Patents by Inventor STEPHEN G. HEIEN

STEPHEN G. HEIEN 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: 11005326
    Abstract: An electric drive unit for powering a load, e.g., road wheels of a motor vehicle, includes a housing having a floor section separating the housing into upper and lower chambers. The floor section defines an elongated drain opening, drain holes, and an oil supply port in fluid communication with an oil pump. A rotary electric machine is enclosed within the lower chamber, and has electrical leads positioned directly below the drain opening. A cover assembly is fastened to the housing within the upper chamber, and has a coolant channel assembly integrally connected to a cover plate. The coolant channel assembly includes electrical terminals that project through the drain opening and are fastened at a first distal end of the electrical terminals to the electrical leads. The cover assembly defines a primary coolant channel in fluid communication with the oil supply port, and directs oil to the electrical terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stephen G. Heien, John A. Diemer
  • Publication number: 20210013764
    Abstract: An electric drive unit for powering a load, e.g., road wheels of a motor vehicle, includes a housing having a floor section separating the housing into upper and lower chambers. The floor section defines an elongated drain opening, drain holes, and an oil supply port in fluid communication with an oil pump. A rotary electric machine is enclosed within the lower chamber, and has electrical leads positioned directly below the drain opening. A cover assembly is fastened to the housing within the upper chamber, and has a coolant channel assembly integrally connected to a cover plate. The coolant channel assembly includes electrical terminals that project through the drain opening and are fastened at a first distal end of the electrical terminals to the electrical leads. The cover assembly defines a primary coolant channel in fluid communication with the oil supply port, and directs oil to the electrical terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen G. Heien, John A. Diemer
  • Patent number: 10005366
    Abstract: A system includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) having an enclosure, battery cells, contactors, a first pair of high-voltage interlock (HVIL) ports, and female blind-mate electrical sockets selectively connected to the battery cells via the contactors. The battery cells and contactors are within the RESS enclosure. The system includes a high-power distribution module (HPDM) having another enclosure, male blind-mate electrical pins, a second pair of HVIL ports engagable with the first pair, ring-terminal connections connected to the blind-mate electrical pins and connectable to high-current components, and HV280 electrical connectors electrically connected to one or more of the male blind-mate electrical pins. The male blind-mate electrical pins insert directly into and engage with the female blind-mate electrical sockets of the RESS enclosure. A vehicle includes the system, a transmission, and an electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Brendan M. Conlon, Leo F. Schwab, Alexander M. Bilinski, Stephen G. Heien
  • Publication number: 20180154783
    Abstract: A system includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) having an enclosure, battery cells, contactors, a first pair of high-voltage interlock (HVIL) ports, and female blind-mate electrical sockets selectively connected to the battery cells via the contactors. The battery cells and contactors are within the RESS enclosure. The system includes a high-power distribution module (HPDM) having another enclosure, male blind-mate electrical pins, a second pair of HVIL ports engagable with the first pair, ring-terminal connections connected to the blind-mate electrical pins and connectable to high-current components, and HV280 electrical connectors electrically connected to one or more of the male blind-mate electrical pins. The male blind-mate electrical pins insert directly into and engage with the female blind-mate electrical sockets of the RESS enclosure. A vehicle includes the system, a transmission, and an electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Brendan M. Conlon, Leo F. Schwab, Alexander M. Bilinski, Stephen G. Heien
  • Publication number: 20170149166
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for attachment to a case includes a plurality of terminals, a carrier, and a single body seal. The terminals extend into a connector hole defined by the case and the carrier mates the terminals to the case. The carrier has a unibody formed as one-piece, with a sealing groove defined in the unibody. A plurality of terminal holes correspond to the terminals and extend through the unibody. The single body seal is compressed between the unibody of the carrier and a mating surface defined by the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Margarita Montes Mann, Stephen G. Heien, Paul Buchholz
  • Patent number: 8598455
    Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for protecting a terminal of a conductor assembly with an open face and a closed face. The protection assembly includes a housing configured to at least partially cover the open face; and a strap coupled to the housing and configured to extend around the closed face such that the housing is detachably secured to the terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stephen G. Heien, Jimmy M. Chang
  • Patent number: 8523576
    Abstract: A connector is provided for coupling an electric motor of a vehicle to a power source. The connector comprises electrode and a connector housing receiving at least a portion of the electrode. The connector housing is configured to snap-fit into a powertrain housing of the vehicle via compliant flanges. In this way, the connector may be coupled to the vehicle powertrain housing without other fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stephen G. Heien, Jimmy M. Chang
  • Publication number: 20130099562
    Abstract: A connector is provided for coupling an electric motor of a vehicle to a power source. The connector comprises electrode and a connector housing receiving at least a portion of the electrode. The connector housing is configured to snap-fit into a powertrain housing of the vehicle via compliant flanges. In this way, the connector may be coupled to the vehicle powertrain housing without other fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: STEPHEN G. HEIEN, JIMMY M. CHANG
  • Publication number: 20110114354
    Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for protecting a terminal of a conductor assembly with an open face and a closed face. The protection assembly includes a housing configured to at least partially cover the open face; and a strap coupled to the housing and configured to extend around the closed face such that the housing is detachably secured to the terminal device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: STEPHEN G. HEIEN, JIMMY M. CHANG