Patents by Inventor Jeffrey R. Nowicki

Jeffrey R. Nowicki 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: 11499350
    Abstract: A system is used to control access into a vehicle having a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a vehicle exterior, and an access opening. The vehicle also has an access door for selectively covering and uncovering at least a portion of the access opening. The system includes a latch configured to selectively fasten the door to the vehicle body and release the door therefrom. The system also includes a cable configured to operate the latch and thereby release the door from the vehicle body. The system additionally includes a door presenter configured to shift the door away from the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to sequentially actuate the cable and the door presenter. The system further includes an electric motor configured to power the mechanism such that the door is shifted away from the vehicle body by the door presenter after the door is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Besi Rrumbullaku, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Jeffrey R. Nowicki
  • Patent number: 11319733
    Abstract: An electronic door latching assembly for a side door of a vehicle is disclosed and includes a retaining member and an actuator. The actuator is operably connected to the retaining member and moves the retaining member between a primary position and an unlatched position. The electronic door latching assembly also includes a control module in electrical communication with the actuator. The control module executes instructions to: receive as input a power signal indicating that a loss of electrical power in the vehicle is imminent. After receiving the power signal, the control module receives a door open signal indicating that a door of the vehicle is being opened. In response to receiving the door open signal, the control module commands the actuator to rotate the retaining member from the unlatched position to the primary position where the side door is unable to latch shut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scheuer, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Jeffrey R. Nowicki
  • Publication number: 20200263456
    Abstract: A system is used to control access into a vehicle having a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a vehicle exterior, and an access opening. The vehicle also has an access door for selectively covering and uncovering at least a portion of the access opening. The system includes a latch configured to selectively fasten the door to the vehicle body and release the door therefrom. The system also includes a cable configured to operate the latch and thereby release the door from the vehicle body. The system additionally includes a door presenter configured to shift the door away from the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to sequentially actuate the cable and the door presenter. The system further includes an electric motor configured to power the mechanism such that the door is shifted away from the vehicle body by the door presenter after the door is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Besi Rrumbullaku, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Jeffrey R. Nowicki
  • Publication number: 20200248490
    Abstract: An electronic door latching assembly for a side door of a vehicle is disclosed and includes a retaining member and an actuator. The actuator is operably connected to the retaining member and moves the retaining member between a primary position and an unlatched position. The electronic door latching assembly also includes a control module in electrical communication with the actuator. The control module executes instructions to: receive as input a power signal indicating that a loss of electrical power in the vehicle is imminent. After receiving the power signal, the control module receives a door open signal indicating that a door of the vehicle is being opened. In response to receiving the door open signal, the control module commands the actuator to rotate the retaining member from the unlatched position to the primary position where the side door is unable to latch shut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scheuer, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Jeffrey R. Nowicki
  • Patent number: 10577840
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure arranged relative a closure frame to selectively cover an opening to the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among a plurality of positions including open and closed positions, and a first sensor configured to detect motion of the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes a latch assembly with an engaged state to retain the closure in the closed position and a disengaged state to permit the closure to move among the plurality of positions. A second sensor is configured to detect the engaged or disengaged state of the latch assembly. The vehicle further includes a controller which is configured to, in response to the first sensor detecting motion of the closure among the plurality of positions and the second sensor detecting the latch assembly in the engaged state, provide a diagnostic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Besi Rrumbullaku, Jeffrey R. Nowicki, Alexandre F. Volpato, Thiago Laserra Lima, James C. O'Kane
  • Patent number: 10502786
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a switch detection system with a hardware controller having a power supply configured to generate a supply voltage. A first switch assembly includes an input terminal configured to receive the supply voltage. The first switch assembly includes a first switch configured to operate in a first plurality of switch states. A second switch assembly is connected in series with the first switch assembly and includes an output terminal connected to a voltage reference point. The second switch assembly includes a second switch configured to operate in a second plurality of switch states. Based on a voltage potential across the input terminal and the output terminal, the hardware controller determines the first plurality of switch states independently from the second plurality of switch states, and determines the second plurality of switch states independently from the first plurality of switch states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Nowicki, Wade G. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190024419
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a closure arranged relative a closure frame to selectively cover an opening to the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an actuator configured to move the closure among a plurality of positions including open and closed positions, and a first sensor configured to detect motion of the closure among the plurality of positions. The vehicle additionally includes a latch assembly with an engaged state to retain the closure in the closed position and a disengaged state to permit the closure to move among the plurality of positions. A second sensor is configured to detect the engaged or disengaged state of the latch assembly. The vehicle further includes a controller which is configured to, in response to the first sensor detecting motion of the closure among the plurality of positions and the second sensor detecting the latch assembly in the engaged state, provide a diagnostic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Besi Rrumbullaku, Jeffrey R. Nowicki, Alexandre F. Volpato, Thiago Laserra Lima, James C. O'Kane
  • Publication number: 20180143250
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a switch detection system with a hardware controller having a power supply configured to generate a supply voltage. A first switch assembly includes an input terminal configured to receive the supply voltage. The first switch assembly includes a first switch configured to operate in a first plurality of switch states. A second switch assembly is connected in series with the first switch assembly and includes an output terminal connected to a voltage reference point. The second switch assembly includes a second switch configured to operate in a second plurality of switch states. Based on a voltage potential across the input terminal and the output terminal, the hardware controller determines the first plurality of switch states independently from the second plurality of switch states, and determines the second plurality of switch states independently from the first plurality of switch states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Nowicki, Wade G. Johnson