Patents Assigned to GM Global Technologies Operations, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7864099
    Abstract: A low cost radar system that employs monopulse beamforming to detect objects in the road-way both in elevation and azimuth. In one non-limiting embodiment, a beamforming receiver architecture includes a first beamforming device and a plurality of antennas coupled to the first beamforming device, and a second beamforming device and a plurality of antennas coupled to the second beamforming device. The first and second beamforming devices are oriented 90° relative to each other so that the receive beams provided by the first beamforming device detect objects in azimuth and the receive beams provided by the second beamforming device detect objects in elevation. A first switch is provided to selectively couple the sum pattern signal from the first and second beamforming devices to one output line, and a second switch is provided to selectively couple the difference pattern signals from the first and second beamforming devices to another output line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Colburn, Hui-Pin Hsu, Osman D. Altan
  • Patent number: 7862631
    Abstract: A primary reactor for a fuel processor system that employs steam and air to convert a liquid hydrocarbon fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas stream. The liquid fuel and an air-steam mixture are mixed in a mixing region within the reactor. The fuel mixture is then directed through an electrically heated catalyst region that heats the mixture to the operation temperature of a light-off catalyst at system start-up. The heated fuel mixture is then directed through a light-off catalyst monolith where the hydrocarbon fuel is dissociated. Once the fuel mixture is heated to the operating temperature of the light-off catalyst, the electrically heated catalyst region is turned off because the exothermic reaction in the light-off catalyst monolith generates the heat necessary to sustain the catalytic reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Burch, William H. Pettit, Steven G. Goebel
  • Patent number: 7862437
    Abstract: A damper assembly for absorbing and attenuating torsionals and vibrations transmitted from an engine to a transmission is provided. The damper assembly includes a damper flange with a plurality of spring-mass damper systems operatively attached thereto and elongated circumferentially about its outer periphery. Each spring-mass damper systems include an inner spring nestably positioned inside an outer spring, a first spring retainer having a base portion defining a first interface surface with a first pilot portion extending therefrom to define a second interface surface with a second pilot portion extending therefrom, and a second spring retainer having a base portion defining an interface surface with a pilot portion extending therefrom to define a fourth interface surface. The first and third pilot portions engage with and thereby restrict axial and radial movement of the outer spring. The second pilot portion is attached to the inner spring thereby restricting relative movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Clark, Jeffrey R. Lee, Peter W. Mack
  • Patent number: 7862948
    Abstract: A device and method to predict and regulate nitrogen concentration in a flow shifting system. In one aspect of the system, a bleed valve fluidly coupled to multiple fuel cell stacks is used to reduce the presence of nitrogen in an anode flowpath. One or more sensors can be used to measure voltage within one or both of the fuel cell stacks. By assessing fuel cell voltage changes within the anode flowpath and equating such changes with nitrogen fraction buildup, the system can manipulate the bleed valve at appropriate times to improve system operability. In one form of equating the sensed voltage changes with the nitrogen fraction buildup, a predictive algorithm can be used by a logic device in a controller to compare the sensed voltage so that the controller instructs the bleed valve when to open and close. In a variation, the controller can compare the sensed voltages against stored data rather than rely on a formula or related algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Lienkamp, Peter Willimowski, David A. Arthur
  • Patent number: 7864029
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying a person as an authorized driver of a vehicle based on settings of the vehicle. The system includes a sensor for detecting a presence of a driver in the vehicle. The system also includes one or more control modules corresponding to the parameters of the vehicle. The parameters can be controlled by the control modules. The system also includes a driver ID controller coupled to the control modules and the sensor. The driver ID controller is configured to recognize the driver as an authorized driver based on inputs from the sensor and the control modules. The driver ID controller can also command the control units to adjust the parameters to predefined one or more attributes corresponding to the authorized driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jihua Huang, William C. Lin, Yuen-Kwok Chin
  • Patent number: 7861547
    Abstract: A method of operating a HVAC system in a vehicle having an engine that operates in a high efficiency mode and a less efficient mode is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of: operating a refrigerant compressor to cool a passenger compartment and charge a cold thermal storage apparatus; determining if a cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded a threshold; enabling compressor cycling if the cold charge in the storage apparatus has exceeded the threshold; detecting if the engine is operating in the high efficiency mode; determining an amount of HVAC loads on the engine; determining a proximity of the engine operation to a switching point from the high efficiency mode to the less efficient mode; and conducting a HVAC load shed if the HVAC load reduction allows the engine to stay below the switching point and the compressor cycling is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, Harry E. Eustice, Kenneth L. Porrett, Edwin J. Stanke, Todd J. Gordon
  • Patent number: 7862271
    Abstract: A method of joining workpieces includes rotating a friction stir rivet via a mandrel and driving the rivet into the workpieces causing frictional heating between the rivet and the workpieces and causing the materials of the workpieces to soften, thereby providing a fiction stirred displaceable path for the rivet to traverse, and driving the rivet along the displaceable path until the rivet mandrel pierces through the workpieces and a cap of the rivet is seated against the workpieces. Subsequent to seating the cap, further rotation of the mandrel is stopped and the workpieces are allowed to cool and harden. An axial load is then applied to the mandrel sufficient to provide mechanical loading between the rivet body and the workpieces. A resultant volume of displaced material from the workpieces is fixedly attached to the workpieces, thereby avoiding the creation of a potentially detachable slug of the displaced material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Robin Stevenson
  • Patent number: 7863402
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention contemplates a proton exchange membrane for use in a variety of fuel cells. The proton exchange membrane may comprise a solid phase organic based copolymer material in which a first structural unit is derived from a polymerizable organic super acid. The organic super acid may comprise an acid group such as a sulfonic acid group or a carboxylic acid group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Tenneille Weston Capehart, Gail Capehart, legal representative, Gerhard Maier, Claude Spino, Thomas J. Chapaton, Markus Gross, Armand Soldera
  • Patent number: 7862085
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes first and second lower rails and first and second upper rails operatively interconnected. Cross members horizontally interconnect the lower rails and the upper rails, and stanchions vertically interconnect the upper rails and the lower rails. The frame provides improved stiffness and strength at a reduced mass compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technologies Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Weizhang S. Xu, John K. Catterall, Zhijun Zheng, Rajan R. Chakravarty, Vesna Savic, Yul Woong Hyun, Donald R. Jones, Gary M. Banasiak, Arun M. Joshi, Ronald Kurtz
  • Patent number: 7862467
    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 4, 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: 7862943
    Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell system that employs a fuel cell stack and an ultracapacitor. A diode is provided on a high voltage electrical bus between the fuel cell stack and the ultracapacitor so that high voltage from the ultracapacitor does not affect the operation of the fuel cell stack. During system start-up, a by-pass switch is closed to by-pass the ultracapacitor so that power from the ultracapacitor can be used to start various system loads, such as a cathode side air compressor that provides air to the fuel cell stack. A 12 volt-to-high voltage converter is employed to provide a low power, high voltage supply from a low voltage battery to the system loads at start-up when the by-pass switch is opened, but before a fuel cell stack switch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew K. Hortop, David John Keyes, Ellen Greifenstein, Kazuyuki Izawa, Kengo Ikeya
  • Patent number: 7862464
    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 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 7862468
    Abstract: The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting mechanisms, three fixed interconnections and a grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Clinton E. Carey, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Patent number: 7862940
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating an electrochemical conversion cell is provided wherein the method comprises the steps of (i) initiating a membrane dehydration sequence when the membrane is characterized by an initial membrane hydration ?WET and (ii) maintaining the membrane dehydration sequence until the membrane is characterized by a target membrane hydration ?DRY. According to the method, the membrane dehydration sequence is characterized by a drying rate that varies in a manner that substantially corresponds to a fatigue life contour map of the membrane. Additional methods and corresponding systems are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeh-Hung Lai
  • Patent number: 7862081
    Abstract: A safety restraint system for selectively restraining an occupant of a motorized vehicle is provided. The safety restraint system includes a cylinder defining an elongate channel therein. A piston is disposed inside the channel, and selectively translates from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A linking member operatively connects the safety belt webbing to the piston such that translation of the piston increases the tension of the belt webbing. The safety restraint system also includes an inflatable cushion operatively attached to the cylinder, and configured to selectively transition from a non-expanded state to an expanded state. An inflation device operable to release inflation fluid is in fluid communication with both the inflatable cushion and the cylinder. Activation of the inflation device operates to transition the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state, and translate the piston from the undeployed position to the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7862949
    Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a fuel cell stack is overheating. The system measures the temperature of end cells in the stack using end cell temperature sensors, and calculates an average end cell temperature based on the end cell temperature measurements. The system also measures the temperature of a cooling fluid being output from the fuel cell stack. The system determines if any of the measured end cell temperatures are outlying by comparing each end cell temperature measurement to the average. The system determines that the cooling fluid outlet temperature sensor has possibly failed if the cooling fluid outlet temperature is greater than the average end cell temperature and the cooling fluid outlet temperature minus the average end cell temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdullah B. Alp, David A. Arthur
  • Patent number: 7862942
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing cathode carbon corrosion during start-up of a fuel cell stack. If a long enough period of time has gone by since the last system shutdown, then both the anode side and the cathode side of the stack will be filled with air. If the system includes split sub-stacks, then a start-up sequence uses a fast hydrogen purge through each sub-stack separately so as to minimize the time of the hydrogen/air front flowing through the anode side of the stacks. The start-up sequence then employs a slow hydrogen purge through the sub-stacks at the same time. If the time from the last shutdown is short enough where a significant amount of hydrogen still exists in the cathode side and the anode side of the sub-stacks, then the fast hydrogen purge can be eliminated, and the start-up sequence proceeds directly to the slow hydrogen purge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Salvador, Balsu Lakshmanan, Abdullah B. Alp, David A. Arthur
  • Patent number: 7862127
    Abstract: A hubcap configured for attachment to a wheel of a vehicle via a plurality of nutcaps that are removably attachable to a plurality of lugnuts of the vehicle includes a chrome-plated body and a standoff. The chrome-plated body defines an inner surface having a sidewall. The standoff is configured to distribute a force, arising during attachment of the plurality of nutcaps to the plurality of lugnuts, through the hubcap to the wheel of the vehicle. The standoff includes a proximal portion spaced apart from the sidewall and a distal portion including a hollow tubular member defining a bore. A wheel assembly configured for attachment to an axle of the vehicle includes the plurality of nutcaps, the wheel, the hubcap, and an insulator configured to protect the hubcap from heat and disposed within the hollow tubular member of the standoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Racicot, Patricia A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7862935
    Abstract: A strategy of controlling a state of hydration of a fuel cell(s) and actively managing operation of the fuel cell(s) to achieve a desired state of hydration. The control strategy monitors the state of hydration and a rate of change of the state of hydration which are used to control the operation of the fuel cell(s). A supervisory control strategy is implemented that alters the operating parameters of the fuel cell(s) based upon the state of hydration, the rate of change of the state of hydration, and a desired operational range for the state of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Manish Sinha, John C. Fagley, Peter Willimowski, Steven G. Goebel
  • Patent number: D630131
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Dyson