Patents Assigned to GM Global Technologies Operations, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7897693
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a copolymer comprises a sulfonatable segment covalently linked to an un-sulfonatable segment through an organic linking group. The sulfonatable group segment may be sulfonated through direction sulfonation or sulfonation through a spacer molecule. In another embodiment, a copolymer comprises a sulfonated segment and an unsulfonated segment. A membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell may be produced using the copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7897692
    Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic perfluorocyclobutane block copolymer comprises a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment and a hydrophilic sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment. The sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane copolymer may be used to make proton conductive membranes and membrane electrode assemblies in fuel cells. Processes of making the block copolymer through thermal coupling reactions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M Mackinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms
  • Patent number: 7897691
    Abstract: A proton conductive graft polymer comprises at least a structure unit of a sulfonated polymer side chain covalently attached to a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane polymer main chain. The sulfonated condensation polymer side chain has a high local ion exchange capacity while the main polymer chain is substantially free of sulfonic acid group. A membrane made from the graft polymer can provide good mechanical properties and high proton conductivity at wide range of humidity and temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Patent number: 7891075
    Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture device system, including: a base member; a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece; an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material; a controller in operable communication with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the activation device, and the base member; a plurality of sensors for sensing a parameter associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece, wherein the plurality of sensors is in operable communication with the controller; and an actuator in operable communication with the controller and the at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James W. Wells, Christopher P. Henry, Ivan G. Sears, Douglas M. Linn, Alan L. Browne, Richard J. Skurkis
  • Patent number: 7888433
    Abstract: A polymer for ion conductor applications includes a polymer segment having a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and a polymer segment not having such a moiety. One of these polymer segments is sulfonated to improve ionic conductivity. Fuel cells incorporating the ion conducting polymers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Sean M Mackinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Patent number: 7883819
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly, a method of making, and a system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly. In at least one embodiment, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly comprises a metallic cathode plate having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance, a polymeric composite anode plate adjacent to the metallic cathode plate, and a low contact resistance coating located on at least one of the surfaces of the plates, with the coating having a second contact resistance, less-than the first contact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technologies Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Richard H. Blunk, John N. Owens, Daniel J. Lisi, Gayatri Vyas
  • Patent number: 7874578
    Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing the deployment of an airbag includes an airbag housing in which a folded up airbag is housed. The housing has an open side through which the airbag is deployed and a door is pivoted to the housing and is pivoted open by the deploying airbag. An extension panel is mounted on the door by a track mechanism so that the extension panel is movable between a normal retracted position along side the door and an extended position in which the extension panel extends beyond the door. An extension mechanism for causes the extension panel to be moved to the extended position when the airbag is deploying so that the door and the extension panel direct and stabilize the deploying airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Robert L. Demick, Anthony P. Clark, Stuart L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7867128
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Andrew W. Phillips, Edwin T. Grochowski, Elizabeth I. Wooden
  • Patent number: 7867127
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake arranged within a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 7866445
    Abstract: A lift machine comprises a base, a support for supporting a load above the base, a lift actuator operatively connected between the base and the support for raising and lowering the support relative to the base, and a support stabilization mechanism operatively connected between the base and the support for stabilizing the support relative to the base during raising and lowering of the support by the lift actuator. The support stabilization mechanism comprises a pair of opposed linkages, with each of the pair of opposed linkages having a lower torque tube link and an upper torque tube link. The lower torque tube link has a torque tube operatively pivoted to the base. The upper torque tube link has a torque tube operatively pivoted to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., KUKA Systems Corporation North America
    Inventors: Larry Bukowski, Andrew Griesser, Vincent Sisti, Detlev Ziesel
  • Patent number: 7867130
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Andrew W. Phillips, Edwin T. Grochowski, Elizabeth I. Wooden
  • Patent number: 7866295
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided having a cylinder case with at least one cylinder bore wall defining at least one cylinder bore. At least one piston is reciprocally movable within the at least one cylinder bore. The at least one piston includes at least one skirt portion preferably having a barrel-shaped profile. The cylinder bore wall has an oleophobic characteristic, while the at least one skirt portion has an oleophilic characteristic. The oleophobic and oleophilic characteristic is produced by at least one of coating and machining the at least one cylinder bore wall and the at least one skirt portion, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Fanghui Shi, Yang T. Cheng
  • Patent number: 7866624
    Abstract: A heatable cryo-valve for a cryogenic tank storing liquid hydrogen. In one embodiment, the cryo-valve includes a valve plate mounted to a valve body by a spring. The spring forces the valve plate against a valve seat to prevent hydrogen from flowing through the cryo-valve when the valve is in a closed position. A resistive heating device is position proximate the valve plate. An electrical current applied to the heating device causes the device to expand, which pushes the device against the valve plate and against the bias of the spring to move the valve plate off of the valve seat and allow hydrogen to flow therethrough. The cryo-valve can be designed so that the heating device does not come in direct contact with the liquid hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Sachs
  • Patent number: 7866286
    Abstract: Valve lift in an internal combustion engine is controlled by an electro-hydraulic actuation mechanism including a selectively actuable hydraulic feedback circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Zongxuan Sun
  • Patent number: 7867129
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Andrew W. Phillips, Edwin T. Grochowski, Elizabeth I. Wooden
  • Patent number: 7866737
    Abstract: An active material actuated louver system having an actuator mechanism operable to selectively place a louver or louver system in an open or closed state of operation. The actuator mechanism includes a cable or wire formed from an active material, such as a shape memory alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Jan H. Aase, James H. Brown
  • Patent number: D630553
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Uwe Müller
  • Patent number: D630557
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Eum
  • Patent number: D630642
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Berg, Timothy J. Bennett, Remon J. Jiddou, Richard K. Riefe, Ronald H. Dybalski, Timothy M. Phillips
  • Patent number: D632223
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Jacob, Bertrand Bach, Borris Illse