Patents Assigned to GM Global Technology Operation LLC
  • Patent number: 9670857
    Abstract: A method of controlling torque output of a power-plant during launch of a vehicle having a transmission with a manually-operated clutch is disclosed. The power-plant torque is varied based on clutch pedal and throttle pedal positions using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control logic in an electronic fuel control system. The method includes setting power-plant idle speed, detecting clutch engagement without application of the throttle pedal, and raising power-plant torque after clutch engagement is detected. In each PID feedback loop, the method includes detecting actual power-plant speed and a rate of change in actual power-plant speed, and adjusting the raised power-plant torque in response to the determined rate of change in actual power-plant speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Krishnendu Kar, Leon Cribbins, Thomas Weglarz
  • Patent number: 9669784
    Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle includes a load-bearing component operatively positioned in a wheel cavity rearward of a tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity. The load-bearing component is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity under a load applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Jensen, Robert N. Saje, Matthew P. Simonin, Jonathan E. Rich, Michael E. Quigley, Hans P. Lawall
  • Patent number: 9669882
    Abstract: A method of assembling a panel sealing apparatus and the panel sealing apparatus includes a panel. The panel defines an aperture and a sealing assembly. The assembly includes a first component and a second component, with the second component at least partially surrounding the first component and is secured to the first component to form a unit. In certain embodiments, the assembly includes a plurality of clips disconnected from each other, each configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from each other and attached to the panel separately from the unit. In other embodiments, the assembly includes a band and a plurality of clips each independently attachable to and detachable from the band, each of the clips configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from the unit and the clips attached to the band before placement of the clips in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Todd E. Allen
  • Patent number: 9671006
    Abstract: A transfer case assembly for a vehicle has a one-piece torque-transfer component with both a sprocket portion configured to receive torque and an output flange portion configured to transfer the torque received. The sprocket portion and the output flange portion rotate in unison about a common axis and are axially adjacent one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William Marc Modisett, Gregory Sterba
  • Patent number: 9669835
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain includes, in response to an output torque request that includes deceleration, operating an internal combustion engine in a fuel cutoff state and in a cylinder deactivation state, controlling a clutch of a torque converter in an activated state, and operating an electric machine in a regenerative braking state. A state of the powertrain related to engine speed is monitored. The internal combustion engine is commanded to transition from the cylinder deactivation state to an all-cylinder state and the electric machine operates in the regenerative braking state including ramping down magnitude of regenerative braking torque when the engine speed is less than a first threshold speed. The torque converter clutch is commanded to a released state when the engine speed is less than a second threshold speed, with the first threshold speed being greater than the second threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kee Yong Kim, Anthony H. Heap, Michael Andrew Miller, Luke D. Shepley, Michael Vincent Woon
  • Patent number: 9669867
    Abstract: A method for characterizing a stick-slip or stiction condition in an electrically-assisted steering system includes transmitting a first steering control signal from a controller to a rotary actuator as a periodic steering conditioning signal, receiving a second steering control signal via a steering assist motor throughout the test to electrically assist steering, transmitting a third steering control signal to the rotary actuator to cause alternate rotation of the steering shaft to a target angle rate at constant acceleration/deceleration, and measuring a steering torque output from the rotary actuator. A control action is executed when a difference in local maximum and minimum peak amplitudes of the steering torque output exceeds a calibrated threshold difference indicative of stiction. A system includes a rotary actuator, the steering system, a torque transducer operable for measuring a steering torque imparted to the steering shaft by the rotary actuator, and the controller noted above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Ian Y. Hwa
  • Patent number: 9673492
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a battery pack having a conductive cooling plate and battery cells includes a compressor, flow control valves, temperature sensor(s), and a controller. The compressor circulates refrigerant through the plate to cool the cells. The temperature sensor measures a temperature of the battery pack. The controller is programmed to receive the temperature from the temperature sensors and selectively transmit switching control signals to the valves to command a change in direction or flow of the refrigerant through the cooling plate. This limits a temperature variance between the battery cells over time. A vehicle includes a transmission, an electric traction motor, a battery pack, and the thermal management system noted above. A method includes receiving the temperature, transmitting switching control signals to the valves, and controlling a flow of refrigerant through the plate via the valves in response to the switching control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Nemesh, John T. Guerin
  • Patent number: 9672803
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a method including obtaining data indicating a driver intent from a vehicle and using an ANC system to cancel noise in an appropriately reactive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brad A. Saxman, Scott M. Reilly, Frank C. Valeri
  • Patent number: 9669788
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a knee airbag mounted on a dash panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lannen, David J. Gorman
  • Patent number: 9669770
    Abstract: A fastener-holder apparatus is provided. The fastener-holder apparatus includes a fastening member; and a holder member movably connected to the fastening member. The fastener-holder apparatus may be attachable to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Schlaupitz, William Lupsha, Brian A. Swain
  • Patent number: 9674927
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing inadvertent deactivation of an illumination device or other device are provided. The method includes detecting a first input to deactivate an active illumination device; determining whether the first input to deactivate is inadvertent based on context information; and performing a function if the determining determines that the first input to deactivate the active illumination device is inadvertent. The apparatus and method may be used in a vehicle or other apparatus to prevent inadvertent deactivation of devices at inopportune times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Darren C. Williams
  • Patent number: 9669885
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling an incident ambient airflow in a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body with a first vehicle body end configured to face the incident ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The system includes a duct providing a conduit for the incident airflow into the vehicle body. The system also includes a shutter assembly configured to control the airflow through the duct and thereby regulate a downforce acting on the first vehicle body end. The shutter assembly may include an adjustable louver, a mechanism configured to select the position for the louver between and inclusive of fully opened and fully closed, and a controller configured to regulate the mechanism. The vehicle may also have a heat-absorbing subassembly, and the duct can provide a conduit for the incident airflow to the heat-absorbing subassembly for cooling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fahland, Joshua R. Auden, David Dominguez
  • Patent number: 9669755
    Abstract: An active vision system includes an image capture device for capturing images in a region exterior of a vehicle and a headlamp control unit for controlling a vehicle headlamp beam for illuminating an environment exterior of a vehicle. The headlamp control unit is configured to selectively illuminate between making a path of travel of a road visible to a driver of the vehicle and making the region exterior of the vehicle visible for capturing images by the image capture device. The headlamp control unit utilizes a duty cycle for controlling a first cycle time that the headlamp beam illuminates the path of travel for making the road visible to the driver and for controlling a second cycle time that the headlamp beam makes the captured region visible for capturing images by the image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sanjeev M. Naik, Wende Zhang, Shuqing Zeng
  • Patent number: 9669820
    Abstract: A method of prioritizing power output of first and second power-sources in a vehicle includes identifying, via a controller communicating with a satellite, the vehicle's position on a specific road course. The method also includes receiving a request for total amount of power from both power-sources and determining first power-source power and available second power-source target maximum power based on the vehicle position. The method also includes determining, based on the vehicle position, a minimum energy reserve of a source configured to energize the second power-source and available second power-source power based on the determined reserve. The method also includes subtracting the first power-source power from the requested total amount of power to determine a requested second power-source power. Furthermore, the method includes comparing the available and the requested second power-source power and generating the smaller power value to minimize the time for the vehicle to traverse the road course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brendan M. Conlon, Shawn H. Swales, Michael C. Muir, Aniket P. Kothari, Michael V. Woon
  • Patent number: 9669802
    Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a housing and a blade coupled to the housing. A windshield wiper apparatus includes a glass panel and the wiper assembly selectively movable relative to the glass panel. A method of reusing the wiper assembly includes the housing and the blade. The blade includes a first edge portion disposed along a first side of the blade and a second edge portion disposed along a second side of the blade. The first edge portion and the second edge portion are reversible relative to the housing such that one of the first and second edge portions is disposed in a use position and the other one of the first and second edge portions is disposed in a storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Charles H. Heard
  • Patent number: 9670823
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining a cylinder, a cylinder head, and an exhaust manifold operatively connected to the cylinder head and configured to exhaust post-combustion gasses from the cylinder. The engine also includes a turbocharger having a turbine housing and configured to be driven by the post-combustion gasses from the exhaust manifold, to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient, and to discharge the pressurized airflow to the cylinder. The engine additionally includes a cooling module arranged between the turbine housing and the cylinder head and defining a third coolant jacket configured to cool the turbine housing. A vehicle employing such an engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
  • Patent number: 9670830
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an internal combustion engine includes monitoring thermal efficiency in a heat exchanger of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system with a flow control valve commanded to a first, open state and monitoring thermal efficiency in the heat exchanger with the flow control valve commanded to a second, closed state. The flow control valve is evaluated based upon the monitored efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. McKay, Chad E. Marlett, Steve L. Melby
  • Patent number: D788641
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Arnold
  • Patent number: D788644
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Uwe Mueller
  • Patent number: D788645
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Uwe Mueller