be coupled to the respective frames to selectively pivot about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and relative to the frames, and can be selectively coupled to the frames via respective door latches. The sets of touchpads can be operably connected with the respective doors and frame and door latches. Actuation of one or both sets of touchpads in different configurations can facilitate opening one or both of the doors independent of or with each other in a first configuration pivoting about the first axis with the respective frames, or in a second configuration pivoting about the second axis relative to the respective frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Danja McGoff, David Anderson, Gary Bastian, Trevor C. Garvey, Eugene Paik
  • Wedge activated rotating filler cam utilizing a saddle for rotation
    Patent number: 8739596
    Abstract: A rotating filler cam system including a lower die receiving at least one filler cam. The filler cam includes saddles that sit in saddle pockets of the lower die such that the filler cam is rotatably connected to the lower die. At least one wedge assembly is driven to contact the filler cam and rotate the filler cam from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Daniel F. Nieschulz
  • Sensor assembly
    Patent number: 8739642
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor and a sensor housing that supports the sensor and that operably engages a connector. The sensor housing includes a first retainer and a second retainer. The first retainer includes a tapered surface that tapers relative to the longitudinal axis, and the tapered surface abuts against the aperture surface of the connector to guide the sensor housing as the sensor housing moves substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis into the aperture. The sensor housing is engageable with the connector to receive the connector between the first retainer and the second retainer and to limit relative movement of the sensor housing and the connector in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second retainer abuts against the aperture surface of the connector to limit relative rotation of the sensor housing and the connector about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Jacob K. Horn, Timothy P. Mrosewske
  • Door lock retainer
    Patent number: 8739584
    Abstract: A door lock retainer may include a door-latch-mechanism frame, a retainer, and a door-lock cylinder. The door-latch-mechanism frame may support a linkage and include a landing surface. The retainer may include an aperture and a first surface engaging the landing surface and restricting deflection of the linkage. The door-lock cylinder may be received in the aperture and supported by the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: John S. Kargilis, Terence P. Grace, Ronald A. Evans, Derek Chance
  • Truck bed panel attached to door hinge mounting plate
    Patent number: 8733826
    Abstract: A conversion system that converts a four-door style vehicle into a pick-up style vehicle. The conversion system converts the four-door style vehicle into a pick-up style vehicle when rear doors of the vehicle are removed and replaced by inner and outer side panels that form a side panel assembly for the bed of the vehicle. Additional features of the conversion system include a bed floor assembly, a bulkhead assembly, and a roof assembly that isolate the cabin of the vehicle from the newly formed bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Keith D Montone, Steven T Houtman, Anthony D Cavallo, Pietro Gorlier, James P Sassorossi
  • Glass installation tool with magnet for removable attachment to frame
    Patent number: 8733747
    Abstract: An installation system for attaching a transparent pane to a frame includes at least one support tool having a base member and a support member. The support member is operably coupled to the base member, and the support member is operable to support the pane in a fixed position relative to the frame. The support tool also includes a magnet that is fixed to at least one of the base member and the support member for magnetically and removably attaching the at least one support tool to the frame. A method of attaching the pane to the frame is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Harry J. Glikis, Cheryl A. Discher, Renee G. Dicicco, Deborah L Froehlich, Giurgevca Palincas, Keith Windmill
  • Vehicle suspension system
    Patent number: 8733771
    Abstract: A suspension system for supporting a vehicle body includes an axle and a mounting member that is coupled by a first coupling member to the axle. The mounting member is also coupled by a second coupling member to the axle. At least one of the first and second coupling members includes a mount damper that dampens loads transferred between the mounting member and the axle. The suspension system also includes a track bar that is coupled by a third coupling member to the vehicle body and that is coupled by a fourth coupling member to the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: James J. Johnson, Jacek Dubiel, Alexandre Opeiko
  • Main pump to auxiliary pump hand-off strategy for maintaining hydraulic pressure in hybrid transmission
    Patent number: 8738206
    Abstract: A method and system of providing hydraulic pressure during a transition from gas-powered engine operation to electric motor operation in a hybrid electric vehicle. During the transition, main pressure arising from operation of a gas-powered engine with a main pump is matched with auxiliary pressure arising from operation of a battery-powered electric motor with an auxiliary pump. After matching the main and auxiliary pressures, the auxiliary pressure is boosted to an operational pressure in response to a triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ivacko, Laszlo M. Hideg, Salim Hamam
  • Exhaust flange with pressure clamp mounting rail
    Patent number: 8726875
    Abstract: A system for mounting a duct to a port mounting in an engine where the port mounting has an opening and a mounting surface that surrounds the opening. The system includes a flange with a tongue portion that mates with a shoulder of a mounting rail that does not extend over the mounting surface of the port mounting, which allows for easy installation in locations with limited space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: James M. Culp, Terry L. Blanchard
  • Stowable seating arrangement for a vehicle
    Patent number: 8708393
    Abstract: A seat assembly can include a seat bottom, a pair of front and rear legs and an articulation arrangement. The front legs can have an upper and a lower end, where each upper end can be pivotably coupled to the seat bottom. The articulation arrangement can include a pair of rotating members, a pair of guide channels, a pair of first and second guide members, and an assist arrangement. The rotating members can be rotatably coupled to the lower ends of the front legs, and the pair of guide channels can have the first guide members positioned therein. The second guide members can be coupled to the lower ends of the front legs and positioned in the guide channels. The assist arrangement can include a biasing member coupled to the vehicle and the front legs. The seat assembly can be movable from a deployed position to a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Carl Mather, David M. Savinsky
  • Control strategies for a multi-mode drive system
    Patent number: 8712651
    Abstract: A method of operating a multi-mode drive system that precisely orchestrates a shift between gear ratios in a power take off unit and a rear drive module. The method first shifts between gear ratios in the power take off unit and then, depending upon the success or failure of the shift of the power take off unit, shifts between gear ratios in the rear drive module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kubina, Aaron E. Thompson, Donald F. Schmanski, Michael W. Gapski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Richard S. Silbert
  • Axle with variable volume sump
    Patent number: 8707826
    Abstract: An axle having a variable volume sump. The axle includes an axle housing that defines a gear chamber and a separate reservoir. The gear chamber and the reservoir are in fluid communication with each other via an opening. A regulator is located adjacent the opening. The regulator is operable to assume a first closed position that obstructs the opening when a temperature in the axle is below a predetermined value, and is also operable to assume a second open position that places the gear chamber and the reservoir in fluid communication via the opening when the temperature is above the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Lourens M. Jacobs, Gerald R. Thom, Joseph P. Elser, Muhammad Hamid Iqbal
  • Shelf/display unit
    Patent number: D703979
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Walid Antoine Saba
  • Bench/shelf unit
    Patent number: D704943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Walid Antoine Saba