Patents by Inventor Mark T. Riefe

Mark T. Riefe 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).

  • Publication number: 20090071779
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention may include a product including a body portion including a first face and a frictional damping insert overlying the first face of the body portion. The body portion may include a second face overlying the insert. The insert may have a throughhole and a portion of the body portion may extend from the first face through the throughhole and the insert to the second face of the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Omar S. Dessouki, Mohan Sundar, Kevin M. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20090055065
    Abstract: A brake system is provided for minimizing brake pulsation feedback caused by surface variations of a brake system corner component. The brake system includes at least one sensing device configured to measure a pressure pulse caused by the surface variation of a brake system corner component. A controller module is in communication with the at least one sensing device and a hydraulic brake circuit. The controller module is configured to receive an output from the at least one sensing device and to adjust line pressure in the hydraulic brake circuit to substantially minimize brake pulsation feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20080236269
    Abstract: A method for providing an estimate of brake pad thickness. The method employs fusion of sensors, if used, and driver brake modeling to predict the vehicle brake pad life. An algorithm is employed that uses various inputs, such as brake pad friction material properties, brake pad cooling rate, brake temperature, vehicle mass, road grade, weight distribution, brake pressure, brake energy, braking power, etc. to provide the estimation. The method calculates brake work using total work minus losses, such as aerodynamic drag resistance, engine braking and/or braking power as braking torque times velocity divided by rolling resistance to determine the brake rotor and lining temperature. The method then uses the brake temperature to determine the brake pad wear, where the wear is accumulated for each braking event. A brake pad sensor can be included to provide one or more indications of brake pad thickness from which the estimation can be revised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark N. Howell, John P. Whaite, Phanu Amatyakul, Yuen-Kwok Chin, Mutasim A. Salman, Chih-Hung Yen, Mark T. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20080185249
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include products and parts including a frictional damping means and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Schroth, Michael D. Hanna, Richard H. Hammar, Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Mohan Sundar