Patents by Inventor Michael G. Carpenter
Michael G. Carpenter 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: 10427675Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for actuating a clutch of a manual transmission of a vehicle comprising. An automatic emergency braking (AEB) system is configured to automatically initiate an AEB event and a brake controller is configured to automatically actuate a braking system of the vehicle. A powertrain controller in is configured to monitor vehicle parameters and determine when an engine of the vehicle is nearing stall. A clutch control module is configured to actuate a clutch hydraulic master cylinder and actuate the clutch. A vehicle sensor network is configured to detect objects surrounding the vehicle. The AEB system is configured to initiate the AEB event based on detected objects surrounding the vehicle and, when the AEB event is initiated, instruct the brake controller to automatically actuate the braking system and instruct the clutch control module to actuate the clutch when the vehicle is nearing stall.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michael G. Carpenter, Chad T. Zagorski
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Patent number: 10196063Abstract: Vehicles, systems, and methods for shifting a manual transmission into neutral during autonomous braking are provided. An exemplary system for shifting a vehicle into neutral during autonomous braking includes a manual transmission for transferring power from an engine to a differential using gears manually selected by a gear selector. Also, the system includes an actuator mounted to the vehicle and to the gear selector. Further, the system includes a controller coupled to the actuator and configured to direct the actuator to force the gear selector into neutral during an autonomous braking event.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Chad T. Zagorski, Michael G. Carpenter
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Publication number: 20180362029Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for actuating a clutch of a manual transmission of a vehicle comprising. An automatic emergency braking (AEB) system is configured to automatically initiate an AEB event and a brake controller is configured to automatically actuate a braking system of the vehicle. A powertrain controller in is configured to monitor vehicle parameters and determine when an engine of the vehicle is nearing stall. A clutch control module is configured to actuate a clutch hydraulic master cylinder and actuate the clutch. A vehicle sensor network is configured to detect objects surrounding the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: MICHAEL G. CARPENTER, CHAD T. ZAGORSKI
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Publication number: 20180362045Abstract: Vehicles, systems, and methods for shifting a manual transmission into neutral during autonomous braking are provided. An exemplary system for shifting a vehicle into neutral during autonomous braking includes a manual transmission for transferring power from an engine to a differential using gears manually selected by a gear selector. Also, the system includes an actuator mounted to the vehicle and to the gear selector. Further, the system includes a controller coupled to the actuator and configured to direct the actuator to force the gear selector into neutral during an autonomous braking event.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: CHAD T. ZAGORSKI, MICHAEL G. CARPENTER
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Patent number: 10055993Abstract: A control system and method of controlling a mobile platform safety system is provided. User input including a modification to a predefined alert response associated with the mobile platform safety system is received, the modification being associated with a geographic location. The pre-defined response, the user modification, and global positioning system (GPS) data are processed to generate therefrom a location specific personalized alert response for the mobile platform safety system.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Raymond J. Kiefer, Michael G. Carpenter, Michael A. Wuergler
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Publication number: 20180053419Abstract: A control system and method of controlling a mobile platform safety system is provided. User input including a modification to a predefined alert response associated with the mobile platform safety system is received, the modification being associated with a geographic location. The pre-defined response, the user modification, and global positioning system (GPS) data are processed to generate therefrom a location specific personalized alert response for the mobile platform safety system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: RAYMOND J. KIEFER, MICHAEL G. CARPENTER, MICHAEL A. WUERGLER
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Patent number: 8894142Abstract: An active headrest adapted for use with a rear seat, including a translatable, conformable, or otherwise reconfigurable shell, an active material actuator disposed within and drivenly coupled to the shell, and preferably including a linkage system fixedly coupled to the seat and/or shell, wherein the actuator is operable to cause the headrest to achieve one of a plurality of achievable positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Rainer A. Glaser, James Y. Khoury, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger, Jennifer P. Lawall
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Patent number: 8408645Abstract: An active head restraint for supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, wherein the actuator further includes a spring-biased bar linkage system pivotally coupled to the shell, a radial ratcheting sector coupled to the linkage system, a pawl selectively engaging the sector, and a solenoid drivenly coupled to the pawl, and configured, when activated, to cause the pawl to disengage the sector.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Leigh A. Berger, Michael G. Carpenter, Dale M. Drew, Michael E Kilpinen, Clayton J Hayes, James A Smith
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Patent number: 8109567Abstract: An active headrest for selectively supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, including a bar linkage system drivenly coupled to the shell, so as to adjust the distance or engagement between the shell and head when displaced, and an active material element drivenly coupled to the system, so as to cause or enable the displacement of the system, and preferably further including a ratchet sector/pawl and latch cooperating to present plural achievable deployment positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger, Dale M. Drew, Michael E Kilpinen, Clayton J Hayes, James A Smith
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Publication number: 20120001461Abstract: An active headrest adapted for use with a rear seat, including a translatable, conformable, or otherwise reconfigurable shell, an active material actuator disposed within and drivenly coupled to the shell, and preferably including a linkage system fixedly coupled to the seat and/or shell, wherein the actuator is operable to cause the headrest to achieve one of a plurality of achievable positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Rainer A. Glaser, James Y. Khoury, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger, Jennifer P. Lawall
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Patent number: 7883148Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a support member and a deployable member selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. At least a portion of the deployable member is farther from the support member in the deployed than in the retracted position. A latch system is configured to releasably retain the deployable member in its retracted position. An active material member is actuatable to release the latch system, to release the deployable member.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, James Y. Khoury, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger
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Publication number: 20100314918Abstract: An active head restraint for supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, wherein the actuator further includes a spring-biased bar linkage system pivotally coupled to the shell, a radial ratcheting sector coupled to the linkage system, a pawl selectively engaging the sector, and a solenoid drivenly coupled to the pawl, and configured, when activated, to cause the pawl to disengage the sector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Leigh A. Berger, Michael G. Carpenter, Dale M. Drew, Michael E. Kilpinen, Clayton J. Hayes, James A. Smith
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Publication number: 20100140987Abstract: An active headrest for selectively supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, including a bar linkage system drivenly coupled to the shell, so as to adjust the distance or engagement between the shell and head when displaced, and an active material element drivenly coupled to the system, so as to cause or enable the displacement of the system, and preferably further including a ratchet sector/pawl and latch cooperating to present plural achievable deployment positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger, Dale M. Drew, Michael E. Kilpinen, Clayton J. Hayes, James A. Smith
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Patent number: 7556313Abstract: A headrest assembly for a seat includes a body portion having at least one padded surface positioned in substantial alignment with a seated occupant's head; and an active material in operative communication with the at least one padded surface of the body portion, the active material being operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein a space between the occupant's head and the at least one padded surface decreases with the change in the at least one attribute of the active material.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, James Y. Khoury, Paul W. Alexander, Michael G. Carpenter
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Publication number: 20080252113Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a support member and a deployable member selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. At least a portion of the deployable member is farther from the support member in the deployed than in the retracted position. A latch system is configured to releasably retain the deployable member in its retracted position. An active material member is actuatable to release the latch system, to release the deployable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, James Y. Khoury, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger