Patents by Inventor Robert S. Strother

Robert S. Strother 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: 5434487
    Abstract: A power operating system for a vehicle door includes a motor operable to power the door open or closed. When a manual movement of the door a predetermined distance is detected while the motor is inactive, the motor is energized so as to move the door in the direction of the detected movement to complete the manually initiated door movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Long, Robert S. Strother, Bree: Gary D.
  • Patent number: 5396158
    Abstract: A motor driven power door control system for a vehicle door includes a door position sensor that generates a door position signal for each predetermined distance of door movement so that the period of the door position signal is a measure of door speed. The motor control voltage is variably controlled to a controlled value to establish the door speed at a desired speed value. A door position signal period stall time is determined that is a predetermined function of the controlled value of the motor control voltage so that the stall time is adapted to the motor torque. An obstructive load is indicated when the period of the door position signal exceeds the stall time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Long, Robert S. Strother, Gary D. Bree
  • Patent number: 5350986
    Abstract: A motor is controlled to regulate the speed of a vehicle sliding door whose movement and speed are monitored. The motor control voltage is incrementally adjusted in direction to reduce a sensed speed error only if the door has moved a required distance while the door speed has been continuously outside of the desired speed range since the last incremental adjustment to the control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Long, Robert S. Strother, Gary D. Bree
  • Patent number: 5263762
    Abstract: A vehicle such as a van has a sliding door movable between open and closed positions. An electric power source, a door drive switch and electric door drive apparatus are connected in series on the vehicle body to move the door when the switch is closed. Contacts on the vehicle body and door engage as the door nears its closed position; and the door contacts are connected through circuitry, such as an unlatch motor armature, having a first resistance. One of the body contacts is connected to ground and the other is connected, through circuitry including a resistor of greater resistance than the unlatch motor armature, to a junction of the door drive switch and the electric door drive apparatus. An output terminal connected between the resistor and the other body contact provides a signal voltage having different levels depending on engagement of the body and door contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Long, Robert S. Strother, John F. Mitchener, Gary D. Bree