Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Brouns

Daniel R. Brouns 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: 10160342
    Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting a battery current limit in a system having a battery pack includes determining a battery pack current as a charge current flowing into or a discharge current flowing from the battery pack, and also calculating a time-windowed average current for each of the charge current, the discharge current, and an RMS current of the battery pack. The battery current limit may be dynamically adjusted when any or all of the calculated time-windowed averages exceeds a corresponding calibrated control threshold. The battery current limit is a window-specific current limit that is greater than the calibrated control threshold and less than a static/fixed current limit for the battery pack. A system includes the battery pack, a sensor operable for measuring a current inflow/outflow to/from the battery pack, and a controller programmed to dynamically adjust the battery current limit using the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Baraszu, Daniel R. Brouns, Patrick E. Frost, Kurt M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9919702
    Abstract: An inverter power module: selectively applies power from a battery to a permanent magnet (PM) electric motor; and selectively provides power output by the PM electric motor for the battery. A switch, when open, prevents power flow the inverter power module from the battery, and, when closed, enables power flow between the inverter power module and the battery. An adjustment module determines an SOC adjustment based on at least one of a vehicle speed and a temperature of the battery. A maximum module receives a first maximum SOC of the battery and that determines a second maximum SOC of the battery based on the first maximum SOC and the SOC adjustment. A clutch control module disengages a clutch, decoupling the PM electric motor from a transmission, when the switch is stuck closed and an SOC of the battery is greater than the second maximum SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Aniket P. Kothari, Brendan M. Conlon, Daniel R. Brouns, Cotrina C. Connolly
  • Publication number: 20170282746
    Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting a battery current limit in a system having a battery pack includes determining a battery pack current as a charge current flowing into or a discharge current flowing from the battery pack, and also calculating a time-windowed average current for each of the charge current, the discharge current, and an RMS current of the battery pack. The battery current limit may be dynamically adjusted when any or all of the calculated time-windowed averages exceeds a corresponding calibrated control threshold. The battery current limit is a window-specific current limit that is greater than the calibrated control threshold and less than a static/fixed current limit for the battery pack. A system includes the battery pack, a sensor operable for measuring a current inflow/outflow to/from the battery pack, and a controller programmed to dynamically adjust the battery current limit using the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Baraszu, Daniel R. Brouns, Patrick E. Frost, Kurt M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5378555
    Abstract: An electric vehicle battery pack including a plurality of batteries ganged together in an underlying tray. The tray preferably has a plurality of pockets therein each for receiving an individual battery. The batteries are interlocked one to the next and held in place in the tray by a housing which bears down on the batteries by means of a resilient spacer positioned between the tops of the batteries and the ceiling of the housing. The pack forms a structural part of the vehicle in which it is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Waters, Brent A. Harris, Ross A. Gresley, William E. Boys, Daniel R. Brouns