Patents Represented by Law Firm Reising, Ethington
  • Patent number: 7790127
    Abstract: A method of reducing NOx in a lean burn engine exhaust stream from a hydrocarbon burning engine may be first passing the exhaust stream over a thrifted diesel oxidation catalyst that substantially completes the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) to carbon dioxide and water. Next, separate additions of ozone and ammonia or urea may be introduced to the exhaust gas stream upstream of the catalytic reduction reactor at temperatures below 250 degrees Celsius. The additions of ozone and ammonia or urea modify the exhaust gas composition to improve the performance of NOx reduction catalysts in the catalytic reduction reactor. At temperatures above 250 degrees, the ozone addition may be reduced or eliminated, while the ammonia addition can be controlled as a function of the amount of NOx in the exhaust stream and the temperature of the catalytic reduction reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong H. Lee, Byong Kwon Cho
  • Patent number: 7784759
    Abstract: An insulated beverage holder formed from neoprene and including a seal located at the upper opening of the housing. The seal can extend above the housing and can include an upper insertion portion and a lower sealing portion. The insertion portion helps ease the insertion of a beverage container into the holder and the sealing portion produces a watertight seal of the holder to the beverage container. An ice and water mixture can be placed into the holder prior to inserting the beverage container to provide cooling of the beverage while it is being consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Edwin B. Farrell
  • Patent number: 7785435
    Abstract: A process comprising: depositing a liquid bonding layer comprising an ionomer and a solvent over a carrier film; placing a decal substrate over the liquid bonding layer and drying the liquid bonding layer to provide a solid bonding layer comprising the ionomer, and the solid bonding layer bonding the decal substrate and carrier film together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Sompalli, Chunxin Ji, Susan G. Yan, Hubert A. Gasteiger, Hiroshi Shimoda
  • Patent number: 7784239
    Abstract: A closure frame includes at least one end rail, at least one side rail and a corner joint between ends of the corner and side rails. The corner joint includes a rail insert secured within a first of the rails. A threaded fastener is secured against rotation within the insert and extends from an open end of the first rail into a second of the rails. A nut is disposed within the second rail in threaded engagement with the end of the fastener and clamps the second rail against the open end of the first rail. The corner joint preferably is a butt joint, and a pair of rail inserts preferably are disposed within the end of the first rail so that a pair of threaded fasteners extend into the second rail and are engaged by associated nuts in the second rail. A washer plate preferably is disposed in the second rail beneath the nuts, and a gasket preferably is disposed between the second rail and the open end of the first rail to seal the corner joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Milgard Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Mansueto, Jess Valler
  • Patent number: 7784637
    Abstract: A multi-piece seal has an outer member and an inner member partly disposed in the outer member. In cross section, the outer member has a C-shape and defines a channel, and the inner member is round and has a pair of lobes extending away from its body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James R. Osborne
  • Patent number: 7780129
    Abstract: A mounting kit for mounting an article to a wall including: a first support hook including a first leg portion and a second leg portion, the first leg portion including a first face constructed and arranged to face a wall when the first support hook is mounted thereto, and the second leg portion including a first face constructed and arranged to face the wall at a spaced apart distance to provide a gap between the first face of the second leg portion and the wall; and the support block including a first face designed to face the wall when mounted thereto and a top face constructed and arranged to generally face upward toward the support hook when mounted on a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: John Cundy
  • Patent number: 7779820
    Abstract: A liquid separator that can be used in a vehicle fuel system can have, among other components, an inlet portion, a deflector surface, and an outlet portion. The inlet portion can receive fluid from a fluid tube that communicates with a fuel tank. The deflector surface may cause a change-in-direction that separates liquid and fuel vapor from the fluid. The outlet portion can carry separated fuel vapor to a vapor tube that communicates with a canister. A space adjacent the inlet portion can be defined by a fuel system component such as partly by a fill tube or by a vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Frank U. Rittershofer
  • Patent number: 7783305
    Abstract: A method for providing menu tree assistance includes receiving a voice request from a user via a telematics unit and a wireless network and determining a voice menu tree based on the voice request. The method further includes receiving at least one response based on the voice menu tree, determining a failure or confirmation based on the at least one response and converting the response to data based on the determined confirmation. The method further includes recording the response based on the determined failure and providing the recorded response and data to an advisor at a call center. A system and a computer readable medium including computer program code are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Ross, Richard A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7782814
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of transitioning between voice and data communications with a mobile vehicle. A switch-to-voice command signal is sent from a call center modem pool to the mobile vehicle, and a vehicle switch-to-voice acknowledgement signal is received at the call center. A call from the call center modem pool is switched to a call center advisor in response to the vehicle switch-to-voice acknowledgement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Ronald W. Fraser, Dwayne A. Crocker, Sethu K. Madhavan, David A. Adams
  • Patent number: 7775332
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a friction damped disc brake rotor, including the steps of: (A) positioning at least one insert into a mold, wherein the insert has a body with tabs extending therefrom to hold the insert in a desired position within the mold; and (B) 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 the body is substantially non-bonded with the rotor cheek so that the body provides a proper interfacial boundary with the cheek for damping while the bonding of the tabs with the rotor cheek prevents corrosion-causing exterior elements from reaching the interfacial boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, James G. Schroth, Omar S. Dessouki
  • Patent number: 7775189
    Abstract: A fuel system for a carburetor that supports operation of an engine includes a body with a bore, a fuel source communicated with the bore and from which fuel is supplied to the bore for delivery to the engine, a drain unit and a control. The drain unit is communicated with the fuel source to selectively receive fuel from the fuel source and has a fuel chamber and an actuator operable to vary the volume of the fuel chamber. The control is communicated with the actuator to permit fuel flow from the fuel source to the fuel chamber when the engine is shut down and to cause fuel to flow from the fuel chamber to the fuel source prior to starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Bejcek, John C. Woody
  • Patent number: 7773769
    Abstract: An apparatus for characterising a subject's visual response, comprising a data processor, a display and an input device, wherein the data processor is arranged to present evaluation images at different positions on the display such that they occur at different positions within the subject's field of view, and wherein each evaluation image comprises a contribution of at least two items selected from a list comprising: a base image, a test image, and a noise image, and wherein the data processor is responsive to the input device such that the subject can indicate whether they can see the test image in the evaluation image, and the data processor is further arranged to evaluate the subject's responses so as to give an indication of one or more of visual efficiency, internal noise and visual sensitivity as a function of position within the subjects field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: University College Cardiff Consultants Limited
    Inventors: Rishi Rattan, John Millington Wild
  • Patent number: 7770937
    Abstract: A pipe clamp that is used over a ball joint formed between a balled end of a first pipe and a flared end of a second pipe. The pipe clamp has a band and a tightening mechanism. The band extends axially from a first edge to a second edge, and extends circumferentially from a first end to a second end. The band has a step formed circumferentially in a body of the band between the first and second edge. The step accommodates a stepped seam that is produced between the balled end and the flared end when they are overlapped with respect to each other. The tightening mechanism draws the first and second ends of the band toward and away from each other in order to respectively tighten and loosen the pipe clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Breeze-Torca Products, LLC
    Inventors: Brian T. Ignaczak, Michael E. Amedure
  • Patent number: 7771063
    Abstract: The exterior rearview mirror is comprised of a mirror housing, having at least one transparent light window, behind which at least one light is disposed, comprising at least one illuminant, whose light passes through the light window to the outside. In order provide the exterior rearview mirror so that different light functions and light directions can be performed by the light, at least a portion of the light is disposed adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Alf Liesener, Gernot Michael Bracht
  • Patent number: 7770955
    Abstract: An automotive closure panel assembly may include an inner panel and an outer panel. The outer panel may have a flange that protrudes from a body of the outer panel. The outer panel may also have more than one tabs that are each spaced along the flange and that each extend away from the flange. Each of the tabs may be folded over the inner panel during a hemming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Kleber, John E. Carsley, Gary R. Pelowski
  • Patent number: 7770489
    Abstract: An integrated operator cable-connector and base housing for an automotive shifter mechanism includes a generally cylindrical opening in the base housing, an isolator installed onto one end of a steel sleeve compressed against one or more shoulders in the opening and held therein with a cap snap fitted to a protrusion on the base housing. A swivel tube has a head portion captured between facing partially spherical seats formed on an end of the isolator and an interior portion of the base housing respectively, and a rod laterally supported and slidable therein. The operator cable has its case crimped into a protruding end of the sleeve and its core wire passed through a plastic tubular insert in the sleeve, an opening in the end of the isolator, and the inside of the swivel tube to a rod to which it is attached to the rod slidable in the swivel tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory P. Ruhlander
  • Patent number: 7774111
    Abstract: A method for providing vehicle emissions data from a vehicle to a remotely located call center, so that the call center can then provide the emissions data to one or more authorized recipients. According to one embodiment, this method includes the steps of receiving a vehicle emissions data request, sending emissions data from one or more vehicle electronic modules (VEMs) to a vehicle telematics unit, and wirelessly transmitting the emissions data to a call center. Once at the call center, the emissions data can then be provided to one or more authorized recipients, which can include governmental entities, according to a number of different techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oesterling, Carl J. Hering
  • Patent number: 7771062
    Abstract: The rearview mirror comprises a mirror glass, which is mounted to a carrier plate. A display unit is disposed behind the mirror glass and the carrier plate, which generates a light beam by means of an illuminant, wherein said light beam is coupled into a light conductor. The light beam is directed outward by means of a reflection free portion of the mirror glass, so that light passing through is directed towards the driver by means of the deflection optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Joerg Kuhn, Alexander Pirner, Andreas Erber, Florin Secanu
  • Patent number: 7766549
    Abstract: A method, a system and a device for automated configuration of a high power X-ray source apparatus (10), which has multiple modules (20, 28, 30, 50, 53). A first module (20, 28, 30, 50, 53) of the high power X-ray source apparatus (10) has an identification unit (25, 27, 31, 52, 54) storing at least one parameter of the first module (20, 28, 30, 50, 53) and transmitting the parameters to a configuration control unit (60). At least one operating parameter of a second module (20, 28, 30, 50, 53) is determined by the configuration control unit (60) based on characteristics of the transmitted parameter of the first module (20, 28, 30, 50, 53). The high power X-ray source apparatus (10) is configured by setting the operating parameter of the second module (20, 28, 30, 50, 53) to the determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Comet Holding AG
    Inventors: Charles Flükiger, Lothar Schultheis
  • Patent number: 7767325
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the investigation of a fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell having an anode side to which a fuel is supplied in operation and a cathode side which is separated from the anode side by a membrane and to which an oxidizing agent is supplied in operation, in order to carry out at least one of the following tests: a) to test whether the fuel cell system is gas-tight at the anode side and/or at the cathode side, b) to test whether a leakage is present between the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell system, c) to test the starting behavior of the fuel cell system, d) to test the operation of the fuel cell system at low current yield. The respective test is carried out with a mixture of at least inert gas with at least one fuel permissible for the operation of the fuel cells, the mixture being supplied to the anode side of the fuel cell system. The mixture is so selected that the proportion of fuel lies below a value at which the mixture is flammable in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Manfred Herrmann