Patents Assigned to GM Global Technology Operation LLC
  • Patent number: 9839959
    Abstract: A number of variations may include at least one mold portion that may define a first cavity, a circular gating system, and at least one sprue. The circular gating system may surround the first cavity and define a continuous in-gate from the circular gating to the first cavity. The at least one sprue and at least one vent may be in fluid communication with the circular gating system and the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Osborne, Qigui Wang, Frank Sant
  • Patent number: 9840140
    Abstract: Disclosed are electrically variable transmissions (EVT), methods for making and for using EVTs, and hybrid electric vehicles with EVTs. Presented is a multi-speed power transmission for a motor vehicle with an engine, two electric motors, and a final drive. The transmission includes an input member connectable to the engine, an output member connectable to the final drive, and a stationary member connectable to a gear train. First and second torque-transmitting devices (TTD) respectively connect to the first and second motors. The transmission also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement with four junction points defined by two interconnected planetary gear sets. The first TTD selectively connects the first motor to the first junction point, while the second TTD selectively connects the second motor to the fourth junction point via the gear train. The input member connects at the second junction point, whereas the output member connects at the third junction point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Joseph R. Littlefield
  • Patent number: 9842978
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (ICE) selectable between a running state and a non-running state. A thermoelectric generator (TEG) is in thermal contact with the ICE for converting thermal energy from the ICE to output electrical energy. The vehicle has an electric pump for circulating a liquid coolant through a coolant circuit. The electric pump is selectively powerable by the electrical energy output from the TEG. The coolant circuit is in fluid communication with the ICE, a radiator, and the TEG; and the TEG is downstream of the radiator in the coolant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James R. Salvador, Dale F. Klein
  • Patent number: 9834171
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an airbag mounted in a fender region laterally adjacent a hood and forward of a vehicle side door which provides a means for deployment through a discrete door to provide protection to a pedestrian from impacting the frontal area of a vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9834134
    Abstract: A light assembly includes a first carrier and a second carrier. The assembly also includes a first light module attached to the first carrier such that the first carrier and the first light module are movable in unison between a use position in which the first light module is operable to emit light and a storage position in which the first light module does not operate to emit light. The assembly further includes a second light module attached to the second carrier such that the second carrier and the second light module are movable in unison between a first position when the first light module is in the storage position and a second position when the first light module is in the use position. The second light module is operable to emit light when in at least one of the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrzej Wasilewski, Candice M. Willett
  • Patent number: 9836660
    Abstract: A method of 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 an image is captured in a downward direction. A region of interest is identified in the captured image by a processor. The region of interest is in a region rearward of a tire of a host vehicle. The region of interest is representative of where a tire track as generated by the tire rotating on the road when the road surface is wet. A determination is made whether water is present in the region of interest as a function of identifying the tire track. A wet road surface signal is generated in response to the identification of water in the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qingrong Zhao, Qi Zhang, Jinsong Wang, Bakhtiar B. Litkouhi
  • Patent number: 9834164
    Abstract: Disclosed are impact sensor arrangements for active hood systems, methods for making and for using such impact sensor arrangements, and motor vehicles with active hood systems using such impact sensor arrangements. Disclosed, for example, is an impact sensor arrangement for an active hood system of a motor vehicle. An active hood system actuator is selectively actuable to displace the vehicle's engine hood. The impact sensor arrangement includes a sensor connected to a sensing tube to detect a characteristic change of the sensing tube and responsively output an actuator trigger signal. First and second blocks, each formed from a high-density material, attach to the vehicle body adjacent the bumper and collectively define an internal channel within which is nested the sensing tube. The first block is movably attached to the second block such that displacement of one block with respect to the other initiates the characteristic change of the sensing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vijay S. Iyer, Andrew Dwoinen, Rajendra Prasad H. Krishnappa
  • Patent number: 9834155
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are vehicle emblems, automobiles with vehicle emblems, and methods of manufacturing vehicle emblems. A vehicle emblem for an automobile includes a bezel for mounting the emblem to the automobile's vehicle structure, such as the front grille, engine hood, or outer fascia panel. A rigid backing is seated within and attached to the bezel. The rigid backing includes one or more depressions and/or one or more ribs. A cover sheet lays against and is attached to the front-surface of the backing. The cover sheet includes a transparent layer or film with a multi-color print. The cover sheet includes one or more depressions and/or one or more ribs that are formed in the transparent layer. Each of the cover sheet's depressions is seated inside one of the rigid backing's depressions, while each of the rigid backing's ribs is seated inside one of the cover sheet's ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Kitty L. Gong
  • Patent number: 9834143
    Abstract: A system and method for creating an enhanced perspective view of an area in front of a vehicle, using images from left-front and right-front cameras. The enhanced perspective view removes the distortion and exaggerated perspective effects which are inherent in wide-angle lens images. The enhanced perspective view uses a camera model including a virtual image surface and other processing techniques which provide corrections for two types of problems which are typically present in de-warped perspective images—including a stretching effect at the peripheral area of a wide-angle image de-warped by rectilinear projection, and double image of objects in an area where left-front and right-front camera images overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wende Zhang, Jinsong Wang, Kent S. Lybecker, Jeffrey S. Piasecki, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi, Ryan M. Frakes
  • Patent number: 9836894
    Abstract: A distributed vehicle health management system includes a vehicle-based diagnostic processor executing diagnostic routines in a vehicle. The diagnostic routines generate diagnostic data. A processor-based device executes advanced vehicle health management routines. The processor-based device determines a state of health of a component as a function of the diagnostic data. A telematics device communicates at least one of state of health data and diagnostic data from the vehicle. A remote entity disposed remotely from the vehicle. The remote entity receives data via the telematics device, the data being a selective subset of data output from at least one of the vehicle-based processor and processor-based device. The remote entity executes calibration routines as a function of the data received by the vehicle for calibrating at least one of the diagnostic routines and health management routines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xinyu Du, Yilu Zhang, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Shengbing Jiang
  • Patent number: 9835190
    Abstract: Fastening clips, motorized vehicles with fastening clips, and methods for using fastening clips are disclosed. A fastening clip is disclosed for attaching a component to a panel using a threaded fastener. The fastening clip includes a body that inserts into the aperture. The clip body has a flange that seats against one surface of the panel. One or more flexible retaining clips project from the clip body to seat against an opposing panel surface and, with the flange, attach the fastening clip to the panel. Flexible ratchet fingers extend from the clip body into an internal cavity. The ratchet fingers are located on respective sides of the cavity, and are spaced to extend to respective axial positions within the cavity. These ratchet fingers are located and spaced so that only one ratchet finger, at a given time, seats between adjacent threads when the fastener is inserted into the internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Landsberg, Jeremy P. Fellows, Randall L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9828901
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes a turbocharger and a fluid conduit thermally coupled to the turbocharger such that the coolant flowing through the fluid conduit can extract heat from the turbocharger. The engine assembly further includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and a second fluid conduit thermally coupled to the EGR system such that the coolant flowing through the second fluid conduit can extract heat from the EGR system. The engine assembly also includes an engine head defining a coolant gallery extending therethrough. The coolant gallery is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit. Further, the engine assembly includes an exhaust manifold integrated with the engine head. The coolant gallery is thermally coupled to the exhaust manifold such that the coolant flowing through the coolant gallery can extract heat from the exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Patent number: 9828893
    Abstract: A system for controlling a sound level of a prime mover permitted to emanate from or within a vehicle includes a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver operable for receiving a GPS signal and a sound control device. The sound control device is operable for increasing or decreasing a sound level of the prime mover in response to a control signal. A controller in communication with the GPS receiver includes a calendar and clock, and is programmed to execute a method, including receiving the GPS signal via the GPS receiver, and determining an actual location of the vehicle using the GPS signal. The controller also determines an actual date and time of day using the calendar and the clock, respectively, and transmits the control signal to the sound control device to increase or decrease the sound level using at least one of the actual location, date, and time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Dziurda, Anthony A. Bosco
  • Patent number: D804370
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. Kozub, Evan Mai, Gary W. Ruiz
  • Patent number: D804371
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Guy W. Whitla, Takahiko Suginoshita
  • Patent number: D804372
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Timothy P. Kozub
  • Patent number: D804378
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Perkins
  • Patent number: D804379
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert B. McMahan
  • Patent number: D805006
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Luciano M. Nakamura
  • Patent number: D805014
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Carl J. Zipfel, David Gillespie