Patents Assigned to General Motors Corporations
  • Method for more uniformly spacing features in a lateral bipolar transistor
    Patent number: 4544940
    Abstract: The unique initial masking step is used in a method of more predictably and uniformly spacing features on a surface of a semiconductor device by combining it with two dielectric maskants. A unique semiconductor device masking is claimed in which semiconductor device features are initially spaced by means of pitch, i.e. line and a contiguous space, instead of just a line in the initial masking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Weaver, II, Nathaniel D. McClure
  • Wheel cylinder assembly and seal arrangement therein
    Patent number: 4544049
    Abstract: A drum brake assembly having a wheel cylinder mounted on arms of a center guide backing plate by means of notches receiving the arms. The cylinder has pistons with low drag O-ring seals in grooves configured to provide seal forces which are aided by brake actuating pressure to assure sealing action. Wiper seals within the wheel cylinder are used in place of boots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald L. Shellhause
  • Molding apparatus for simultaneously forming a cavity and encapsulating a frame in a foamed body
    Patent number: 4544126
    Abstract: A dual lid molding apparatus for a two-stage molding process which provides for frame encapsulation in a foamed article also having a molded-in cavity. The molding apparatus is constructed by pivotally connecting two mold closure members at each side of a female base mold. The two mold closure members are sequentially engaged with the female base mold during the two-stage molding process. A frame member and a multitude of cavities may be embedded in the foamed article by using this technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Walter K. Melchert
  • Microwave probe for detecting oil level
    Patent number: 4543823
    Abstract: A microwave probe for measuring the amount of soot or water in engine crankcase oil and/or detecting the level of oil comprises a coaxial cable having a tip including five substantially parallel wires shorted together at one end and connected at the other end to the coaxial cable, one of the wires being connected to the center wire of the coaxial cable and the other four wires being connected to the sheath of the coaxial cable. The size and geometry of the wires is selected so that the impedance of the tip when immersed in oil substantially matches the impedance of the coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Louis L. Nagy, Michael J. O'Rourke
  • Windshield wiper transmission
    Patent number: 4543839
    Abstract: A transmission for a windshield wiper includes a non-circular pinion gear having a closed pitch curve with a basic elliptical segment and a circular segment and a non-circular output gear having an open pitch curve with a third order elliptical segment and a circular segment. The pinion and the output gears mesh such that the basic elliptical and third order elliptical pitch curve segments roll against each other and the circular pitch curve segments roll against each other so that the gear ratio of the combination varies sinusoidally through a first included angle of output gear rotation and remains substantially constant through a second included angle of output gear rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Harry C. Buchanan, Jr., William R. Mack, Jagmohan K. Malhotra
  • Unitized steering column bearing assembly
    Patent number: 4541742
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a steering column includes an axially spaced pair of stamped, angular contact ball bearings with raceways terminating on the ball circle and at least an outer cylindrical support member engageable with the mast jacket of the steering column. A spring or springs contained in the annular space between the ball circles of the bearings and the housing or between the ball circles and the steering shaft serve to preload the ball bearings as well as to bias them into stop members on the support to maintain the bearings and support as a separately handled unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick E. Lederman
  • Microwave heating control and calorimetric analysis
    Patent number: 4541729
    Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, calorimetric properties of a microwave heatable work load are obtained while the load is being heated by producing electrical signals indicative of the net applied microwave power and the temperature of the material, and using the signals to produce a signal indicative of the net energy, or the specific heat, or the reflection coefficient of the work load as a function of its temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Norman W. Schubring
  • Carton unfolding apparatus
    Patent number: 4541827
    Abstract: An apparatus for unfolding a flattened carton that includes a flat support platform and a pivotable plate member each of which is provided with a stop member that can be adjusted in position relative to the other stop member so as to permit the apparatus to accommodate flattened cartons of varying widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James D. O'Dea, Glen J. Venable
  • Method of manufacturing a vehicle seat cover
    Patent number: 4541885
    Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a dielectrically embossed automotive seat cover assembly is formed by providing a laminate of a decorative cover material, a first, relatively thin, polyurethane foam layer that is dielectrically heatable and a second thicker polyurethane foam layer that is not dielectrically heatable, and thereafter impressing a desired embossment pattern into the upper polyurethane and dielectrically fusing said upper layer of polyurethane to bond the cover layer to the lower polyurethane layer, thus forming the embossed pattern in the laminate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Caudill, Jr.
  • Thermal sensing element using methanol saturated fluorocarbon elastomer as the heat responsive material
    Patent number: 4541735
    Abstract: A thermal sensing element containing a heat responsive material having a very high negative coefficient of thermal expansion. The heat responsive material contained therein is a methanol saturated copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride. This thermal sensing element can detect minute temperature changes and can be packaged in a compact container for use in applications where space is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ismat A. Abu-Isa
  • Automatic vehicle level control
    Patent number: 4540188
    Abstract: A level control system for a wheeled motor vehicle with sprung and unsprung masses, an accessory the activation of which indicates the probability of an associated vehicle load change, fluid power apparatus activatable to level the sprung mass relative to the unsprung mass and sensor apparatus effective to periodically indicate a trim or out-of-trim level condition according to predetermined criteria further comprises apparatus defining a service mode with a time period shorter than a predetermined activation time of the fluid power apparatus which avoids overshoot in level adjustment, a cruise mode with a time period longer than the out-of-trim duration of a predetermined long highway feature and a decision mode with a time period of duration intermediate the service and cruise time period durations and longer than the period of sprung mass oscillation during vehicle movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Meloche, James G. McLeish, Herbert A. Libkie
  • Fuel injection system
    Patent number: 4539962
    Abstract: A fuel injection system has an electronic module mounted directly on a fuel body portion of the fuel injection system for cooling by fuel flow through the fuel body. The electronic module energizes a fuel pump to circulate fuel through the fuel body, even when the engine is not operating, if the temperature within the module exceeds a selected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Nichols
  • Fuel rail
    Patent number: 4539961
    Abstract: A fuel rail supporting injectors for delivering fuel to an engine has fuel supply and fuel return passages interconnected through a recess in a plug at each end of the fuel rail. The recesses are calibrated to direct the proper proportion of the fuel past the injectors. The fuel supply passage is configured to allow separation of fuel vapor from the liquid fuel received by the injector and to conform to the shape of the plug and the fuel return passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Terrance J. Atkins, Martin J. Field, Donald J. Lamirande
  • Inertia release for belt retractor winding prevention mechanism
    Patent number: 4540137
    Abstract: In a seat belt retractor winding prevention mechanism, the winding prevention pawl is mounted upon a collapsible support mechanism which is collapsed by the onset of a sensed vehicle deceleration condition so that force imposed on the pawl by the windup spring shifts the pawl against a cam which moves the pawl axially out of engagement with the ratchet teeth carried by the reel to thereby release the winding prevention mechanism so that the windup spring will rewind the belt to a taut condition about the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Regis V. Pilarski, Thomas B. Blake
  • Tripot joint with spider retaining shaft bumper assembly
    Patent number: 4540384
    Abstract: Stroking type universal joint in which the spider assembly is trapped on the axle shaft by a two-part cylindrical connector sleeve of a bumper assembly which includes a resilient elastomer bumper secured on the end of the axle shaft by the sleeve that in turn is radially retained by a counterbore in the hub of the spider assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jack L. Bennett, Wayne E. Wardynski, Kenneth J. Seyuin
  • Two-cycle diesel engine and method for methanol and like fuel operation
    Patent number: 4539948
    Abstract: A two-stroke cycle blower charged diesel engine is adapted for compression ignition operation on methanol or other low cetane fuels by modifications primarily including means for limiting cylinder charging air to a low scavenge ratio that provides heating of the cylinder charge with exhaust residuals to a point where reliable compression ignition of injected methanol, or other, fuel occurs. Preferably, a reduced flow air supply system and a controlled blower bypass provide adequate cylinder charge temperatures for methanol autoignition. Glow plugs or other means may be included for starting and warm-up operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Richard R. Toepel
  • Latch for terminal block
    Patent number: 4541036
    Abstract: A latch for releasably maintaining a terminal block in an installed position in a panel aperture includes a U-shaped frame, guides on the terminal block at a leading edge thereof integral with the distal ends of the parallel arms of the frame supporting the latter on the terminal block in cantilever spring fashion and defining a lead-in surface in longitudinal profile, and a latch arm supported on the frame between the support arms in cantilever spring fashion including a ramp at its distal end extending from above the frame to inboard of the lead-in surface. As the terminal block approaches the installed position, the guides facilitate final movement thereto while the relationship between the ramp and the lead-in surface insures that the edge of the aperture will engage the latch arm only on the ramp thereby to prevent misengagement between the latch arm and the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard V. Landries, Robert A. Ress, Jr.
  • Adaptive servomotor controller
    Patent number: 4540923
    Abstract: The gain of a servomotor driven process control system is adaptively compensated for changes in the motor coulomb friction torque. The gain is manually adjusted at the time of installation. Thereafter, the minimum motor current occurring in a process cycle is identified, and the gain is automatically adjusted if the identified minimum motor current changes over time, indicating a change in the motor coulomb friction torque. As a result, the level of response stability achieved at the time of installation is maintained despite changes in the motor coulomb friction torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Kade, Sam M. Karadsheh
  • Motor vehicle power output regulation control system
    Patent number: 4541052
    Abstract: Vehicle operating conditions including vehicle acceleration and the position of an operator manipulated accelerator pedal are monitored to determine whether transient or steady state operation is indicated. When transient operation is indicated, the vehicle power output is brought into correspondence with a power command determined according to accelerator pedal position. When steady state operation is indicated, the vehicle power output is brought into correspondence with a power command determined according to the difference between the vehicle velocity and a remembered velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dean E. McCulloch
  • Selective asymmetric swirl intake port
    Patent number: 4539954
    Abstract: Cylinder intake charge swirl is accentuated by selectively directing flow past swirl generating vanes in the intake port which are closest to the cylinder wall and reducing the flow past swirl generating vanes furthest from the cylinder wall. This may be accomplished by utilizing asymmetrically variable swirl vanes arranged to reduce flow at lower engine loads through passages furthest from the cylinder wall and encourage flow through swirl directed passages closer to the cylinder wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Edward D. Klomp