Patents by Inventor Brent D. Lowe

Brent D. Lowe 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).

  • Publication number: 20100206674
    Abstract: A tilted vane brake rotor. The tilted vanes are tilted in the sense of being oriented with respect to the inside disc surfaces at other than 90 degrees, defined by an acute intersection angle with respect to either of the inside disc surfaces. The tilted vanes may be, for example, paired and oriented serially around the circumference of the rotor discs so as to provide a series of vane pairs in the form of: a series of alternately inverted V-shapes, a series of same oriented V-shapes, or a series of X-shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Monsere, Mark T. Riefe, David B. Antanaitis, Brent D. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20100147634
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a brake caliper has a housing with a first chamber and a second chamber. The brake caliper also has a first piston that moves in response to fluid pressure in the first chamber and has a second piston that moves in response to fluid pressure in the second chamber. A brake pad has a leading end portion that is acted upon by the first piston and has a trailing end portion that is acted upon by the second piston. A fluid passage leads to the first chamber. The trailing end portion contacts an associated rotor before the leading end portion contacts the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: Mark T. Riefe, Brent D. Lowe, David B. Antanaitis, Patrick J. Monsere
  • Publication number: 20100140033
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes an automotive brake component, such as a brake drum or a brake rotor, and an inlay coupled to the automotive brake component. The inlay constituting at least a portion of a braking surface that is acted upon during a braking event. The inlay damping vibrations in the automotive brake component when the component is vibrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Monsere, Mark T. Riefe, David B. Antanaitis, Brent D. Lowe, Mohan Sundar
  • Publication number: 20100018819
    Abstract: A friction damped brake drum for reducing vibrations in a brake drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Patrick J. Monsere, Mohan Sandar
  • Patent number: 7644750
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a powertrain component enclosure member, including the steps of: (A) positioning at least one insert into a mold, wherein the insert is provided with a coating to prevent bonding between the insert and the casting material; and (B) casting a wall of the powertrain component enclosure member in the mold around the insert such that a major portion of the insert is substantially non-bonded with the casting material to provide a proper interfacial boundary with the casting material for damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Schroth, Michael D. Hanna, Richard H. Hammar, Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Jeremy W. Short, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Publication number: 20090266653
    Abstract: A brake rotor providing reduced brake pad radial taper wear by providing brake rotor friction surface indent patterns. For example, the indent patterns are the form of radial-biased grooves or linearly arranged cross-drill hole sets, patterned in a configuration that balances brake pad wear, thereby reducing brake pad radial taper wear in a manner tuned specifically for a given type of brake caliper and brake pad material, wherein the reduction in brake pad radial taper wear is accomplished with virtually no penalty to brake pad life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David B. Antanaitis, Mark T. Riefe, Brent D. Lowe, Patrick J. Monsere
  • Patent number: 7604098
    Abstract: A Coulomb friction damped disc brake caliper bracket, wherein damping is provided by Coulomb friction, most preferably at the outboard tie-bar thereof. In one form, at least one clamping member applies compressive force externally to the caliper bracket, and in a second form, at least one interfacial boundary is internally disposed in the caliper bracket. Provided thereby is a mechanically distinguishable surface boundary between two surfaces which are in mutual contact such that a state of Coulomb friction exists therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Matthew T. Doescher, James J. Yuhas
  • Publication number: 20090240414
    Abstract: A method of brake noise suppression via brake system pressure modulation is disclosed that includes detecting a brake apply and modulating a brake system pressure to disrupt formation of a friction instability upon detection of the brake apply. The brake system pressure can be modulated at each brake apply detected, only when the brake apply detected is of a brake apply type that is indicative of brake noise, or when the system actually detects brake noise. Further, the system can determine whether a brake apply is associated with a noise-inducing friction instability; and modulate the brake system pressure to disrupt formation of the noise-inducting friction instability by hindering development of the limit cycle associated with the noise-inducing friction instability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20090071779
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention may include a product including a body portion including a first face and a frictional damping insert overlying the first face of the body portion. The body portion may include a second face overlying the insert. The insert may have a throughhole and a portion of the body portion may extend from the first face through the throughhole and the insert to the second face of the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Omar S. Dessouki, Mohan Sundar, Kevin M. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20090055065
    Abstract: A brake system is provided for minimizing brake pulsation feedback caused by surface variations of a brake system corner component. The brake system includes at least one sensing device configured to measure a pressure pulse caused by the surface variation of a brake system corner component. A controller module is in communication with the at least one sensing device and a hydraulic brake circuit. The controller module is configured to receive an output from the at least one sensing device and to adjust line pressure in the hydraulic brake circuit to substantially minimize brake pulsation feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20080185249
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include products and parts including a frictional damping means and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Schroth, Michael D. Hanna, Richard H. Hammar, Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Mohan Sundar