Patents by Inventor Donald P. Pfaff

Donald P. Pfaff 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: 7278940
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine with an engine output member and a transmission with two motor/generators and a transmission input member operatively connected to the engine output member. A control unit is configured to selectively cause a device to resist or prevent rotation of the input member in response to the existence of certain conditions, such as the engine not supplying torque to the transmission and the transmission being in reverse operating mode. Resisting or preventing rotation of the input member improves transmission performance when only the motor/generators are supplying torque to propel the vehicle. A corresponding method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony P. Tata, Kyle K. Kinsey, Robert D. Burns, Brendan M. Conlon, Donald P. Pfaff, Mark A. Theobald, Mark A. Damico
  • Patent number: 5386472
    Abstract: A active noise control system having a digital signal processor programmed to function as adaptive digital filter with an output saturation control is described. The programmed adaptive filter has a specified maximum value for its output signal, above which the output signal becomes clipped and a condition commonly known as filter output saturation occurs. According to the described system, the filter output signal value is monitored to detect the occurrence of filter output saturation. When output saturation is detected, the normal adaptation of the filter is modified to reduce the value of the filter output signal to prevent the further occurrence of filter output saturation. Based upon the detection of filter output saturation, a power reference level is established to estimate the maximum average power that the output signal can contain without causing saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald P. Pfaff, Nick S. Kapsokavathis
  • Patent number: 5146505
    Abstract: A method is described for attenuating the amplitudes of multiple harmonic noise components contained within noise generated by an internal combustion engine, based upon the rotation of the engine in its operating cycle. A signal representing selected multiple harmonic noise components is generated from a table of values, based upon the engine rotation. This signal is adaptively filtered to produce a canceling waveform, which is superimposed with the engine noise to attenuate the selected multiple noise harmonics. The method is useful for selecting and attenuating dominant noise harmonics produced at different engine speeds or by different types of engines, and the dominant harmonics of different forms of noise produced by the same engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald P. Pfaff, Nick S. Kapsokavathis, Natalie A. Parks