Patents Represented by Attorney George A. Grove
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Patent number: 6305363Abstract: An internal combustion engine fuel system has an air-assist fuel injection system. An air compressor and an ozone generator are positioned upstream of the injector system to supply a pressurized, ozone-enriched air stream to the air-assist fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Edward Daniel Klomp
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Patent number: 6305202Abstract: Superplastic forming equipment and processes featuring a rotatable, low-friction stuffing unit for engagement with a blank sheet of superplastic formable metal to optimize the quantity or amount of material that is drawn onto a forming die for improved part forming. The stuffer is rotatably mounted in a chambered upper tool of the forming equipment and is offset from the forming profile of the lower forming die. The rotatable stuffer physically contacts portions of a blank sheet of heated forming material as the upper tool is lowered and effectively pulls the sheet material into the working area and around portions of the profile of the forming die in an intermediate or preforming phase of forming operation. With increased material in operative position in the die, the wall of the formed part will be intact and meet design specifications.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Richard Murray Kleber
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Patent number: 6302458Abstract: A self-locking telescoping device including an outer tube, an inner tube telescoped into the outer tube having a cone-shaped ramp at an inboard end, and a plurality of metal spheres between the ramp and the outer tube. The metal spheres wedge between the ramp and the outer tube when the inner tube is thrust into the outer tube in a collapse direction thereby locking the tubes together. When the thrust is attributable to a severe impact, the spheres plastically deform the outer tube by plowing tracks therein thereby to absorb energy. The self-locking telescoping device further includes an actuator rod, a driver which translates the actuator in the collapse direction and in an expansion direction, a first clutch which translates the inner tube with the actuator rod in the expansion direction, a second clutch which translates the inner tube with the actuator rod in the collapse direction, and a tubular retainer on the actuator rod having a plurality of closed-ended slots around the metal spheres.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Jenne-Tai Wang, Gary Lee Jones
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Patent number: 6294142Abstract: A hydrogen fuel storage composition is prepared by mixing and reacting, on an atomic proportion basis, one part of an alkali metal selected form the group of lithium, sodium or potassium with eight to 24 parts of carbon under conditions of temperature and pressure such that a fully-reacted alkali metal intercalated graphitic carbon composite is formed. When suitably prepared, such a composite can reversibly absorb ten percent or more of its weight of hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Gholam-Abbas Nazri
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Patent number: 6294784Abstract: A ferroelectric/pyroelectric sensor that employs a technique for determining a charge output of a pyroelectric element of the sensor by measuring the hysteresis loop output of the element several times during a particular time frame for the same temperature. An external AC signal is applied to the pyroelectric element to cause the hysteresis loop output from the element to switch polarization. The frequency of the external AC signal is greater than the frequency of a chopper selectively applying a reference temperature and a scene temperature alternately to the pyroelectric element. Each time the chopper provides the reference temperature or the scene temperature to the element, the alternating external source covers multiple cycles so that the hysteresis loop output is switched multiple times for increased signal averaging.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignees: General Motors Corporation, Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Norman William Schubring, Joseph Vito Mantese, Adolph Louis Micheli, Antonio Buddy Catalan
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Patent number: 6292094Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a backing maneuver of an automotive vehicle and trailer combination in which the vehicle has operator-actuated front wheel steering and microprocessor-actuated, reversible electric motor driven rear wheel steering. For a given initial alignment of vehicle and trailer, the computer-executed method first determines whether the driver needs to pull forward before commencing the backing operation. The driver is then requested to turn the front wheels in a direction suitable for backing the vehicle without a trailer in the desired direction. The process then determines whether the driver needs to perform counter front wheel steering before backing. Then the process controls the steering of the rear wheels during the backing operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Weiwen Deng, Yuen-Kwok Chin, William Chin-Woei Lin, David S. Rule, Yong Han Lee
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Patent number: 6287227Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) has a drive sheave and a driven sheave, each of which has an adjustable portion, that are positioned by hydraulic control pistons. The pistons are pressurized from a control system to properly position each adjustable portion, such that a flexible drive member, trained over the sheaves, operates at the required diameter to establish the desired speed ratio between the drive sheave and the driven sheave. The control has two variable displacement pump assemblies that supply hydraulic fluid at the required pressure to maintain the desired ratio and to effect a ratio change as required by the operating conditions. One of the pumps supplies a primary pressure which is proportional to the torque requirement of the CVT and the other pump supplies the necessary pressure bias to effect the ratio change.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Hamid Vahabzadeh, Norman Kenneth Bucknor
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Patent number: 6279548Abstract: The effectiveness against vapor breakthrough of an adsorbent material (e.g., activated carbon granules) containing canister in an evaporative fuel emission control system is greatly increased by employing a relatively small secondary volume of adsorbent downstream of the vapor vent of the primary adsorbent volume and heating the secondary volume just prior to commencing the flow of purge air back through the two adsorbent volumes to remove adsorbed fuel and carry the purged fuel to the induction system of an associated engine. The secondary volume is heated to a temperature enabling complete purging of hydrocarbons from it and, thus, to greatly increase the capacity of that volume to prevent fuel vapor breakthrough during the subsequent engine-off fuel vapor storage cycle. The secondary volume may be contained in a common canister with the primary volume or in a secondary canister.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Sam Raghuma Reddy
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Patent number: 6282479Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the estimate of vehicle yaw rate in the computer of the brake or traction control system of a vehicle, like a truck or sport utility vehicle, having a relatively high center of gravity and tending to roll during yaw. Yaw is typically estimated by sensing the speed of the non-driven wheels, determining the difference between the wheel velocities and dividing the difference by the track of the wheels. A table of correction factors correlated with vehicle speed is prepared and used to compensate for the effect of roll on yaw rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Youssef Ahmed Ghoneim, David Michael Sidlosky
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Patent number: 6275761Abstract: A method is disclosed for computer-based control of the timing and level of gear shifts in a multi-speed automatic transmission operated in combination with an internal combustion engine and interposed fluid torque converter. The computer containing power control module signals gear shifts in response to its repeated cyclic processing of engine and transmission operation parameters including torque converter slippage. Here, such slippage is estimated using a neural network with suitable such parameters as input data. In preferred modes of operation, different neural networks are available for selection and use by the computer in different modes of engine-transmission operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Thomas L. Ting
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Patent number: 6264763Abstract: A family of die castable, creep-resistant magnesium alloys has been developed for high-temperature structural applications such as automotive engines and transmission cases. These alloys contain between 3% and 6% aluminum, 1.7% and 3.3% calcium, and up to 0.2% strontium. They have demonstrated 25% greater tensile and compressive creep resistance than AE42, a commercial aluminum, rare earth containing magnesium alloy, and corrosion resistance as good as AZ91D. These alloys are estimated to cost less than AZ91D and have good castability in metal molds as used in permanent mold casting and die casting.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Bob Ross Powell, Vadim Rezhets, Aihua A. Luo, Basant Lal Tiwari
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Patent number: 6253588Abstract: A method is disclosed for stretching magnesium-containing aluminum alloy sheet stock into intricate shapes such as are required in automotive body panels. The sheet stock, at a temperature in the range of about 400° C. to about 510° C., is stretched under the pressure of a working gas into conformance with the surface of a forming tool. The sheet forming pressure is increased continually in a controlled manner from ambient pressure to a final forming level in the range of about 250 psi to about 500 psi or higher. A portion of the sheet can experience strain rates substantially higher than 10−3 sec−1 and the forming of the sheet can be completed within 12 minutes.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Moinuddin Sirdar Rashid, Chongmin Kim, Edward Frank Ryntz, Frederick Irvin Saunders, Ravi Verma, Sooho Kim
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Patent number: 6251042Abstract: A hybrid powertrain has a suitable heat engine having rotational output, a multi-speed transmission and a motor/generator (MG). The transmission input or cluster shaft is continuously connected with the MG. One set of ratio gears in the transmission is continuously drivingly connected to an accessory drive. The cluster shaft and a main shaft are selectively interconnected through a plurality of sets of ratio gears that are activated through the selective engagement of synchronizers associated with the ratio gears on the main shaft. The engine is selectively drivingly connected with the cluster shaft through a launch device such as a friction clutch. The output of the transmission, a differential, can be driven by the engine only, by the MG only or by a combination of the engine and the MG.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Richard C. Peterson, William H. Haverdink, Andrew Leslie Bartos
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Patent number: 6234128Abstract: A fuel system has a pump which supplies fuel under pressure to a fuel rail for distribution by fuel injectors to the cylinders of an engine. A fuel accumulator, having a volume greater than the volume of fuel required to start the engine, is disposed in fluid communication with the fuel rail to supply a charge of fuel thereto during engine start-up at a pressure level sufficient to cause fuel atomization within the cylinder. The fuel in the accumulator is stored at the ambient pressure. A spring force or a solenoid force is applied to the fuel in the accumulator such that the fuel is ejected into the fuel rail at the required pressure level. A check valve is positioned to prevent fuel flow from the fuel rail to the pump during the initial discharge from the accumulator. The accumulator is refilled by fuel from the pump during normal operation and the fuel therein is reduced to ambient pressure when the engine operation is discontinued.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2000Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: David L. Reuss
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Patent number: 6227038Abstract: Leakage of engine coolant into the engine lubricating oil can be detected to high sensitivity levels by dissolving a glycol-soluble salt of 86Rb as a tracer in the coolant and detecting the beta or gamma ray radiation from the tracer containing coolant in a suspected leakage path or in the lubricating oil. A useful application of this detection method is in the region of the head gasket (i.e., between the cylinder block and cylinder head) of a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Daniel Hicks Blossfeld, Eric West Schneider, Richard William Gushman
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Patent number: 6213909Abstract: A powertrain has a multi-speed power transmission incorporating two planetary gear sets, four friction mechanisms and a selectively operable mechanical drive connection that are controlled to provide five forward speed ratios, a neutral condition and a reverse speed ratio. The mechanical drive connection is disposed to interconnect two members of the planetary gear sets during forward drive conditions and to connect one of the members with an input shaft during the reverse speed ratio. The mechanical drive connection is disconnected from all members during the neutral condition. Two of the friction mechanisms are clutches, one of which is selectively engageable to interconnect two members of the planetary gear sets, and the other of which is selectively engageable to connect the input shaft with a member of one of the planetary gear sets. The other two friction mechanisms are selectively engageable brakes that are effective to establish reaction members in the planetary gear sets.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Sekhar Raghavan
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Patent number: 6212461Abstract: A process is disclosed for use in a micro-processor managed brake control system that utilizes wheel speed sensors and a brake off/on switch when the system requires information as to whether the vehicle is experiencing hard braking. In accordance with the process, the average deceleration of the undriven wheels is estimated and the slip of each undriven wheel is estimated and the results are compared with predetermined values for these parameters over a suitable test period. At the conclusion of these tests, the data may be used in place of data from a brake pedal position sensor or to confirm the data from such a sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignees: General Motors Corporation, Delphi Technologies Inc.Inventors: Youssef Ahmed Ghoneim, David Michael Sidlosky
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Patent number: 6210156Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequentially heat treating small parts processes the parts individually through a heat treatment process at a predetermined rate, so that each part is heat treated for a predetermined time and all parts are heat treated equally. A plurality of parts on pallets are arranged in a vertical stack in a heat treatment furnace, and parts are sequentially removed and inserted at the ends of the stack at predetermined intervals so that each part progresses from one end of the stack to the other. A vertical guide holds a plurality of parts in a vertical stack. The parts are sequentially removed and inserted at the ends of the stack so that each part progresses from one end of the stack to the other. The stack is lifted to facilitate removing and inserting parts by a slide having movable jaws for gripping and releasing a pallet.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Joseph Paul Horvath, Jr.
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Patent number: 6208146Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the contact resistance at electrode-to-workpiece and workpiece-to-workpiece interfaces for spot welding simulations. A constant compressive load is applied through electrodes and workpieces to simulate a load applied during an actual resistance spot welding process. A discharging current circuit applies an initial high current of the order of 1.2 KA to electrodes and workpieces to break down contaminant films on surfaces of the workpieces. A relatively small constant current of about 2A is then applied to the electrodes and workpieces and the voltage across and the current flow through the electrodes and workpieces are measured. The contact resistance is determined from the measured voltage and current.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Ningjian Huang, Pei-Chung Wang
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Patent number: 6204715Abstract: Circuitry for amplifying a single-ended analog sensor output includes a field effect transistor (FET) having a gate connected to a first end of a capacitor, the second opposite end of which is connectable to the sensor output. The gate of the FET is also connected to a first end of a resistor and to a cathode of a diode. The anode of the diode, the opposite end of the resistor and the drain of the FET are connectable to a ground reference, and the source of the FET defines an amplifier output that is connectable to a constant current source. The capacitor, resistor and diode are operable to bias the FET to thereby prevent clipping of the output signal at the amplifier output. A high-pass filter is also provided at the second end of the capacitor, and a number of diodes are preferably included for providing for amplifier input protection, electrostatic discharge protection and output DC overvoltage protection.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignees: General Motors Corporation, Delphi Technologies Inc.Inventors: Mark C. Sellnau, Raymond A. Tidrow