Patents by Inventor Akram R. Zahdeh

Akram R. Zahdeh has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8739756
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine assembly includes an engine block that defines a coolant flow passage configured to carry coolant through the engine block. The engine block also defines an oil flow passage configured to carry lubricating oil through the engine block. The oil flow passage at least partially surrounds the coolant flow passage and is sufficiently adjacent to the coolant flow passage so that the lubricating oil flowing in the oil flow passage is cooled by the coolant flowing in the coolant flow passage by heat transfer through the engine block. The engine block may define ridges along the coolant flow passage that increase a surface area of the coolant flow passage to increase heat transfer capability. The engine block may define two such coolant flow passages, a first and a second coolant flow passage, positioned so that the oil flow passage passes between the coolant flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Naser I. Hineiti, Dan L. Alden, Akram R. Zahdeh, Brian D. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 8695562
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine assembly includes an engine block that defines a coolant flow passage configured to carry coolant through the engine block. The engine block also defines an oil flow passage configured to carry lubricating oil through the engine block. The oil flow passage at least partially surrounds the coolant flow passage and is sufficiently adjacent to the coolant flow passage so that the lubricating oil flowing in the oil flow passage is cooled by the coolant flowing in the coolant flow passage by heat transfer through the engine block. The engine block may define ridges along the coolant flow passage that increase a surface area of the coolant flow passage to increase heat transfer capability. The engine block may define two such coolant flow passages, a first and a second coolant flow passage, positioned so that the oil flow passage passes between the coolant flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Naser I. Hineiti, Dan L. Alden, Akram R. Zahdeh, Brian D. Kaminski
  • Publication number: 20140030099
    Abstract: An impeller, which is rotatable about an axis, includes an inlet shroud and a backing plate. An inlet orifice is defined by the inlet shroud, and a plurality of outlet orifices are radially outward of the inlet orifice. A plurality of vanes are disposed between the inlet shroud and the backing plate. The vanes are formed integrally as one-piece with the inlet shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine, Robert J. Gallon, Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Publication number: 20130305708
    Abstract: A thermal management system and method for split cooling and integrated exhaust manifold applications in an automotive engine is provided. The thermal management system includes a cooling circuit that directs coolant through a plurality of components to warm the engine and passenger compartment efficiently, as well as remove excess heat from the engine and promote a constant operating temperature during vehicle operation. The cooling circuit directs liquid coolant, propelled by a coolant pump, through at least one of an engine block cooling jacket, an engine head cooling jacket, and an integrated exhaust manifold (IEM) cooling jacket, along a variety of cooling paths. The cooling circuit also incorporates a plurality of flow control valves to selectively distribute flow of the liquid coolant between a radiator, an engine heater core, and a return path to the coolant pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: AKRAM R. ZAHDEH, COLIN BLACKLOCK BOSMAN
  • Patent number: 8327814
    Abstract: A rocker arm may include a valve engagement region, a lift mechanism engagement region, a pivot region, and a body portion. The valve engagement region may be located at a first longitudinal end of the rocker arm and on a first side of the rocker arm. The lift mechanism engagement region may be located at a second longitudinal end of the rocker arm. The pivot region may be located between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region and may define a rotational axis for the rocker arm. The body portion may extend longitudinally between and couple the valve engagement region, the pivot region and the lift mechanism engagement region to one another. The body portion may define first and second ribs on a second side of the rocker arm that extend longitudinally between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Hatem Zakaria Orban, Robert S. McAlpine, Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Publication number: 20120285166
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle powertrain system comprises an internal combustion engine, an exhaust driven turbocharger in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine having a first exhaust gas turbine configured to receive exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and to rotate a compressor configured to supply compressed air to the internal combustion engine for combustion therein, a second exhaust gas turbine in fluid communication with the first exhaust gas turbine of the exhaust driven turbocharger and configured to receive exhaust gas discharged from the first exhaust gas turbine to rotate a generator that is operably connected to an energy storage device and an electric drive motor configured to receive electrical energy from the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Publication number: 20120240884
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block, a cylinder head coupled to the engine block with a cooling system running through both. The engine block defines a first cylinder bore and a first cylinder cooling jacket at an outer periphery of the first cylinder bore. The cylinder head defines a first port cooling jacket for a first set of ports in communication with the first cylinder bore. The coolant supply is in communication with the first cylinder cooling jacket and the first port cooling jacket. The first port cooling jacket defines a first head coolant flow path in a parallel flow arrangement with a coolant flow path defined by the first cylinder cooling jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: AKRAM R. ZAHDEH, NASER I. HINEITI
  • Publication number: 20120240880
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine assembly includes an engine block that defines a coolant flow passage configured to carry coolant through the engine block. The engine block also defines an oil flow passage configured to carry lubricating oil through the engine block. The oil flow passage at least partially surrounds the coolant flow passage and is sufficiently adjacent to the coolant flow passage so that the lubricating oil flowing in the oil flow passage is cooled by the coolant flowing in the coolant flow passage by heat transfer through the engine block. The engine block may define ridges along the coolant flow passage that increase a surface area of the coolant flow passage to increase heat transfer capability. The engine block may define two such coolant flow passages, a first and a second coolant flow passage, positioned so that the oil flow passage passes between the coolant flow passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Naser I. Hineiti, Dan L. Alden, Akram R. Zahdeh, Brian D. Kaminski
  • Publication number: 20120240876
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes a coolant pump, an engine structure, a radiator supply feed and a radiator bypass feed. The engine structure defines a first set of cylinders, a first coolant return gallery and a first cooling jacket. The first coolant return gallery extends in a longitudinal direction from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end of the engine structure. The first cooling jacket is in communication with the coolant pump and with the first coolant return gallery. The first coolant return gallery forms a radiator bypass passage providing the coolant fluid to the coolant pump and bypassing the radiator during a first operating condition and forms a radiator supply passage providing the coolant fluid to the radiator during a second operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: AKRAM R. ZAHDEH, KEVIN M. LUCHANSKY, JAN ANDRZEJ GATOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20120234270
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure and a crankshaft. The engine structure may include an engine block defining a first bank of cylinders defining two cylinders and a second bank of cylinders defining two cylinders forming a V4 arrangement. The crankshaft may include a first crank pin, a second crank pin, a third crank pin and a fourth crank. The fourth crank pin may be rotationally offset from the first crank pin by a first angle of less than two hundred and seventy degrees in the rotational direction of the crankshaft. The second and third crank pins may be located rotationally between the first crank pin and the fourth crank pin in the rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: EDWARD J. KEATING, ROBERT S. MCALPINE, AKRAM R. ZAHDEH, HATEM ZAKARIA ORBAN
  • Publication number: 20120210958
    Abstract: A crankshaft for a V8 engine includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth crank pins defined on the crankshaft. The second crank pin is rotationally offset from the first crank pin, the third crank pin is rotationally offset from the first and second crank pins, the fourth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second and third crank pins, the fifth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third and fourth crank pins, and the sixth pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth crank pins. The seventh crank pin is rotationally aligned with the first crank pin and the eighth crank pin is rotationally aligned with the second crank pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: EDWARD J. KEATING, ROBERT S. MCALPINE, AKRAM R. ZAHDEH, HATEM ZAKARIA ORBAN
  • Patent number: 8169476
    Abstract: An in-cylinder imaging apparatus is provided for an internal combustion engine defining a combustion chamber. The in-cylinder imaging apparatus includes a high-speed imaging device such as a high-speed digital camera. A borescope is provided in communication with the combustion chamber and is operable to communicate images of the combustion chamber to the high-speed imaging device. A high intensity light source, for example, a xenon light source, is operable to substantially illuminate the combustion chamber. The high-speed imaging device and borescope are in axial alignment with respect to each other and are mounted with respect to the internal combustion engine. A method of imaging the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine during engine operation employing the disclosed in-cylinder imaging apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Publication number: 20110260529
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine configured to generate engine power, and a transmission operatively connected to the internal combustion engine and configured to transmit the engine power for driving the vehicle. The vehicle additionally includes a three-phase electrical device configured to operate on three-phase power, and an alternator operatively connected to the engine. The alternator is configured to operate on three-phase electric power, to supply un-rectified three-phase power to directly operate the three-phase electrical device, and to cease supplying power when the engine is off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Patent number: 8028672
    Abstract: A dry sump oil tank assembly for a vehicle is provided with a housing defining an internal cavity. The housing is configured with a laterally-extending portion to add lateral volume to the internal cavity and has at least one internal baffle attached to the housing within the internal cavity below the laterally-extending portion and configured to reduce sloshing of oil within the cavity. The dry sump oil tank assembly is particularly useful for high performance applications, such as racing vehicles, and may utilize components from standard vehicle applications, thus maximizing the economies of scale of producing such components and being suited for a vehicle that may be typically used in standard driving conditions, but occasionally subjected to high performance use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Prior, Akram R. Zahdeh, Robert S. McAlpine, Bryce E. Mazzola
  • Patent number: 8011331
    Abstract: An eight-stroke engine cycle may include a first stroke forming an intake stroke and including opening an intake valve and providing a first fuel mass to the combustion chamber. The second stroke may form a first compression stroke and the third stroke may form a first expansion stroke including a first power stroke. The fourth and sixth strokes may form a second and third compression strokes and the fifth and seventh strokes may form a second and third expansion strokes. A second fuel mass may be provided to the combustion chamber during the fourth or sixth stroke. The intake valve may be in a closed position during the second and third expansion strokes and an exhaust valve in communication with the combustion chamber may be in a closed position during the second and third compression strokes. The eighth stroke may form an exhaust stroke including opening the exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William C. Albertson, Joseph J. Moon, Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Publication number: 20110067660
    Abstract: A rocker arm may include a valve engagement region, a lift mechanism engagement region, a pivot region, and a body portion. The valve engagement region may be located at a first longitudinal end of the rocker arm and on a first side of the rocker arm. The lift mechanism engagement region may be located at a second longitudinal end of the rocker arm. The pivot region may be located between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region and may define a rotational axis for the rocker arm. The body portion may extend longitudinally between and couple the valve engagement region, the pivot region and the lift mechanism engagement region to one another. The body portion may define first and second ribs on a second side of the rocker arm that extend longitudinally between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: HATEM ZAKARIA ORBAN, ROBERT S. MCALPINE, AKRAM R. ZAHDEH
  • Publication number: 20100284812
    Abstract: A centrifugal fluid pump has an impeller having a hub with vanes that may be airfoil shaped and may be twisted along their lengths. A shroud having an inlet is connected to the vanes to define with the impeller flow chambers between the vanes, at least a portion of each flow chamber having a substantially constant flow area to increase pump efficiency. An entrance feature may also be provided to improve entrance flow into the impeller, further enhancing pump efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Publication number: 20100064992
    Abstract: An eight-stroke engine cycle may include a first stroke forming an intake stroke and including opening an intake valve and providing a first fuel mass to the combustion chamber. The second stroke may form a first compression stroke and the third stroke may form a first expansion stroke including a first power stroke. The fourth and sixth strokes may form a second and third compression strokes and the fifth and seventh strokes may form a second and third expansion strokes. A second fuel mass may be provided to the combustion chamber during the fourth or sixth stroke. The intake valve may be in a closed position during the second and third expansion strokes and an exhaust valve in communication with the combustion chamber may be in a closed position during the second and third compression strokes. The eighth stroke may form an exhaust stroke including opening the exhaust valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: William C. Albertson, Joseph J. Moon, Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Publication number: 20090211552
    Abstract: A dry sump oil tank assembly for a vehicle is provided with a housing defining an internal cavity. The housing is configured with a laterally-extending portion to add lateral volume to the internal cavity and has at least one internal baffle attached to the housing within the internal cavity below the laterally-extending portion and configured to reduce sloshing of oil within the cavity. The dry sump oil tank assembly is particularly useful for high performance applications, such as racing vehicles, and may utilize components from standard vehicle applications, thus maximizing the economies of scale of producing such components and being suited for a vehicle that may be typically used in standard driving conditions, but occasionally subjected to high performance use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Prior, Akram R. Zahdeh, Robert S. McAlpine, Bryce E. Mazzola
  • Patent number: 7571708
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine block defining a cylinder bore, a piston disposed within the cylinder bore, and a spark ignited direct injection fuel system. The piston may be disposed within the cylinder bore and may be reciprocally displaceable from a first position to a second position during an intake stroke. The cylinder bore and the piston may partially define a combustion chamber. The spark ignited direct injection fuel system may include a fuel injector that provides a fuel flow to the combustion chamber during the intake stroke. The fuel flow may be directed toward an upper surface of the piston when the piston is in the first and the second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Akram R. Zahdeh