Patents by Inventor Christopher L Fulton

Christopher L Fulton 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: 9568920
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a vehicle interior, doors attached to the body and providing access to the vehicle interior, windows, sensors, and a controller. The windows are disposed in a respective one of the doors, and each includes a window actuator. The sensors include a speed sensor operable for determining a speed of the vehicle and position sensors each operable for detecting a position of a respective one of the windows. The controller programmed to execute a method by receiving input signals from the set of sensors, including the speed of the vehicle and the detected position from each of the position sensors, and transmitting a control signal to at least one of the window actuators to cause one of the windows to move to a predetermined partially-opened position above a calibrated threshold vehicle speed. This action automatically mitigates effects of wind buffeting in the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brandon C. Bloss, Christopher L. Fulton
  • Publication number: 20160221420
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a vehicle interior, doors attached to the body and providing access to the vehicle interior, windows, sensors, and a controller. The windows are disposed in a respective one of the doors, and each includes a window actuator. The sensors include a speed sensor operable for determining a speed of the vehicle and position sensors each operable for detecting a position of a respective one of the windows. The controller programmed to execute a method by receiving input signals from the set of sensors, including the speed of the vehicle and the detected position from each of the position sensors, and transmitting a control signal to at least one of the window actuators to cause one of the windows to move to a predetermined partially-opened position above a calibrated threshold vehicle speed. This action automatically mitigates effects of wind buffeting in the vehicle interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brandon C. Bloss, Christopher L. Fulton
  • Patent number: 9126524
    Abstract: A pedestrian alert system includes, a noise producing member having a primary acoustic output surface configured and disposed to direct noise from the noise producing member along a first axis, and at least one secondary acoustic output surface that allows noise to pass from the noise producing member along a second axis that is distinct from the first axis. An acoustic focusing member is provided about the noise producing member. The acoustic focusing member is configured and disposed to re-direct noise from the second axis toward the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Fulton, Timothy C. Schutt
  • Publication number: 20140254815
    Abstract: A pedestrian alert system includes, a noise producing member having a primary acoustic output surface configured and disposed to direct noise from the noise producing member along a first axis, and at least one secondary acoustic output surface that allows noise to pass from the noise producing member along a second axis that is distinct from the first axis. An acoustic focusing member is provided about the noise producing member. The acoustic focusing member is configured and disposed to re-direct noise from the second axis toward the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Fulton, Timothy C. Schutt
  • Patent number: 7556559
    Abstract: A control and pressure relief valve for relieving pressure from an automotive vehicle interior to an atmospheric pressure outside the vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention includes a valve mounting location having an inlet in fluid communication with the vehicle interior and an outlet selectively in fluid communication with the atmospheric pressure. At least one relief valve mounted on the valve mounting location allows air to flow from the vehicle interior to atmospheric pressure when the air pressure in the vehicle interior exceeds a first predetermined pressure value that is greater than the atmospheric pressure. At least one control valve mounted on the valve mounting location allows air to flow from the vehicle interior to the atmospheric pressure when an air pressure in the vehicle interior exceeds a second predetermined pressure value that is greater than the atmospheric pressure and less than the first predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro Garza Rivera, John J Mascarello, Christopher L Fulton