Patents by Inventor Kevin J. Robinet

Kevin J. Robinet 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: 11791641
    Abstract: A protection system for a high-voltage component includes a switching circuit and a protection controller. The switching circuit changes a variable arrangement of multiple battery packs between a parallel arrangement and a series arrangement. The protection controller commands the switching circuit into the series arrangement in response to a recharging session, commands a current flow in the recharging session, measures a measured voltage between an input node and a floating chassis ground of the high-voltage component, advances a timer while the measured voltage indicates a presence of an improper voltage, and cancels the recharging session in response to the presence of the improper voltage for greater than an exposure time. The recharging session provides a direct-current fast-charging voltage to battery packs in the series arrangement, and is greater than the battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Emil Francu, Li-Pen J. Ho, Kevin J. Robinet
  • Publication number: 20230155400
    Abstract: A protection system for a high-voltage component includes a switching circuit and a protection controller. The switching circuit changes a variable arrangement of multiple battery packs between a parallel arrangement and a series arrangement. The protection controller commands the switching circuit into the series arrangement in response to a recharging session, commands a current flow in the recharging session, measures a measured voltage between an input node and a floating chassis ground of the high-voltage component, advances a timer while the measured voltage indicates a presence of an improper voltage, and cancels the recharging session in response to the presence of the improper voltage for greater than an exposure time. The recharging session provides a direct-current fast-charging voltage to battery packs in the series arrangement, and is greater than the battery voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Emil Francu, Li-Pen J. Ho, Kevin J. Robinet
  • Patent number: 10207699
    Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes a combustion engine configured to output a propulsion torque to satisfy a propulsion demand, and a traction electric machine to generate a supplemental torque to selectively supplement the propulsion torque. The propulsion system also includes a controller programmed to forecast an acceleration demand based on at least one estimation model. The controller is also programmed to issue a command indicative of a required axle torque corresponding to the acceleration demand. The controller is further programmed to engage at least one fuel conservation action in response to the required axle torque being within a first predetermined torque threshold range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Venkata Prasad Atluri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Jin-Woo Lee, Kevin J. Robinet, Sai Rajagopalan, Chen-fang Chang, Michael Livshiz, Patrick J. O'leary
  • Publication number: 20180105158
    Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes a combustion engine configured to output a propulsion torque to satisfy a propulsion demand, and a traction electric machine to generate a supplemental torque to selectively supplement the propulsion torque. The propulsion system also includes a controller programmed to forecast an acceleration demand based on at least one estimation model. The controller is also programmed to issue a command indicative of a required axle torque corresponding to the acceleration demand. The controller is further programmed to engage at least one fuel conservation action in response to the required axle torque being within a first predetermined torque threshold range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Venkata Prasad Atluri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Jin-Woo Lee, Kevin J. Robinet, Sai Rajagopalan, Chen-fang Chang, Michael Livshiz, Patrick J. O'leary
  • Patent number: 9751383
    Abstract: A duct for a vehicle includes an inlet fluidly coupled to an interior of the vehicle and an outlet fluidly coupled to the inlet. A buoyant closure member is disposed between the inlet and the outlet and is movable between an open position permitting flow between the inlet and the outlet and a closed position preventing flow between the inlet and the outlet. The buoyant closure member is normally in the open position and is movable from the open position to the closed position in response to a predetermined volume of water entering the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J Robinet, Paul Netkowski, Randy P Haas
  • Publication number: 20150202944
    Abstract: A duct for a vehicle includes an inlet fluidly coupled to an interior of the vehicle and an outlet fluidly coupled to the inlet. A buoyant closure member is disposed between the inlet and the outlet and is movable between an open position permitting flow between the inlet and the outlet and a closed position preventing flow between the inlet and the outlet. The buoyant closure member is normally in the open position and is movable from the open position to the closed position in response to a predetermined volume of water entering the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin J. Robinet, Paul Netkowski, Randy P. Haas
  • Publication number: 20090008060
    Abstract: A duct for a vehicle includes an inlet fluidly coupled to an interior of the vehicle and an outlet fluidly coupled to the inlet. A buoyant closure member is disposed between the inlet and the outlet and is movable between an open position permitting flow between the inlet and the outlet and a closed position preventing flow between the inlet and the outlet. The buoyant closure member is normally in the open position and is movable from the open position to the closed position in response to a predetermined volume of water entering the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin J. Robinet, Paul D. Netkowski, Randy P. Haas
  • Publication number: 20080295535
    Abstract: A thermal management system for vehicles includes a refrigerant circuit containing at least one evaporator for providing conditioned air to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. A coolant circuit circulates coolant to cool an electric power source and high voltage electronics powered by the electric power source. A heat exchanger communicated with the refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit transfers heat from the coolant to the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin J. Robinet, Paul D. Netkowski, Randy P. Haas, Mark A. Hill