Patents by Inventor Karen F. Sieradski

Karen F. Sieradski 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: 8904618
    Abstract: A method of tensioning park cables of a park brake system includes positioning a tension indicating device between an adjuster and an adjusting nut when the park brake system is disposed in a slack position. The tension indicating device includes an axial spacing length between the adjuster and the adjusting nut that is equal to a desired adjustment distance of the park cables when the park brake system is disposed in the slack position. The adjusting nut is then tightened until the tension indicating device indicates that the park cables include a tension equal to a target tension level of the park cables when the park brake system is disposed in an applied position. The tension indicating device is then removed from between the adjuster and the adjusting nut, thereby introducing slack into the park cables that is equal to the axial length of the tension indicating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robbie D. Cannon, Karen F. Sieradski, Cheryl A. Garrison
  • Patent number: 8833527
    Abstract: A braking system for retarding rotation of a wheel includes a rotor having two opposing rotor sides, wherein the rotor is coupled to the wheel. The braking system also includes a knuckle rotatably coupled to the rotor, a caliper disposed relative to the knuckle, and first and second friction pads. Each friction pad is positioned relative to one of the rotor sides. The friction pads are housed within the caliper, which includes a hydraulic piston positioned to engage one of the friction pads. Movement of the hydraulic piston engages the friction pads with the respective rotor sides to retard the wheel. The braking system also includes a spacer disposed between the caliper and the knuckle and a fastener that fixes the caliper and the spacer to the knuckle. The spacer generates a wedging effect between the caliper and the knuckle when the rotation of the wheel is being retarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Karen F. Sieradski, Tomasz Warzecha, Collin R. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20140020992
    Abstract: A braking system for retarding rotation of a wheel includes a rotor having two opposing rotor sides, wherein the rotor is coupled to the wheel. The braking system also includes a knuckle rotatably coupled to the rotor, a caliper disposed relative to the knuckle, and first and second friction pads. Each friction pad is positioned relative to one of the rotor sides. The friction pads are housed within the caliper, which includes a hydraulic piston positioned to engage one of the friction pads. Movement of the hydraulic piston engages the friction pads with the respective rotor sides to retard the wheel. The braking system also includes a spacer disposed between the caliper and the knuckle and a fastener that fixes the caliper and the spacer to the knuckle. The spacer generates a wedging effect between the caliper and the knuckle when the rotation of the wheel is being retarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Karen F. Sieradski, Tomasz Warzecha, Collin R. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20130291356
    Abstract: A method of tensioning park cables of a park brake system includes positioning a tension indicating device between an adjuster and an adjusting nut when the park brake system is disposed in a slack position. The tension indicating device includes an axial spacing length between the adjuster and the adjusting nut that is equal to a desired adjustment distance of the park cables when the park brake system is disposed in the slack position. The adjusting nut is then tightened until the tension indicating device indicates that the park cables include a tension equal to a target tension level of the park cables when the park brake system is disposed in an applied position. The tension indicating device is then removed from between the adjuster and the adjusting nut, thereby introducing slack into the park cables that is equal to the axial length of the tension indicating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robbie D. Cannon, Karen F. Sieradski, Cheryl A. Garrison