Patents by Inventor Kevin B. Rober
Kevin B. Rober 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: 11904376Abstract: An energy-dissipating cover for covering a component sensitive to mechanical impulse includes a sheet of selected ferrous or aluminum alloy, the sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer perimeter, an overall area within the outer perimeter and a nominal thickness of no more than 2.5 mm. The sheet is configured for connection with one or more external structures at a plurality of connection points within the outer perimeter, wherein the overall area comprises a plurality of supported areas and at least one unsupported area. Embossments are formed within the at least one unsupported area and extend outward from the bottom surface. The embossments are shaped, sized and arranged so as to limit orthogonal deflection of the sheet from a mechanical impulse directed normal to the bottom surface of the sheet at the plurality of embossments.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Erik B. Golm, Louis G. Hector, Jr., Anil K. Sachdev, Andrew C. Bobel, Kevin B. Rober, Jianfeng Wang
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Patent number: 11575115Abstract: An electrode heat treatment device and associated method for fabricating an electrode are described, and include forming a workpiece, including coating a current collector with a slurry. The workpiece is placed on a first spool, and the first spool including the workpiece is placed in a sealable chamber, wherein the sealable chamber includes the first spool, a heat exchange work space, and a second spool. An inert environment is created in the sealable chamber. The workpiece is subjected to a multi-step continuous heat treatment operation in the inert environment, wherein the multi-step continuous heat treatment operation includes continuously transferring the workpiece through the heat exchange work space between the first spool and the second spool and controlling the heat exchange work space to an elevated temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ion C. Halalay, Kevin B. Rober, Niccolo Jimenez, Michael P. Balogh, Teresa U. Holiness-Stalling, Raghunathan K
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Publication number: 20220039278Abstract: An energy-dissipating cover for covering a component sensitive to mechanical impulse includes a sheet of selected ferrous or aluminum alloy, the sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer perimeter, an overall area within the outer perimeter and a nominal thickness of no more than 2.5 mm. The sheet is configured for connection with one or more external structures at a plurality of connection points within the outer perimeter, wherein the overall area comprises a plurality of supported areas and at least one unsupported area. Embossments are formed within the at least one unsupported area and extend outward from the bottom surface. The embossments are shaped, sized and arranged so as to limit orthogonal deflection of the sheet from a mechanical impulse directed normal to the bottom surface of the sheet at the plurality of embossments.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Erik B. Golm, Louis G. Hector, JR., Anil K. Sachdev, Andrew C. Bobel, Kevin B. Rober, Jianfeng Wang
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Publication number: 20210020899Abstract: An electrode heat treatment device and associated method for fabricating an electrode are described, and include forming a workpiece, including coating a current collector with a slurry. The workpiece is placed on a first spool, and the first spool including the workpiece is placed in a sealable chamber, wherein the sealable chamber includes the first spool, a heat exchange work space, and a second spool. An inert environment is created in the sealable chamber. The workpiece is subjected to a multi-step continuous heat treatment operation in the inert environment, wherein the multi-step continuous heat treatment operation includes continuously transferring the workpiece through the heat exchange work space between the first spool and the second spool and controlling the heat exchange work space to an elevated temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ion C. Halalay, Kevin B. Rober, Niccolo Jimenez, Michael P. Balogh, Teresa U. Holiness-Stalling, Raghunathan K
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Patent number: 10673102Abstract: A device for performing electrochemical analysis of electrochemical cells includes a housing, upper and lower stack holders, and first, second, and third current collectors. The housing includes an inner chamber that can be hermetically sealed and a central axis extending through the inner chamber. The upper and lower stack holders are disposed within the inner chamber and cooperate to define an electrode stack chamber for housing a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a center-mounted reference electrode. The first, second, and third current collectors are at least partially disposed in the inner chamber. The first current collector can be electrically connected to a first side of the negative electrode and an external circuit. The second current collector can be in electrical contact with the positive electrode and the external circuit. The third cylindrical body can be in electrical contact with the center-mounted reference electrode and the external circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Kevin B. Rober, Brian J. Koch, Robert S. Conell
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Patent number: 10481215Abstract: A method and an apparatus for evaluating a battery cell. The battery cell may include a hermetically sealed outer casing, a plurality of electrically conductive components enclosed within the outer casing, an electrically conductive terminal having a proximal end that extends within the outer casing and a distal end that extends in a longitudinal direction relative to the battery cell outside the outer casing, and a solid electrical and mechanical joint formed between one or more of the electrically conductive components and the proximal end of the electrically conductive terminal. Evaluation of the battery cell may include measuring the impedance of the battery cell while applying a longitudinal pulling force or a transverse bending force to the electrically conductive terminal and the solid electrical and mechanical joint.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Wayne Cai, Debejyo Chakraborty, Teresa J. Rinker, Megan E. McGovern, Ryan C. Sekol, Diana M. Wegner, Kevin B. Rober
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Publication number: 20190237822Abstract: A device for performing electrochemical analysis of electrochemical cells includes a housing, upper and lower stack holders, and first, second, and third current collectors. The housing includes an inner chamber that can be hermetically sealed and a central axis extending through the inner chamber. The upper and lower stack holders are disposed within the inner chamber and cooperate to define an electrode stack chamber for housing a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a center-mounted reference electrode. The first, second, and third current collectors are at least partially disposed in the inner chamber. The first current collector can be electrically connected to a first side of the negative electrode and an external circuit. The second current collector can be in electrical contact with the positive electrode and the external circuit. The third cylindrical body can be in electrical contact with the center-mounted reference electrode and the external circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Kevin B. Rober, Brian J. Koch, Robert S. Conell
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Patent number: 10317918Abstract: A thermal bypass valve includes a housing defining a bore along a longitudinal axis and having two inlet ports and two outlet ports; a cap disposed within the bore; a shuttle disposed within the bore and reversibly translatable towards and away from the cap along the longitudinal axis between a first fill position, a cooling position, and a bypass position; and an actuator configured for translating the shuttle along the longitudinal axis between the cooling position and the bypass position. The actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy and is transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a temperature of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC., Dynalloy, Inc.Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Kevin B. Rober, Marco A. Lopes, Nancy L. Johnson, Anthony L. Smith, Nicholas W. Pinto, Richard J. Skurkis, Tyler P. Ownby
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Publication number: 20190064277Abstract: A method and an apparatus for evaluating a battery cell. The battery cell may include a hermetically sealed outer casing, a plurality of electrically conductive components enclosed within the outer casing, an electrically conductive terminal having a proximal end that extends within the outer casing and a distal end that extends in a longitudinal direction relative to the battery cell outside the outer casing, and a solid electrical and mechanical joint formed between one or more of the electrically conductive components and the proximal end of the electrically conductive terminal. Evaluation of the battery cell may include measuring the impedance of the battery cell while applying a longitudinal pulling force or a transverse bending force to the electrically conductive terminal and the solid electrical and mechanical joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Wayne Cai, Debejyo Chakraborty, Teresa J. Rinker, Megan E. McGovern, Ryan C. Sekol, Diana M. Wegner, Kevin B. Rober
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Publication number: 20170344036Abstract: A thermal bypass valve includes a housing defining a bore along a longitudinal axis and having two inlet ports and two outlet ports; a cap disposed within the bore; a shuttle disposed within the bore and reversibly translatable towards and away from the cap along the longitudinal axis between a first fill position, a cooling position, and a bypass position; and an actuator configured for translating the shuttle along the longitudinal axis between the cooling position and the bypass position. The actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy and is transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a temperature of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, DYNALLOY, INC.Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Kevin B. Rober, Marco A. Lopes, Nancy L. Johnson, Anthony L. Smith, Nicholas W. Pinto, Richard J. Skurkis, Tyler P. Ownby
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Patent number: 9358867Abstract: A powertrain system in a hybrid vehicle includes a hydraulic device, a pilot valve, and a regulator valve. The pilot valve is operably connected to the hydraulic device and configured to actuate. The pilot valve includes at least one micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based device. The regulator valve is operably connected to the pilot valve and the hydraulic device. The regulator valve is configured to direct fluid to the hydraulic device based on the actuation of the pilot valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Farzad Samie, Chi-Kuan Kao, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Dongxu Li, Andrew L. Bartos, Kevin B. Rober
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Patent number: 9346345Abstract: A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is opened to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Xiujie Gao, Alan L. Browne, Mark A. Voss, Derek L. Patterson, Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, John N. Owens, Alexander Millerman, Kevin B. Rober, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev M. Naik
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Patent number: 9194490Abstract: A wet dual clutch transmission includes at least one hydraulic component and a pilot valve operably connected to the hydraulic component to actuate the hydraulic component. The pilot valve includes a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based pressure differential actuator valve. The hydraulic component may include but is not limited to a first clutch and a second clutch of the wet dual clutch transmission, a lube regulator valve, an on/off solenoid, a synchronizing shift fork or a line pressure control valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chi-Kuan Kao, Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee, Dongxu Li, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Andrew L. Bartos, Kevin B. Rober
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Patent number: 8935971Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle includes a hydraulically-controlled component and a pilot valve. The pilot valve includes at least one micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) based device. The pilot valve is operably connected to and is configured for actuating the hydraulically-controlled component. The pilot valve additionally includes a regulating valve operably connected to the pilot valve and to the hydraulically-controlled component. The regulating valve is configured to direct fluid to the hydraulically-controlled component when actuated by the pilot valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos, Chunhao J. Lee, Chi-Kuan Kao, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Dongxu Li, Kevin B. Rober
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Patent number: 8936141Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a vehicle includes a hydraulically-controlled component and a pilot valve. The pilot valve includes at least one micro-electrical-mechanical-systems (MEMS) based device. The pilot valve is operably connected to and is configured for actuating the hydraulically-controlled component. The pilot valve additionally includes a regulating valve operably connected to the pilot valve and to the hydraulically-controlled component. The regulating valve is configured to direct fluid to the hydraulically-controlled component when actuated by the pilot valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Farzad Samie, Chi-Kuan Kao, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Chunhao J. Lee, Dongxu Li, Andrew L. Bartos, Kevin B. Rober
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Patent number: 8925699Abstract: A pressure and flow control system includes a hydraulically-controlled component, a pilot valve, and a regulating valve. The pilot valve is configured to produce a pilot signal and includes a first valve, which is a MEMS microvalve. The regulating valve is in fluid communication with the pilot valve, and is configured to receive the pilot signal. The regulating valve is further configured to output a control signal, which controls the hydraulically-controlled component.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dongxu Li, Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Chi-Kuan Kao, Andrew L. Bartos, Kevin B. Rober, Bret M. Olson
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Publication number: 20140349560Abstract: A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is opened to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Xiujie Gao, Alan L. Browne, Mark A. Voss, Derek L. Patterson, Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, John N. Owens, Alexander Millerman, Kevin B. Rober, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev M. Naik
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Patent number: 8887891Abstract: A pressure and flow control system for a dog clutch includes a pilot valve, a regulating valve, and a selector. The pilot valve is configured to produce a pilot signal and includes a first valve, which is a MEMS microvalve. The regulating valve is in fluid communication with the pilot valve, and is configured to receive the pilot signal. The regulating valve is further configured to output a control signal. The selector is configured to engage and disengage the dog clutch in response to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Farzad Samie, Chi-Kuan Kao, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Dongxu Li, Andrew L. Bartos, Kevin B. Rober
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Patent number: 8844702Abstract: A clutch includes a pilot valve, a regulating valve, and a clutch control valve. The pilot valve is configured to produce a pilot signal and includes a first valve, which is a MEMS microvalve. The regulating valve is in fluid communication with the pilot valve, and is configured to receive the pilot signal. The regulating valve is further configured to output a control signal. The clutch control valve is configured to engage and disengage the clutch in response to the control signal. The clutch may be configured as one of a wet clutch and a dry clutch.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Farzad Samie, Chi-Kuan Kao, Dongxu Li, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Andrew L. Bartos, Kevin B. Rober
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Patent number: 8844694Abstract: A dry dual clutch transmission includes at least one hydraulic component and a pilot valve operably connected to the hydraulic component to actuate the hydraulic component. The pilot valve includes a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based pressure differential actuator valve. The hydraulic component may include but is not limited to a first clutch and a second clutch of the dry dual clutch transmission, an on/off solenoid, a line pressure control valve or a synchronizing shift fork.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee, Dongxu Li, Andrew L. Bartos, Chi-Kuan Kao, Kevin B. Rober