Patents Represented by Law Firm Fraser and Clemens
  • Instrument cluster mask with tell-tales
    Patent number: 8138901
    Abstract: An instrument cluster includes a cluster mask having a tell-tale formed therein, wherein the tell-tale includes an indicia window representing an alert to a user of the instrument cluster; and a light source for emitting light through the indicia window of the tell-tale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Upton Beall Bowden, Robert Bruno Bucciarelli, Royce Duchante Channey
  • Membrane humidifier for a fuel cell
    Patent number: 8137853
    Abstract: A membrane humidifier for a fuel cell with a wet side plate having a plurality of flow channels formed therein and a dry side plate having a plurality of flow channels formed therein, the flow channels of the wet side plate adapted to facilitate a flow of a wet gas therethrough and the flow channels of said dry side plate adapted to facilitate a flow of a dry gas therethrough, wherein a pressure drop in the humidifier is minimized and a humidification of a proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Annette M. Brenner, Hubert A. Gasteiger, Steven G. Goebel, Glenn W. Skala
  • Fuel cell module design for robust pressure measurements in freezing conditions
    Patent number: 8133624
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed including a fuel cell stack and pressure sensors, wherein bypass conduits having flow restriction devices disposed therein are provided for bypassing fluids around the fuel cell stack to militate against the accumulation of moisture in conduits in fluid communication with the pressure sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Darga, Mark T. Schluentz, Steven L. Piedmont
  • Discharge chamber for dual drive scroll compressor
    Patent number: 8128387
    Abstract: A dual drive compressor is disclosed including a discharge chamber having a wall disposed therein forming a plurality of discharge zones within the discharge chamber to attenuate pulsations caused by a fluid received in the compressor and improve a performance of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rance Andrew Stehouwer, Kanwal Bhatia, Michael Gregory Theodore, Nuno Alexandre Guerin
  • Multi-page bookmark
    Patent number: 8127708
    Abstract: A multi-page bookmark is disclosed. The multi-page bookmark includes straps adapted to form loops removably received around the front cover and the rear cover of a book, respectively. The loops are positioned adjacent the binding of the book. A connecting member is disposed between the loops adjacent an upper end of the book. The connecting member spans the book binding and is adapted to have at least one elongate book marking ribbon attached thereto which extend from the connecting member, wrap the upper end of the binding of the book, and may be received between selected pages of the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Leslie Kay Hertzfeld, Angela Michelle Hall
  • Bipolar plate header formed features
    Patent number: 8129075
    Abstract: A fuel cell plate including a first plate having a first header edge defining a first header aperture, the first header edge having a first break and a substantially aligned second plate having a second header edge defining a second header aperture, the second header edge having a second break. The fuel cell plate, well suited for use in a vehicle fuel cell stack, for removing water from a fuel cell stack header is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jon P. Owejan, Jeffrey A. Rock, Steven J. Spencer, Thomas A. Trabold
  • Container having a foamed wall
    Patent number: 8124203
    Abstract: A multi-layer preform having at least one foamed layer suitable for forming a multi-layer blow molded container having at least one foamed layer container is disclosed, the multi-layer container formed by a process comprising the steps of injection molding a polymer melt having a non-reactive gas entrained therein, causing entrained gas cells in the polymer melt to open to form a polymer preform having an open cell foam layer, cooling the preform to a temperature below the polymer softening temperature, reheating the preform to a temperature greater than the polymer softening temperature, and blow molding the preform in a second mold, to prepare the container. At least one layer of the container may be blended with an oxygen and/or carbon dioxide barrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Plastic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank E. Semersky, William D. Voyles
  • Floor mat clip assembly
    Patent number: 8122567
    Abstract: A floor mat clip assembly adapted to attach a floor mat to the interior carpet of a vehicle is disclosed. The clip assembly includes a floor clip attached to the carpet and a mat clip attached to the floor mat. The floor clip includes a base member and a top member having a locking member rotatably attached thereto. The base and top member of the floor clip are adapted to cut through the carpet and interlock to sandwich the carpet therebetween. The mat clip includes a top member and a base member, each having an aperture and adapted to interlock to sandwich the mat therebetween. The mat can then be positioned to insert the locking member of the floor clip through the aperture of the mat clip. A subsequent rotation of the locking member locks together the respective clips to secure the floor mat to the interior carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Mark A. Connor, Jr.
  • Light control system with PWM duty cycle control using current signal feedback
    Patent number: 8120273
    Abstract: A light control system having a light emitting device to produce a pre-determined light output is disclosed. The light control system includes a power circuit in electrical communication with the light emitting device for transmitting an electrical current to the light emitting device for controlling the light output, a timing circuit in electrical communication with the power circuit, wherein the timing circuit generates a pre-determined timing sequence and regulates a duty cycle of the power circuit in response to the timing sequence, and a feedback circuit in communication with the light emitting devices and the timing circuit, wherein the feedback circuit is adapted to monitor an electrical characteristic of the light emitting devices and control the timing sequence of the timing circuit in response to the electrical characteristics of the light emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Edwards
  • Automatic bandwidth control with high-deviation detection
    Patent number: 8116713
    Abstract: A signal processing system and methods for controlling a bandwidth of the signal processing system are disclosed. One method includes the steps of detecting a presence of an adjacent signal on at one adjacent channel relative to a desired channel, detecting a modulation characteristic of the desired channel, measuring a signal strength on the at least one adjacent channel, measuring a signal strength on the desired channel, and adjusting a bandwidth filter applied to the desired channel in response to the measurements and detection steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: J. William Whikehart, Robert Kelly Cadena
  • Method of optimizing the weight of a counterweight of an elevator system and elevator system with a counterweight of that kind
    Patent number: 8109369
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a car with an empty weight MK, which car can move a rated load MLmax, a counterweight, which is coupled with the car by a support device so that it rises when the car lowers and lowers when the car rises, as well as a drive device which can apply a maximum traction force MFmax to the support means. According to the present invention the drive device is selected in such a manner that the maximum traction force MFmax is at least greater than half the rated load MLmax (MFmax>0.5×MLmax) and the weight MG of the counterweight is optimized in such a manner that it is substantially equal to the empty weight MK and the difference between the rated load MLmax of the car and the maximum traction force MFmax of the selected drive device (MG?MK+(MLmax?MFmax)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Daniel Fischer
  • Counterweight and suspension for an elevator without an engine room
    Patent number: 8109367
    Abstract: In an elevator, with an elevator car, a counterweight, a drive unit arranged below the counterweight and provided with a drive pulley, and an elevator support device, which is guided over the drive pulley and at least one deflecting pulley and which supports and moves the elevator car and the counterweight in opposite directions, at least one run of the support device, which leads to the drive pulley, is led through a cut-out in the counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Ernst Ach
  • Block fitting and seal structure
    Patent number: 8104773
    Abstract: An air conditioner system fitting is disclosed including a first seal portion with a metal material adapted to provide a primary scat, and a second seal portion attached to a free edge of said first seal portion and adapted to provide a secondary seal, wherein the fitting militates against leakage during operation of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Georg Schroeder, Joseph Nader
  • Humidity sensing device for use in fuel cell systems
    Patent number: 8105720
    Abstract: A humidity sensing device for measuring a humidity of a reactant stream in a fuel cell system is provided. The humidity sensing device includes a humidity sensor coupled to a sensor housing. The sensor housing is adapted to selectively move the humidity sensor to an operating position and to a non-operating position in the fuel cell system. A fuel cell system and a method employing the humidity sensing device in the fuel cell system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Christian Koenig, Ulrich Dumke, Rocco Schoene
  • Adaptive compressor surge control in a fuel cell system
    Patent number: 8101308
    Abstract: A fuel cell system having an adaptable compressor map and method for optimizing the adaptable compressor map is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing an initial operating setpoint for an air compressor based on the adaptable compressor map; monitoring a surge indicator; adjusting the adaptable compressor map based on the monitored surge indicator; determining a desired operating setpoint based on the adjusted adaptable compressor map; and establishing an adapted operating setpoint for the air compressor based on the adaptable compressor map following the adjustment thereof. The steps are repeated until the adaptable compressor map for the air compressor is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Matthew C Kirklin
  • Constant channel cross-section in a PEMFC outlet
    Patent number: 8101322
    Abstract: A plate for a fuel cell is disclosed, wherein an inlet aperture is disposed at a first end of the plate and an outlet aperture is disposed at a second end of the plate. The plate includes a first side and a second side. The first side of the plate has a flow field formed therein between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture, the flow field having a plurality of flow channels formed therein, the plurality of flow channels in communication with a plurality of outlet ports formed in the plate. The second side of the plate has a plurality of drainage channels formed therein adjacent the outlet aperture, the plurality of drainage channels in fluid communication with the outlet ports and the outlet aperture, wherein a cross-sectional area occupied by each of the plurality of flow channels is substantially equal to a cross-sectional area occupied by each of the plurality of drainage channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jon P. Owejan, Thomas W. Tighe, Thomas A. Trabold
  • Cryogenic storage tank with thermal shield
    Patent number: 8100284
    Abstract: A cryogenic fluid storage tank having an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit, and a thermal shield in thermal contact with the inner vessel is disclosed, wherein the thermal shield is adapted to militate against heat transfer from the atmosphere to a cryogenic fluid by the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Opertions LLC
    Inventors: Harald Schlag, Rainer Immel
  • Hose coupling
    Patent number: 8096588
    Abstract: A hose coupling utilizing a main hollow body and an expandable inner sleeve and an intermediate end of a hose which is securely held in place upon radially outward expansion of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Winzeler Stamping Company
    Inventor: Michael D. Winzeler
  • Fluorescent lampholder
    Patent number: D652979
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Allied Moulded Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg E. Laukhuf, Shanguo Wu
  • Pet waste disposal system
    Patent number: D654647
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hueter Toledo, Inc.
    Inventor: Carey B. Stiles