Patents Represented by Attorney Miller IP Group, PLC

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  • Sorting device and method for sorting RFID tags
    Patent number: 7982154
    Abstract: sorting device for RFID tags, comprising a dispensing unit for supplying RFID tags which are applied to a transport belt to a dispensing area, in which the RFID tags are detached from the transport belt; a pick-up unit having a plurality of transport units for respectively picking up the RFID tags in a respective pick-up area onto a corresponding transport belt of the transport units and a positioning device for positioning the dispensing area and a selected pick-up area with respect to one another so that the RFID tags detached from the transport belt in the dispensing area are picked up by the pick-up area of the selected transport unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Muehlbauer AG
    Inventors: Tim Wirsching, Doris Kies, Dieter Bergmann
  • System and method for production system operations timing
    Patent number: 7979293
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for managing operations of a system. The method includes partitioning the system into a plurality of subsystems. The method further includes, for each subsystem, creating an agent to associate with the subsystem, providing to the agent one or more goals for the subsystem, and providing to the agent an overall objective function for the system. The method also includes using an optimization algorithm involving the agents to manage system operation based on the goals and the overall objective function. The system includes an agent module for providing a set of agents associated with the subsystems, a throughput target module for providing a throughput target for each agent, an objective module for providing, for each agent, a common production throughput objective, and a sampled fictitious play module for providing instructions of a sampled fictitious play algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Daniel J. Reaume
  • Driver intention detection algorithm for transmission control
    Patent number: 7976430
    Abstract: A system and method for providing TCC control and/or transmission gear shift control by considering the rate of change of the accelerator pedal or throttle position. The method determines whether the rate of change of the throttle position exceeds a predetermined positive rate of change or a predetermined negative rate of change and, if so, releases the TCC to provide TCC control. Alternatively, or additionally, the method can provide a transmission gear down-shift or up-shift depending on which direction the throttle position is changing. Once the TCC and/or gear shift control has been initiated, the method can start a timer and then return to normal TCC and/or gear shift control after the timer has expired. The TCC and/or gear shift control can also return to normal if the rate of change of the throttle position indicates that the throttle is being returned to its previous position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Paul G. Otanez, Daekyun Kim
  • Reconfigurable robotic end-effectors for material handling
    Patent number: 7971916
    Abstract: A tool module associated with an end-effector for a robot arm that includes both linear and rotational locking mechanisms providing movement in five degrees of freedom. The tool module includes an integrated locking assembly that includes a linear locking mechanism and a rotary locking mechanism that are simultaneously locked and unlocked. The linear locking mechanism locks to a rod and the rotary locking mechanism locks and unlocks a shaft that is rigidly coupled to a swing arm. An opposite end of the swing arm includes another linear locking mechanism that locks and unlocks a shaft supporting a vacuum cup at an opposite end. The vacuum cup is mounted to a ball joint on the shaft that allows the vacuum cup to pivot. By locking and unlocking the locking mechanisms of the tool module, the end-effector can be readily configured to grasp and hold various parts of different dimensions and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yhu-Tin Lin, James W. Wells, Roland J. Menassa
  • Device to control the flow speed of media through a fuel cell stack
    Patent number: 7972746
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack that includes a stack of fuel cells each having a cathode side bipolar plate including parallel cathode gas flow channels. Airflow from a cathode inlet manifold is directed to the flow channels to provide the cathode gas to the fuel cell membrane. The fuel cell stack includes a device positioned within the inlet manifold that selectively blocks a predetermined number of the flow channels for each cell at low load operation to increase the flow rate in the unblocked flow channels, so that the fuel cell stack generates the desired low load output, and the increased flow rate prevents water from accumulating in the unblocked flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Josef Kallo
  • Diffusion media for seal support for improved fuel cell design
    Patent number: 7972741
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack that includes straight cathode flow channels and straight anode flow channels through a seal area between bipolar plates in the stack. The fuel cell stack includes a seal that extends around the active area of the stack and between the stack headers and the active area. At the locations where the cathode flow channels extend through a seal area to the cathode input header and the cathode outlet header, and the anode flow channels extend through a seal area to the anode input header and the anode output header, the diffusion media layer on one side of the membrane is extended to provide the seal load. Alternately, shims can be used to carry the seal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Goebel, Matthew J. Beutel, Jeffrey A. Rock
  • Low voltage power tap on high voltage stack
    Patent number: 7972749
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell stack providing high voltage power. A tap is electrically coupled to the positive end of the stack to provide a positive voltage output terminal of the fuel cell stack, and a tap is electrically coupled to the negative end of the stack to provide a negative output terminal of the fuel cell stack. A low voltage tap is electrically coupled to one or more intermediate bipolar plates of the stack to provide low voltage power. Several intermediate taps can be electrically coupled to the bipolar plates, where a center intermediate tap is designated a reference potential tap. A switching network switches the several voltage potentials to provide an AC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott Dewey, Clark G. Hochgraf, Victor W. Logan, John Wheat, David B Ouwerkerk
  • Electric power steering control
    Patent number: 7973504
    Abstract: A method for improving a failure mode diagnostic of an electric power steering system by overcoming a motor electric lock condition due to position sensor signal corruption or other motor faults. If certain conditions are met, the method determines that the motor is in an electric lock condition, and then reduces a torque current command to the motor so that it is able to be rotated by a vehicle hand-wheel. Once the motor is able to be rotated, then the method determines whether certain conditions have been met to determine whether the position sensor is malfunctioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Scott R. Kloess, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Yat-Chung Tang
  • Automatic estimation of weldgun size using section geometry
    Patent number: 7974733
    Abstract: A method for estimating a plurality of geometrical parameters defining the size of a weld gun that has particular application for automatically selecting a weld gun for a welding operation. The method includes iteratively estimating a plurality of geometric parameters based on part section curves corresponding to a direction of approach of the weld gun to weld point of the plurality of weld points. Thereafter, a set of valid weld gun sizes are calculated based on the estimated plurality of geometric parameters. Similarly all the valid weld gun sizes are calculated corresponding to each of the weld gun approach direction. Further, each set of the valid gun sizes are estimated for each of the weld point for the welding operation. Finally, a weld gun for performing the welding operation is selected based on the set of weld gun sizes corresponding to the welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ashish Gupta, Gopalakrishna Shastry, Narahari K. Hunsur
  • Membrane electrode assembly prepared by direct spray of catalyst to membrane
    Patent number: 7955758
    Abstract: A technique for fabricating an MEA. The technique includes providing a polymer electrolyte proton conducting membrane, and then spraying a catalyst ink directly on the membrane to form a catalyst layer. In one embodiment, the catalyst ink includes the proper ionomer to carbon ratio, such as 0.8/1, for the desired fuel cell performance. In another embodiment, the catalyst ink includes too little ionomer for the proper ionomer to carbon ratio for the desired fuel cell performance. An ionomer layer is sprayed on the membrane before the catalyst layer to provide the proper final ionomer to carbon ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Susan G. Yan, John C. Doyle
  • Adaptive gain scheduled control for current limitation based on voltage performance of a fuel cell system
    Patent number: 7955743
    Abstract: A system and method for limiting the output current of a fuel cell stack as the stack degrades overtime. A look-up table identifies a predetermined voltage set-point for stack current density. A first comparator provides a voltage difference signal between the set-point and the stack voltage. The voltage difference signal is provided to a controller, such as a proportional-integral controller, that provides a current limiting signal. The current limiting signal and a current request signal are provided to a second comparator that selects which signal will be used to limit the maximum output current of the stack. A polarization curve estimator estimates parameters of the stack that will change over the life of the stack. The parameters are provided to a gain scheduler that provides gains to the controller that are based on where in the life of the stack it is currently operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sriram Ganapathy, David A. Arthur, Manish Sinha, John P. Salvador, David R. Savage, Frank X. Leo
  • Fuel cell stack and hydrogen supply including a positive temperature coefficient ceramic heater
    Patent number: 7955740
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs one or more PTC ceramic heaters that do not need to be self-regulated, and thus will not require various control components, such as temperature sensors. The PTC ceramic heaters include a ceramic material that is designed for a particular temperature depending on the particular application. An electrical current is applied to the ceramic heater that generates heat as long as the temperature of the ceramic heater is below the designed temperature. If the ceramic heater reaches the designed temperature, then the resistance of the ceramic material goes up, and the current through the ceramic material goes down, so that the heater does not provide significant heating. Therefore, it does not need to be regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Franz Winter, Stefan Nettesheim
  • Reduction of voltage loss by voltage cycle through the use of specially formed bipolar plates
    Patent number: 7955752
    Abstract: A fuel cell that includes specially configured bipolar plates that separate the reactant gas flow field in an active area of the fuel cell into a primary flow channels and a secondary channels. In one embodiment, the primary flow channels are in use over the entire operating range of the fuel cell and the secondary flow channels are only in use at high cell current outputs. At low power demands, the primary channels operate at a voltage below 0.8 volts and provides a gas current density of more than 0.2 A/cm2. The secondary flow channels have no gas supply and operate at mass transport limited conditions. Because of this design, voltage cycling is significantly reduced or eliminated, thus increasing the life of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Krause, Joerg Roth
  • Controlled electrode overlap architecture for improved MEA durability
    Patent number: 7955750
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane layer, a cathode or anode catalyst layer adjacent to a surface of the membrane layer, an anode or cathode catalyst layer adjacent to an other surface of the membrane layer, an adhesive layer adjacent to the other surface of the membrane layer, wherein the adhesive layer abuts a surface of the anode or cathode catalyst layer, and a subgasket layer having an edge portion, wherein the subgasket layer is adjacent to a surface of the adhesive layer, wherein the cathode catalyst layer and anode catalyst layer extend along a length of the membrane layer relative to the edge portion of the subgasket layer, wherein the cathode or anode catalyst layer extends a greater length along the length of the membrane layer than the anode or cathode catalyst layer relative to the edge portion of the subgasket layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James Leistra, Ronald L. James, David Dobulis
  • GPS-based in-vehicle sensor calibration algorithm
    Patent number: 7957897
    Abstract: A system and method for calibrating the bias and scale factors of a heading rate sensor, such as a yaw-rate sensor, using GPS signals. The system receives wheel speed or rotation signals, a vehicle odometer reading, GPS signals and yaw-rate signals. The system includes a wheel-slip detection processor that determines whether there is wheel-slip based on the wheel speed signals and the GPS signals. The system also includes a wheel-based acceleration processor that estimates vehicle acceleration. The system also includes a differential odometry processor that determines vehicle heading based on wheel speed. The system also includes a GPS reference data validation processor that determines whether the GPS signals are valid using the estimated vehicle acceleration and wheel speeds. The valid GPS signals are then used to calibrate the yaw-rate sensor signals, which can be used for vehicle heading purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Chaminda Basnayake
  • Apparatus and method for testing the reading reliability of smart labels
    Patent number: 7942323
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for testing the reading reliability of smart labels (3), comprising a reader (6), a transport device (2) arranged at a distance from the reader (6) for receiving and transporting the smart labels (3), and a device for adjusting the transmitting power of the reader (6), wherein the reader (6) has a reader antenna (7), the distance (d) of which from the transport device (2) can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventors: Volker Brod, Henrik Bufe
  • Aggressive torque converter clutch slip control design through driveline torsional velocity measurements
    Patent number: 7931561
    Abstract: A system and method for setting the slip of a torque converter for a plurality of selected engine speeds and transmission gears. The method includes populating a table off-line, typically using a dynamometer, with torque converter slips for a plurality of selected engine speeds and transmission gears. A speed sensor is used to measure vibrations transmitted through the torque converter to the driveline of the vehicle. The sensor signal is sent to an analyzing system where it is converted to the frequency domain. A separate minimum slip value for each selected engine speed and transmission gear is stored in a table so that during vehicle operation, a controller will instruct the torque converter clutch to set the desired converter slip for the current engine speed and transmission gear provided for a particular throttle position and/or engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul G Otanez, Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Method and system for personalizing a multiplicity of security documents using a plurality of processing stations
    Patent number: 7931270
    Abstract: A method for personalizing a plurality of documents and a personalization installation which comprises a plurality of processing stations arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the personalization installation for carrying out individual personalization steps, wherein in order to carry out the personalization steps the documents or smart cards run through one processing station in a first direction running transversely to the longitudinal axis and the other processing station in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction and likewise runs transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein all the processing stations are oriented with their run-through directions transverse to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Muehlbauer AG
    Inventors: Josef Kirschbauer, Gunnar Kamp, Axel Schwarzmeier
  • System stability and performance improvement with anode heat exchanger plumbing and re-circulation rate
    Patent number: 7919209
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that increases stack stability by reducing the amount of liquid water droplets at the anode input of a fuel cell stack in the system. Re-circulated anode exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack and fresh hydrogen gas are sent to an anode heat exchanger so that both the fresh hydrogen gas and the re-circulated anode exhaust gas are heated to reduce the formation of water droplets in the anode input gas. Further, a portion of the heated cooling fluid directly from the fuel cell stack is sent to the heat exchanger to heat the fresh hydrogen gas and the re-circulation hydrogen before the cooling fluid is sent to an isolation heat exchanger to have its temperature reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joe C. Machuca, Abdullah B. Alp
  • High efficiency generator
    Patent number: 7919949
    Abstract: A generator system that includes a three-phase AC machine and an active rectifier bridge employing low on-resistance MOSFET switches for converting the AC current from the machine to a DC current. The system also includes a switch control circuit to switch the MOSFET switches in synchronization with the three-phase current flow. The system determines the phase-to-ground voltages of the machine as inputs to the switch control circuit. The control circuit calculates the phase-to-phase voltages from the phase-to-ground voltages. The control circuit then determines if each of the phase-to-phase voltages is above or below first and second predetermined threshold voltages, where if the phase-to-phase voltage is above the first threshold voltage, the control circuit closes the switch, and if the phase-to-phase voltage is below the second threshold voltage, the control circuit opens the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Lei Hao