Patents Assigned to GM Global Technologies Operations LLC
  • Patent number: 10574116
    Abstract: A starter includes a three-phase switched reluctance electric motor including a rotor and a stator, a pinion gear, a power inverter that is connected to the stator, and a rotational position sensor. The rotor includes a quantity of rotor poles that is between 6 and 16, and the stator includes a quantity of stator poles that is between 8 and 24. An outer diameter of the electric motor is less than 85 mm. An active length of the motor is less than 50 mm. An airgap distance between the rotor and the stator is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. A ratio between a rotor pole arc and a stator pole arc is at least 1.0:1. A ratio between a stator diameter and a rotor diameter is at least 2.0:1, and a ratio between a stator pole height and a rotor pole height is at least 2.5:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Avoki M. Omekanda, Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Thomas W. Nehl
  • Patent number: 10573976
    Abstract: A functionalized adhesive and systems and methods employing the same are disclosed. The functionalized adhesive is configured to form an adhesive joint between a first substrate and a second substrate. The functionalized adhesive comprises a neat adhesive selected to have a bonding strength above a predetermined bonding threshold and a filler selectively dispersed within the neat adhesive. The filler is selected to modify electrical properties of the neat adhesive such that the functionalized adhesive is electrically conductive with a tailored resistivity and such that a resistance of the adhesive joint is greater than a resistance of the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bradley A. Newcomb, Xiaosong Huang, Ryan Gergely, Sean R. Wagner, Chaitanya Sankavaram, Nicholas P. Irish, Louis G. Hector, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10570759
    Abstract: A variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) for an internal combustion engine configured to generate a flow of post-combustion gases as a byproduct of generating output torque includes a turbine housing defining a volute. The VGT also includes a turbine wheel mounted on a shaft having a rotational axis, retained inside the turbine housing, and configured to be rotated about the rotational axis by the flow of post-combustion gases. The turbine housing defines an inlet to the turbine wheel downstream of the volute and upstream of the turbine wheel. The inlet to the turbine wheel includes a circumferentially continuous and unobstructed intake channel having a selectable cross-sectional area and configured to regulate effective expansion ratio of the VGT. An internal combustion engine employing such a VGT is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Alberto Racca
  • Patent number: 10571690
    Abstract: A window for a motor vehicle includes an inner glass pane, an outer glass pane, and a first display module having a first light source, a first light guide disposed between the inner glass pane and the outer glass pane and configured to receive light from the first light source, a second light source, and a second light guide disposed between the inner glass pane and the outer glass pane and configured to receive light from the second light source. When the first light source is activated a first signal is displayed through the first light guide, when the second light source is activated a second signal is displayed through the second light guide, and when the first light source and the second light source are activated a third signal is displayed through the first light guide and the second light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Susan C. Ellis
  • Patent number: 10571521
    Abstract: A method for detecting a failure mode in an electronic selector having a button coupled to a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch, the method includes incrementing a button activation counter once for each button activation event and incrementing a first switch-closed counter, a second switch-closed counter, and a third switch-closed counter once for each button activation event if the respective switch is closed at any time during the button activation event. The method further includes incrementing a first switch-opened counter, a second switch-opened counter, and a third switch-opened counter once for each button activation event. The method further includes evaluating a fault status of the first switch, the second switch, or the third switch when the button activation counter reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold; and reporting the fault status of the first switch, the second switch or the third switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Dhammika S. Wijesundera, Ming Zhao, Joshua McDonough, Junghyun Kim
  • Patent number: 10571023
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle park system in a shift out of park includes receiving a shift out of park request, and commanding a park actuator to rotate an actuator shaft operatively connected to a park pawl movable from an engaged position in which the park pawl is engaged with a park gear, to a disengaged position in which the park pawl is disengaged from the park gear. The method includes determining whether a detent lever operatively connected to the park pawl has moved towards an out of park position within a predetermined period of time after commanding the park actuator to rotate the actuator shaft, and then commanding an electric propulsion motor to apply torque to the transmission output shaft to assist the park actuator if the detent lever has not moved towards the out of park position within the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Marc H. Sullivan, Lawrence A. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 10569676
    Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle includes a seat frame having a lower part for supporting a posterior and thighs of an occupant and a rear part for supporting the posterior and back of the occupant. The seating system also includes a hinge connecting the seat frame to the vehicle such that, in the event of an impact to the vehicle from the rear of the occupant, the weight of the occupant urges the seat frame to rotate in a direction that results in a top portion of the rear part being urged to move in a rearward direction relative to the occupant. The seating system also includes a first structure fixed to the rear part and configured to cooperate with a second structure fixed to the vehicle to reduce forces transmitted to the occupant in the event of an impact to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Wilson, James F. Szatkowski
  • Patent number: 10575155
    Abstract: Method and system for interfacing a plurality of providers and a plurality of recipients that are independently located with a unified vehicle service framework having a quality of service filter and a broker module. A first cloud unit has at least one of the plurality of providers and the plurality of recipients. A first vehicle and a second vehicle each respectively have another at least one of the plurality of providers and the plurality of recipients. A second cloud unit has yet another at least one of the plurality of providers and the plurality of recipients. The unified vehicle service framework is configured to receive a subscription request and determine whether it is granted based in part on a quality of service score assigned by the quality of service filter. When the subscription request is granted, respective services from plurality of providers are routed through the broker module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fan Bai, Thomas E. Fuhrman, Soheil Samii, Prathap Venugopal, Massimo Osella
  • Publication number: 20200055404
    Abstract: An electrical system includes cables, a DC charge connector, first and second battery modules, a splice device, and a controller. Each battery module has first, second, third, and fourth electrical connectors receiving a respective one of the cables. The battery modules are connected to each other via the cables, and further have first, second, third, and fourth switches that connect battery cell strings to one or more connectors. The charge connector is connected to one of the cables between the first electrical connectors. The splice device connects the charge connector to the first connector of the first battery module and to a pair of the cables. A charging current may be split between the battery modules. The controller selectively establishes parallel charging, parallel drive, and separate drive and charging modes for each battery module. The system may have an independent drive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brendan M. Conlon, Shifang Li, Kris Sevel, Russell K. Steele
  • Patent number: 10567512
    Abstract: A portable system, for use in projecting proprietary host-data-based output to a host device using a dual-layer proprietary-data-provision arrangement including the host device and portable system. A storage component includes one or more first-layer components, of the dual-layer proprietary-data-provision arrangement, that, when executed by a hardware-based processing unit, communicates with the host device by a first wired communication channel or a first short-range wireless communication channel to receive the proprietary host data from the host device. The storage also includes a portable-system application that, when executed, generates, based on the proprietary host data, proprietary host-data-based app output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Hrabak, Fan Bai, Dan Shan, Donald K. Grimm
  • Patent number: 10563699
    Abstract: A prop shaft assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a main body having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to a first flange and a constant velocity (CV) joint assembly including a first member and a second member, the second member coupled to a second flange. The first flange and the main body are made from aluminum, the second member and the second flange are made from steel, and the first flange and the second flange are coupled together by a plurality of mechanical fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Rolando V. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10564064
    Abstract: A method of leak testing a fluid passage of a part manufactured from a low conductivity material includes measuring an electrical resistance between an interior wall surface of the fluid passage of the part, and an exterior wall surface of the fluid passage of the part. The measured electrical resistance is compared to a threshold value to determine if the measured electrical resistance is equal to or greater than the threshold value, or if the measured electrical resistance is less than the threshold value. The threshold value is equal to a nominal wall thickness of the fluid passage multiplied by a resistivity of the material used to form the part. The part passes the leak test when the measured electrical resistance is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The part fails the leak test when the measured electrical resistance is less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edgar P. Calderon, Roger M. Brisbane, Herman K. Phlegm
  • Patent number: 10562756
    Abstract: An exemplary system for improving gaseous venting from a fluid storage vessel includes a hollow member configured to receive a fuel nozzle, the fuel nozzle having an aspirate opening, a vent line fluidly connecting the fluid storage vessel and the hollow member, and a flow guide device fluidly connected to the hollow member and the vent line. The flow guide device includes a flow guide chamber having an inlet, a plurality of sidewalls, and an outlet, and a plurality of directional blades formed within the flow guide chamber. The plurality of directional blades direct a fluid flow through the flow guide chamber and the hollow member toward the aspirate opening of the fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Yong Pan
  • Patent number: 10563744
    Abstract: Disclosed are damper assemblies for engine disconnect devices, methods for making such damper assemblies, and motor vehicles with a disconnect device for coupling/decoupling an engine with a torque converter (TC). A disconnect clutch for selectively connecting an engine with a TC includes a pocket plate that movably mounts to the TC. The pocket plate includes pockets movably seating therein engaging elements that engage input structure of the TC and thereby lock the pocket plate to the TC. A selector plate moves between engaged and disengaged positions such that the engaging elements shift into and out of engagement with the TC input structure, respectively. A flex plate is attached to the engine's output shaft for common rotation therewith. A damper plate is attached to the pocket plate for common rotation therewith. Spring elements mate the damper and flex plates such that the damper plate is movably attached to the flex plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek F. Lahr, Chunhao J. Lee, Farzad Samie, Norman K. Bucknor, Dongxu Li
  • Publication number: 20200050209
    Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for deriving speed limits of designated road segments by mining large-scale vehicle data traces. A method for controlling operation of a motor vehicle includes: determining a current location of the vehicle; determining a designated road segment corresponding to the vehicle's location; receiving host speed data indicative of the vehicle's speed while travelling on the road segment for a calibrated timeframe; receiving crowd-sourced speed data indicative of the speeds of participatory vehicles while travelling on the road segment for the calibrated timeframe; accumulating a speed distribution function for the road segment based on the host and crowd-sourced speed data; generating a finite mixture model from the speed distribution function to estimate a speed limit range; selecting a speed limit candidate from the estimated speed limit range; and transmitting command signals to a vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation based on the selected speed limit candidate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fan Bai, Shu Chen, Donald K. Grimm, David E. Bojanowski, Bo Yu, Jinzhu Chen
  • Publication number: 20200052508
    Abstract: An electrical system includes a battery disconnect unit (BDU) connected to a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) via a high-voltage bus. The BDU has one or more contactors that close responsive a low-voltage drive current to thereby connect the RESS to the high-voltage bus. A low-voltage drive circuit conducts the drive current to the contactor(s). Opening of a low-voltage connection interrupts the drive current and causes the contactor(s) to transition from the closed state to an open state. The contactor(s) open in response to interruption of the drive current to thereby disconnect the RESS. The contactor(s) may be closed again after a lockout safety procedure, such that reestablishing the electrical connection does not itself re-energize the high-voltage bus. An electrified powertrain includes a transmission, electric machine, power inverter module, and the above-noted electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brandon M. Thayer, Fang Wang, Charles Hua, Andrew K. Chandler
  • Publication number: 20200047453
    Abstract: A knitted fabric for use on a vehicle seat includes a plurality of interconnected loops of yarn forming a repeating stitch pattern including a plurality of transversely-oriented courses and a plurality of longitudinally-oriented wales, wherein each loop of the plurality of loops in a first course of the plurality of courses is positioned in contact with an adjacent loop in the first course of the plurality of courses. The yarn is a flat yarn including at least two plies, each ply having a ply twist of at least three turns per inch and the yarn is characterized by an overall twist of at least eight turns per inch. A stitch density of the knitted fabric is greater than twelve wales per inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nancy L. JOHNSON, Janet C. ROBINCHECK, Anthony L. SMITH, Marie A. POWERS
  • Publication number: 20200052320
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack alignment system includes an alignment guide bar for positioning a plurality of stack components. Each of the stack components has an alignment slot and a spacing slot. A first alignment portion and a second alignment portion of the alignment guide bar has a shape that is complimentary to the shape of the alignment slot of each of the stack components. Abutting engagement between one of the first or second alignment portions and the alignment slot aligns each respective stack component in a respective assembly position. The other of the first and second alignment portions of each respective stack component is disposed within the spacing slot. The spacing slot has a shape that is larger than the first and second alignment portions, to provide a gap between the stack components and the alignment guide bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Rock
  • Publication number: 20200052509
    Abstract: An electrical system includes a high-voltage bus connected to a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a high-voltage component connected to the RESS via the voltage bus. The component defines a service opening spanned by a removable cover. The electrical system may include a fastener connecting the cover to the component, as well as a battery disconnect unit (BDU) having a high-voltage switch device connecting the RESS to the high-voltage bus. The switch device closes responsive to a low-voltage drive current to connect the RESS to the high-voltage bus. A drive circuit conducts the current to the switch device. An electrical connector has multiple connector pieces collectively forming a switch in the drive circuit. Disconnection of the pieces from each other opens the switch to interrupt the drive current and cause the high-voltage switch device to open, which disconnects the RESS from the high-voltage bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yue Fan, Konking Wang
  • Patent number: 10557489
    Abstract: An adjustable fastening system includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a plurality of fingers radially positioned about a central longitudinal axis, and a plurality of notches, with one of the notches disposed between an adjacent pair of the fingers. The second member is attached to the first member, and moves axially along the central longitudinal axis, relative to the first member, in response to rotational movement about the central longitudinal axis. The second member includes a plate having a protuberance extending radially outward from the central longitudinal axis. The protuberance is positioned within one of the plurality of notches, and in interlocking engagement with two of the plurality of fingers, to resist rotation of the second member relative to the first member about the central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas V. Friszell