Abstract: A torque transfer apparatus for a transmission includes a rotatable friction clutch pack including a first friction plate that is contiguous to a second friction plate, with the first friction plate coupled to a first transmission element and the second friction plate coupled to a second transmission element. A Belleville spring device is configured to urge the first friction plate to engage the second friction plate to effect torque transfer therebetween when a hydraulically-activated piston is deactivated. The hydraulically-activated piston is configured to urge the second periphery of the Belleville spring device away from mechanical contact of the first friction plate when the hydraulically-activated piston is activated.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 5, 2011
Publication date:
July 5, 2012
Applicant:
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Inventors:
Gary L. Jones, Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos
Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a communication module and a vehicle stop module. The communication module receives a command from a vehicle services provider (VSP) to decrease a speed of the vehicle to a desired speed, wherein the VSP is located remotely with respect to the vehicle. In response to the received command, the vehicle stop module decreases the speed of the vehicle to the desired speed by controlling at least one of a transmission, an electronic parking brake, and electronically assisted brakes.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 5, 2011
Publication date:
July 5, 2012
Applicant:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Thomas Richard Durkin, Richard B. Jess, John Douglas Tursell
Abstract: The system comprises a valve unit connected to a filtering unit for the selective delivery of cold, hot and mixed sanitary water, respectively either refrigerated or boiling purified water with optional carbonation. The valve unit comprises a base body for housing a first mixer tap, of the cartridge type, which is connected to a first delivery duct of the sanitary water, as well as a second control tap for the purified water, connected to a second delivery duct internal to the previous one. The outlet or each outlet of the purified water of the filtering unit is connected to an inlet of the second control tap, whereas the inlet of the cold water of the filtering unit is directly connected to the inlet of the cold water of the first mixer tap, by means of a branched channel that is provided inside the base body of the valve unit.
Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system when the multi-phase machine operates in an overmodulation region. The disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism for adjusting a duty cycle of PWM waveforms so that the correct phase voltage command signals are applied at the angle transitions. This can reduce variations/errors in the phase voltage command signals applied to the multi-phase machine so that phase current may be properly regulated thus reducing current/torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 3, 2011
Publication date:
July 5, 2012
Applicant:
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Inventors:
GABRIEL GALLEGOS-LOPEZ, MICHAEL H. KINOSHITA, RAY M. RANSOM, MILUN PERISIC
Abstract: A battery pack with phase change materials (PCM). The PCM would improve the heating and cooling capabilities under various vehicle operating conditions. Methods of controlling the temperature in battery packs are also described.
Abstract: A method to select a feature in a view in front of a vehicle includes monitoring the view in front of the vehicle visible through a graphic projection display, monitoring a user input to the graphic projection display, determining the selected feature based upon the monitored view and the monitored user input, determining a registered graphic representing the selected feature for display upon the graphic projection display, and displaying the registered graphic upon the graphic projection display.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 30, 2010
Publication date:
July 5, 2012
Applicant:
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Inventors:
Thomas A. Seder, Joseph F. Szczerba, Dehua Cui
Abstract: A hydraulic valve actuation assembly may include a housing, a piston, a supply control valve, a closing control valve, and an opening control valve. The housing may define a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, and a third fluid chamber. The piston may be axially secured to an engine valve and located within the first, second and third fluid chambers. The supply control valve may control a hydraulic fluid supply to the piston. The closing control valve may be located between the supply control valve and the second fluid chamber and may control fluid flow from the second fluid chamber to the supply control valve. The opening control valve may be located between the supply control valve and the second fluid chamber and may control fluid flow from the supply control valve to the second fluid chamber.
Abstract: An engine control system comprises a clutch cut off enable module and a torque control module. The clutch cut off enable module generates an enable signal based on a clutch engagement signal and an accelerator pedal signal. The torque control module reduces a spark advance of an engine to a minimum value and disables fueling of cylinders of the engine based on the enable signal. The minimum value is a minimum allowed spark advance for current engine airflow.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 2, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Christopher E. Whitney, Jun Lu, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Todd R. Shupe
Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes commanding engine operation to transition from an engine-off state to an engine-on state. A control scheme detects engine firing based upon input speed, input torque and a change in the input torque.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 27, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Allen J. Lehmen, Kevin J. Smith, James B. Nicholson
Abstract: An algorithm for determining a polarization curve of a fuel cell stack. When the fuel cell stack is running and certain data validity criteria have been met, the algorithm goes into a data collection mode where it collects stack data, such as stack current density, average cell voltage and minimum cell voltage. When the stack is shut down, the algorithm uses a cell voltage model to solve a least squares problem to estimate predetermined parameters that define the polarization curve. If the estimated parameters satisfy certain termination criteria, then the estimated parameters are stored to be used by a system controller to calculate the polarization curve of the stack.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 31, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Sriram Ganapathy, John P. Salvador, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, Frank Leo, Jason R. Kolodziej
Abstract: Computational systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to predict at least one of residual stresses and distortion in quenched aluminum castings. Residual stresses and distortion may be predicted through incorporating thermal strains induced during quenching with the nonlinear constitutive behavior of quenched microstructures of a quenched aluminum casting, wherein thermal strains arise generally from non-uniform transient temperature distribution of the casting during quenching. The transient temperature distribution of the aluminum casting during quenching may be calculated based on heat transfer coefficients specific to one or more nodes, elements and/or zones on the surfaces of the aluminum casting. The nonlinear constitutive behavior of the quenched aluminum casting may be modeled as functions of temperatures, strain rates, and microstructure variations. A material constitutive model accounts for not only strain hardening and creep, but also precipitate hardening.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 12, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Qigui Wang, Cherng-Chi Chang, David Paluch, Guihua Zhang
Abstract: A seal structure is disclosed for forming a substantially fluid tight seal between a UEA and a plate of a fuel cell system, the seal structure including a sealing member formed in one fuel cell plate, a seal support adapted to span feed area channels in an adjacent fuel cell plate, and a seal adapted to cooperate with a UEA disposed between the fuel cell plates, the sealing member, and the seal support to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the UEA and the one fuel cell plate. The seal structure militates against a leakage of fluids from the fuel cell system, facilitates the maintenance of a velocity of a reactant flow in the fuel cell system, and a cost thereof is minimized.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 8, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Jeffrey A. Rock, Gerald W. Fly, Steven G. Goebel, Jeff D. Williams
Abstract: A system and method for determining the status of a vehicle battery to determine whether the battery may not have enough charge to start the vehicle. The method includes collecting data relating to the battery on the vehicle and collecting data relating to the battery at a remote back-office. Both the vehicle and the remote data center determine battery characteristics based on the collected data and the likelihood of a vehicle no-start condition, where the algorithm used at the remote back-office may be more sophisticated. The data collected at the remote back-office may include vehicle battery information transmitted wirelessly from the vehicle, and other information, such as temperature, battery reliability, miles that the vehicle has driven per day, ambient temperature, high content vehicle, etc. Both the vehicle and the remote back-office may determine the battery open circuit voltage.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 29, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Yilu Zhang, Mutasim A. Salman, Ryan M. Edwards, John J. Correia, Mark J. Rychlinski, Gary W Gantt, Jr., Halasya Siva Subramania, Kyle L Lobes
Abstract: An internal combustion engine operates in an unthrottled condition during HCCI operation while preferred combustion phasing is determined. An EGR mass flow rate is commanded to correspond with the preferred combustion phasing. The EGR valve is controlled to achieve commanded EGR mass flow rate. Position of the throttle valve is controlled to achieve commanded EGR mass flow rate when the commanded EGR mass flow rate exceeds control authority of the EGR valve.
Abstract: Simultaneous or independent control of a by-pass valve and a variable-geometry forced induction component on a combustion engine is based on operational parameters measured by various sensors provided as inputs to a control module. Sudden loss of power due to low turbine efficiencies is prevented during transitions between operating conditions of engine speed and load. Excessive peak cylinder pressures are also prevented by controlling engine boost pressure to a permitted limit at high engine speed and load.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 24, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Yue-Yun Wang, Xiaobin (Sharon) Li, Hongxun Gao, Ibrahim Haskara
Abstract: A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain includes operating the transmission in an operating range state wherein input speed can operate independent of output speed and wherein a reactive torque is transmitted through the transmission. The method further includes monitoring commands affecting a requested output torque, monitoring a calculated output torque, and prioritizing between an input acceleration of the transmission and an output torque of the transmission based upon whether operating the transmission in the operating range state is in transient operation or stable operation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 21, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 3, 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
Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a automatic transmission includes a plurality of solenoids and valves in fluid communication with a plurality of shift actuators. The shift actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Selective activation of combinations of the solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the shift actuators. The solenoids are configured to provide a forward gear ratio and a reverse gear ratio when the solenoids are deengerized.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 25, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Zhe Xie, Bret M. Olson, Robert L. Moses, Vijay A. Neelakantan
Abstract: A seal is provided for a hole in a sheet. The clamped hole surface has an articulated line, which divides the hole surface into a first partial surface and a second partial surface inclined relative thereto, exhibiting the following features: a sealing surface for the hole, the geometry of which corresponds to the hole geometry; an elastic element secured to the sealing surface; and the elastic element is incorporated into the hole abuts on one side (e.g., interior) of the sheet, pressing the sealing surface against a second side (e.g., exterior) of the sheet.
Abstract: A fluid distribution element is provided for a fuel cell having a major surface facing a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and one or more flow channels for transporting gas and liquid to and from the MEA. One or more regions of the major surface are overlaid with a super-hydrophilic corrosion-resistant layer comprising a fluoropolymer. Methods of making such a fluid distribution element are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 15, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Gayatri Vyas, Youssef M. Mikhail, Thomas A. Trabold
Abstract: A normally-engaged clutch is provided having a friction-element with a first side and an opposing second side, a first plate configured for pressing against the friction-element on the first side, and a second plate configured for pressing against the friction-element on the second side. The clutch also includes a biasing device configured to apply a first force to the second plate for pressing the second plate against the friction-element to engage the clutch. Additionally, the clutch includes an apply piston for applying a second force to the first plate, and a release piston for applying a third force to the second plate. The clutch is disengaged when the second plate is pushed away from the friction-element by the third force in the absence of the second force, and is engaged when the first plate is pressed against the friction-element by the second force.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 5, 2010
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2012
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Gary L. Jones, Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Andrew L. Bartos, John I. Manole