Patents by Inventor Kurt Alfred Wellenkotter

Kurt Alfred Wellenkotter 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: 10161276
    Abstract: A method and system for non-uniform catalyst heating for reducing exhaust gas emissions when the catalyst is below a predetermined light off temperature is provided. The method includes providing a catalyst formed of a plurality of electrically conductive subsections and at least one catalyst heating device that is operable to heat at least one of the plurality of electrically conductive subsections of the catalyst to form at least one predetermined non-uniform heating pattern. A heater control module is provided for controlling the operation of the at least one catalyst heating device. If the engine is in a cold start condition, then the heater control module causes the at least one catalyst heating device to heat at least one of the electrically conductive subsections of the catalyst to obtain a first predetermined non-uniform heating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventors: Yong Miao, Steven Felix, Kurt Alfred Wellenkotter
  • Patent number: 9863332
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a switching period module and at least one of a valve lift control module and a start-stop control module. The switching period module determines a switching period that elapses as a valve lift actuator of an engine switches between a first valve lift position and a second valve lift position that is different than the first lift position. The switching period begins when a measured position of the valve lift actuator corresponds to the first lift position and the switching period ends when the measured position of the valve lift actuator corresponds to the second lift position. The valve lift control module controls the valve lift actuator based on the switching period. The start-stop control module determines whether to automatically stop the engine based on the switching period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason T. Davis, Melvin R. Terechenok, Jr., Scott McLane, Sanjeev M. Naik, Kurt Alfred Wellenkotter, Douglas R. Verner, Joseph J. Moon, Kevin Andrew Gady
  • Publication number: 20170362982
    Abstract: A method and system for non-uniform catalyst heating for reducing exhaust gas emissions when the catalyst is below a predetermined light off temperature is provided. The method includes providing a catalyst formed of a plurality of electrically conductive subsections and at least one catalyst heating device that is operable to heat at least one of the plurality of electrically conductive subsections of the catalyst to form at least one predetermined non-uniform heating pattern. A heater control module is provided for controlling the operation of the at least one catalyst heating device. If the engine is in a cold start condition, then the heater control module causes the at least one catalyst heating device to heat at least one of the electrically conductive subsections of the catalyst to obtain a first predetermined non-uniform heating pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Yong Miao, Steven Felix, Kurt Alfred Wellenkotter
  • Publication number: 20160333803
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a switching period module and at least one of a valve lift control module and a start-stop control module. The switching period module determines a switching period that elapses as a valve lift actuator of an engine switches between a first valve lift position and a second valve lift position that is different than the first lift position. The switching period begins when a measured position of the valve lift actuator corresponds to the first lift position and the switching period ends when the measured position of the valve lift actuator corresponds to the second lift position. The valve lift control module controls the valve lift actuator based on the switching period. The start-stop control module determines whether to automatically stop the engine based on the switching period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Jason T. DAVIS, Melvin R. TERECHENOK, JR., Scott MCLANE, Sanjeev M. NAIK, Kurt Alfred WELLENKOTTER, Douglas R. VERNER, Joseph J. MOON, Kevin Andrew GADY
  • Patent number: 9222571
    Abstract: A system for thermally managing a transmission having a transmission heat exchanger, wherein the transmission is coupled to an engine having a block and a head. A closed cooling circuit is provided to flow coolant through the system. A block output valve is provided for receiving coolant exiting the block and having a first outlet in fluid communication with the transmission heat exchanger and a second output connected to a bypass. Thermosensors may also be provided to determine the temperature of the block and the transmission. A system having a controller to thermally manage a transmission is also provided. A method of thermally managing a transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Casie M. Bockenstette, Kurt Alfred Wellenkotter
  • Publication number: 20150080179
    Abstract: A system for thermally managing a transmission having a transmission heat exchanger, wherein the transmission is coupled to an engine having a block and a head. A closed cooling circuit is provided to flow coolant through the system. A block output valve is provided for receiving coolant exiting the block and having a first outlet in fluid communication with the transmission heat exchanger and a second output connected to a bypass. Thermosensors may also be provided to determine the temperature of the block and the transmission. A system having a controller to thermally manage a transmission is also provided. A method of thermally managing a transmission is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Casie M. Bockenstette, Kurt Alfred Wellenkotter
  • Patent number: 8532890
    Abstract: A wheel position determination module determines first and second wheel positions based on first and second signals generated using first and second wheel speed sensors. The first and second wheel speed sensors generate the first and second signals based on rotation of driven wheels of the vehicle, respectively. The wheel position determination module determines third and fourth wheel positions based on third and fourth signals generated using third and fourth wheel speed sensors. The third and fourth wheel speed sensors generate the third and fourth signals based on rotation of other wheels of the vehicle, respectively. A first average determination module determines a first average of the first and second wheel positions. A second average determination module determines a second average of the third and fourth wheel positions. An estimation module selectively generates an estimate of torque at the driven wheels based on the first and second averages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Kurt Alfred Wellenkotter, Dongxu Li
  • Publication number: 20130124056
    Abstract: A wheel position determination module determines first and second wheel positions based on first and second signals generated using first and second wheel speed sensors. The first and second wheel speed sensors generate the first and second signals based on rotation of driven wheels of the vehicle, respectively. The wheel position determination module determines third and fourth wheel positions based on third and fourth signals generated using third and fourth wheel speed sensors. The third and fourth wheel speed sensors generate the third and fourth signals based on rotation of other wheels of the vehicle, respectively. A first average determination module determines a first average of the first and second wheel positions. A second average determination module determines a second average of the third and fourth wheel positions. An estimation module selectively generates an estimate of torque at the driven wheels based on the first and second averages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Alfred Wellenkotter, Dongxu Li