Patents Assigned to GM Global Technologies Operations LLC
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Patent number: 9973120Abstract: An electric machine assembly includes an electric machine having a stator configured to have a stator current and a controller configured to receive a torque command (T). The controller stores a modulation flag (Fm) and a six step active flag (FS), each having a respective status. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method of controlling a six step pulse width modulation operation in the assembly. The controller is programmed to determine the respective status of a six step active flag (FS) based at least partially on the torque command (T) and the respective status of the modulation flag (Fm). The controller is configured to control at least one operating parameter of the electric machine based at least partially on the respective status of the six step active flag (FS).Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dwarakanath V. Simili, Anno Yoo, Yo Chan Son
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Patent number: 9971336Abstract: An assembly system and a part holding assembly are configured to locate and secure a part defining a plurality of holes. The assembly includes a frame having a track. The assembly includes a first device and a second device each supported by the frame. One of the devices is movable along the track for positioning the devices relative to each other and relative to the location of the holes of the part. The first device includes a first pin and the second device includes a second pin. Each of the pins is movable between a closed position and an open position. The pins are configured to be disposed through respective holes of the part when in the closed position for locating the part. The pins are configured to expand in the respective holes when in the open position for securing the part to the devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jianying Shi, Scott A. McLeod, Justin Jay Hackett
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Patent number: 9970618Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a composite lens, an optical reflector housing, and a lighting source. The composite lens has a clear lens portion, an opaque lens portion, and a first attachment feature. The optical reflector housing has a second attachment feature engaged with the first attachment feature, and further has a reflective inner surface. The optical reflector housing reflects incident light internally via the reflective inner surface and directs the reflected incident light through the clear portion. The composite lens defines a lighting cavity in conjunction with the optical reflector housing when the first and second attachment features are mutually engaged. The lighting source irradiates the lighting cavity with the incident light. A stacked headlight assembly includes vertically stacked first and second headlight assemblies, each having a composite lens, optical reflector, and lighting source.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jeffrey T. Zawacki
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Patent number: 9973134Abstract: An electrical system includes a direct current (DC) voltage bus, a power supply providing a supply voltage to the DC voltage bus, an electric machine connected to the power supply, a reverse current protection (RCP) circuit positioned between the power supply and the electric machine, the RCP circuit including an energy dissipating element, and a controller. As part of an associated method, the controller detects a reverse current condition in which a current flows from the electric machine toward the power supply when an induced voltage of the electric machine exceeds a voltage level of the voltage bus. The controller transmits a control signal to the RCP circuit to direct the electrical current through the energy dissipating element for a duration of the reverse current condition or for a predetermined duration equal to or greater than that of the reverse current condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Rajeev Vyas, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Mark J. Rychlinski, Markus Demmerle, Varsha K. Sadekar
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Patent number: 9969453Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: a bicycle with an integrated folding system comprising at least a main hinge feature in a frame comprising: a first frame component and a second frame component, wherein the first frame component and the second frame component are pivotally attached to each other; a cable which extends through the frame, wherein a first end of the cable is attached to a steerer tube and a second end is attached to a spring-loaded latch pin; and wherein in an unfolded position the spring-loaded latch pin extends between the first frame component and the second frame component which holds the frame together in the unfolded position, and wherein the spring-loaded latch pin is constructed and arranged so that when the main hinge feature is activated, the cable is lifted upward which pulls the spring-loaded latch pin out of the second frame component so that the frame folds together to a folded position.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jess R. Bailie, Lawrence G. Cole, Brett Crockett
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Patent number: 9969229Abstract: A suspension system allows travel of a sprung mass relative to an unsprung mass. A primary stage has a primary leaf attached between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass. An auxiliary stage has an auxiliary leaf operatively attached to either the primary stage or unsprung mass. A variable engagement bracket includes a mount point, attached to the sprung mass and defining an axis, and an offset arm extending from the mount point and rotatable about the axis. The offset arm contacts the auxiliary stage at a first point at a first travel of the suspension system and at a second point at a second travel. The first point provides or defines a maximum contact span and the second provides a minimum contact span, smaller than the maximum contact span, for the auxiliary stage.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Peter J. Soles
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Patent number: 9970772Abstract: A method for localizing a vehicle in a digital map. GPS raw measurement data is retrieved from satellites. A digital map of a region traveled by the vehicle based on the raw measurement data is retrieved from a database. The digital map includes a geographic mapping of a traveled road and registered roadside objects. The registered roadside objects are positionally identified in the digital map by earth-fixed coordinates. Roadside objects are sensed in the region traveled by the vehicle using distance data and bearing angle data. The sensed roadside objects are matched on the digital map. A vehicle position is determined on the traveled road by fusing raw measurement data and sensor measurements of the identified roadside objects. The position of the vehicle is represented as a function of linearizing raw measurement data and the sensor measurement data as derived by a Jacobian matrix and normalized measurements, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Shuqing Zeng, Jeremy A. Salinger, Bakhtiar B. Litkouhi, Joel Pazhayampallil, Kevin A. O'Dea, James N. Nickolaou, Mark E. Shields
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Patent number: 9971352Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes at least one controller. The controller is programmed to receive first sensor readings from a first group of sensors and provide a first vehicle pose based on the first sensor readings. The first vehicle pose includes a first location and a first orientation of the vehicle. The controller is also programmed to receive second sensor readings from a second group of sensors and provide a second vehicle pose based on the second sensor readings. The second vehicle pose includes a second location and a second orientation of the vehicle. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the first vehicle pose being outside a predetermined range of the second vehicle pose, generate a diagnostic signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Upali P. Mudalige, Padma Sundaram
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Patent number: 9973028Abstract: A charging system for use in providing power for charging a battery. The system includes a first, alternating-current-to-direct-current, stage and a second, direct-current-to-direct-current, stage. The first stage includes a single-phase diode rectifier for rectifying an input alternating-current input voltage, and a power-factor-correcting sub-circuit including a switch. The second stage includes multiple switches. The system further includes a high-frequency capacitor connected between the first stage and the second stage. The system also includes a controller connected to the switches of the first and second stages and configured to control, by way of the switches, timing of boost inductor current passing through the charging system.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Rashmi Prasad
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Patent number: 9968977Abstract: A method of shaping a component includes providing a plurality of work-piece blanks. The method also includes generating a contour in each work-piece blank, such that each contour is bordered by a region of material of the respective work-piece blank. The method also includes stacking the work-piece blanks such that the contour of one work-piece blank is aligned with the contours of the other blanks. The method additionally includes simultaneously annealing the region of material bordering the respective contour of each stacked work-piece blank to thereby enhance formability of the region of material. Furthermore, the method includes forming a shape in at least one of the work-piece blanks via stretching the annealed region of material bordering the respective contour to thereby shape at least one component. The component can be a structural reinforcement for a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kevin R. Marks, Thomas M. Foreman, Tom Sherwood
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Patent number: 9969339Abstract: A trim element for a device includes a substrate formed from a material. The material has a first coefficient of static friction and a first coefficient of kinetic friction with respect to the device. The trim element includes a cured film disposed on the substrate and formed from a coating composition. The cured film has a second coefficient of static friction that is greater than the first coefficient of static friction and a second coefficient of kinetic friction that is greater than the first coefficient of kinetic friction. A device includes a body and the trim element attached to the body. In one embodiment, the device includes a component attached to the body and pivotable between an open position and a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Larry A. Filipczak, Ninetta M. Vieceli
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Patent number: 9969254Abstract: A powertrain system is described, and includes an internal combustion engine having a crank member, a torque machine having a rotatable shaft member, and a transmission having an input member and an output member. The crank member of the internal combustion engine is couplable to the input member of the transmission. The rotatable shaft member of the torque machine is couplable to the crank member of the internal combustion engine at a first gear ratio. The rotatable shaft member of the torque machine is couplable to the input member of the transmission at a second gear ratio. The first gear ratio is less than the second gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Alan G. Holmes
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Patent number: 9970226Abstract: A window assembly is disclosed for a vehicle having a window regulator rail and a window carrier configured to shift along the window regulator rail. The window assembly includes a glass panel having a mounting end and a clip assembly fixed to the mounting end of the glass panel. The clip assembly is configured to be fixed to the window carrier and includes a clip body defined by a first end configured to engage the window carrier and an opposing second end defining a channel. The clip assembly also includes a retainer arranged in the channel and configured to accept and position the glass panel mounting end inside the channel. The clip assembly additionally includes an adhesive configured to fill the channel and cure therein after the mounting end of the glass panel has been positioned inside the channel. A vehicle door having such a window assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patrick N. Stewart, Terrence P. Costigan
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Patent number: 9970407Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plasma ignition system having an in-cylinder dielectric barrier-discharge igniter, and a direct-injection fuel injector having an in-cylinder fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle protrudes into the combustion chamber proximal to the igniter. A controller operatively connects to the internal combustion engine, the plasma ignition system and the fuel injection system. The controller controls the internal combustion engine at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry. The fuel injector injects a first fuel pulse prior to activation of the igniter, and then the igniter initiates a plasma energy pulse. The fuel injector is controlled to inject a second fuel pulse during the plasma energy pulse.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Cherian A. Idicheria, Gerald A. Silvas
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Patent number: 9971945Abstract: A method for determining a wet surface condition of a road. An image of a road surface is captured by an image capture device of the host vehicle. The image capture device is mounted on a side of the host vehicle and captures an image in a downward direction. Identifying in the captured image, by a processor, a region of interest. The region of interest is in a region sideways to a face of the wheel. The region of interest is representative of where sideways splash as generated by the wheel occurs. A determination is made whether water is present in the region of interest. A wet road surface signal is generated in response to the identification of water in the region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Qingrong Zhao, Qi Zhang, Jinsong Wang, Bakhtiar B. Litkouhi
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Patent number: 9969053Abstract: A grinder assembly includes a spindle selectively rotatable about a central axis. The grinder assembly also includes a grinding wheel attachable to and detachable from the spindle. The grinding wheel is rotatable about the central axis when attached to the spindle. The grinder assembly further includes an adaptor cooperating with the spindle and the grinding wheel to provide a quick attachment and detachment of the grinding wheel with the spindle. The adaptor includes a plurality of first teeth extending outwardly relative to the spindle and a plurality of second teeth extending outwardly relative to the grinding wheel. The first and second teeth cooperate with each other to selectively attach the grinding wheel to the spindle and prevent independent rotation of the grinding wheel relative to the spindle.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jae Min Lee, John S. Agapiou, James A. Bucan
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Patent number: D818157Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Carl J. Zipfel, David Gillespie
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Patent number: D818158Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Carl J. Zipfel, David Gillespie
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Patent number: D818159Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Carl J. Zipfel, David Gillespie
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Patent number: D818160Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jeffrey W. Perkins