Patents Assigned to GM Global Technologies Operations LLC
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Patent number: 10156293Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a pressure relief valve for a fluid pump has a valve head that has a recessed outlet-side surface that confronts a support end of a spring such that the valve head extends past the support end of the spring toward a pump outlet. The spring is biased to urge the valve head against a valve seat to a seated position. The spring is also configured to be compressed when fluid pressure at an inlet to the relief valve exceeds fluid pressure at the outlet by at least a predetermined amount such that the valve head is pushed away from the valve seat to an unseated position. A pressure relief valve may have multiple outlets at least some of which have unequal flow areas such that fluid pressure distribution across the flow area of the pressure relief valve cavity is nonsymmetrical.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andy Bennett, Joel H. Pike
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Patent number: 10155552Abstract: Disclosed are body panel strakes for improved vehicle aerodynamics, methods for making and methods for using such aerodynamic strakes, and motor vehicles employing aerodynamic strakes for reducing turbulent flow and developing higher static pressure at the rear of the vehicle. An underbody panel for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor vehicle includes a vehicle body with an undercarriage spanning between front and rear vehicle ends. The underbody panel includes a panel body that attaches to the vehicle body and covers a portion of the undercarriage. One or more elongated air strakes are attached to and project from the panel body. Each air strake includes an elongated body that extends longitudinally with respect to the vehicle and has an inboard-facing curvature. The air strake guides airflow traveling fore-to-aft along the undercarriage in an inboard direction to thereby increase static pressure on the rear end of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Anthony V. Marmo
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Patent number: 10150178Abstract: A method and associated device for joining a first workpiece to a second workpiece employing a vibration welder includes placing the first and second workpieces in a lapped arrangement and interposing an adhesive material between contiguous surfaces of the first and second workpieces. A first compressive load is applied to a spot welding locus associated with the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces, and then relaxed. A second compressive load is applied to the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces simultaneous with applying, via a vibration welder, a vibrational excitation to the spot welding locus associated with the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces. The applied vibrational excitation is discontinued, and the second compressive load continues to be applied to the spot welding locus associated with the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces for a period of time subsequent thereto.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Peter H. Foss, Yongqiang Li
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Patent number: 10151392Abstract: A vehicle including a transmission and an electronic transmission range selector system in communication with the transmission to shift the transmission to one of a park operating position and an out-of-park operating position. A clutch is movable between an engaged position grounding a portion of a planetary gear set to a transmission casing to operate the gear set in a first gear and a disengaged position. A first pawl is movable between a first position to mechanically couple the first pawl to the portion of the planetary gear set when the clutch is in the disengaged position such that the first pawl operates the gear set in the first gear, and a second position to mechanically decouple the first pawl from the portion of the gear set when the clutch is in the engaged position such that the clutch operates the planetary gear set in the first gear.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Dongxu Li
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Patent number: 10151373Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, and a transmission having an input. A vibration absorption assembly includes a mechanical connection system providing a first connection node, a second connection node, and a third connection node. The crankshaft is connected to a first one of the connection nodes. The input of the transmission is connected to a second one of the connection nodes. A centrifugal pendulum absorber is connected to a third one of the connection nodes. One of the connection nodes is a mechanically advantaged node. The centrifugal pendulum absorber is connected to the mechanically advantaged node.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dongxu Li, Farzad Samie, Derek F. Lahr
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Patent number: 10153499Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly and fuel cell stack with reduced leakage and a method of assembling a bipolar plate and fuel cell stack. The bipolar plates include—in addition to reactant channels and coolant channels that are fluidly coupled to inlet and outlet flowpaths, integrally-formed seals to help reduce leakage by maintaining fluid isolation of the reactants and coolant as they flow through their respective channels and flowpaths. The size and shape of the seals promotes secure plate-to-plate contact, even during plate side-to-side misalignment that can occur when arranging the various plates into the stack.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Siguang Xu, Ivan D. Chapman
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Patent number: 10151436Abstract: A lighting assembly for use with a vehicle body has outboard and inboard ends with respect to the vehicle body, as well as a housing connectable to the vehicle body. Additionally, a light fixture is positioned proximate the outboard end and has a plurality of light sources. An elongated light transfer optical system connects to the light fixture, has a distal end proximate the inboard end, and is configured to direct light from one or more of the light sources from the outboard end to the distal end such that some of the directed light is emitted through the distal end of the light transfer optical system. An outer lens is connected to the housing such that the light fixture and the light transfer optical system are encapsulated by the connected housing and outer lens. A vehicle includes the vehicle body and the lighting assembly, e.g., a front headlight assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrzej Wasilewski, Jeffrey T. Zawacki
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Patent number: 10152834Abstract: A method of conducting prognosis for an airflow management system for a combustion engine includes adjusting a throttle body valve position control signal in response to a detected airflow variation and monitoring an airflow variation compensation (AVC) value corresponding to a degree of adjustment of the control signal. The method also includes generating a throttle body coking severity metric based on at least a plurality of residual error values and the AVC value, and executing at least one response action based on the throttle body coking severity metric exceeding a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chaitanya Sankavaram, Shiming Duan, Layne Wiggins, Stephen Levijoki, Dean Sorrell, Todar Kuzmanov
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Patent number: 10151390Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission (CVT) of a powertrain system includes determining a target clamping pressure and an actual clamping pressure, and determining a proportional correction term and an integral correction term based upon the target clamping pressure and the actual clamping pressure. An adapt correction term is determined based upon the target clamping pressure and a temperature of the CVT. A commanded clamping pressure for controlling the CVT is determined based upon the proportional correction term, the integral correction term and the adapt correction term. A pressure command is employed to drive an actuator of a moveable sheave of a pulley of a variator of the CVT based upon the commanded clamping pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Joseph William Tatangelo, Paul G. Otanez, Zhen J. Zhang
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Publication number: 20180347476Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection system including a fuel injector disposed to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, and a plasma ignition system including a groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter that protrudes into the combustion chamber. A controller includes an executable instruction set to control the engine in a compression-ignition mode when the output torque request indicates a low load condition, including instructions to control a variable valve actuation system and control the plasma ignition system to execute plasma discharge events subsequent to controlling the fuel injection system to execute a fuel injection event, wherein the fuel injection event achieves a cylinder charge having a lean air/fuel ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Cherian A. Idicheria, Hanho Yun, Paul M. Najt, Arun S. Solomon
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Patent number: 10145470Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) for use with a torque generating mechanism includes an input member connectable to the torque generating mechanism, an output member, a variator assembly, and a controller. The controller is programmed to control a change-of-mind shift of the CVT requesting a transition from an initially-requested shift to a next-requested shift before completion of the initially-requested shift. Additionally, the controller is programmed to execute a method by detecting the change-of-mind shift, determining an acceleration profile of the input member for the change-of-mind shift using a calibration map indexed by a starting and target ratio of the variator assembly, and calculating a required ratio of the input and output pulleys using the acceleration profile. The controller then commands a clamping pressure of the variator assembly to thereby achieve the calculated required ratio. A vehicle includes an engine and the CVT noted above.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Zhen J. Zhang, Paul G. Otanez
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Publication number: 20180340507Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a combustion chamber defined by a cylinder bore in a cylinder block, a cylinder head and a piston. A groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter including an electrode is embedded in a casing fabricated from a dielectric material and is disposed in a mounting boss. The groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter has a tip portion that protrudes through an opening in the cylinder head into the combustion chamber. A controller having an electrical ground connection to the cylinder head is configured to apply a high frequency electrical pulse to the groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter. An electrical ground path is formed between the mounting boss and the cylinder head. A plurality of plasma discharge streamers is generated on the casing between the tip portion and the mounting boss when the controller applies the high frequency electrical pulse to the groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Cherian A. Idicheria, Hanho Yun, Paul M. Najt
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Patent number: 10139490Abstract: A system and method detects an obstruction in the path of a vehicle access control member moving from an open position to a closed position. The method includes transmitting a detection signal along an edge of the member towards a reflective surface mounted on the member. The detection signal includes a sequence of pulses having different amplitudes with the amplitudes varying linearly moving from a first pulse to a final pulse of the sequence of pulses. The method further includes receiving a detection response signal corresponding to the detection signal following reflection of the detection signal by one of the reflective surface and the obstruction. The detection response signal includes another sequence of pulses and the method further includes generating an obstruction signal indicating whether the obstruction is in the path of the access control member responsive to differences in amplitude between adjacent pulses in the sequence of pulses.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Doru N. Serban, Brian Norman Orr, Norman J. Weigert
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Patent number: 10141810Abstract: A connection support assembly for a stator assembly can be used to secure electrical jumper wires of an electric machine. The connection support assembly includes a support body and a catch protruding from the support body. The catch defines an opening. The connection support assembly further includes a clip coupled to the support body. The clip includes a clip body and a pin protruding from the clip body. The pin extends through the opening of the catch in order to couple the clip to the support body and clamp at least some electrical jumper wires between the support body and the clip.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Edward L. Kaiser, Paul Buchholz, Xiaohui Du
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Patent number: 10137933Abstract: A load management assembly can manage and/or absorb the energy from an external force applied to a vehicle. The load management assembly includes a frame rail and a mounting bracket coupled to the frame rail. In addition, the load management assembly includes a shield coupled to the frame rail. The shield partly surrounds the mounting bracket in order to protect the mounting bracket from an external force and to redirect a load path of the external force. The load management assembly may further include a reinforcement bracket to assist in directing the load path of the external force. The reinforcement bracket is coupled to the frame rail and may be in contact with the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Huai-yang Chiang, Vikas V. Joshi, Gheorghe Barbuta, Hari Prasada Reddy Lingala, Frank Burger, Len V. Peschansky
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Publication number: 20180337391Abstract: A method of making a patterned electrode material is provided. The method includes disposing a first mask having a first pattern on a first surface of an electrode material, disposing a second mask having a second pattern on an opposing second surface of the electrode material, applying pressure through both the first mask and the second mask towards the electrode material, wherein the first pattern of the first mask is engraved into the first surface of the electrode material and the second pattern of the second mask is engraved into the second surface of the electrode material, and removing the first mask and the second mask form the electrode material to from the patterned electrode material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2017Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Zhiqiang Yu, Meiyuan Wu, Jim Gu, Xiaochao Que
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Patent number: 10132391Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and an endless rotatable device operatively interconnecting the first and second pulleys. The endless rotatable device includes a device body and a plurality of device teeth protruding from the device body. Each of the first and second pulleys includes a first sheave, a second sheave, and a pulley axle operatively coupled between the first sheave and the second sheave. The pulley axle defines a pulley center. The first sheave is movable relative to the second sheave along the pulley axle. Each of the first and second sheaves includes a sheave body and a plurality of sheave teeth protruding from the sheave body. The sheave teeth are annularly arranged around the pulley center. The sheave teeth are shaped to mate with the device teeth.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chengwu Duan, Robert J. Gonzalez, Farzad Samie, Yongsheng He, Chunhao J. Lee, David J. Cleary
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Patent number: D835003Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2018Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Justin James Thompson, Peter William Hughes
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Patent number: D835012Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brian J. Smith, Shane Harbour
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Patent number: D835557Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Guy W. Whitla, Takahiko Suginoshita, Colin R. Phipps