Patents Assigned to GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Patent number: 11383748
    Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle includes a steering wheel core and a graphene heating element on the steering wheel core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Huzuanxu Chen, David A. Stites
  • Patent number: 11387712
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator, a rotor, a rotor shaft and a pump. The rotor is disposed within the stator and separated from the stator by an airgap. The airgap inadvertently accumulates a fluid. The rotor shaft is connected to the rotor. The pump is configured to move the fluid out of the airgap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek F. Lahr, Farzad Samie, Alireza Fatemi
  • Patent number: 11383575
    Abstract: A method of controlling relative roll torque in vehicles having a front active sway bar and a rear active sway bar is provided. The front active sway bar varies roll torque of a front axle and the rear active sway bar varies roll torque of a rear axle. The method includes monitoring dynamic driving conditions during operation of the vehicle and biasing tire lateral load transfer distribution (TLLTD) relative to the front axle based on the monitored dynamic driving conditions. Positive bias of the TLLTD increases the portion of a total roll torque carried by the front active sway bar. Biasing TLLTD occurs during one or more dynamic bias events triggered as monitored dynamic driving conditions exceed one or more calibrated thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian K. Saylor, Michael W. Neal, Larry G. Gepfrey, Robert G. Izak, Robert P. Marble, Hojjat Izadi
  • Patent number: 11385460
    Abstract: A head-up display system includes a housing having an interior surface and defining a cavity configured for receiving a ray of light. The head-up display system also includes a lens disposed within the cavity and configured for reflecting the ray of light towards the interior surface. Further, the head-up display system includes a first cured film formed from a coating composition, disposed on the interior surface, and configured for absorbing a ray of light within the cavity. The head-up display system also includes a second deposited film formed by an ionized gas treatment of the first cured film. The second deposited film is configured for transmitting the ray of light to the first cured film to thereby minimize scatter of the ray of light within the cavity. A device including the head-up display system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kai-Han Chang, Thomas A. Seder
  • Patent number: 11383593
    Abstract: An electric drive unit clutch for an automobile includes a first rotatable shaft, a one-way clutch fixedly mounted onto the first rotatable shaft, a dog clutch slidingly mounted onto the first rotatable shaft and adapted to rotate with the first rotatable shaft, a clutch ring positioned between the one-way clutch and the dog clutch, and a second rotatable shaft rotatable engaged with the clutch ring, wherein the clutch ring is adapted to transfer rotational motion from the second rotatable shaft through the one-way clutch and the dog clutch to the first rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Pete R. Garcia, Joseph R. Littlefield
  • Patent number: 11387757
    Abstract: A method for estimating a magnet temperature of a rotor magnet within a rotary electric machine includes, while a rotor of the electric machine is stationary, injecting a high-frequency voltage component onto a control voltage of the electric machine, via a controller, to generate an adjusted voltage command, and extracting a high-frequency component of a resulting current as an extracted high-frequency component. The method also includes calculating an inductance value of the electric machine using the extracted high-frequency component of the resulting current. The magnet temperature is estimated using the calculated inductance value and an angular position of the rotor. The method includes controlling an operation of the electric machine using the estimated magnet temperature. An electric powertrain uses the electric machine and controller noted above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Seoul National University R & DB Foundation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Berry, Anno Yoo, Seung Ki Sul, Hyun-Sam Jung
  • Patent number: 11387525
    Abstract: Presented are metalworking systems for forming metallic workpieces, methods for making/operating such systems, and battery packs with cell terminals bent by a two-stage plunger press. A metalworking system includes a first plunger with a plunger cavity extending through the first plunger's body, and one or more die cavities recessed into the first plunger's contact face. The die cavity includes one surface that contacts and bends a first workpiece a first angle, and another surface that contacts and bends a second workpiece a second angle. A second plunger includes one or more die cavities recessed into the second plunger's contact face. This die cavity includes one surface that contacts and bends the first workpiece a third angle, and another surface that contacts and bends the second workpiece a fourth angle. The second plunger passes through the plunger cavity such that the first and second plungers bend the metallic workpieces in tandem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alexandra J. Austin, Robert H. Dietze
  • Patent number: 11386228
    Abstract: A system for anonymizing motor vehicle position information includes a global positioning system (GPS) module disposed within a host vehicle, a control module disposed within the host vehicle and in electronic communication with the GPS module. The control module executes a control logic for collecting real-time host vehicle telemetry data packets from the GPS module, and a control logic for continuously wirelessly communicating the real-time host vehicle telemetry data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Donal B. McErlean
  • Patent number: 11383662
    Abstract: An occupant classification system comprises a capacitive sensor configured to measure capacitance. The capacitive sensor is at least partially arranged between a seat frame and at least one of a seat cover and a seat cushion of a seat. A sensor is configured to measure at least one of weight and pressure on the seat. The sensor is at least partially arranged between a vehicle structure and a component of the seat. A controller is configured to generate an occupant classification based on the measured capacitance and the at least one of the measured weight and the measured pressure on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Carl N. Schaub, Scott D. Thomas, Orhan Demirovic, Chad M. O'Brien, Patricia A. Mccown
  • Patent number: 11385328
    Abstract: A vehicle, radar system for the vehicle and method for detecting an object. The radar system includes a transmitter for transmitting a source signal and a receiver for receiving a reflection of the source signal from an object. A processor obtains a radar parameter of the object from the received reflection, adjusts an operating parameter of the radar based on the radar parameter to provide an altered source signal, and detects the object based on a reflection of the altered source signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gaston Solodky, Oren Longman, Shahar Villeval, Igai Bilik
  • Patent number: 11383319
    Abstract: A method of joining a multiple member work-piece includes providing a first steel work-piece having a first electrical resistivity and a second steel work-piece having a second electrical resistivity that is lower than the first electrical resistivity. A third material is disposed in contact with the second steel work-piece. The third material has an electrical resistivity that is greater than the second electrical resistivity. The method includes resistance welding the first and second work-pieces together. The third material may be in the form of a rivet, a third work-piece, or a coating material disposed between the first and second work-pieces. A bonded assembly includes steel members and a third material being bonded together, wherein the electrical resistivity of the second member is lower than the electrical resistivity of the first member, and the third material has an electrical resistivity that is greater than the electrical resistivity of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pei-chung Wang, Michael J. Karagoulis, Spyros P. Mellas, Steven Cipriano
  • Patent number: 11383696
    Abstract: A powertrain system configured to transfer torque to a driveline is described, and includes an internal combustion engine, a torque converter, a transmission, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine is configured to operate in one of an all-cylinder mode and a dynamic deactivation mode to generate an engine torque. The electric machine is configured to generate a motor torque. The motor torque and the engine torque combine to generate an output torque that is transferable to the driveline and is responsive to an output torque request. The controller is in communication with the engine, the torque converter, the transmission, and the electric machine. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to operate the engine in the dynamic deactivation mode to generate engine torque, and operate the electric machine to generate motor torque to supplement the engine torque to generate the output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Neeraj S. Shidore, Norman K. Bucknor, Dongxu Li, Mark Tadrous, Derek F. Lahr, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Venkatesh Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 11383718
    Abstract: A system includes a clutch control module, a shift control module, and a torque control module. The clutch control module is configured to generate a release command signal to switch a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) from a locked state to a freewheel state. When the SOWC is in the locked state, a transmission transfers torque from an engine to a driveline and from the driveline to the engine. When the SOWC is in the freewheel state, the transmission transfers torque from the engine to the driveline and but not from the driveline to the engine. The shift control module is configured to generate a shift command signal to shift the transmission from a first gear to a second gear after the release command signal is generated. The torque control module is configured to increase an output torque of the engine for a period when the shift command signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pratik Nagesh Vernekar, Patrick Lennox Kennedy, Roberto Diaz
  • Patent number: 11387505
    Abstract: A battery pack thermal management system can include a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules encased within a battery case, a coolant line having an inlet and an outlet each penetrating a perimeter of the battery case and at least one thermally activated valve. The at least one thermally activated valve can be configured to spray coolant onto one or more battery modules responsive to a temperature within the battery pack exceeding a temperature threshold. The temperature threshold can be defined based on the temperature of a thermal event occurring within the battery pack which exceeds a normal operating temperature of the battery pack. The coolant line within the battery pack is biased towards the perimeter of the battery case. The battery pack can power a battery electric or hybrid electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ryan P. Hickey, Cody Demara, Pushpendra Chauhan, Benjamin G. Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 11383787
    Abstract: Presented are multi-axis pivoting coupler joints for motorized vehicles, methods for making/using such coupler joints, and electric scooters with multi-axis pivoting coupler joints enabling multimodal scooter operation. A pivoting coupler joint includes first and second bearing assemblies each with a respective housing, respective inner and outer races concentric with each other and located in their respective housing, and a respective set of rolling elements rollably interposed between their respective inner and outer races. The first inner race of the first bearing assembly receives therethrough and circumscribes an axle shaft of a vehicle wheel. The second inner race attaches to a wheeled rider deck of the vehicle. The first and second bearing housings are joined together and angularly offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bradly LaBaere, Carlos E. Caro Suarez, Brian V. Castillo, Sandra N Thomson
  • Patent number: 11384833
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprising a control valve body adapted to control oil flow within the transmission, a torque converter having a torque converter clutch operable in one of an open and an applied condition, a first control circuit between the control valve body and the torque converter and a second control circuit between the control valve body and the torque converter, a first oil path that provides a fluid connection between the first control circuit and the torque converter, a second oil path that provides a fluid connection between the second control circuit and the torque converter, a third oil path that provides a fluid connection between the second control circuit and the torque converter clutch, and an orifice that provides a fluid connection between the second control circuit and the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Leonid Basin, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 11386784
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for predicting a vehicle pose. In one embodiment, a system includes a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes: an asynchronous prediction module configured to, by a processor, receive vehicle data from a vehicle, and compute a prediction of vehicle pose from the vehicle data, wherein the computation is performed asynchronously using a vehicle time frame and a common coordinate system; and a synchronous prediction module configured to, by the processor, compute a final prediction of the vehicle pose across the vehicle population based on the prediction of vehicle pose from the asynchronous prediction module, wherein the computation is performed synchronously using a global time frame and the common system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joon Hwang, Mason D. Gemar, Geoffrey Wakefield, Donal B. McErlean, Scott E. Jackson, Jim McCord, Damien P. Rennick
  • Publication number: 20220213955
    Abstract: A sound reduction assembly includes a housing and a component supported via the housing. The component is movable relative to the housing. The sound reduction assembly includes a ring coupled to the component and the housing. The ring is configured to attenuate sound inducing vibrations in response to operation of the component. The ring includes a flange fixed relative to the housing to maintain a position of the ring relative to the component which maximizes attenuation of the sound in response to operation of the component. A method of utilizing a ring to attenuate sound inducing vibrations in response to operation of a component inside of a housing. A torque is selected to be applied to the ring. A stiffness of the ring is determined based on a stiffness-torque curve utilizing the selected torque to maximize attenuation of the sound. The ring is manufactured to meet the determined stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sen J. Zhou, John Miller, Martin G. Foulkes, Jeffrey D. Curtis, Jack M. Gayney
  • Publication number: 20220212420
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-compound fiber reinforced composites and methods of making the same using frontal polymerization and targeted photosensitizer additives. In various aspects, the method may include disposing one or more layers in a mold cavity, where each of the one or more layers includes a fiber material and a first compound. The method may further includes disposing a second compound in the mold cavity, where the second compound includes a photosensitizer material. Further still, the method may include initiating photopolymerization of the photosensitizer using an ultraviolet light source, removing ultraviolet light source, and/or completing polymerization of the one or more layers so as to form the fiber-reinforced composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Bradley A. NEWCOMB
  • Patent number: D957298
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Bobin Kil