Abstract: A school bus has a hinged stop arm, a bidirectional electric motor operatively connected to the hinged stop arm for pivoting the hinged stop arm between a stored position adjacent the school bus and a deployed position extending outwardly of the school bus, and a motor control module for controlling the bidirectional electric motor. A retainer arrangement is attached to the school bus for retaining the hinged stop arm in the stored position positively and a second control module is operatively connected to the motor control module. The retainer arrangement includes a servo motor and a lock member that is moved by the servo motor between a lock position retaining the hinged arm in the stored position and a release position allowing the hinged stop arm to be pivoted outwardly by the motor. The motor and the servo motor are operated by a common switch.
Abstract: A navigational route providing method for use with various types of vehicle navigation systems. The route providing method generally enables a user to pre-select one or more destinations and trigger events, so that navigational routes leading to the pre-selected destinations can be subsequently generated and presented to the user when the designated trigger events occur. According to some embodiments, multiple destinations and trigger events can be provided so that multiple navigational routes are generated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 9, 2006
Date of Patent:
January 4, 2011
Assignee:
General Motors LLC
Inventors:
John P. Weiss, Scott P. Geisler, Chester A. Huber
Abstract: One embodiment of the invention contemplates a proton exchange membrane for use in a variety of fuel cells. The proton exchange membrane may comprise a solid phase organic based copolymer material in which a first structural unit is derived from a polymerizable organic super acid. The organic super acid may comprise an acid group such as a sulfonic acid group or a carboxylic acid group.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 14, 2010
Date of Patent:
January 4, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
Inventors:
Tenneille Weston Capehart, Gail Capehart, legal representative, Gerhard Maier, Claude Spino, Thomas J. Chapaton, Markus Gross, Armand Soldera
Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having a bracket which is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A mirror casing is secured to the bracket. The mirror casing defines a primary opening. A primary mirror is disposed within the primary opening and provides a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view. A spotting mirror is disposed adjacent the primary mirror. The spotting mirror is defined by a single radius of curvature differing from the primary mirror such that the spotting mirror provides a secondary field of view rearward of the motor vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 3, 2008
Date of Patent:
December 28, 2010
Assignee:
SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
Inventors:
Gary J. Sinelli, Paul R. Henion, Douglas J. Wilson, Timothy Jaquays
Abstract: A multi-piece seal preferably for a sealed joint of a fuel tank assembly. An outer member has in an uncompressed state a cross-sectional shape defined by substantially semi-circular-shaped portions that define a substantially semi-circular channel and that terminate in free ends. An inner member is disposed at least partially in the channel of the outer member and has in an uncompressed state a substantially round cross-sectional shape. Preferably, the outer member is composed of a permeation-resistant material, and the inner member is composed of a relatively less expensive material capable of better elasticity performance at relatively lower temperatures compared to the outer member. The outer member preferably has lobed ends and the inner member preferably includes one or both of a stress-relieving feature or an orientation feature to orient the inner member relative to the outer member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 24, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 28, 2010
Assignees:
TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C., Parker-Hannifin Corporation
Inventors:
Danielle E. Berkes, William J. Forsythe, Jr., James R. Osborne, Darron G. Peddle
Abstract: A first expansion valve may be provided in an outdoor unit, and a second expansion valve may be provided in an indoor unit. A pipe line connects a first joint pipe of the first expansion valve and a second joint pipe of the second expansion valve. When a refrigerant flows in from the second joint pipe and flows out from the first joint pipe, the first and second expansion valves are in a full open state due to pressure of the refrigerant. When the refrigerant flows in from the first joint pipe and flows out from the second joint pipe, the first and second expansion valves are in semi-closed state (flow rate controlling state). In a cooling mode, the second expansion valve expands the refrigerant just before an indoor heat exchanger, and in a heating mode, the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant just before an outdoor heat exchanger. In both heating and cooling modes, a large amount of refrigerant may flow through the pipe line to reduce pressure loss.
Abstract: A ring seal includes a sealing ring including an asymmetric body portion having axially-opposed and radially-offset seal beads. The ring seal may also include a reinforcement ring carried at least partially in the sealing ring to distribute load across the seal beads. The ring seal may further include a skirt depending generally axially from the body portion and defining an inner diameter of the sealing ring and preferably having frusto-conical cross-sectional shape.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 2007
Date of Patent:
December 21, 2010
Assignees:
TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C., Parker Hannifin Corporation
Inventors:
Timothy D. Heiman, William J. Laule, James R. Osborne, Darron G. Peddle, Michael R. Rivenburgh
Abstract: Bipolar plates in a fuel cell stack tend to experience lower operating temperatures near and at the ends of the stack, and these plates require lower coolant flow. But common stamping tooling can be used to make all of the plates for the stack when suitable coolant flow restrictors are stamped into each plate for lowest coolant flow. The flow restrictors are then trimmed (or their formation avoided) from those plates designated for higher coolant flow.
Abstract: A polymeric fuel tank having a first body joined to a second body is constructed having a substantially continuously barrier layer surrounding the tank. The first body has an inner surface terminating at a free edge and a first mating surface adjacent the free edge. A first barrier layer is fixed adjacent the inner surface of the first body. The second body has an inner surface terminating at a free edge and has a second mating surface adjacent to the first mating surface and the free edge of the second body to define a fuel cavity. A second barrier layer is fixed adjacent the inner surface of the second body. At least one weld joint joins the first mating surface to the second mating surface and the first barrier layer to the second barrier layer to provide the continuous barrier layer in the fuel tank.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 17, 2005
Date of Patent:
December 14, 2010
Assignee:
TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
Inventors:
Brian W. Brandner, Vladimir Franjo, Masahiro Higashi
Abstract: A motorized head for applying fiber composite material to an application surface includes a drive roll and a backup roll for feeding fiber composite material toward the application surface, a compaction roll for pressing fiber composite material onto the application surface, and a restart pinch roll assembly located between the drive roll and the compaction roll for driving fiber composite material received from the drive roll to the compaction roll. The drive roll nip between the drive roll and the backup roll forms a drive zone that grips and drives the composite material, a clamp zone that prevents movement of the composite material after it has been cut, and a free zone that allows composite material to be freely pulled through the head. Two cutters mounted on the drive roll mesh with a single anvil on the backup roll to cut the composite material to the desired length.
Abstract: One exemplary embodiment including a battery cooling plate has discrete channels. In one exemplary embodiment each of the channels has a width ranging from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In another exemplary embodiment the battery cooling plate includes a first cooling channel having a flow path generally in a U shape, and a plurality of other channels each having a generally U-shaped flow path, and wherein the other flow channels are in a nested position with respect to the first flow channel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 13, 2009
Date of Patent:
December 14, 2010
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
Inventors:
Derek R. Weber, Steven J. Spencer, Paul F. Spacher
Abstract: The invention is related to an exterior rear-view mirror for vehicles, having a mirror head with a housing in which an adjustable mirror pane is positioned and in which at least one light source is arranged which is located in an area behind a light window of the housing. Light window is part of a turn light signal device which comprises a colour screen to influence colour appearance to turn light signal not activated.
Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for compression molding cosmetic panels with visible carbon fiber weaves using clear or lightly filled resins. The method uses a modified, two-step compression molding process to reflow the surface of a partially cured preform of carbon fiber weave and epoxy resin.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 16, 2007
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
Inventors:
Stanley A. Iobst, Chen-Shih Wang, Choongyong Kwag
Abstract: A computer system used for carrying out engineering tasks as a part of an engineering project. The system includes a plurality of client computers and one or more server computers accessible by the client computers via a communications network. Distributed across these computers is a multi-tiered software system that includes system programs, application programs, and database programs. The system programs include a system objects module, a job manager module, an event manager module, and a workbook module. The system objects module provides security and authentication services. The application programs carry out at least some of the engineering tasks. The job manager module manages use of the application programs. The event manager module receives and distributes notifications between at least some of the modules. The workbook module provides a user of the application programs with engineering information related to one or more of the engineering tasks.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2003
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas C. Tecco, Kong Ping Oh, Osman E. Atesoglu, William E. Bejcek
Abstract: A wind break device for a microphone includes an airflow diverter and a flow separation edge partially bordering a microphone end of the airflow diverter. The microphone zone located between the flow separation edge and is part of the recirculation zone. The microphone is located in the microphone zone. Airflow separates from one of the airflow diverter or the flow separation edge. The separated airflow is directed as one of recirculating airflow or a major airflow and the recirculating airflow is directed into the recirculation zone. The major airflow is directed over the microphone zone and the recirculation zone to reduce the level of pressure fluctuations experienced by the microphone in the microphone zone.
Abstract: Magnesium or magnesium alloy components having galvanic corrosion protection isolators secured in place by metallurgical bonding during casting of the magnesium or magnesium alloy component. The isolators are formed of materials that are characterized by an absolute potential difference that is between that of magnesium and a contacting metallic component.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
Inventors:
Aihua A. Luo, Mark W. Verbrugge, Anil K. Sachdev
Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for communicating between a telematics call center and a telematics unit. A service communication is initiated from a telematics unit to a telematics call center responsive to user input. A text-based acknowledgment is received at the telematics unit from the call center in response to the initiation. A communication mode is established based on communication preference data in response to the acknowledgement. The method and system further comprises providing the communication preference data to the call center. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed for communicating between a telematics call center and a telematics unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 2004
Date of Patent:
November 30, 2010
Assignee:
General Motors LLC
Inventors:
Bruce A. Groskreutz, Thomas A. Gault, Daniele Nicolini
Abstract: A method of enhancing water management capabilities of a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes providing a fuel cell component having hydrophilic or weakly hydrophobic surfaces, increasing a hydrophobicity of at least one of said hydrophilic surfaces and assembling the fuel cell component into the fuel cell.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 1, 2004
Date of Patent:
November 30, 2010
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
Inventors:
Yang-Tse Cheng, Gayatri Vyas, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid
Assignees:
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Oceaneering Space Systems
Inventors:
Douglas Martin Linn, Chris A. Ihrke, Robert O. Ambrose, Joshua S Mehling, Myron A Diftler, Adam H Parsons, Nicolaus A Radford, Lyndon Bridgwater, Heather Bibby