Patents Assigned to GM
  • Patent number: 8210234
    Abstract: A cooling chamber design that increases the heat transfer over conventional designs during the casting process of an aluminum cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: David D. Goettsch
  • Patent number: 8214122
    Abstract: A method for improving energy efficient operation of a vehicle includes monitoring vehicle operating characteristics, modeling operation of the vehicle by utilizing the vehicle operating characteristics to estimate energy consumption rates of the vehicle across an allowable vehicle operating range, and generating a control output to the vehicle on the basis of the energy consumption rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ashish S. Krupadanam, Edward J. Grant, Donn W. Glander, Pei-Chung Wang, Man-Feng Chang, Sanjeev M. Naik, Balarama V. Murty, William C. Lin
  • Patent number: 8210232
    Abstract: A method including: placing a first insert and a second insert in a casting mold and wherein the first insert and second insert including a plurality of connecting posts extending in between so that the first insert and second insert are in spaced-apart relationship in the mold, each of the first insert and the second insert including a first material; casting a molten second material into the casting mold so that the second material flows between the first insert the second insert and solidifying the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Houchun Xia
  • Patent number: 8212510
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a controlling an electric motor that is at least partially disposed within a motor housing. The rotational speed and position of the electric motor are sensed, and a temperature of the electric motor is sensed. The sensor signals are converted to optical signals and are propagated in a fiber optic cable. The electric motor is controlled based, at least in part, on the propagated optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Campbell, Jim R. Switzer, Steven E. Schulz
  • Patent number: 8210583
    Abstract: An energy absorber device is provided that includes a generally cylindrical member defining an axis and having an outer surface. One or more axially-spaced, substantially annular members are operatively connected to the generally cylindrical member at the outer surface to create areas of stress concentration in the generally cylindrical member, such that deformation of the generally cylindrical member due to a sufficient force applied to the generally cylindrical member is initiated at the areas of stress concentration, with the areas of stress concentration being reinforced by the substantially annular members. The areas of stress concentration act as crush initiation features and are formed by the connection of the substantially annular members to the generally cylindrical member. Thus, expensive tooling, such as preformed dies, to form the initiation features in the generally cylindrical member is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Amit A. Wavde, Brian D. Van Buren
  • Patent number: 8214120
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an electromechanical transmission operative to transmit torque between an input member and an electric machine and an output member to transmit tractive torque. The electric machine is electrically connected to an inverter device which is electrically connected to an energy storage device. A method for operating the powertrain includes detecting a shutdown event, commanding the transmission to neutral, commanding the electric machine to cease operating in a torque generating mode, and electrically disconnecting the energy storage device from the inverter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Aniket Kothari, Nicholas Kokotovich, Stephen T. West, James E. Tarchinski, Sean E Gleason, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 8212519
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a state of charge of a battery. The battery is subjected to a predetermined magnetic field such that the battery and the predetermined magnetic field jointly create a resultant magnetic field. The resultant magnetic field is sensed. The state of charge of the battery is determined based on the resultant magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Koch, Robert S. Conell, Mark W. Verbrugge, Gregory P. Meisner
  • Patent number: 8210066
    Abstract: An assembly for actuating a synchronizer includes a shift fork, a shift rail, and a permanent magnet connected to the shift rail. A first control coil is disposed in proximity to the permanent magnet. The first control coil is operable to produce a magnetomotive force on the permanent magnet in a first direction when a current is applied to the first control coil. A second control coil is disposed in proximity to the permanent magnet. The second control coil is operable to produce a magnetomotive force on the permanent magnet in a second direction when a current is applied to the second control coil. The permanent magnet is moved to a first position when the current is applied to the first control coil and the permanent magnet is moved to a second position when the current is applied to the second control coil. Movement of the magnet in turn moves the synchronizer between engaged positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shushan Bai, Vijay A. Neelakantan, Paul G. Otanez
  • Patent number: 8213967
    Abstract: A method and system for preventing replay-type attacks on a vehicle communications system that sends short message service (SMS) messages between a call center and a fleet of vehicles. The method uses separate sequence counters maintained at the call center and at each of the vehicles in the fleet to help prevent or at least minimize the effects of unauthorized third party interference; such as replay-type attacks. Each wireless message is embedded with a sequence counter that is provided by the sender and is compared by the recipient with a separate sequence counter for purposes of validation. Some optional features that can be used in conjunction with the sequence counters include a tolerance window feature, a consecutive message feature, and a proximity feature, to name but a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James M. Kortge, Ansaf I. Alrabady
  • Patent number: 8214116
    Abstract: A method reduces a time delay or lag between a commanded upshift and a resultant upshift event in vehicle. The method detects the commanded upshift, calculates a scheduled engine torque reduction torque value as a function of an unmanaged torque, and reduces an input torque value from the engine using the calculated scheduled torque. A powertain includes an engine, a transmission, a torque converter, clutches that are selectively engageable to provide at least six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio, and a neutral condition, and a controller. The controller has an algorithm controlling an operation of an off-going clutch and the on-coming clutch during a speed ratio change representing an upshift event. The algorithm calculates a scheduled torque value as a percentage of an unmanaged torque level of the engine, and controls the off-going and on-coming clutch through the speed ratio change using the calculated scheduled torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
  • Patent number: 8214114
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is mechanically coupled to a hybrid transmission to transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the internal combustion engine includes determining an accelerator output torque request based upon an operator input to the accelerator pedal, and determining an axle torque response type. A preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request. An allowable range of input torque from the engine which can be reacted with the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request and the axle torque response type. The engine is controlled to meet the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the allowable range of input torque from the engine. The engine is controlled within the allowable range of input torque from the engine when the preferred input torque is outside the allowable range of input torques from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 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, Wilfried Brunssen
  • Patent number: 8211591
    Abstract: A unitized electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprising an electrolyte membrane and a subgasket. The subgasket maximizing an operating life of the electrolyte membrane, militating against adverse effects of membrane expansion during use of the fuel cell and membrane shearing under unitized electrode assembly compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chad A. Dammar, Saurabh Vyas, Ronald L. James, Matthew J. Beutel
  • Patent number: 8214106
    Abstract: A suspension control system for a motor vehicle having a chassis and wheels connected to the chassis by a suspension system the stiffness of which is variable under the control of the suspension control system comprises a controller adapted to modify autonomously the stiffness of the suspension system depending on a current state of motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Youssef Ghoneim, Veit Held
  • Patent number: 8212505
    Abstract: A method and system for operating an automotive electric motor having first and second components is provided. A desired frequency of vibration for the electric motor is selected. A current is caused to flow through at least one of the first and second components such that the second component moves relative to the first component. The current is modulated such that the motor vibrates at the desired frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James M. Nagashima, Steven E. Schulz, Yo Chan Son, Jonas Bereisa
  • Patent number: 8211331
    Abstract: A packaged reactive material includes a reactive material that is configured to increase in size when exposed to a predetermined gas, and an inert coating material surrounding a surface of the reactive material. The inert coating material is configured to allow the predetermined gas to diffuse through to the reactive material and has an elongation that will not accommodate expansion of the reactive material at full saturation of the predetermined gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott W. Jorgensen, Martin P. Sulic
  • Patent number: 8211251
    Abstract: A method of accomplishing precipitation hardening of a selected portion of an aluminum panel is disclosed herein. The method includes identifying at least one area of the aluminum panel that experiences thermal stress above a threshold value during a bake cycle, thereby identifying the selected portion. Prior to the bake cycle, the method further includes locally heating the selected portion at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time sufficient to increase a local yield strength of the selected portion such that the increased local yield strength ranges from 150 MPa to 300 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John E. Carsley, Chih-Cheng Hsu, Susan E. Hartfield-Wunsch, Theresa M Lee, James G. Schroth
  • Patent number: 8212874
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically calibrating the aiming direction of a camera onboard a vehicle. The method uses GPS and solar almanac data to estimate the location of the sun relative to the vehicle, and compares this to the solar position in an image from the camera. The comparison is performed with an ongoing recursive calculation which yields an improved estimate of the sun position relative to the vehicle, while simultaneously calibrating the aiming direction of the camera. The aiming calibration data is used to improve the accuracy of the camera's images as used for all of the camera's other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shuqing Zeng, Sanjeev M. Naik
  • Publication number: 20120161757
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a state of charge of a battery. The battery is subjected to a predetermined magnetic field such that the battery and the predetermined magnetic field jointly create a resultant magnetic field. The resultant magnetic field is sensed. The state of charge of the battery is determined based on the resultant magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. KOCH, Robert S. CONELL, Mark W. VERBRUGGE, Gregory P. MEISNER
  • Publication number: 20120162961
    Abstract: A driver information system is provided for a vehicle having at least one instrument, which has a front plate and an illumination device. At least one light-transmitting area is arranged in the front plate and the illumination device is arranged behind the front plate, the illumination device being able to emit light through the at least one light-transmitting area of the front plate. A polarization filter is arranged between the front plate and the illumination device. The polarization filter is oriented opposite to a polarization direction of a windshield of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Peter BRANDT, Heiko CHARLE, Georg BAUER
  • Publication number: 20120161921
    Abstract: A tunable impedance load bearing structure includes a support comprising an active material configured for supporting a load, wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon exposure to an activating condition, wherein the change in the property is effective to change an impedance characteristic of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, Hanif Muhammad, Kenneth A. Strom, James W. Wells