Patents Assigned to GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • ROBOT CONTROL DURING AN E-STOP EVENT
    Publication number: 20130158709
    Abstract: A system for a work cell having a carrier that moves a product along an assembly line includes an assembly robot, sensor, and controller. An arm of the robot moves on the platform adjacent to the carrier. The sensor measures a changing position of the carrier and encodes the changing position as a position signal. The controller receives the position signal and calculates a lag value of the robot with respect to the carrier using the position signal. The controller detects a requested e-stop of the carrier when the arm and product are in mutual contact, and selectively transmits a speed signal to the robot to cause a calibrated deceleration of the platform before executing the e-stop event. This occurs only when the calculated tracking position lag value is above a calibrated threshold. A method is also disclosed for using the above system in the work cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jianying Shi, David Groll, Peter W. Tavora
  • PARKING CONTROL DEVICE
    Publication number: 20130158774
    Abstract: A device for the controlled parking of a motor vehicle on the basis of a stored path trajectory is provided. The device includes at least one road marking sensor for detecting road markings on the roadway of the path trajectory. The device records the position of the road markings relative to the path trajectory and when retracing the path trajectory finds the recorded road markings by means of the road marking sensor and corrects the driving path as necessary on this basis. This results in more accurately controlled parking during the parking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
  • EXPANDABLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
    Publication number: 20130154818
    Abstract: An instrument cluster for a motor vehicle is provided. The instrument cluster includes at least one display instrument with an annular segment-like display scale and a needle. Here, the display instrument comprises devices for the mechanical fixing and for the electrical contacting of at least one add-on instrument, which can be releasably attached within the display scale. The present disclosure makes possible the simple upgrading of a motor vehicle with additional add-on instruments. Further embodiments provide that an add-on instrument can also be used as a vehicle key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUIDS INCLUDING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS
    Publication number: 20130153816
    Abstract: Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are disclosed herein. An example of the MR fluid includes a carrier fluid, magnetic particles disposed in the carrier fluid, and non-magnetic particles disposed in the carrier fluid. The non-magnetic particles are particles of a shape memory alloy having an Austenite finish temperature (Af) that is lower than a temperature encountered in an application in which the MR fluid is used so that the shape memory alloy exhibits stress-induced superelasticity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • System For Providing A Mobile Electronic Device Reminder
    Publication number: 20130154819
    Abstract: A vehicle system for providing a reminder that at least one mobile electronic device is being left in an interior cabin of a vehicle after a vehicle access event is provided. The vehicle system includes at least one indicator, a vehicle access system, and a control module. The indicator provides notification that the at least one mobile electronic device is being left in the interior cabin of the vehicle after the vehicle access event. The vehicle access system determines a vehicle access event. The control module is in communication with the at least one indicator and the vehicle access system. The control module includes a control logic for establishing a connection between the at least one mobile electronic device and the control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James A. Stefanovski, Matthew M. Highstrom, Cody R. Hansen, Andrew W. Gellatly, Timothy J. Grost
  • MOTOR VEHICLE COMBINATION AND METHOD FOR OPERATING
    Publication number: 20130158740
    Abstract: A motor vehicle combination is provided. The motor vehicle combination includes a towing vehicle. The towing vehicle is embodied as passenger car. In addition, the motor vehicle combination includes at least one trailer. The at least one trailer can be mechanically connected to the towing vehicle. In addition, the motor vehicle combination comprises a bidirectional communication unit, which is designed for exchanging data between the towing vehicle and the at least one trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
  • INTEGRATED SHAPED PLASTIC EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR FUEL CELL VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20130146169
    Abstract: A shaped plastic exhaust system for a fuel cell vehicle. In one embodiment, the exhaust system employs integrally molded bundle clips that support vehicle brake lines and/or a fuel supply line. An exhaust flow section can be formed into any suitable shape for a particular vehicle design, including a flat rectangular shape giving the exhaust system a low profile. The integral bundle clips can be provided every so often along the exhaust flow section, or can extend the complete length of the exhaust flow section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jörg Schulze
  • INTERIOR PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE WITH POLE-TO-POLE ASYMMETRY OF ROTOR SLOT PLACEMENT
    Publication number: 20130147299
    Abstract: An interior permanent magnet machine includes a rotor having a plurality of slots. First and second slots are disposed in a first pole and the third and fourth slots are disposed in a second pole. A first barrier is defined by the first, second, third and fourth slots. The slots are configured to be symmetric relative to their respective pole axes. A first angle is defined between the first and second slots. A second angle is defined between the third and fourth slots. The first angle is configured to be sufficiently different from the second angle so that torque ripple is minimized. Thus the rotor is configured such that the angular configuration of slots in a first pole is different from the angular configuration of slots in a second pole of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Khwaja M. Rahman, Sinisa Jurkovic, Edward L. Kaiser, Peter J. Savagian
  • ANODE INJECTOR CONTROL ALGORITHM FOR A LOW FREQUENCY DISCRETE OUTPUT
    Publication number: 20130149622
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an injector in a fuel cell system. The method provides a variety of injector pulse widths for at least one predetermined duty cycle and determines an injector close time for each of the variety of injector pulse widths. The method also determines an error for the at least one predetermined duty cycle based on each of the provided injector pulse widths and uses the injector pulse width with the lowest error for the at least one predetermined duty cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel C. Di Fiore, Matthew A. Lang
  • ROTOR GEOMETRY FOR REDUCTION OF TORQUE RIPPLE IN A WOUND FIELD MACHINE
    Publication number: 20130147309
    Abstract: An electric machine is provided with a rotor configured to be rotatable within a stator. A first and second tooth are disposed circumferentially along an outer perimeter of the rotor and at least partially define a first slot. The first and the second tooth define a respective first and second outer edge extending between a respective tooth base and a respective tooth tip. An arc radius from the origin to the outer perimeter of the rotor varies along the first outer edge of the first tooth, thereby creating a first non-uniform gap between the rotor and the stator. The arc radius from the origin to the outer perimeter of the rotor varies along the second outer edge of the second tooth, thereby creating a second non-uniform gap between the rotor and the stator. The rotor geometry is configured to reduce torque ripple without skewing either the rotor or the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Khwaja M. Rahman, Constantin C. Stancu, Sinisa Jurkovic, Xinyu Zhou, Qiang Niu, Xu Han
  • VEHICLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY HAVING A SELF-RETAINING BEARING
    Publication number: 20130146380
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a wheel assembly is provided for a vehicle. The wheel assembly includes a knuckle having a tapered inner surface to interface with an outer flange of a bearing. A threaded fastener retains the bearing within the knuckle. A wheel hub couples to an inner flange of the bearing permitting rotation of the wheel hub relative to the knuckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: JAMES A. WEBSTER, TOMASZ WARZECHA
  • OFF AXIS PUMP WITH INTEGRATED CHAIN AND SPROCKET ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20130149110
    Abstract: An off axis hydraulic pump for an automatic motor vehicle transmission includes an integrated chain and sprocket assembly. A first, chain drive sprocket is mounted on a shaft driven by an input to a torque converter and a second, driven chain sprocket is attached to a stub shaft which drives the pump. A multi-link chain encircles the sprockets and transfers drive torque from the torque converter input to the stub shaft. The first, chain drive sprocket is retained on the input shaft by a retainer cap which includes seals between both the shaft and a torque converter housing. The second, driven chain sprocket is retained on the stub shaft by a snap ring or similar component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Kevin Pummell, Richard F. Olenzer, David M. Woodard, Moo Ho Chung, Keith Hayen
  • VEHICLE OPERATOR IDENTIFICATION AND OPERATOR-CONFIGURED SERVICES
    Publication number: 20130151027
    Abstract: A system for implementing customized vehicle services includes a vehicle control system including a computer processor, and logic executable by the computer processor, the logic configured to implement a method. The method includes receiving user-selected settings for distributing a communication, the user-selected settings input to the computer processor by a user of a vehicle. The method also includes monitoring vehicle components for a condition specified in the user-selected settings, and distributing the communication pursuant to the user-selected settings when the condition is met in response to the monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David R. Petrucci, Charles A. Massoll, Thiep T. Nguyen, Mark A. Wisnewski
  • ROTOR BARRIER SHAPING FOR DEMAGNETIZATION MITIGATION IN AN INTERNAL PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE
    Publication number: 20130147302
    Abstract: A rotor core for an Internal Permanent Magnet (IPM) machine includes a cavity having a magnet disposed therein. The cavity defines an air slot adjacent a radially outermost edge of the magnet disposed therein. A leakage flux path extends across the air slot and connects opposing sides of the cavity. The leakage flux path is oriented in an approximate tangential relationship relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor core, and is angled relative to the radially outermost edge of the magnet disposed within the cavity to direct flux away from the magnet. The cavity further includes an air pocket disposed along a radial inner surface of the magnet relative to the axis of rotation, adjacent the air slot of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Khwaja M. Rahman, Sinisa Jurkovic
  • MAGNETIC SEPARATION OF IRON FROM ALUMINUM OR MAGNESIUM ALLOY MELTS
    Publication number: 20130145899
    Abstract: Iron impurities may be removed from volumes of molten aluminum or magnesium metals or alloys by applying a static magnetic field gradient to each of the molten metal volumes, or melts. The magnetic field gradient is applied to each of the melts so that separate-phase iron impurities suspended therein will move in the direction of the applied magnetic field and become concentrated in a predetermined region of the of the melts, thereby forming an iron-rich region. The remaining iron-depleted region of each of the melts can be physically separated from the as-formed iron-rich region and cast into shaped articles of manufacture or into semi-finished articles for further processing. Such articles will have a lower iron-content than the original molten metal volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GUANGLING SONG, JAN F. HERBST, ANIL K. SACHDEV
  • FILTERING ASSEMBLY HAVING SEDIMENT TRAP
    Publication number: 20130146517
    Abstract: A filtering assembly for collecting sediment from fluid of a powertrain device is provided. The filtering assembly includes a bottom pan and a sediment trap. The bottom pan has a bottom surface and is configured to collect the fluid of the powertrain device. The bottom pan may have a side wall cooperating with its bottom surface to define a cavity within the bottom pan. The sediment trap has opposed upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface may be attached to the bottom pan. The upper surface is configured to receive the sediment when the sediment falls toward the bottom surface of the bottom pan as the sediment is acted on by gravity. The sediment trap is configured to trap sediment received through its upper surface. A method for collecting sediment from the fluid of a powertrain device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Craig D. O'Brien
  • FREEZE ROBUST ANODE VALVE AND PASSAGE DESIGN
    Publication number: 20130146795
    Abstract: A valve for a fuel cell system includes a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet formed therein. Each of the inlet and the outlet includes a passage formed therein to permit a fluid to flow through the valve housing. A movable member is disposed in the valve housing and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The movable member includes a sliding portion having a first flow regulator and a second flow regulator extending laterally outwardly therefrom. At least a portion of the first flow regulator is disposed in the passage of the inlet and at least a portion of the second flow regulator is disposed in the passage of the outlet when the movable member is in the closed position militating against a formation of ice across the entire opening of the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthew A. Lang
  • METHOD FOR BRAKE REGENERATION
    Publication number: 20130151103
    Abstract: A method for controlling brakes acting through frictional connection, in particular for a vehicle having an energy conversion device which is configured to convert movement energy into storable energy during a braking operation, is provided. The method comprises sensing a runtime value which has elapsed since a last operation of the brake and comparing with a time constant, sensing a braking operation with a braking force and comparing with a predetermined braking force value, and, if the braking force exceeds the predetermined braking force value and the runtime value is longer than the time constant, initiating a brake regeneration during which on a first axle a first braking force component is increased and a second braking force component on a second axle is reduced, so that a sum of the braking force components reaches the braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • MULTI-LAYER ARC-SHAPED PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE WITH REDUCED ROTATIONAL STRESS
    Publication number: 20130147303
    Abstract: An interior permanent magnet machine includes a rotor configured to magnetically interact with a stator. First and second dividers are integrally formed within the rotor and configured to create a first layer of three respective first segments. Each of the respective first segments may be substantially arc-shaped. A plurality of first magnets may be positioned in the first layer. The first magnets may be substantially arc-shaped and defined around an arc center. A third and a fourth divider may be integrally formed within the rotor and configured to create a second layer of three respective second segments. The placement of dividers or structural webs provides for increased rotational speed and reduced rotational stress compared to an undivided arc-shaped magnet configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward L. Kaiser, Khwaja M. Rahman, Sinisa Jurkovic
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE ROLLOVER PREDICTION
    Publication number: 20130151075
    Abstract: A rollover avoidance method may include determining tire loading for at least two tires of a vehicle. A stability of the vehicle with regard to rolling over may be predicted based at least on the determined tire loading. The vehicle may be controlled at least on the basis of the predicted stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Shih-Ken Chen, Flavio Nardj