Patents Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, IN.
  • Catalysts with atomically dispersed platinum group metal complexes
    Patent number: 10159960
    Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a catalyst. The catalyst includes a non-modified metal oxide support and platinum group metal (PGM) complexes atomically dispersed on the non-modified metal oxide support. The PGM complexes include a PGM species selected from the group consisting of an atom of a platinum group metal, a cluster including from 2 atoms to less than 10 atoms of the platinum group metal, and combinations thereof. An alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal is bonded to the PGM species. The alkali or alkaline earth metal is part of a structure including oxygen atoms and hydrogen atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ming Yang, Ryan J. Day, Se H. Oh, Gongshin Qi, Wei Li
  • Deep-drawing of a work piece
    Patent number: 10160021
    Abstract: A method for deep-drawing a work piece includes recording an image arrangement with at least one image of a deep-drawn work piece arranged on a lower part of a deep-drawing tool while opening or after opening the deep-drawing tool. A characteristic arrangement with at least one characteristic in the image arrangement is detected and compared with a predefined reference arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthias Kraft
  • Sensing feature on fuse element for detection prior to fuse open
    Patent number: 10164300
    Abstract: A sensing circuit, a vehicular battery pack using a sensing circuit, a method of protecting a circuit with a fuse and a method of providing battery power to a vehicle. The sensing circuit includes the fuse, which is made up of a main element and a sensing element such that the sensing element defines a pre-open detection capability through at least one of a dissimilar geometric profile or a different material choice from that of the main element. The sensing circuit also includes an electrical connector between one or more battery cells and an electronic control module so that the circuit provides indicia of the fusing event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John J. Lee, Leonard B. Cantrell, Yue Fan
  • LOW STRESS ATTACHMENT FOR HIGH GLOSS WEATHERABLE POLYCARBONATE DECORATIVE APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20180361970
    Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a first body wholly or partly made of a first polymeric material. The first polymeric material includes a polycarbonate and has a 60-degree gloss that is equal to or greater than 80 gloss units. The first body defines an outermost surface of the vehicle body assembly. The first body may be an exterior trim component, such as a grille portion, and may have a black color. The vehicle body assembly further includes a second body coupled (e.g., chemically bonded) to the first body. The second body may be a support body configured to support the exterior trim component and is wholly or partly made of a second polymeric material. The second polymeric material is different from the first polymeric material, and the outermost surface of the first body faces away from the second body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Pickett, Robert Dallos, JR.
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SOUNDSCAPE SELECTION IN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20180364966
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. A method of soundscape selection in a vehicle includes receiving a number of biometric parameters from sensors provided within an interior of the vehicle, and determining a state-of-mind of an occupant within the interior of the vehicle based on the biometric parameters. The method further includes selecting, with a soundscape determination module including a processor, a soundscape responsive to the state of mind of the occupant, and providing to the vehicle a set of vehicle parameters based on the selected soundscape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: FRANK C. VALERI, SCOTT M. REILLY, ELI TZIRKEL-HANCOCK
  • LIFT GATE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH REMOTE LIGHT SOURCE
    Publication number: 20180361914
    Abstract: A lighting system for a lift gate of a vehicle is provided. The lighting system includes a light source that emits at least a first light beam. The light source is coupled to the vehicle at a first location remote from the lift gate. The lighting system includes an optical system coupled to the lift gate having a first optic member aligned with the light source that receives the first light beam. The optical system is illuminated by the light source at the first location remote from the lift gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: DANIEL H. MILLER
  • STATOR ASSEMBLY WITH UNEVEN CONDUCTORS
    Publication number: 20180367005
    Abstract: A stator assembly includes a plurality of stator slots, including a first stator slot defining a slot axis. A plurality of conductors is at least partially positioned in the first stator slot and forms a winding set. The assembly is characterized by uneven conductor lengths and a combination of series and parallel connections in the coil sets of the winding set. The winding set includes at least one coil set with the conductors connected in series and at least one coil set with the conductors connected in parallel. At least one of the conductors extends a first conductor length along the slot axis and at least another of conductors extends a second conductor length along the slot axis. The first conductor length is different from the second conductor length. The assembly results in reduced winding alternating current losses, enhanced motor torque and additional turn count options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Khwaja M. Rahman, Jingchuan Li
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR OVERTRAVEL
    Publication number: 20180362071
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring steering gear overtravel in rack and pinion steering systems. The provided systems and methods introduce a change in the length of the fastener that attaches an inner tie rod ball joint housing within a steering gear rack bar. The provided systems and methods also monitor the disengagement of that fastener (also referred to as overtravel and as rack travel) to generate flags and provide them to the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: JOHN T. ZUZELSKI, DAVID JUAREZ
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VEHICLE CLEANING
    Publication number: 20180364728
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an autonomous vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving image data from a camera device coupled to the autonomous vehicle; computing, by a processor, a value based on the image data; determining, by a processor, one of a cleanliness and an uncleanliness of the autonomous vehicle based on the computed value; and selectively generating, by a processor, a signal to at least one of control the autonomous vehicle to navigate to a cleaning station and notify a user based on the determined one of cleanliness and uncleanliness of the autonomous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: VALOR YALDO, XIAOFENG F. SONG
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AND DIAGNOSING INITIAL OFFSETS OF AN ANALOG INPUT SENSOR
    Publication number: 20180367077
    Abstract: An electric power system includes a polyphase electric machine, battery pack, power inverter module, analog input sensor, and diagnostic controller executing a method. The sensor measures an electrical parameter that differs from a true value of the parameter by an initial offset value. The controller collects sample sets of the parameter, compares the initial offset of each sample to an outlier threshold in a first diagnostic loop, and transmits a bit flag indicative of an outlier sample to a slower second diagnostic loop when the initial offset of a sample exceeds the outlier threshold. The second control loop calculates a rolling average of the initial offsets of the sample sets, discards the set containing the outlier sample in response to the bit flag, and executes a control action when the average exceeds a threshold that is lower than the outlier threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Welchko, Siddharth Ballal, Wesley G. Zanardelli
  • LIQUID LEVEL SENSOR AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20180364090
    Abstract: A liquid level sensor is arranged to sense a quantity of a liquid within a reservoir. The sensor includes a plurality of discrete sensing units disposed within the reservoir. Each of the plurality of sensing units has an output, and the output has a first value when the sensing unit is immersed in a liquid and a second value, different from the first value, when the sensing unit is not immersed in a liquid. A signal generator is operably electrically coupled to each of the plurality of sensing units. The signal generator is operable to provide an excitation signal to each of the plurality of sensing units. Each of the plurality of sensing units is operable to provide the output responsive to the excitation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: DOREL M. SALA, RICHARD J. SKURKIS, NANCY L. JOHNSON
  • INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WIRELESS ELECTRIC CONNECTION AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20180361956
    Abstract: An instrument panel and instrument cluster electrical and data interconnection are provided. An instrument panel is adapted to receive an instrument cluster, and the instrument panel includes a first transceiver arranged to provide a wireless electric power signal. The instrument cluster is adapted to be disposed within the instrument panel, and includes a second transceiver wirelessly coupled to the first transceiver to receive the wireless electric power signal. The second transceiver is further coupled to an instrument within the instrument cluster to provide energizing electric power to the instrument responsive to the wireless electric power signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: KOBI J. SCHEIM, GREGORY M. CASTILLO, MASSIMO OSELLA
  • THERMAL CONTROL OF SUBSTRATES FOR PREVENTION OF IONOMER PERMEATION
    Publication number: 20180366738
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure include supplying a porous substrate, heating the porous substrate to produce a pre-heated substrate, applying an electrode ink to the pre-heated substrate to produce a coated substrate, and drying the electrode ink of the coated substrate to produce an electrode on the porous substrate. The pre-heated substrate has a temperature greater than 23° C. The applying occurs via a coating mechanism. The electrode ink includes a catalyst and an ionomer dispersed in a solvent. The drying occurs via a drying mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nagappan Ramaswamy, Ellazar V. Niangar, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEMORY AND TOUCH POSITION WINDOW
    Publication number: 20180361954
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a movement of a window of a vehicle to a selected position. The method includes receiving, by a processor, an input from a source that indicates the selected position for the window, and determining, by the processor, a coordinate location value based on the selected position. The method also includes determining, by the processor, a position for the window based on the coordinate location value and outputting, by the processor, one or more control signals to a motor associated with a window regulator of the window to move the window to the position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: DAVID T. RENKE, MICHAEL A. FAUCETT, JR.
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTERNAL WARNING BY AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20180361918
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for generating warning signals for an autonomous vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving sensor data associated with an environment of the vehicle; determining, by a processor, an encroaching object based on the sensor data; determining, by the processor, an impending event based on the encroaching object; selecting, by the processor, at least one warning device coupled to the vehicle from a plurality of warning devices based on the impending event, wherein the at least one warning device generates warning signals that are perceived outside of the vehicle; and generating, by the processor, an activation signal to the at least one warning device to generate the warning signals based on the impending event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GARY P. BERTOLLINI, JOSEPH F. SZCZERBA
  • AUTOMATED VEHICLE ROUTE TRAVERSAL CAPABILITY
    Publication number: 20180364708
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a vehicle. The apparatus includes an operator monitoring system configured to monitor an operator of the vehicle for a temporary incapacity, and an autonomous driving system configured to operate the vehicle in a temporary autonomous operation mode. A manual driving system is provided to operate the vehicle in a manual mode and a mode determination system is provided to transition a current mode of the vehicle between the temporary autonomous operation mode and the manual mode based on the temporary incapacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: MICHAEL A. LOSH
  • LAMP ASSEMBLY WITH ANISOTROPIC HEAT SPREADER AND VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20180363878
    Abstract: A lamp assembly includes an outer lens, a lamp housing connected to the outer lens, a projector assembly having a projector lens, a lighting source, and an anisotropic heat spreader. The lighting source is adjacent to and partially within the projector assembly, and has a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to one or more light-emitting diodes, each emitting the light. The heat spreader, for instance a sheet of polycrystalline graphite, is connected to the PCB and extends beyond a surface area of the PCB into a lamp cavity. The heat spreader is configured to direct heat away from an LED junction toward a predetermined lower temperature zone of the lamp cavity. A vehicle includes a body and the lamp assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vipul Potluri, Carlos N. Czirmer, Steven J. Kropfreiter
  • VEHICLES, LATCHES AND LATCH ASSEMBLIES WITH RETAINING BRACKETS
    Publication number: 20180363344
    Abstract: Vehicles, latches and latch assemblies are provided with retaining brackets for selective engagement with hinges. In an exemplary embodiment, a latch assembly includes a body having an arm extending to a shaft defining an axis. The latch assembly further includes a hinge configured to slide in a tangential direction to the axis into engagement with the shaft and configured to rotate about the shaft to selected angular positions. Also, the latch assembly includes a retaining bracket configured for fixed connected to the body and for selective engagement with the hinge at the selected angular positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: JAIRO ABRAHAM CRUZ LOPEZ, DENISE VALLE AGUILAR, GUSTAVO EDUARDO VALENCIA CRUZ
  • ARCHITECTURE AND SERVICES SUPPORTING RECONFIGURABLE SYNCHRONIZATION IN A MULTIPROCESSING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180365080
    Abstract: A synchronization method in a multiprocessor system is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of synchronization mechanisms for synchronizing data to be accessed by a plurality of concurrently executable tasks, analyzing design information and runtime information for application software that includes the concurrently executable tasks, identifying, based on the analysis, software architecture patterns for the concurrently executable tasks that access a shared variable, and associating, based on the analysis, each of the software architecture patterns to one or more of the synchronization mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: SHIGE WANG, STEPHEN G. LUSKO
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE RESPONSE IN AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20180364732
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an autonomous vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving image data from a camera device coupled to the autonomous vehicle; computing, by a processor, a value based on the image data; determining, by a processor, an existence of an emergency vehicle based on the computed value; selecting, by a processor, a first control strategy based on the determined existence of an emergency vehicle; and generating, by a processor, at least one signal to autonomously control the autonomous vehicle based on the control strategy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: VALOR YALDO, XIAOFENG F. SONG