Patents Assigned to GM Global Technologies Operations LLC
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Patent number: 10017202Abstract: A steering wheel and column assembly for a vehicle includes a steering column housing and a steering column shaft rotatably coupled to the steering column housing. A steering wheel includes a central hub coupled to the steering column shaft and a steering wheel rim connected to the central hub by one or more spokes extending radially from the central hub. A dampening system cooperates with the steering wheel and includes at least one mass damper body disposed adjacent to central hub. One or more vibration damping elements extend at least partially through the at least one mass damper body and the central hub. One or more resilient support members cooperate with the at least one mass damper body, central hub and the one or more vibration damping elements to absorb vibrations in the steering wheel and column assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Sadanand N. Raikar, Mukesh Amin, Jeffrey J. Schultz
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Patent number: 10018092Abstract: Disclosed are model predictive control (MPC) systems, methods for using such MPC systems, and motor vehicles with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) employing MPC control. An SCR-regulating MPC control system is disclosed that includes an NOx sensor for detecting nitrogen oxide (NOx) input received by the SCR system, catalyst NOx sensors for detecting NOx output for two SCR catalysts, and catalyst NH3 sensors for detecting ammonia (NH3) slip for each SCR catalyst. The MPC system also includes a control unit programmed to: receive desired can conversion efficiencies for the SCR catalysts; determine desired can NOx outputs for the SCR catalysts; determine maximum NH3 storage capacities for the SCR catalyst; calculate the current can conversion efficiency for each SCR catalyst; calculate an optimized reductant pulse-width and/or volume from the current can conversion efficiencies; and, command an SCR dosing injector to inject a reductant into an SCR conduit based on the calculated pulse-width/volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna, Carlos Ildefonso Hoyos Velasco, Vincenzo Alfieri
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Patent number: 10017214Abstract: Disclosed are air rail assemblies for improved vehicle aerodynamics, methods for making and methods for using such air rail assemblies, and motor vehicles employing air rail assemblies for reducing turbulent flow and wake bubbles in and around the rear cargo bed. An air rail assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed that includes an inlet port that extends through the rear quarter panel of a cargo bed sidewall. The inlet port intakes passing fore-aft airflow. An outlet port extends through a rail cap and ejects airflow intake from the cargo sidewall. An air duct, which attaches to an inboard surface of the rear quarter panel, fluidly connects the air inlet and outlet ports. The air duct includes transverse and vertical channels that cooperatively redirect the airflow intake in an inboard and upward direction. The air duct includes convergent portions that constrict and accelerate the airflow intake.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: David Schroeck
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Patent number: 10017071Abstract: An electrical system includes a voltage bus, battery pack, power inverter module (PIM), electric machine, first contactor, and controller. The PIM is connected to the battery pack and has a capacitor, voltage sensor, and semiconductor switches. The electric machine having phase legs with a corresponding phase winding and resistive path. The first contactor connects the PIM to a positive rail of the bus. The controller opens the first contactor in response to a power-off event, commands a discharge of the capacitor through the resistive paths, diagnoses a state of health (SOH) of the first contactor using a first threshold decay rate of the capacitor output voltage upon opening the first contactor, and executes a control action with respect to the electrical system using the diagnosed SOH. The three possible SOH are unhealthy/hard-welded contactor, unhealthy/soft-welded contactor, and healthy/normally-functioning contactor condition. A vehicle and method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrew J. Namou, Syed M. Kadry, Ahmad Albanna, Mohammad N. Anwar, David J. Mifsud
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Patent number: 10018142Abstract: A method is provided for operating a compression-ignition engine having a combustion chamber. The method includes establishing, via an injection driver, electronic communication with a primary clock configured to generate a primary time signal. The method also includes commanding an injector to introduce into the combustion chamber injections of fuel having respective pulse widths timed using the primary time signal to generate combustion within the combustion chamber. The method additionally includes detecting a loss of the primary time signal and subsequently establishing an electronic communication between the injection driver and an auxiliary clock configured to generate an auxiliary time signal. Furthermore, the method includes commanding the injector to introduce into the combustion chamber a number of injections of fuel having respective pulse widths timed using the auxiliary time signal and thereby continuing combustion within the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Umberto Ferrara, Luca Chiapusso, Raffaele Esposito, Marco Tiberio
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Patent number: 10018104Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a combustion chamber formed by cooperation of a cylinder bore formed in a cylinder block, a cylinder head and a piston. A combustion ignition device is disposed in the combustion chamber and includes a nozzle defining a pre-chamber, a barrier discharge plasma igniter, including a tip portion disposed in the pre-chamber and a plurality of apertures disposed in the nozzle. The pre-chamber is in fluidic communication with the combustion chamber via the plurality of apertures. A controller is in communication with the engine and the barrier discharge plasma igniter.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ronald O. Grover, Jr., Cherian A. Idicheria, Paul M. Najt
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Patent number: 10017036Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a protecting device; for protecting a battery effectively by absorbing an impact energy which can be received from a lateral direction of an electrical automobile; and for preventing a secondary damage due to the breakage of the battery, and the present disclosure relates to the battery protecting device of the electrical automobile including: a frame (10) for forming a body of a floor (30) positioned in a lower portion of the electrical automobile (100); and at least one protecting bar (20) positioned inside the frame (10), and the vertical cross-section of the protecting bar (20) is a shape including: a pair of closed spaces (21); and a brim (22) for forming the pair of closed spaces (21), in which the brim (22) is connected between the pair of closed spaces (21) so as to make the pair of closed spaces (21) separated by a predetermined distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operation LLCInventors: Hyun Soo Lim, Dong Min Kim
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Patent number: 10017045Abstract: A transmission for a hybrid powertrain includes a first input, a second input, a third input, and an output. A sun gear is attached to and rotatable with the first input. A carrier is attached to and rotatable with the third input. The carrier rotatably supports a plurality of pinions. Each of the pinions includes a first pinion gear and a second pinion gear. Each second pinion gear of the pinions is disposed in meshing engagement with the sun gear. A first ring gear is disposed in meshing engagement with each first pinion gear of the pinions. The first ring gear is disposed in torque communication with the second input. A second ring gear is disposed in meshing engagement with each second pinion gear of the pinions. The second ring gear is disposed in torque communication with the output.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Shawn H. Swales, Craig S. Ross
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Patent number: 10018164Abstract: A gas compressor assembly configured to pressurize an airflow received from the ambient for delivery to an internal combustion engine having a cylinder includes a compressor housing. A compressor wheel is disposed inside the compressor housing and configured to pressurize the airflow. A compressor bypass is configured to direct the pressurized airflow away from the cylinder. A pressure relief valve is configured to selectively open and close the compressor bypass to thereby limit pressure of the pressurized airflow and minimize surge of the compressor wheel. A baffle arranged inside the compressor bypass is configured to dissipate energy of a sound wave generated by the pressurized airflow upon an initial opening of the pressure relief valve. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Guangzhi A. Zhao, Christopher K. Clarke
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Patent number: 10017044Abstract: A powertrain system is described, and includes an internal combustion engine including a crankshaft and an electric machine including a rotatable shaft, wherein the rotatable shaft is coupled to a motor pulley. A torque converter includes an impeller and a pump, wherein the pump is coupled to an outer sheave. An off-axis mechanical drive system includes the outer sheave of the torque converter rotatably coupled to the motor pulley of the electric machine. The electric machine is coupled to the pump of the torque converter via the off-axis mechanical drive system, and the crankshaft is coupled to the pump of the torque converter via a clutch.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Derek F. Lahr, Farzad Samie, Norman K. Bucknor, Chunhao J. Lee, Dongxu Li, Chandra S. Namuduri, Alexandru Rajala
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Patent number: 10018083Abstract: A fluid pump includes a housing defining a cavity. An end plate is disposed within the cavity and divides the cavity into a gear section and an end section. A gear set is disposed within the gear section and comprises at least one gear rotatable about an axis. The end plate is movable longitudinally along the axis for compressing the gear set. A channel is in fluidic communication with the end section for supplying a fluid to the end section to force the plate toward the gear set.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Sean M. McGowan, Bryan K. Pryor, John Byron Davis
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Patent number: 10020755Abstract: A power inverter includes a multi-phase inverter circuit electrically connected to positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus. A bi-stable switch is electrically connected in series with a discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus, and a capacitor is electrically connected between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus. First and second trigger circuits are in communication with a gate of the bi-stable switch, and first and second contactors are controllable to electrically connect a respective one of the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus to the high-voltage DC power source. The bi-stable switch is controllable to provide a low-impedance electric current flow path through the discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus in response to an activation signal from one of the first and second high-voltage DC contactor circuits.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrew J. Namou, Mohammad N. Anwar, Ahmad Albanna, Syed M. Kadry
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Publication number: 20180185831Abstract: Catalysts that are resistant to high-temperature sintering and methods for preparing such catalysts that are resistant to sintering at high temperatures are provided. The catalyst may be prepared by contacting a solution comprising an ionic species with one or more charged surface regions of a catalyst support. A surface of the catalyst support further includes one or more catalyst particles disposed adjacent to the one or more charged surface regions. The ionic species has a first charge opposite to a second charge of the one or more charged surface regions. Next, the ionic species is associated with the one or more charged surface regions to form a layer on the one or more select surface regions. The layer is calcined to generate a coating comprising metal oxide on the one or more select surface regions, where the coating is formed adjacent to the one or more catalyst particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ming Yang, Gongshin Qi, Ryan J. Day, Xingcheng Xiao, Wei Li
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Publication number: 20180185832Abstract: Catalyst systems that are resistant to high-temperature sintering and methods for preparing such catalyst systems that are resistant to sintering at high temperatures are provided. Methods of forming such catalyst systems include contacting a support having a surface including a catalyst particle with a solution comprising a metal salt and having an acidic pH. The metal salt is precipitated onto the surface of the support. Next, the metal salt is calcined to selectively generate a porous coating of metal oxide on the surface of the support distributed around the catalyst particle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Gongshin Qi, Ryan J. Day, Ming Yang
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Patent number: 10011081Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a part that may include a composite material that may include a plurality of tubes that may include a plurality of fibers arranged in a generally tubular shape and having at least two sizings temporarily capping the ends of the plurality of tubes and containing a resin.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Bhavesh Shah, Joseph M. Polewarczyk, Hesham A. Ezzat
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Patent number: 10012012Abstract: A method includes assembling a first latching device and a second latching device. The first latching device includes a first support housing and a first sliding assembly. The first sliding assembly is selectively movable, relative to the first support housing, between a latched position and an unlatched position. The second latching device includes a second support housing, a second sliding assembly, and an actuating mechanism. The second support housing is substantially identical to the first support housing. The second sliding assembly is selectively movable, relative to the second support housing, between a latched position and an unlatched position. The actuating mechanism is operatively disposed in the second support housing and is configured to selectively maintain the sliding assembly in the latched position until the actuating mechanism is selectively actuated. The first latching device does not include the actuating mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Robert Dallos, Jr., Roger Herbert Culver, Nancy L. Johnson
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Patent number: 10015257Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle wireless access point (WAP), including the steps of establishing short range wireless communication between a vehicle WAP and one or more wireless devices over one or more corresponding communication channels operating over a first frequency band; suspending the communication between the vehicle WAP and the wireless device(s); scanning for another non-vehicle WAP using the first frequency band; connecting the vehicle WAP as a client device to the non-vehicle WAP; resuming the communication with at least some of the wireless device(s) over the wireless communication channel(s); and providing the wireless device(s) with data access to remote networks sequentially via both the vehicle WAP and the non-vehicle WAP.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Lakshmi V. Thanayankizil
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Publication number: 20180179623Abstract: Methods of forming an insulating coating from thermal spraying are provides. In one variation, the method includes thermally spraying a jetted stream having a maximum temperature of greater than or equal to about 900° C. towards a substrate to form the insulating coating on the substrate. The thermal spraying may be a high-velocity oxygen flame (HVOF) process. The jetted stream comprises a plurality of hollow microspheres, which may comprise a metal, such as nickel or iron. The insulating coating as formed has a thermal conductivity (K) of less than or equal to about 200 mW/m·K at standard temperature and pressure conditions and may have a thermal capacity (cv) of greater than or equal to about 100 kJ/m3·K.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Michael J. Walker
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Patent number: D822550Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Scott P. Wassell, Hwasup Lee
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Patent number: D822551Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert B. McMahan, Reginald M. Gay