Patents Assigned to GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Publication number: 20130160896
    Abstract: Useful permanent magnet materials are formed by processing molten alloys of cerium, iron, and boron to form permanent magnet compositions with appreciable coercivity and remanence. For example, Ce16.7Fe77.8B5.6 has been produced with coercivity, Hci of 6.18 kOe and remanence, Br of 4.92 kG. In a preferred practice, streams of the molten alloy are rapidly quenched (e.g., by melt spinning) to form magnetically-soft melt-spun material which is suitably annealed to obtain permanent magnet properties. Cobalt may be substituted for a portion of the iron content to increase the Curie temperature of the permanent magnet material. The rapid quench-anneal process is conducted to produce a fine-grain crystalline microstructure containing the Ce2(Fe,Co)14B phase in an amount of about seventy to ninety-five mass percent of the composition with a suitable amount of one or more secondary phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Publication number: 20130164573
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that provide for thermal conditioning of a vehicle rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A thermal conditioning system is coupled to the RESS, and is configured to thermally condition the RESS. A control system is coupled to the thermal conditioning system, and is configured to estimate a state of charge for the RESS and provide instructions for the thermal conditioning system to thermally conditioning the RESS based on the state of charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: JONATHAN K. WILLIAMS, MATTHEW SIMONINI, KYLE HOLIHAN
  • Publication number: 20130164577
    Abstract: A modular battery pack and method of making a battery pack. The modular structure includes an open box with an interlocking features to allow for flexibility in assembly of numerous battery pack configurations. The design is such that numerous sub-module assemblies are formed that can be fastened, connected or otherwise secured to a tray, frame or other underlying primary support structure. Aligned stacks of individual battery cells can be placed within the volume defined within the box-like structure so that portions of the box-like structure move in response to a spring-like force imparted by the stack of battery cells. Adapter plates facilitate the modular construction by an interlocking connection between the box-like structure and the underlying support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Publication number: 20130166104
    Abstract: A driver identification system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a driver's side front door. The driver identification system includes at least one remote device, and a control module. The remote device is activated to send an authentication signal. The control module is in selective communication with the at least one remote device. The control module receives a signal indicating that the driver's side front door of the vehicle is opened. The control module includes control logic for sending an inquiry signal if the signal indicating the driver's side front door is opened is received by the control module. The inquiry signal is configured for activating the at least one remote device to send the authentication signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Aaron P. Creguer, David T. Proefke, Roy Y. Asmar, Thomas E. Utter
  • Publication number: 20130166164
    Abstract: A gear selection device for a motor vehicle is provided. The gear selection device includes a logic unit which is equipped in order to determine a gear to be engaged in a transmission of the motor vehicle by means of at least one variable connected to the load of an engine of the motor vehicle, and an ambient area sensor. The gear selection device is equipped in order to take into account information supplied by the ambient area sensor relating to the road located in front of the vehicle with the outputting of a selection signal specifying a newly determined gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
  • Publication number: 20130164639
    Abstract: A method for filling a fuel cell system with a fuel during start-up is disclosed, the method including the steps of providing a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuels cells, each fuel cell having an active area, the fuel cell stack including an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold, the anode supply manifold and in fluid communication with a source of fuel; providing an anode sub-system in fluid communication with an anode side of the fuel cell stack; and supplying the fuel to the fuel cell stack substantially uniformly and substantially simultaneously to compress any fluids in the fuel cell stack into a volume between an end of each active area adjacent to the anode exhaust manifold and an outlet of the anode sub-system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
  • Publication number: 20130161981
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body having at least one side member located on the front side in front of a front wall is provided. The motor vehicle body having a first reinforcing element adjoining thereon in longitudinal direction, which, following the contour of a wheel housing panel, protrudes in vehicle transverse direction to the outside and which supports itself on a floor structure via second reinforcing element, which is arranged spaced from a lateral front wall portion adjoining the wheel housing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
  • Publication number: 20130165240
    Abstract: A torsional damper assembly for transmitting torque between a prime mover of a powertrain and an input of a transmission is provided. The torsional damper assembly includes an input mass, an output mass, a damping element, a bypass clutch, and a bypass clutch release lever. The damping element is interposed between the input mass and the output mass, and it is operable to translate torque between the masses and to dampen oscillation generated by the prime mover. The bypass clutch is configured to couple the input and output masses together for common rotation when engaged. The bypass clutch release lever is pivotally rotatable with respect to the output mass, and it includes a biasing portion and a weighted end. When rotated, the biasing portion is operable to bias the bypass clutch away from the input mass to disengage the bypass clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Grimmer
  • Publication number: 20130157099
    Abstract: A frame assembly for a battery package includes a frame body and a pair of frame covers. The frame body has a first recess, a second recess, and a central aperture. The central aperture is disposed between the first recess and the second recess. The first recess is configured to receive a first battery cell. The second recess is configured to receive a second battery cell. The central aperture is configured to receive an expansion unit. Each of the frame covers is disposed adjacent one of the first recess and the second recess. The frame covers hold the first battery cell, the second battery cell, and the expansion unit within the frame body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Alastair Gordon Anderson
  • Publication number: 20130158833
    Abstract: A method for isolating an actual sensor bias in a fuel delivery system having a fuel pump includes monitoring first, second and third fuel pump parameters, detecting first and second fuel pump sensor biases based on the monitored first, second and third fuel pump parameters, modeling a fourth fuel pump modeled parameter based on the monitored second and third fuel pump parameters, and isolating the actual sensor bias in one of the detected first and second fuel pump biases based on the monitored third fuel pump parameter and the modeled fourth fuel pump modeled parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: YOUSSEF A. GHONEIM, MARK N. HOWELL
  • Publication number: 20130157125
    Abstract: The gravimetric and volumetric efficiency of lithium ion batteries may be increased if high capacity materials like tin and silicon may be employed as the lithium-accepting host in the negative electrode of the battery. But both tin and silicon, when fully charged with lithium, undergo expansions of up to 300% and generate appreciable internal stresses which have potential to spall off material from the electrode on each discharge-charge cycle, resulting in a progressive reduction in battery capacity, also known as battery fade. A method of reinforcing such electrode materials by incorporating within them fiber reinforcements or shaped, elongated reinforcements fabricated of shape memory alloy is described. Electrode materials incorporating such reinforcements are less prone to damage under applied stress and so less prone to battery fade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anil K. Sachdev, Mark W. Verbrugge, Xingcheng Xiao, Peter Maxwell Sarosi
  • Publication number: 20130152553
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an exhaust gas conduit, a flow-through container of absorbent particles, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The exhaust gas conduit is in fluid communication with, and is configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas contains oxides of nitrogen (“NOx”) and water. The flow-through container of absorbent particles is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and configured to receive the exhaust gas. The flow-through container substantially adsorbs the water from the exhaust gas below a threshold temperature. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located downstream of the flow through container, and is selectively activated to produce heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Chang H. Kim, Steven J. Schmieg
  • Publication number: 20130155534
    Abstract: A system for enabling a driver of a vehicle to visibly observe objects located in a blind spot includes, but is not limited to, a rear view viewing device that is mounted to the vehicle and configured to be electronically adjustable. The system further includes a sensor that is associated with the vehicle and that is configured to detect a location of an object with respect to the vehicle and to generate a first signal indicative of the location of the object. The system further includes a processor that is communicatively coupled with the sensor and that is operatively coupled with the rear view viewing device. The processor is configured to obtain the first signal from the sensor and to command the rear view viewing device to adjust such that the object is visibly observable to the driver when the processor receives the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: DOREL M. SALA, JIHAN RYU, JAN H. AASE
  • Publication number: 20130158745
    Abstract: A storage compartment arrangement for a motor vehicle, in particular an automobile, is provided. The arrangement can include a storage compartment, a storage compartment cover displaceable by a drive, a key and a control device, which is configured to co-operate with the key and to displace, in particular to close, the storage compartment cover on the basis of an actuation of the key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Publication number: 20130154208
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle is provided. The suspension system includes a suspension knuckle, a guide, and a spring. The guide is operatively attached to the suspension knuckle and extends longitudinally along a lateral axis. The spring extends between a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring is configured for operative attachment to the vehicle. The second end of the spring is movably attached to the guide and is configured for movement along the lateral axis to vary a stiffness of a suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Prabhakar R. Marur
  • Publication number: 20130152892
    Abstract: An electric vehicle powertrain includes a battery configured to couple with an external power source, a power plant including at least one three-phase electric motor, and a power controller configured to receive electrical energy from the battery and to controllably provide electrical energy to the at least one electric motor. The electric motor includes a stator having a plurality of electrical windings and a rotor having a magnetic field orientation, with the rotor being configured to rotate relative to the stator. The power controller is configured to warm an engine fluid by determining the position of the rotor relative to the stator; determining a DC current for each of the three motor phases such that the electromagnetic field of the stator mirrors the magnetic field orientation of the rotor; and by providing the determined DC currents to the electric motor to resistively heat the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: SHAWN SCOTT HAWKINS, CHRISTOPHER J. TWAROG, PAUL F. TURNBULL
  • Publication number: 20130158824
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a clutch, pump, pressure control variable force solenoid (PVFS) valve in a branch supplying oil from the pump to the clutch through a flow control VFS (QVFS), and a controller. The controller calculates an area of a variable orifice of the QVFS valve at the start of a clutch shift, records the area as a maximum area, and calculates a maximum branch pressure as a function of the area. The controller limits pressure in the branch during the shift event to the calculated maximum branch pressure. The transmission may be a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with the clutch being a DCT input clutch. A control system includes a host machine, temperature and pressure sensors, a computer-readable medium with instructions for limiting branch pressure as a function of the maximum area noted above and using sensor values from the sensors. A method of limiting branch pressure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Crystal Nassouri, Steven P. Moorman
  • Publication number: 20130158851
    Abstract: A device for assisting the driver of a vehicle in the process of parking is provided. The device includes sensors for detecting obstacles in an environment of the vehicle, at least in an environment in front and in back of the vehicle, and a display for indicating the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle identified in the environment. The display includes a first means, with which the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle identified in front of the vehicle can be displayed on a windshield of the vehicle, and a second means, with which the distance between the vehicle and an obstacle identified in back of the vehicle can be displayed on a rear window of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Publication number: 20130157100
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a cooling plate configured to abut a battery cell. A heat sink is in thermal communication with the cooling plate by at least one carbon fiber brush coupled to at least one of the cooling plate and the heat sink. The cooling system may be employed in a battery pack for a propulsion system of an electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Axel HEISE, Alastair Gordon ANDERSON, Stefan TOEPFER
  • Publication number: 20130154437
    Abstract: A support ring for a rotor having a core and a plurality of windings. The support ring includes an annular base, a plurality of fingers, and a plurality of loaded edges. The plurality of fingers extend radially outward from the annular base, and each generally corresponds to one of the windings. The plurality of loaded edges extend axially from the fingers and are disposed radially outward of the windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward L. Kaiser, Micah Joel Fuchs