Abstract: A multi-layer driver plate is disclosed for use in electromagnetic sheet metal forming operations. In one embodiment, the driver plate comprises a first layer characterized by low electrical resistivity and thickness for inducement and application of a suitable electromagnetic forming force, a second layer comprising an elastomeric material for compressing a sheet metal workpiece against a die surface and then regaining its original pre-forming structure, and a third layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer to protect the EMF force providing layer and to provide overall strength and durability to the EMF driver plate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 5, 2007
Date of Patent:
June 7, 2011
Assignees:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The Ohio State University Research Foundation
Abstract: One side of a metal sheet is joined to a polymer layer by applying heat to a joining area on the opposite side of the metal. The heat flows through the thin metal to activate a thermoplastic material or heat setting polymer into a bond with the metal. The method can be used to bond the metal sheet to a plastic body or another metal member. It is preferred to use a friction or friction stir tool to heat the metal surface.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 22, 2008
Date of Patent:
June 7, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Yen-Lung Chen, Peter H. Foss, Mark W. Verbrugge, Xiaohong Q. Gayden
Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic slide valve for controlling flow-rate or pressure comprising at least one movable valve moving from a closed position by contacting a seat and an open position remote therefrom, the displacement of said valve being controlled by a piezoelectric washer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 17, 2004
Date of Patent:
June 7, 2011
Assignee:
BorgWarner Inc.
Inventors:
Jean Armiroli, Aime Goubely, Jean-Louis Magnaval, Pascal Audineau
Abstract: An enhanced stability and inexpensive bipolar plate for a fuel cell is disclosed. The enhanced stability bipolar plate includes a bipolar plate substrate and a corrosion-resistant coating provided on the bipolar plate substrate. A method for enhancing corrosion resistance of a bipolar plate is also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 20, 2004
Date of Patent:
June 7, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Richard H. Blunk, Gayatri Vyas
Abstract: A system and method for monitoring data transfer performance between a central facility and a vehicle that includes calculating the message latency between the transmission and receipt of a message from a call center to the vehicle, or vice-versa. The information can be used to generate a latency map that is useful in diagnosing wireless system problems and in deciding when and how to communicate with a vehicle depending upon its location.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 2007
Date of Patent:
May 31, 2011
Assignee:
General Motors LLC
Inventors:
Christopher L. Oesterling, Richard F. Heines, Sam S. Chang
Abstract: A method including positioning an insert in a vertical mold including a first mold portion and a second mold portion; and casting a material including a metal around at least a portion of the insert.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 16, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 31, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Michael D. Hanna, Mohan Sundar, Andrew Schertzer
Abstract: The present invention is to provide a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fiber for artificial hair. The PVC fiber is manufactured by melt spinning a PVC resin composition with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle hole having a diameter D and a land length L, and a nozzle leading portion having a cone angle, and wherein a ratio of L/D is 1-3, a height of the nozzle leading portion is at least 4 mm, and the cone angle is 20°-90°. The resulting PVC fiber has an arithmetic mean roughness of 0.18-0.38 ?m and a maximum height of 0.5-3.5 ?m along a longitudinal direction, specified by JIS B 0601.
Abstract: A fastener element (16) has a head section (18), a threaded shank section (17) with threads (20) at a pitch and a distal end section (22). A retention device (24) is secured to the distal end section and is engageable with a fastener receiving member (14).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 11, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 31, 2011
Assignee:
MNP Corporation
Inventors:
Michael G. Dietz, Richard S. Brown, Charles Earl Abbate, Chris Fenech
Abstract: An insulating liner for an article of clothing includes an insulating layer including an aerogel material and having opposite sides with passages extending therebetween, and a cover encapsulating the insulating layer. The cover includes vent holes aligned with the passages of the insulating layer, and has portions that extend into the passages of the insulating layer from the opposite sides of the insulating layer, with the portions having vent holes therethrough and being sealed about the periphery of the vent holes. A valve may be provided with the liner to allow gas to be withdrawn or expelled from the liner. Methods of forming the insulating liner(s) are also provided.
Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a friction damped disc brake rotor, including the steps of: (A) providing a ceramic coating on an insert, wherein the insert has a body with tabs extending therefrom to hold the insert in a desired position within a mold; (B) washing the ceramic coating off of the tabs; (C) positioning the insert into the mold; and (D) casting a rotor cheek of the disc brake rotor in the mold around the insert such that a portion of each tab is bonded with the rotor cheek, and such that the coating is substantially non-bonded with the rotor cheek so that the coating provides a proper interfacial boundary between the body and the cheek for damping, and the at least partial bonding of each tab with the rotor cheek prevents corrosion-causing exterior elements from reaching the interfacial boundary when the friction damped disc brake rotor is in use.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 27, 2006
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Michael D. Hanna, James G. Schroth, Richard H. Hammar, Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Jeremy W. Short, Andrew Schertzer
Abstract: A catalyst made by the introduction of copper ions and cobalt ions into a Y-type zeolite to produce a CuCoY zeolite improves the reduction of NOx in exhaust from a lean burn engine, such as a diesel engine. A dual bed selective reduction reactor in the exhaust stream comprising a first bed of BaY or of Ag/alumina and a second bed of CuCoY is particularly effective in reduction of NOx. In one embodiment, the exhaust stream is suitably treated with an oxidant, such as ozone, and a reductant, such as a diesel hydrocarbon or oxygenated diesel hydrocarbon, before the exhaust passes in contact with the dual bed catalyst.
Abstract: One embodiment includes a method including providing a first portion of a product, the first portion of the product having a body and a flange extending therefrom; and casting a material around at least a portion of the flange to enclose the same and to provide a second portion of the product and wherein the at least the portion of the flange is constructed and arranged to provide frictional damping of the product.
Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising measuring the level of a fluid in a system in a vehicle comprising measuring an electrical property of the fluid indicative of the amount of air in the fluid and comparing the measured electrical property to a reference. The measured electrical property may include at least one of electrical resistivity or electrical permittivity. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising measuring an electrical property of a fluid, measuring an electrical property of an air-free fluid sample, and determining a volume fraction of air in the fluid using the electrical property of the fluid and the electrical property of the air-free fluid sample, wherein the electrical property comprises at least one of electrical resistivity or electrical permittivity. In some embodiments an indication can be provided when the slope of the electrical property versus time changes.
Abstract: One embodiment disclosed includes a product comprising: a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a first coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising a compound comprising at least one Si—O group, at least one polar group and at least one group including a saturated or unsaturated carbon chain.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 9, 2006
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Gerhard Winter, Gayatri Vyas, Thomas A. Trabold, Reena L. Datta
Abstract: A sealing device for a tank access opening whereby the ball is arranged to be displaced within the tank access opening. On introduction of a fuel nozzle, the ball opens the tank access opening.
Abstract: An electrode assembly for use with an electrodeposition process. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electrode assembly includes an electrode for exchanging electrical current with a solution, a passageway for removing gas that becomes trapped between a workpiece and the solution, and a sleeve for electrically isolating the electrode from the workpiece.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 19, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Guangling Song, Yar-Ming Wang, Hong-Hsiang Kuo, Kevin M. Cunningham
Abstract: A method and system for distributing files to remote receiving units such as passenger vehicles. The method includes the steps of (a) creating a file broadcast schedule that identifies a plurality of files and that includes scheduling information indicating when the files will be transmitted, (b) sending the file broadcast schedule to a number of remote receiving units via wireless transmission, (c) analyzing the file broadcast schedule at one or more of the remote receiving units by identifying at least one specific file intended for receipt and storage at that receiving unit and by determining from the scheduling information a scheduled time at which the specific file is intended to be received, (d) monitoring a digital satellite transmission channel at the scheduled time for the specific file, and (e) upon receiving the specific file, storing it at the remote receiving unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 14, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 12, 2011
Assignee:
General Motors LLC
Inventors:
Stephen Habermas, Walter A. Dorfstatter, Dwayne Crocker
Abstract: An outside rear view mirror assembly for a motor vehicle includes a mirror housing including a circumferential lateral wall defining an opening, an insertion opening and a back wall. The outside rear view mirror assembly also includes a mirror mounting bracket insertable into the mirror housing through the insertion opening. A snap-in tongue, defining a free end, extends out from the back wall for engaging the mirror mounting bracket when the mirror mounting bracket is inserted into the mirror housing to lock the mirror mounting bracket therein.
Abstract: A PEM fuel cell having electrical contact elements comprising a corrosion-susceptible substrate metal coated with an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant polymer containing a plurality of electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant filler particles. The substrate may have an oxidizable metal first layer (e.g., stainless steel) underlying the polymer coating.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 21, 2003
Date of Patent:
June 7, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Matthew Howard Fronk, Rodney Lynn Borup, Jay S. Hulett, Brian K. Brady, Kevin M. Cunningham