Patents Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, IN.
  • WHEEL CENTERING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20120319460
    Abstract: An annular centering ring centers a wheel on a hub. The hub has a circular outer surface and an outer end face. The wheel has a central opening defined by a circular wall. The annular centering ring has an annular mounting flange structure that seats upon the circular outer surface and the outer end face of the hub, and a centering skirt structure that is engaged by the circular wall of the wheel when the wheel is installed onto the hub so that the centering skirt structure is flexed and occupies the annular space between the circular outer surface of the hub and the central opening of the wheel to thereby center the wheel upon the hub in readiness for installation of a plurality of lug nuts. The centering skirt structure is captured in a press-fit relationship between the wheel and hub, or can be extruded away during the installation of the wheel onto the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: DONALD G. STRAITIFF
  • TRANSPARENT 3D DISPLAY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120320291
    Abstract: A transparent 3D display system comprises a display sheet and a barrier mask, the barrier mask being separated from the display sheet by an optical thickness. The barrier mask is separated from a viewer having a right eye and a left eye. The display sheet is configured to display an image comprising first and second sets of image strips, and the barrier mask is configured to produce a plurality of alternating viewing strips and blocking strips. The viewing strips are positioned, oriented, and configured so as to allow the right eye to view the first set of image strips and the left eye to view the second set of image strips, and the blocking strips are positioned, oriented, and configured to prevent the right eye from viewing the second set of image strips and the left eye from viewing the first set of image strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sam Yang, Peter G. Diehl
  • CAM PHASER LOCKING SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20120318220
    Abstract: A motion limiter system for a cam phaser includes a retractable motion limiter pin that is selectively extendable from a rotor in a cam phaser to contact a lobe on a stator to provide a positive stop for the rotor prior to engagement of a locking pin. Alternatively, the cam phaser may include two pins that are selectively extendable from opposite openings in a hole in the rotor to engage seats that are slightly offset from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: William P. Vukovich, Gerald R. Stabel, Brian R. Webb
  • ELECTRIC CAM PHASER CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20120318223
    Abstract: A system for an engine includes a motor driver module, a target phase angle module, and a correlation control module. The motor driver module controls an electric motor of a camshaft phaser based on a target angle defined by a crankshaft position and a camshaft position. The target phase angle module selectively sets the target angle to a first phase angle before a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) event and selectively transitions the target angle to a predetermined phase angle during the DFCO event. The correlation control module selectively compares a value of the crankshaft position with a predetermined crankshaft position range during the DFCO event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Etsuko Muraji Stewart, Vijay Ramappan
  • FRAME STRUCTURE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20120319433
    Abstract: A frame structure is provided for the underbody of a self-supporting motor vehicle bodywork. The frame structure includes, but not included with an elongate tunnel and two sillboards parallel hereto. The sillboards are disposed on both sides of the tunnel. The frame structure also includes, but is not limited to a dashboard cowl with closing plate, which is connected directly to both sillboards and the tunnel, a wheel housing with a downwardly open main structural arc, the ends whereof are connected to the underbody, and on its side facing the underbody (e.g., the vehicle inner side) the main structural arc has a damper receptacle in its upper area, from which a supporting strut connected to the underbody projects downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ronny BUFE, Stefan GLOGER, Jens HARTMANN, Matthias SCHLELEIN, Matthias SEYFRIED, Ralph STENGER, Dirk STREHL, Joachim KÖHR, Heinz-Günter LANG, Hans-Joachim PATSCHICKE
  • BELT TENSIONING ASSEMBLY FOR AN ENGINE SYSTEM HAVING A MOTOR-GENERATOR UNIT
    Publication number: 20120318589
    Abstract: A system for maintaining tension in a drive belt comprises a first belt tensioner that comprises a first pulley mounted on a first lever arm, and a second belt tensioner that comprises a second pulley mounted on a second lever arm. The first belt tensioner is configured and positioned to bias the first pulley against the drive belt at a first location following a departure of the drive belt from a pulley coupled to a motor-generator unit and to thereby maintain tension on the drive belt during both driving and driven modes of the motor-generator unit. The second belt tensioner is configured and positioned to bias the second pulley against the drive belt at a second location prior to an approach of the drive belt toward the pulley and to thereby maintain tension on the drive belt at the second location during both driving and driven modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Staley, William C. Deneszczuk, Paul J. Mc Vicar
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUS PARALLEL CONTROL OF A TORQUE PHASE AND AN INERTIA PHASE FOR HYBRID POWERTRAINS
    Publication number: 20120322611
    Abstract: A method to execute a shift in a powertrain including a plurality of torque generative devices rotatably connected through a first clutch includes operating the powertrain in a continuously variable operating range state, and monitoring a command to execute the shift including monitoring a target speed for a first torque generative device, and monitoring a command to disengage the first clutch. The first clutch is shifted from an engaged state to a disengaged state, including operating a torque phase of the first clutch wherein the first clutch is transitioned from the engaged state to the disengaged state, and simultaneous with the torque phase, operating an inertia speed phase of the first clutch wherein a speed of the first torque generative device is transitioned from an initial speed to the target speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Sean W. McGrogan, Lisa M. Talarico
  • METHOD OF SETTING LASH IN A CAM PHASER
    Publication number: 20120317807
    Abstract: A method of setting lash in a cam phaser includes rotating a stator having a lobe in a first direction so that the lobe contacts a motion limiter pin disposed within a first hole in a rotor, causing the compression of a spring until a motion limiter lock pin enters a groove on the motion limiter pin and contacts a wall at one end of the groove. The rotor is then rotated in conjunction with the stator in the first direction until a rotor locking pin that is disposed within a second hole in the rotor engages a lock pin seat on a cover at one end of the seat. The rotor is then held in place while rotating the stator in a second direction so that there is a gap between the wall at one end of the groove and the motion limiter locking pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: William P. Vukovich, Nick John Hendriksma
  • TRANSMISSION WITH REVERSE IDLER GEAR SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120318084
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission is disclosed having an input and output shafts supported by a housing, two gear sets each having a drive gear and a driven gear, and at least two shift forks coupled with synchronizers. An idler gear is selectively manipulated by a reverse lever to intermesh with a drive gear and a driven gear of one of the gear sets to create a reverse gear ratio. The reverse lever includes a cam portion that is selectively engageable with one of the shift forks. When the reverse lever is manipulated to move the idler gear to intermesh with the reverse gear set, the cam portion of the reverse lever triggers partial engagement of another gear set in order to synchronize the speed between the input and output shaft so that the idler gear is spinning at a similar speed as the driven gear of the reverse gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: RICARDO C. FURQUIM, Arnaldo R. Silva, Edgard L. A. Souza, JR.
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INITIALIZING AN ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL SCHEME
    Publication number: 20120319634
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric power flow between a high-voltage battery and an electrically-powered torque machine of a powertrain system includes, upon violating a constraint associated with the electric power flow during operation of the powertrain system, executing a battery power control scheme for controlling the electric power flow including commanding an initial state for a parameter of the electric power flow, the initial state for the parameter of the electric power flow including a maximum estimated state for the parameter of the electric power flow occurring during one of a plurality of selected ones of previous timesteps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sean W. McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap
  • CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COORDINATING THROTTLE AND BOOST
    Publication number: 20120318235
    Abstract: An engine control system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a manifold air pressure (MAP) determination module, a boost control module, and a throttle control module. The MAP determination module determines a desired MAP based on a driver torque request. The boost control module controls a boost device based on the desired MAP and a basic boost pressure. The boost device is actuated using boost pressure and the boost pressure is insufficient to actuate the boost device when the boost pressure is less than the basic boost pressure. The throttle control module controls a throttle valve based on the desired MAP and the basic boost pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Timothy L. Gibbs, Zhong Li, James L. Worthing
  • COMBINED CONDENSATION RADIATOR FAN MODULE AND BRAKE COOLING DUCT SHUTTER SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120318476
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines an opening in a forward end thereof. A heat exchanger and an inlet of a brake duct are each positioned rearward of the opening to receive a flow of air through the opening. A shutter system is movable between an open position to allow airflow through the opening and a closed position to block airflow through the opening. The shutter system controls the airflow to both the heat exchanger and to the inlet of the brake duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David Begleiter, Steven J. Weber
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXECUTING A SHIFT IN A POWERTRAIN SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120322600
    Abstract: A method to shift a powertrain system from a first operating mode to a second operating mode wherein a common clutch is activated to effect operation in both the first and second operating modes includes, in sequence, deactivating the common clutch, activating an oncoming clutch associated with the second operating mode and deactivating an off-going clutch associated with the first operating mode, and activating the common clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jy-Jen F. Sah, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Anthony H. Heap
  • DRAINABLE CONTAINER SYSTEM AND WELD NUT THEREOF
    Publication number: 20120318799
    Abstract: A drainable container system for a vehicle includes a container defining an interior cavity configured for storing a fluid, and a drain hole configured for draining the fluid from the interior cavity. The drainable container system further includes a drain plug configured for plugging the drain hole, and a weld nut attachable to the container and configured for receiving the drain plug. The weld nut includes a coupling portion matable with the drain plug and having a longitudinal axis, and a flange portion extending from the coupling portion and disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The flange portion defines at least one channel therein configured for conducting the fluid to the drain hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Spix, Karl R. Gilgenbach
  • Multi-speed transmission
    Patent number: 8333675
    Abstract: A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Edward W. Mellet
  • Gear clash logic
    Patent number: 8335620
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears and the transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Scott E. Mundy
  • Method and apparatus for remediation of and recovery from a clutch slip event in a hybrid powertrain system
    Patent number: 8335623
    Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain, including an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, includes monitoring slip across a selectively applied clutch within the transmission to indicate a clutch slip event, and if the monitoring indicates the clutch slip event decreasing a load across the selectively applied clutch by reducing torque of at least one of the engine and the electric machine, in order to reduce the slip, thereby ending the clutch slip event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Method for monitoring ammonia storage in an exhaust aftertreatment system
    Patent number: 8333062
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the ammonia-selective catalyst reduction device includes monitoring states of parameters of the exhaust gas feedstream upstream of the ammonia-selective catalyst reduction device, analytically segmenting the ammonia-selective catalyst reduction device into a plurality of discrete substrate elements, sequentially calculating a change in ammonia storage for each of the discrete substrate elements, and determining a total ammonia storage concentration on the ammonia-selective catalyst reduction device based upon the sequentially calculated change in ammonia storage for each of the discrete substrate elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Min Sun
  • Side cover having fluid level control for a transmission
    Patent number: 8333264
    Abstract: A side cover for use in a transmission includes an inner surface and a wall. The wall extends along the outer periphery of the side cover. The inner surface and the wall cooperate to define a cavity. A fluid control valve is disposed in the bottom of the side cover within the cavity. The fluid control valve controls the height of hydraulic fluid in the side cover by varying flow to the sump. The cavity includes a fluid storage portion in communication with the valve. The fluid storage portion has a volume that is greater at a bottom of the side cover than at a top of the side cover. The fluid storage portion controls the pressure of the hydraulic fluid at the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tami A Curtis, Ronald A Spindler, Pete R. Garcia
  • Method and apparatus to monitor an electric motor control circuit
    Patent number: 8334670
    Abstract: An electric motor control circuit includes an electric energy storage device electrically connected via DC power buses to an inverter circuit that connects via an alternating current circuit to an electric machine. A capacitive shunt circuit connects between the power buses. Current flow through the capacitive shunt circuit to the chassis ground is monitored. A fault is identified when the current flow through the capacitive shunt circuit to the chassis ground exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: John William Meyer, III