Patents Assigned to GM Global Technologies Operations LLC
  • Publication number: 20190193373
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a first knitted fabric layer defining an outer surface and a second knitted fabric layer defining an inner surface. The inner surface is opposite the outer surface. The vehicle seat further includes a knitted spacer fabric interconnecting the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer. The knitted spacer fabric resiliently biases the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer away from one another. The knitted spacer fabric is configured to buckle when a seated occupant exerts an occupant load on the vehicle seat. The first knitted fabric layer is more elastic than the second knitted fabric layer to conform to the seated occupant when the seated occupant exerts the occupant load on the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nilesh D. Mankame, Wonhee M. Kim, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190195427
    Abstract: A structural member includes an inflatable bladder. The structural member may include a fabric shell disposed about an exterior surface of the bladder, or a spacer element attached to an interior surface of the bladder. The fabric shell or spacer element restrains the shape of the bladder to contour the bladder into a desired shape and increase the load carrying capacity of the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nilesh D. Mankame
  • Publication number: 20190194843
    Abstract: The knitted textiles include a knitted structure including a plurality of hollow yarns. Each hollow yarn includes a yarn body and defines a yarn hole extending through the yarn body to allow expansion of the yarn body upon inflation of each hollow yarn through the yarn hole. The knitted structure is configured to transition from an unexpanded state to an expanded state in response to the inflation of the hollow yarns through the yarn hole. The knitted structure has a first porosity in the unexpanded state, and the knitted structure has a second porosity in the expanded state. The second porosity is less than the first porosity such that a visibility through the knitted structure is greater when the knitted structure is in the unexpanded state than when the knitted structure is in the expanded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Anthony L. Smith, Christopher P. Henry
  • Publication number: 20190192846
    Abstract: A motion sickness mitigation device includes a textile material having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a first raised portion extending from the first surface and configured for contacting a skin of a user. The textile material defines a first pocket and a second pocket therein between the first surface and the second surface, and the second pocket is spaced apart from the first pocket. The device further includes a controller disposed within the first pocket and configured for transmitting an electrical signal. The device also includes a first electrical excitation pad disposed within the second pocket, covered by the first raised portion, and disposed in electrical communication with the controller. The first electrical excitation pad is configured for receiving the electrical signal and electrically stimulating the skin of the user through the textile material to thereby mitigate motion sickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Olivia Stoneman
  • Publication number: 20190194840
    Abstract: Presented herein are active textile structures with selectively variable surface friction characteristics, methods for making/using such structures, and vehicle components fabricated with electronically controlled textile structures with modifiable surface friction characteristics. An active textile system for governing frictional force levels at an interface with a user or object is presented. The system includes a textile structure that is fabricated from interlaced first and second textile filaments. Each textile filament has a respective texture that exhibits a distinct coefficient of friction. The textile structure has an outer and/or upper contact surface at the interface with the user/object. An actuating element, which is connected to the textile structure, is operable to selectively transition the textile structure between first and second states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10330486
    Abstract: Disclosed are vehicle communications networks for adapting user information using crowd-sensed contextual data, computer-executable instructions for provisioning such content/information, and vehicles equipped with a telematics system for adapting driver information using contextual data from vehicle participatory sensing systems. A disclosed method for provisioning information to occupants of a motor vehicle includes determining trip characteristics, including vehicle and driver data, for a current trip of the vehicle, and determining trip characteristics for previous trips that correspond to the current trip. The vehicle's communications system receives, over a distributed computer network from a vehicle participatory sensing system aggregating data from participative vehicles, operational data for the current trip as sensed by the participative vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Donald K. Grimm, Fan Bai, David E. Bojanowski, Omer Tsimhoni
  • Patent number: 10329990
    Abstract: An exhaust gas flow after-treatment (AT) system includes first and second AT devices. The first AT device includes cone with an inlet defined by a surface area having a first geometric center and an outlet defined by a surface area having a second geometric center. The AT system also includes an exhaust passage for carrying the exhaust gas flow from the first AT device cone outlet to the second AT device, and includes an injector for introducing a reductant into the exhaust gas flow within the exhaust passage. The first geometric center is arranged at a predetermined distance from the second geometric center and the inlet surface area is greater than the outlet surface area by a predetermined ratio. The predetermined distance and the predetermined ratio are together configured to induce swirl in and mix the reductant with the exhaust gas flow within the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Ivan Flaminio Cozza, Claudio Ciaravino, Andrea Arnone
  • Patent number: 10329986
    Abstract: An aftertreatment assembly includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device having a catalyst and configured to receive an exhaust gas. A controller is operatively connected to the SCR device. The controller having a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method of model-based monitoring of the SCR device. The method relies on a physics-based model that may be implemented in a variety of forms. The controller is configured to obtain at least one estimated parameter, and at least one threshold parameter based at least partially on a catalyst degradation model. The catalyst degradation model is based at least partially on a predetermined threshold storage capacity (?T). A catalyst status is determined based on a comparison of the estimated and threshold parameters. The operation of the assembly is controlled based at least partially on the catalyst status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Yongjie Zhu, Alessia Tuninetti
  • Patent number: 10330070
    Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine includes a multi-phase brushless electric motor, a controller and an inverter. A method for controlling the starter includes determining initial current commands for operating the electric motor in response to an activation command. Electrical current supplied to the electric motor and a rotational position of an output member of the electric motor are monitored. The electrical current is monitored directly without an intervening current prediction step. Interim voltage commands are determined based upon the initial current commands and the monitored currents, and final voltage commands are determined by subjecting the interim voltage commands to voltage limits. A rotational position compensation term is determined based upon the rotational position and rotational speed of the electric motor, and operation of the inverter is controlled to control the electric motor based upon the final voltage commands and the rotational position compensation term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 10333158
    Abstract: A plate assembly includes a first plate and a second plate positioned adjacent to one another. The first plate includes a first sealing member formed thereon. The second plate includes a second sealing member formed thereon. The first sealing member includes a first end surface and first opposing sides extending from the first end surface. The second sealing member includes a second end surface and second opposing sides extending from the second end surface. The first and second sealing members are offset relative to one another by a first offset distance (D1) in a first longitudinal direction. By varying the sealing member's base width periodically, a greater sealing force is achieved. By offsetting alignment of pairs of sealing members along the seal path, uniform pressure along the seal path is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Siguang Xu, Xi Yang, Liang Xi
  • Patent number: 10329639
    Abstract: A multilayer steel includes a core formed of transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel. A decarburized layer is exterior to the core on at least one side thereof. The decarburized layer has reduced carbon content relative to the core. A zinc-based layer is exterior to the decarburized layer. The decarburized layer may have a composition of at least 80 percent ferrite, such that LME is reduced or mitigated. In some configurations, the decarburized layer is between 10-50 microns thick. A method of creating a coated advanced high-strength steel component is also provided. An apparatus for forming a coated advanced high-strength steel is also provided. The core of the multilayer steel may have a carbon weight-percent of less than or equal to 0.4. The decarburized layer of the multilayer steel may have a carbon weight-percent of less than or equal to 50 percent of the carbon weight-percent of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Charles Enloe, Curt D. Horvath, David Yang, Qi Lu, Wu Tao
  • Patent number: 10333156
    Abstract: A method for creating a formed-in-place seal on a fuel cell plate is disclosed. The method includes first dispensing a flowable seal material along a first sealing area of a fuel cell plate requiring the seal material. Next, a preformed template is located adjacent to at least a portion of the fuel cell plate, the template including predetermined apertures corresponding with a second sealing area of the plate, such that the apertures are coextensive with at least a portion of the first sealing area. Flowable seal material is applied into the apertures, and is then cured to a non-flowable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Mark W. Keyser
  • Patent number: 10328820
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle or other system includes a fuel cell stack, a DC-DC boost converter, and a controller. The stack has a plurality of fuel cells and a stack voltage. The controller regulates the stack voltage during start-up of the fuel cell stack via the boost converter, and is programmed with a plurality of calibrated voltage profiles each having a corresponding magnitude and rate of change. The controller is configured to execute a method which includes detecting an air start of the fuel cell stack in response to a requested start-up of the fuel cell stack. The controller then enforces the stack voltage to the predetermined voltage profiles during an actual start-up of the fuel cell stack, doing so via regulation of the boost converter and using the plurality of calibrated voltage profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Jun Cai, Joseph Castelluccio, Sergio E. Garcia, Andrew J. Maslyn
  • Patent number: 10333182
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for estimating cell voltage excursion in a battery pack in the presence of a sensing fault in which actual cell voltages of first and second battery cells in a block of battery cells become unknown or missing. The sensing fault is detected, and a cell voltage is determined for each cell in the block other than the first and second cells. The method also includes measuring a block voltage, calculating an average cell voltage in the block, and estimating that the first cell is equal to the calculated average cell voltage. All excursion or deviation of the measured block voltage from a sum of the cell voltages and the estimated cell voltage of the first cell is assigned to the second cell. A control action is executed using the estimated cell voltages, including selectively enabling or disabling functionality of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James C. Gibbs, Todd W. Bazzett, Andrew C. Baughman, Todd F. Mackintosh
  • Patent number: 10329976
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes a diesel internal combustion engine and an aftertreatment system coupled to the diesel internal combustion engine. The aftertreatment system includes a diesel oxidation catalyst coupled to the diesel internal combustion engine such that the diesel oxidation catalyst receives exhaust gases from the diesel internal combustion engine. The aftertreatment system includes a plasma generator in fluid communication with the diesel oxidation catalyst, wherein the plasma generator is upstream of the diesel oxidation catalyst and downstream of the diesel internal combustion engine, and the plasma generator is configured to generate oxidizers to at least partially oxidize hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases exiting the diesel internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Gongshin Qi, Wei Li
  • Publication number: 20190186318
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for an internal combustion engine includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, an injection system disposed to inject reductant into the exhaust pipe upstream of the SCR device. A single ammonia sensor is disposed to monitor an exhaust gas feedstream downstream of the SCR device. A controller is in communication with the single ammonia sensor and the internal combustion engine and operatively is connected to the injection system. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to monitor, via the single ammonia sensor, a magnitude of ammonia in the exhaust gas feedstream downstream of the SCR device and determine NOx efficiency of the SCR device based upon the magnitude of ammonia in the exhaust gas feedstream downstream of the SCR device. A fault is detected in the SCR device based upon the NOx efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Raffaello Ardanese
  • Publication number: 20190186348
    Abstract: A turbocharging system for an internal combustion engine includes a turbocharger having a shaft supported for rotation about an axis. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel mounted on the shaft and configured to be rotated about the axis by the exhaust gas, and a compressor assembly mounted on the shaft and configured to pressurize an airflow received from the ambient for delivery to the cylinder. The turbocharging system additionally includes an electric motor configured to generate electric motor torque. The turbocharging system further includes a one-way clutch configured to selectively connect the electric motor to the compressor assembly, such that the electric motor torque assists the turbocharger in generating boost pressure. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharging system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jim Liu, Bin Zhu, Jian Yao, Claus Juergen Glahn
  • Publication number: 20190190040
    Abstract: A controller-executed method for conditioning a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a fuel cell for use in a fuel cell stack includes humidifying a fuel inlet to the stack to a threshold relative humidity level, and maintaining a current density and cell voltage of the fuel cell at a calibrated current density level and hold voltage level, respectively, via the controller in at least one voltage recovery stage. The recovery stage has a predetermined voltage recovery duration. The method includes measuring the cell voltage after completing the predetermined voltage recovery duration, and executing a control action with respect to the fuel cell or fuel cell stack responsive to the measured cell voltage exceeding a target voltage, including recording a diagnostic code via the controller indicative of successful conditioning of the MEA. A fuel cell system includes the fuel cell stack and controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Swaminatha P. Kumaraguru, Jingxin Zhang, Nagappan Ramaswamy, Pinkhas A. Rapaport
  • Publication number: 20190188039
    Abstract: A system for controlling a subsystem of a vehicle includes a memory, a first processor, and a second processor. The first processor allocates a portion of the memory upon booting to perform operations to control the subsystem and generates an indication when an amount of memory used from the allocated portion of the memory is greater than or equal to a threshold. The first processor monitors times when the vehicle is turned on and off and determines a time period during which the vehicle remains turned off. After the vehicle is turned off, the first processor enters a power save mode. The memory and the second processor continue to receive power. During the time period, on receiving the indication, the second processor wakes up the first processor, which performs a reboot operation, reallocates the memory, and reenters the power save mode. The memory continues to receive power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. RUSH, Vadim Draluk
  • Publication number: 20190185685
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing a self-healing UV-protective polymer coating include a polymer matrix formed by initiating polymerization of a UV-absorbing-matrix precursor and a UV initiator and a self-healing portion disposed within the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix includes a plurality of active sites therein. The self-healing portion includes a self-healing precursor that is flowable and a self-healing initiator. The self-healing initiator is configured to polymerize the self-healing precursor using a cationic ring opening process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fang Dai, Mahmoud Abd Elhamid, Anne M. Dailly, Mei Cai