Patents by Inventor Dale A. Gerard

Dale A. Gerard 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: 20240123494
    Abstract: A high pressure die casting (HPDC) system for casting ultra-large single-piece castings for vehicles. The HPDC system includes a clear feeding path from at least one ingate to a predetermined thicker section of a mold cavity, a last to solidify ingate having an equivalent or larger feeding modulus than the highest feeding modulus of the other ingates, and thermal management elements. The clear feeding path, last to solidify ingate, and thermal management elements ensure sufficient supplemental molten metal flow to the thicker portion of the mold cavity to accommodate for shrinkage of the thicker portion of an ultra large casting during the casting and solidification process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Qigui Wang, Liang Wang, Daniel J. Wilson, Dale A. Gerard, Devin R. Hess, Paul J. Boone
  • Publication number: 20240058860
    Abstract: A hybrid chill with enhanced heat transfer for casting of a sand cast aluminum engine block of a vehicle is provided. The hybrid chill comprises a base comprising an outer wall having a first side and a second side. Each of the first and second sides extends from a first longitudinal end to an opposite second longitudinal end. The outer wall is closed to define a hollow portion. The base further comprises a heat transfer fluid in a liquid phase disposed in the hollow portion. The heat transfer fluid has a boiling point of between 320° C. and 400° C. at 1 bar for enhanced heat transfer during casting. The chill further comprises a plurality of crankcase members. Each member is disposed on the first side. Each member is spaced apart from a respective adjacent member defining an open recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Lokesh Choudhary, Qigui Wang, Tiruttani Munikamal, Steven L. Burkholder, Thomas W. Gustafson, Dale A. Gerard
  • Patent number: 11879168
    Abstract: A high elastic modulus, high ultimate tensile strength, and low alloy gray cast iron for cylinder liners. The gray cast iron includes from 2.60 wt % to 3.30 wt % Carbon (C); from 1.50 wt % to 2.30 wt % Silicon (Si); from 0.30 wt % to 0.80 wt % Manganese (Mn); from 0.15 wt % to 0.35 wt % Phosphorus (P); from 0.05 wt % to 0.11 wt % Sulphur (S); from 0.60 wt % to 1.20 wt % Copper (Cu); from 0.10 wt % to 0.30 wt % Chromium (Cr); from greater than 0.0 wt % to 0.1 wt % Nickle (Ni); from 0.15 wt % to 0.40 wt % Molybdenum (Mo); and balance wt % Iron (Fe). The total wt % of Si, Mn, P, S, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Mo is less than about 4.10 wt %. The gray cast iron has a Carbon Equivalent (CE) from 3.00 wt % to 3.90 wt % and the product of Mn %*S % is from 0.025 to 0.045.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jianghuai Yang, Dale A. Gerard, Qigui Wang
  • Patent number: 11821384
    Abstract: A method to manufacture an automobile vehicle engine aluminum piston, comprises: printing an aluminum piston crown portion including an additive manufacturing (AM) piston crown work piece using initial aluminum powders defining an initial aluminum powder bed; removing the aluminum piston crown portion from the initial aluminum powder bed; fixedly joining a cast iron ring carrier to the AM piston crown work piece; placing the aluminum piston crown portion together with the cast iron ring carrier into a secondary and a tertiary aluminum powder bed; and printing a piston skirt integrally connected to the AM piston crown work piece and to the cast iron ring carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Qigui Wang, Jeffrey B. Harris, Ante Tony Lausic, Paul J Wolcott, Dale A. Gerard, Tyson Whittier Brown
  • Publication number: 20230349342
    Abstract: A method to manufacture an automobile vehicle engine aluminum piston, comprises: printing an aluminum piston crown portion including an additive manufacturing (AM) piston crown work piece using initial aluminum powders defining an initial aluminum powder bed; removing the aluminum piston crown portion from the initial aluminum powder bed; fixedly joining a cast iron ring carrier to the AM piston crown work piece; placing the aluminum piston crown portion together with the cast iron ring carrier into a secondary and a tertiary aluminum powder bed; and printing a piston skirt integrally connected to the AM piston crown work piece and to the cast iron ring carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Qigui Wang, Jeffrey B. Harris, Ante Tony Lausic, Paul J. Wolcott, Dale A. Gerard, Tyson Whittier Brown
  • Publication number: 20230339052
    Abstract: A method of repairing an ultra-large single-piece cast component of a vehicle body. The method includes the steps of locating a damaged portion of the cast component, determining an extent of the damaged portion of the ultra-large cast component, defining a cut-line sectioning off the damaged portion from an undamaged portion of the ultra-large cast component, cutting along the cut-line to excise the damaged portion from the undamaged portion of the ultra-large cast component, and joining a replacement piece to the undamaged portion of the ultra-large cast component. The replacement piece is fabricated based on the original manufacturer’s geometry and dimensional data of the excised damaged portion. The undamaged portion of the ultra-large cast component remains on the vehicle body during the repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel J. Wilson, Liang Wang, Qigui Wang, Devin R. Hess, Michelle A. Wood, Ali Shabbir, Ronald C. Daul, Dale A. Gerard, Gregory Melekian
  • Patent number: 11794270
    Abstract: A system for increasing joint strength and reducing embrittlement in a resistance spot weld of metal workpieces is disclosed. The system comprises a stackup of first and second metal workpieces, and an interface member disposed between the first and second metal workpieces. The interface member comprises a peripheral wall defining a hollow inner portion. The peripheral wall has a first open end extending to a second open end. The first open end is in contact with the first metal workpiece defining a first weld portion thereon. The second open end is in contact with the second metal workpiece defining a second weld portion thereon. The system further comprises a first electrode configured to contact the first metal workpiece to heat the peripheral wall at the first weld portion and join the first metal workpiece with the first open end of the peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Huaxin Li, MingFeng Shi, Jatinder Paul Singh, Dale A. Gerard
  • Publication number: 20230330744
    Abstract: A low-pressure sand-casting system includes a sand-casting mold receiving a molten casting material to cast an automobile vehicle cylinder head. A port is created in the automobile vehicle cylinder head. A manifold port metal core assembly includes a metal core. A compressible material coating is applied on the manifold port core metal core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Liang Wang, Qigui Wang, Dale A. Gerard, Steven L. Burkholder, Ronald C. Daul
  • Patent number: 11707792
    Abstract: A method to form a gear for motor vehicles includes one or more of the following: placing a blank between a first tool member and a second tool member, each of the first tool member and the second tool member having a set of teeth; and moving the first tool member and the second tool member towards the blank while rotating the first tool member and the second tool member to form a gear with a set of teeth from the blank. Each tooth of the set of teeth has a topography that varies tooth-to-tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Austin, Dale A. Gerard
  • Patent number: 11618937
    Abstract: A nodular iron alloy and automotive components, such as a crankshaft, are provided. The nodular iron alloy may include iron, about 2.2-3.2 wt % carbon, about 1.7-2.3 wt % silicon, about 0.2-0.6 wt % manganese, a maximum of 0.03 wt % phosphorus, a maximum of 0.02 wt % sulfur, about 0.2-0.6 wt % copper, about 0.1-0.4 wt % chromium, about 0.4-0.8 wt % nickel, about 0.15-0.45 wt % molybdenum, about 0.2-1.0 wt % cobalt, about 0.02-0.06 wt % magnesium, and a maximum of 0.002 wt % rare earth element(s). The nodular iron alloy may have a Young's modulus in the range of 175-195 GPa and an as-cast ultimate tensile strength in the range of 750-950 MPa. This alloy possesses favorable strength, stiffness and noise/vibration/harshness qualities, making it suitable in crankshaft applications. A method of forming the nodular iron alloy includes feeding a magnesium-based material into a molten iron alloy through a continuous system at a constant amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jianghuai Yang, Qigui Wang, Dale A. Gerard, James D. Cremonesi, Daniel J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20230070074
    Abstract: A high elastic modulus, high ultimate tensile strength, and low alloy gray cast iron for cylinder liners. The gray cast iron includes from 2.60 wt % to 3.30 wt % Carbon (C); from 1.50 wt % to 2.30 wt % Silicon (Si); from 0.30 wt % to 0.80 wt % Manganese (Mn); from 0.15 wt % to 0.35 wt % Phosphorus (P); from 0.05 wt % to 0.11 wt % Sulphur (S); from 0.60 wt % to 1.20 wt % Copper (Cu); from 0.10 wt % to 0.30 wt % Chromium (Cr); from greater than 0.0 wt % to 0.1 wt % Nickle (Ni); from 0.15 wt % to 0.40 wt % Molybdenum (Mo); and balance wt % Iron (Fe). The total wt % of Si, Mn, P, S, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Mo is less than about 4.10 wt %. The gray cast iron has a Carbon Equivalent (CE) from 3.00 wt % to 3.90 wt % and the product of Mn %*S % is from 0.025 to 0.045.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jianghuai Yang, Dale A. Gerard, Qigui Wang
  • Patent number: 11548060
    Abstract: A high heat-absorption casting core for manufacturing a cast component includes a core body. The core body has at least a portion thereof defined by metal powder. The metal powder is configured to absorb heat energy from the cast component during cooling of the component and solidification thereof. The core body may be additionally defined by a sand fraction in contact with the metal powder fraction. A system and a method for manufacturing a cast component using the high heat-absorption casting core are also envisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dale A. Gerard, Qigui Wang, Tyson W. Brown, Ali Shabbir, Anil K. Sachdev
  • Publication number: 20220355410
    Abstract: A system for increasing joint strength and reducing embrittlement in a resistance spot weld of metal workpieces is disclosed. The system comprises a stackup of first and second metal workpieces, and an interface member disposed between the first and second metal workpieces. The interface member comprises a peripheral wall defining a hollow inner portion. The peripheral wall has a first open end extending to a second open end. The first open end is in contact with the first metal workpiece defining a first weld portion thereon. The second open end is in contact with the second metal workpiece defining a second weld portion thereon. The system further comprises a first electrode configured to contact the first metal workpiece to heat the peripheral wall at the first weld portion and join the first metal workpiece with the first open end of the peripheral wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Huaxin Li, MingFeng Shi, Jatinder Paul Singh, Dale A. Gerard
  • Patent number: 11473456
    Abstract: A cylinder head valve seat of an automobile vehicle includes a valve seat having a valve seat surface integrally joined to an engagement end. The engagement end includes multiple materials extending through a cross section of the engagement end. The multiple materials include: a first material having a first thermal conductivity; and a second material having a second thermal conductivity higher than the thermal conductivity of the first material, wherein the first material transitions into the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Qigui Wang, Devin R. Hess, Jeffrey Harris, Herbert W. Doty, Dale A. Gerard
  • Patent number: 11447850
    Abstract: A wear-resistant component includes a substrate formed from a metal, defining a bore, and having a bore surface. The substrate includes a first region having a first microstructure adjacent the bore surface and a first average particle size. The substrate also includes a second region having a second microstructure adjacent the first microstructure and a second average particle size. The first average particle size is larger than the second average particle size. A system and a method of forming the wear-resistant coating are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhe Li, Wenying Yang, Qigui Wang, Dale A. Gerard
  • Patent number: 11440134
    Abstract: A component, which may be an automotive chassis structure, includes first and second sub-part main bodies. The first sub-part main body is formed of a first material, and the second sub-part main body is formed of a second material. The first material is a steel alloy, and the second material is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A transition layer is attached to and contacts the first sub-part main body. The transition layer is formed of a third material, where the third material contains at least a majority of copper. A mixed layer is disposed between the transition layer and the second sub-part main body, and the mixed layer is formed of a mixture of the second material and the third material. A disclosed method includes forming the component by friction stir welding the transition layer to the second sub-part main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Huaxin Li, Dale A. Gerard, Adam G. Kotlarek
  • Patent number: 11373802
    Abstract: A magnet and a method of forming the magnet are provided. The method includes forming a slurry comprising magnetic powder material and binder material and creating raw layers from the slurry. A magnetic field is applied to the raw layers to orient the magnetic powder material in a desired direction, and each layer is cured to form another layer on the most recent cured layer. The layers are attached together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yucong Wang, Dale A. Gerard
  • Patent number: 11364568
    Abstract: A method of joining two ferrous alloy component parts. The method includes hot metal casting a portion of a first ferrous alloy component part onto a first joining surface of a low carbon intermediate element; friction fitting a joining surface of a second ferrous alloy component part against a second joining surface of the low carbon intermediate element; and fusion welding with a concentrated energy source the intermediate element to the second ferrous alloy component part. The hot metal casting includes flowing a molten ferrous alloy onto the textured first joining surface, wherein the molten ally encompasses tabs extending from the first joining surface and filling apertures defined in the intermediate element. Then cooling the molten ferrous alloy such that a metallurgical and mechanical bond is formed between the portion of the first ferrous alloy component part and the first joining surface of the low carbon intermediate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Huaxin Li, Liang Wang, Dale A Gerard
  • Publication number: 20220170138
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy is disclosed that is suitable for casting and additive manufacturing processes. The aluminum alloy may be used in the casting and additive manufacturing of engine blocks and/or cylinder heads of modern internal combustion engines. The aluminum alloy exhibits improved ductility and fatigue properties suitable for elevated operating temperatures from about 250° C. to 350° C. The alloy includes about, by weight, 4-10% Copper (Cu), 0.1-1.0% Manganese (Mn), 0.2 to 5% Magnesium (Mg), 0.01-1.0% Cerium (Ce), 0.01-2% Nickel (Ni), 0.01-0.8% Chromium (Cr), 0.01-1.0% Zirconium (Zr); 0.01-1.0% Vanadium (V), 0.01-0.3% Cobalt (Co), 0.01-1.0% Titanium (Ti), 1-200 ppm Boron (B), 1-200 ppm Strontium (Sr), 0.5% max Iron (Fe), 0.1% max other trace elements, and balance of aluminum (Al).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Qigui Wang, Dale A. Gerard, Devin R. Hess, Herbert W. Doty, Daniel J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11326485
    Abstract: A cylinder head having a cast-in-place valve seat for an automobile vehicle includes a valve seat having an inner wall. At least one retaining feature integrally and homogeneously extends from the inner wall. The valve seat when positioned into a casting mold has the at least one retaining feature assisting in retaining the valve seat in the casting mold. A metal in a molten form is received in the casting mold. A cast component formed after cooling of the metal has the valve seat cast-in-place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Devin R. Hess, Qigui Wang, Thomas W. Gustafson, Dale A. Gerard