Patents Assigned to GM Global Technologies Operations LLC
  • Patent number: 9985452
    Abstract: A discharge circuit for a high-voltage bus that is electrically connected to a high-voltage DC power source is described. The discharge circuit includes a discharge switch electrically connected in series with a discharge resistor between positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus, and the discharge switch includes a gate. A bi-stable switch includes a control gate, an input line that is electrically connected to the high-voltage bus and an output line that is electrically connected to the gate of the discharge switch. A trigger device is in communication with the control gate of the bi-stable switch. The input line of the bi-stable switch is electrically connected to the high-voltage bus, and the discharge switch is controllable to a closed state to provide an 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Namou, Mohammad N. Anwar, Ahmad Albanna, Syed M. Kadry
  • Patent number: 9983253
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for detecting turn-to-turn and phase-to-phase winding short circuits in an electric motor. The motor is tested at a standstill condition by injecting a current signal into the virtual d-axis of the motor while controlling q-axis current to zero. Steady state feedback current from the motor is measured, and current harmonics are calculated using FFT or peak-to-peak techniques. It is determined that a short circuit is present in the winding if feedback current harmonics higher than a nominal level are detected, where the increased feedback current is an indication that winding inductance has decreased due to a short circuit. Testing at standstill using a small current advantageously prevents the possibility of damaging the motor and avoids inductance variation due to changing rotor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lei Hao, Cristian A. Lopez-Martinez, Chad A. Freitas
  • Patent number: 9985485
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising a magnet holder for a rotor lamination comprising: a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the first and second portions are linear and constructed and arranged to hold a magnet and wherein the third portion extends outward from approximately a center location between the first and the second portions, and wherein the third portion is constructed and arranged to carry a load from a centrifugal force of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Murali Pandi
  • Patent number: 9981605
    Abstract: A system and method for correcting the calibration of a plurality of cameras on a mobile platform such as in a surround-view camera system on a vehicle based on changes in vehicle dynamics. The method includes reading measurement values from one or more sensors on the vehicle that identify a change in vehicle dynamics and defining the plurality of cameras and a vehicle body as a single reference coordinate system. The method also includes identifying the measured values as a rotation matrix and a translation vector in the coordinate system, and integrating the rotation matrix and the translation vector into a relationship between a vehicle coordinate system and a camera coordinate system to provide the calibration correction of the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jinsong Wang, Wende Zhang, Bakhtiar B. Litkouhi
  • Patent number: 9981700
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body and a cargo area at least partially defined by the body. A tailgate assembly is adjustably connected to the body and movable relative to the body between a first position and at least one second position. The tailgate assembly includes a structure having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A cargo system is operatively connected to the tailgate assembly. The cargo system includes an extension member having a housing, a first arm extending from a first side of the housing securable to the first lateral edge of the tailgate structure and a second arm extending from a second side of the housing securable to the second lateral edge of the tailgate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Cheryl A. Garrison, Derek L. Patterson
  • Patent number: 9976464
    Abstract: An after-treatment (AT) system for an exhaust gas flow from an internal combustion engine includes first and second AT devices positioned in the exhaust gas flow. The AT system also includes an exhaust passage for carrying the flow of exhaust gas from the first AT device to the second AT device. The AT system additionally includes an injector configured to generate a reductant spray into the exhaust passage and a sensor positioned proximate the injector for detecting a concentration of a pollutant in the exhaust gas flow downstream of the first AT device. The AT system furthermore includes a deflector arranged between the injector and the sensor and configured to guide the flow of exhaust gas to the sensor to thereby concentrate the flow of exhaust gas at the sensor and direct the reductant spray away from the sensor to thereby minimize detection of the reductant by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Claudio Ciaravino, Joshua Clifford Bedford, Andrea Arnone
  • Patent number: 9975451
    Abstract: A powertrain system including an internal combustion engine, a transmission and an electric machine is described, and includes the electric machine rotatably coupled to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The transmission is coupled to a driveline to transfer tractive torque and braking torque thereto. A method for controlling the electric machine includes determining a short-term axle torque capacity, a long-term axle torque capacity and a maximum regenerative braking stall torque capacity, and determining an operator request for braking. A preferred regenerative braking capacity is determined based upon the short-term axle torque capacity, the long-term regenerative braking capacity, the engine stall regenerative braking capacity and the operator request for braking. Torque output from the electric machine is controlled based upon the preferred regenerative braking capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Luke D. Shepley, Joshua F. Pacheco, Krunal P. Patel, Anthony H. Heap, Michael Andrew Miller, Michael V. Woon
  • Patent number: 9975421
    Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a shutter frame and at least one louver moveably mounted to the shutter frame. The shutter assembly also includes a mechanism configured to shift the at least one louver relative to the shutter frame to select a position for the shutter assembly between and inclusive of fully-opened and fully-closed. The shutter assembly additionally includes a heating element configured to generate thermal energy sufficient to melt ice formation on the shutter assembly and facilitate shifting of the at least one louver relative to the shutter frame. Furthermore, the shutter assembly includes a controller configured to regulate the mechanism and activate the heating element. A method of controlling operation of a shutter assembly and a vehicle having such a shutter assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas H. Froling, David Schroeck
  • Patent number: 9975585
    Abstract: A dive-plane system for a vehicle includes first and second dive-planes. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first vehicle body end facing oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion and first and second lateral body sides. The first dive-plane is mounted to the first lateral body side proximate the first body end to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the first body end at the first lateral body side. The second dive-plane is mounted to the second lateral body side proximate the first body end and configured to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the first body end at the second lateral body side. The dive-plane system also includes a mechanism configured to selectively and individually shift each of the first and second dive-planes relative to the vehicle body to adjust a magnitude of the aerodynamic downforce generated by each dive-plane on the first vehicle body end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Auden, Jason D. Fahland, David Dominguez
  • Patent number: 9976668
    Abstract: A valve directs fluid flow received from a device to one of a heater and a cooler. The valve includes a spool movably disposed in the housing between a first, second, and third position. An actuator is in fluid communication with the fluid. The actuator includes a smart material that deactivates when the fluid temperature is no greater than a first temperature, partially activated when the fluid temperature is greater than the first temperature, and fully activated when the fluid temperature is at least equal to a second temperature. The spool moves to the first position when deactivated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the heater. The spool moves to the second position when partially activated to prevent fluid from flowing to each of the heater and the cooler. The spool moves to the third position when fully activated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Dongxu Li, Nancy L. Johnson, Ronald R. Semel
  • Patent number: 9978226
    Abstract: A device for haptically communicating to an individual includes a haptic unit that is operatively coupled to a remotely located actuator to effect a haptic pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, Raymond J. Kiefer, Blagoj Dungevski, Richard J. Skurkis
  • Patent number: 9977438
    Abstract: A resettable thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) is disclosed. The TPRD includes a piston, a housing adapted to receive the piston and allow movement between an open and a closed position. The housing includes an actuator having a temperature sensitive material disposed therein. The temperature sensitive material volumetrically expands, increasing a length of the actuator and forcing a lever from a first position to a second position. The piston is held in the closed position by the lever in the first position. When the lever moves to the second position, the piston is allowed to move to the open position, allowing a fluid to flow through the TPRD from a high pressure vessel in communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Rainer Pechtold
  • Patent number: 9975419
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an air dam assembly disposed at a first end of the vehicle body that is configured to control an airflow between the vehicle body and a road surface from outside the vehicle to the under-hood compartment of the vehicle. The air dam assembly includes a housing having a top wall and a bottom wall defining a forward wall and an opposing rearward wall therebetween. A plurality of flexible pleats are disposed on the forward wall of the of the air dam housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joseph N. Eckstein
  • Patent number: 9975436
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle having a first axle driven by an internal combustion engine, and a second axle independently driven by an electric device includes determining if the accelerator pedal is disposed in a depressed position or in a non-depressed position, and determining if a brake pedal is disposed in a depressed position or in a non-depressed position. An axle control strategy for controlling energy regeneration of an energy storage device is selected based on the position of the accelerator pedal being in either the depressed position or the non-depressed position, and the position of the brake pedal being in either the depressed position or the non-depressed position. A control signal is communicated to at least one of the first axle or the second axle to implement the selected axle control strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Marsella L. White, Michael G. Petrucci
  • Patent number: 9979897
    Abstract: A method of detecting and correcting flicker. A video stream of a scene at various instances of time is captured by an image capture device. A local spatio-temporal feature extraction technique is applied, by a processor, to regions of the capture scene within each frame. Candidate flickering region detection is applied, by a classifier, to identify candidate regions. Corresponding candidate regions are tracked over time to detect illumination differences within each analyzed region. An illumination correction technique is applied to the candidate regions where flickering is detected. A flicker-free video is output on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Veronique C. Prinet, Caroline Chung, Wende Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180138513
    Abstract: In certain aspects, electrolytic deposition and electroless displacement deposition methods are provided to form bimetallic structures that may be used as a bipolar current collector in a battery or a substrate for forming graphene sheets. In other aspects, bipolar current collectors for lithium-ion based electrochemical cells are provided. The bimetallic current collector may have an aluminum-containing surface and a continuous copper coating. In other aspects, a flexible substrate may be coated with one or more conductive materials, like nickel, copper, graphene, aluminum, alloys, and combinations thereof. The flexible substrate is folded to form a bipolar current collector. New stack assemblies for lithium-ion based batteries incorporating such bipolar current collectors are also provided that can have cells with a tab-free and/or weld-free design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fang Dai, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Anne M. Dailly, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: D818406
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. McMahan, Gary W. Ruiz
  • Patent number: D818876
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Guy W. Whitla, Takahiko Suginoshita
  • Patent number: D818906
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert B. McMahan
  • Patent number: D818907
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Guy W. Whitla, Takahiko Suginoshita