Patents by Inventor John N. Stockbridge
John N. Stockbridge 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).
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Patent number: 8538622Abstract: A redundant position sensing system includes a device having a position between minimum and maximum positions. First and second sensor modules include first and second sensor resistances. A value of one of the first or second sensor resistances increases and a value of the other of the first or second resistances decreases when the device moves from the minimum position to the maximum position. A maximum value of the first sensor resistance ranges between a first maximum value and a second maximum value that is greater than the first maximum value due to a first manufacturing tolerance. A maximum value of the second sensor resistance ranges between a third maximum value and a fourth maximum value that is greater than the third maximum value due to a second manufacturing tolerance. The second maximum value is less than the third maximum value.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, John N. Stockbridge
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Patent number: 8364372Abstract: A hybrid powertrain and a method of controlling a throttle in an engine of the hybrid powertrain are provided. A throttle system has a throttle at an optimal position for the engine to power a first motor/generator when an electric throttle motor is de-energized to minimize current consumption by the throttle motor. The electric throttle motor is energizable to adjust the position of the throttle. A biasing member biases the throttle to a default position when the electric throttle motor is not energized. The hybrid powertrain has a first motor/generator operatively connected to the engine, and a second motor/generator operatively connected to the generator and operable for providing output power. The engine is operable in a predetermined optimal state to provide power to the generator for powering the first motor/generator. The throttle is at a predetermined position when the engine is in the predetermined optimal state.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: James L. Worthing, John N. Stockbridge, Thomas Richard Durkin, Joseph E. Ploucha, Richard B. Jess, Brian D. Essenmacher
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Publication number: 20120029742Abstract: A hybrid powertrain and a method of controlling a throttle in an engine of the hybrid powertrain are provided. A throttle system has a throttle at an optimal position for the engine to power a first motor/generator when an electric throttle motor is de-energized to minimize current consumption by the throttle motor. The electric throttle motor is energizable to adjust the position of the throttle. A biasing member biases the throttle to a default position when the electric throttle motor is not energized. The hybrid powertrain has a first motor/generator operatively connected to the engine, and a second motor/generator operatively connected to the generator and operable for providing output power. The engine is operable in a predetermined optimal state to provide power to the generator for powering the first motor/generator. The throttle is at a predetermined position when the engine is in the predetermined optimal state.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: James L. Worthing, John N. Stockbridge, Thomas Richard Durkin, Joseph E. Ploucha, Richard B. Jess, Brian D. Essenmacher
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Patent number: 8020541Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine comprises an intake manifold having a plurality of intake runners configured to deliver combustion air to the internal combustion engine. An intake manifold positive crankcase ventilation passage is disposed in the intake manifold and is in fluid communication with a source of blow-by gas from the engine. A positive crankcase ventilation distribution channel is formed adjacent to the sealing face of the intake manifold and a modular positive crankcase ventilation distribution conduit assembly is disposed in the positive crankcase ventilation distribution channel and extends from the positive crankcase ventilation passage to the plurality of intake runners for delivery of the blow-by gas thereto.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christopher Paul Nelander, John N. Stockbridge, Todar Kuzmanov
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Patent number: 8004275Abstract: A position sensor arrangement and method for determining the position of a movable device, such as an electronic gear shifter for vehicle. According to one embodiment, the position sensor arrangement is arranged in a skewed or offset fashion, with respect to the shifting pattern of the electronic gear shifter, such that movement of the gear shifter from one discrete position to an adjacent discrete position causes a change in both an x-axis coordinate and a y-axis coordinate.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Orson S. Wang, John N. Stockbridge, Jonathon K. Ho
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Publication number: 20110139098Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine comprises an intake manifold having a plurality of intake runners configured to deliver combustion air to the internal combustion engine. An intake manifold positive crankcase ventilation passage is disposed in the intake manifold and is in fluid communication with a source of blow-by gas from the engine. A positive crankcase ventilation distribution channel is formed adjacent to the sealing face of the intake manifold and a modular positive crankcase ventilation distribution conduit assembly is disposed in the positive crankcase ventilation distribution channel and extends from the positive crankcase ventilation passage to the plurality of intake runners for delivery of the blow-by gas thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christopher Paul Nelander, John N. Stockbridge, Todar Kuzmanov
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Publication number: 20090201013Abstract: A position sensor arrangement and method for determining the position of a movable device, such as an electronic gear shifter for vehicle. According to one embodiment, the position sensor arrangement is arranged in a skewed or offset fashion, with respect to the shifting pattern of the electronic gear shifter, such that movement of the gear shifter from one discrete position to an adjacent discrete position causes a change in both an x-axis coordinate and a y-axis coordinate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Orson S. Wang, John N. Stockbridge, Jonathon K. Ho
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Patent number: 7383120Abstract: A sensor module adjustment circuit includes a device have a position between minimum and maximum positions. First and second position sensors sense the position of the device and generate first and second position values, respectively. A sensor module includes first and second signal conversion modules that generate first and second signal waveforms based on the first and second position values, that include first and second gain modules, and that vary a frequency and a duty cycle, respectively, of the first and second signal waveforms based on the first and second position values. A gain magnitude module determines first and second signal gains of the first and second gain modules, respectively. A signal preset module adjusts the first and second signal gains so that the first and second signal waveforms are equal to first and second predetermined signal waveforms, respectively, when the position of the device is fixed.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: John N. Stockbridge, Kerfegar K. Katrak, Paul A. Bauerle
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Patent number: 7126463Abstract: A control system includes a device having a position between minimum and maximum positions. A first position sensor senses the position of the device and generates a first position value. A second position sensor senses the position of the device and generates a second position value. A sensor module communicates with the first and second position sensors and generates a single signal waveform based on the first and second position values. A frequency of the waveform is varied based on the first position value. A duty cycle of the waveform is varied based on the second position value. A conductor has a first end that communicates with the sensor module and a second end that communicates with a control module. The sensor module transmits the waveform to the control module on the conductor. The control module decodes the waveform to determine the first and second position values.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Kerfegar K. Katrak, John N. Stockbridge
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Patent number: 7082925Abstract: Apparatus are provided for an electronic throttle control (ETC) system having a throttle body assembly. The apparatus includes a throttle actuator, an input circuit receiving sensor signals and having first, second, and third reference voltages, a first throttle position sensor (TPS) connected to the second reference voltage, a second TPS connected to the second reference voltage, a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor connected to the first reference voltage, a manifold airflow (MAF) sensor connected to the third reference voltage, and a processor connected to the input circuit and transmitting a control signal to the throttle actuator based on the sensors, reference voltages, and returns. The ETC system has improved remedial actions responsive to failures of the various sensors, reference voltages, and returns.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, John N. Stockbridge, Mark H. Costin, Robert J. Schaller, Timothy J. Hartrey, James L. Worthing, Paul A. Bauerle, Bruce A. Rogers
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Patent number: 6999870Abstract: A control system includes a device having a position between minimum and maximum positions. First and second position sensors sense the position of the device and generate first and second position values. A sensor module generates a first signal waveform based on the first position value and a second signal waveform based on the second position value. The sensor module varies a frequency of the first signal waveform based on the first position value and a frequency of the second signal waveform based on the second position value. A control module communicates with the sensor module and determines the first and second position values based on the frequencies of the first and second signal waveforms, respectively. The sensor module increases the frequency of the first signal waveform and decreases the frequency of the second signal waveform as the device moves from the minimum position to the maximum position.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Paul A. Bauerle, John N. Stockbridge
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Patent number: 6957140Abstract: A throttle control system for a vehicle includes a driver input that generates a control signal and a control module that generates a throttle control signal based on the control signal. The control module determines whether the throttle control signal is within one of a first and a second region, determines a compensation factor from a first look-up table when the throttle control signal is within the first region and determines the compensation factor from a second look-up table when the throttle control signal is within the second region. The control module calculates a compensated throttle control signal based on the compensation factor.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Joseph M. Stempnik, Kerfegar K. Katrak, Donovan L. Dibble, Alfred E. Spitza, Jr., James L. Worthing, John N. Stockbridge, Edward J. Tully
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Patent number: 6304806Abstract: A control system for maintaining powertrain responsiveness adjusts a throttle progression curve to compensate for different vehicle loads. The control system calculates an actual vehicle acceleration rate based on measured vehicle speed for evaluation of total mass being propelled by the vehicle. The calculated actual vehicle acceleration rate is compared to a target vehicle acceleration rate. A throttle progression curve is adjusted based on the results of the comparison so that a subsequent actual vehicle acceleration rate is closer to the target vehicle acceleration rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Stephen E. Colby, Paul A. Bauerle, John N. Stockbridge