Patents Assigned to GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • Publication number: 20120285425
    Abstract: A flow control system is provided having an engine, a turbocharger, and positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) line, and a flow regulating device. The engine has an air-oil separator and an intake manifold. The air-oil separator separates oil droplets and oil mist from a blowby gas. The turbocharger has an air inlet and an air outlet, where the air outlet is connected to the intake manifold of the engine. The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) vent line has a first end connected to the air-oil separator and a second end connected to the air inlet of the turbocharger. The PCV vent line delivers the blowby gas from the air-oil separator to the air inlet of the turbocharger. The flow regulating device is located in the PCV vent line. The flow regulating device selectively limits the flow of blowby gas from the air-oil separator to the air inlet of the turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Spix
  • Publication number: 20120286052
    Abstract: A system and method of engine thermal management. Energy may be received from a solar energy source electrically connected to a vehicle propulsion system. At least some of the energy from the solar energy source may be used to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system. A control module may provide at least some of the energy from the solar energy source to a heater, for example, to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system prior to starting the vehicle propulsion system. The heater may heat the vehicle propulsion system to temperatures within a predetermined range associated with optimal efficiency of the vehicle propulsion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Prasad ATLURI, Kushal Narayanaswamy, Gerald A. Szekely, JR., Joel G. Toner, Paul M. Najt
  • Publication number: 20120288780
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that determines the concentration of hydrogen gas in an anode loop. The fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell, an anode inlet, an anode outlet, an anode loop, a source of hydrogen gas and an injector for injecting the hydrogen gas. First and second pressure sensors are provided in the anode loop and are spaced a known distance from each other. A controller responsive to the output signals from the first and second pressure sensors filters the sensor signals from the first and second pressure sensors and determines the concentration of hydrogen gas in the anode loop based on the time difference between the filtered sensor signal from the first pressure sensor and the filtered sensor signal from the second pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. TIGHE, Daniel C. DI FIORE
  • Publication number: 20120285405
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a camshaft supported for rotation on the engine structure, a drive member and a camshaft actuation assembly. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a second shaft located within the first shaft and rotatable relative to the first shaft, a first cam lobe located on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the first shaft and a second cam lobe supported for rotation on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the second shaft. The drive member may be fixed to a first axial end of the camshaft and rotationally driven to drive rotation of the camshaft. The camshaft actuation assembly may include an actuator coupled to a second axial end of the camshaft and rotationally fixed to the engine structure and relative to the camshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: RONALD JAY PIERIK
  • Publication number: 20120285284
    Abstract: A latching shifter with override feature is interfaced with a shift-by-wire transmission, wherein the latching of the shifter with respect to a gear cam is autonomously synchronized to a gear selected by the electronics of the transmission whenever the shifter is physically at another gear via autonomous actuation of a gear synchronization cam having an inclined cam follower guide surface. The incline urges the cam follower under its inherent biasing into the gear notch corresponding to the gear selected by the electronics of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Orson S. Wang
  • Publication number: 20120285140
    Abstract: A method for operating a compression-ignition internal combustion engine including an exhaust aftertreatment system having an oxidation catalyst fluidly coupled upstream of a catalyzed particulate filter includes introducing fuel into an exhaust gas feedstream of the engine upstream of the oxidation catalyst, determining operating parameters associated with the exhaust gas feedstream, determining a hydrocarbon slip rate through the oxidation catalyst corresponding to the operating parameters associated with the exhaust gas feedstream and the introduced fuel into the exhaust gas feedstream, and controlling a flowrate of fuel introduced into the exhaust gas feedstream upstream of the oxidation catalyst in response to the estimated hydrocarbon slip rate through the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Min Sun
  • Publication number: 20120282895
    Abstract: A multimedia content dissemination system is provided for mobile vehicles. A wireless vehicle communication network provides communication among mobile vehicles in the network. At least one host vehicle within the wireless vehicle communication network is selected by an authorized entity for disseminating multimedia content received by the authorized entity. The at least one host vehicle transmits an inquiry to target vehicles in the wireless vehicle communication network. The inquiry comprises a content profile that includes descriptors associated with the multimedia content for allowing target vehicles to determine whether an interest exists in the multimedia content. The at least one host vehicle transmits the multimedia content in encrypted form to an interested target vehicle for sampling the multimedia content. The interested target vehicle requests ongoing use of the multimedia content from the authorized entity in response to sampling the multimedia content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fan Bai, Donald K. Grimm, Timothy J. Talty
  • Publication number: 20120280531
    Abstract: A system for controlling an access opening in a vehicle body includes first and second doors arranged to selectively open and close first and second portions of the opening. The system also includes first and second latches operatively connected to the first and second doors, respectively, and configured to selectively latch the first and second doors to and release the first and second doors from the body. The system additionally includes a device operatively connected to the first door and configured to be selectively retracted before at least one of the first and second doors is opened and protracted when the first and second doors are closed to seal the opening. Furthermore, the system includes a third latch operatively connected to one of the first and second doors and configured to selectively latch the first door to the second door and release the first and second doors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scott P. Charnesky
  • Publication number: 20120280526
    Abstract: A reconfigurable tool module for an end-effector includes an adjustable-height housing attached to a swing arm. The adjustable-height housing includes a valve spool and a flow path terminating at a workpiece interface tool. The valve spool is configured to interrupt the flow path when the adjustable-height housing is in a first position. The valve spool is configured to open the flow path when the adjustable-height housing moves away from the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Yhu-Tin Lin
  • Publication number: 20120279214
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure and an intake assembly. The engine structure defines a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a first intake port in communication with the first cylinder, and a second intake port in communication with the second cylinder. The intake assembly includes a first throttle valve, a second throttle valve and a boost mechanism. The first throttle valve is in communication with the first and second intake ports. The second throttle valve is in communication with an air source and the first throttle valve and located in a series flow arrangement between the air source and the first throttle valve. The boost mechanism is in communication with the air source and the first throttle valve and located in a series flow arrangement between the air source and the first throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: JAMES E. FORCE
  • Publication number: 20120279389
    Abstract: A method of making a piston with enhanced thermal conductivity. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a piston with an oil gallery, the piston made of a material; and depositing a layer of a material in the oil gallery, the material having a higher thermal conductivity than a thermal conductivity of the piston material. Another aspect of the invention is a piston having enhanced thermal conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Joseph C. Kopchick
  • Publication number: 20120279691
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle air conditioning system is provided. The heat exchanger includes an inner tube configured to carry a heat exchanger medium and an outer tube that at least regionally envelops the inner tube with an intermediate space between the inner tube and the outer tube. A separating web extends between the inner tube and the outer tube and is configured to divide the intermediate space into at least two flow channels. In an axial section of the inner tube and the outer tube, the separating web fluidically couples the flow channels with each other as viewed in a circumferential direction of the inner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lothar SEYBOLD, Artem SERYI
  • Publication number: 20120280060
    Abstract: A multi-nozzle spray head washer fluid delivery system which utilizes both a wide spray pattern nozzle and a narrow spray pattern nozzle to provide selective adjustment of the spray pattern delivered to the surface of the windshield. A control system incorporates either or both of an autonomous selection of spray pattern and driver selection of spray pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: DAVID T. RENKE, THOMAS W. COX
  • Publication number: 20120281712
    Abstract: A transmitting-receiving apparatus for a communication system for a vehicle is provided. The communication system also comprises a second transmitting-receiving apparatus. The apparatuses are connected via a bus. Messages from the transmitting-receiving apparatus to the second transmitting-receiving apparatus are transmitted by frames. Each frame comprises a first part. During the transmission of the first part, the one or both apparatuses determine whether there is a collision on the bus. Each frame also comprises a second part for transmitting useful data. The transmitting-receiving apparatus is adapted to transmit the first part of the frame via the bus at a first transmission frequency and the second part of the frame at a second transmission frequency. The second transmission frequency is higher than the first transmission frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Harald EISELE
  • Publication number: 20120279242
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle air conditioning system is provided. The heat exchanger includes an inner tube through which a heat exchanger medium can flow, an outer tube that at least regionally envelops the inner tube forming an intermediate space, and a regulating unit fluidically connected to the intermediate space. The regulating unit is configured to alter the flow resistance of the intermediate space as a function of the temperature of a heat exchanger medium that flows through the intermediate space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lothar SEYBOLD, Artem SERYI
  • Publication number: 20120283893
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method may collect acceleration data for a driver for a vehicle, compare the acceleration data for the driver to a set of acceleration data representing a plurality of sample drivers driving in the same type of vehicle as the vehicle, and based on the comparison, determining a driving style rating for the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Woo LEE, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Publication number: 20120280422
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a three-dimensional geometrically complex device is provided, based on a shape memory polymer. The method includes selecting a substrate composed of a shape memory polymer. A filling material is deposited in or on a planar surface of the substrate, thereby forming the device. The planar surface of the substrate may be in either a temporary or original shape of the substrate. Prior to the deposition of the filling material, the substrate is transformed into a first shape having a planar surface if the original shape of the substrate does not have a planar surface. The device is configured to be thermo-mechanically tunable to display a plurality of geometrically complex shapes, under a series of temperature changes and stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Tao Xie
  • Publication number: 20120283911
    Abstract: A method and system may include obtaining a time to complete a lane centering maneuver for a vehicle traveling on a roadway. A lane centering path may be calculated for the maneuver, based on a sensed current heading of the vehicle relative to a sensed center line as determined by the time to complete. A steering adjustment required for the vehicle to execute the maneuver with respect to the calculated lane centering path may be calculated and applied to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Woo LEE, Bakhtiar Brian LITKOUHI
  • Publication number: 20120283922
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an automatic transmission, and a controller. The transmission includes a neutral idle (NI) state and a designated NI clutch which is selectively actuated to exit the NI state. The controller executes instructions from tangible memory to shift out of the NI state and into a drive state. The controller includes a slip model which generates a desired clutch slip profile as a differentiable time function, and a desired slip derivative of the desired slip profile. The desired profiles are used to calculate a clutch pressure command for controlling the designated NI clutch. The time function may be at least a third order/cubic equation. A method includes executing the slip model to generate the desired clutch slip profile, calculating a desired slip derivative of the desired slip profile, and using the desired slip profile derivative to calculate a clutch pressure command for the designated NI clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, David W. Wright, Ronald F. Lochocki, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120283898
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for thermally controlling a plurality of devices of a system using an element. The element is controlled in accordance with a first control strategy via a processor if a temperature of a first device of the plurality of devices is within a first range, a temperature of a second device of the plurality of devices is within a second range, and an inlet temperature of the system is within a third range. The element is controlled via the processor in accordance with a second control strategy via the processor if the temperature of the first device is not within the first range, the temperature of the second device is not within the second range, or the inlet temperature is not within the third range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen L. SHEN, Keith D. BUFORD