Patents Assigned to GM
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Patent number: 8167444Abstract: A system and method for automatically correcting the viewing angle of a rear-view mirror on a vehicle when the vehicle is traveling around a curve. The system estimates the curvature of the road using only vehicle speed and vehicle steering angle information. The road curvature estimation is used to determine the radius of curvature of the road, which can then be used to determine the corrected viewing angle of the rear-view mirror. Depending on whether the road is curving to the right or to the left will determine whether the left side rear-view mirror or the right side rear-view mirror will be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jin-Woo Lee, Kwang-Keun Shin, Jihan Ryu, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
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Method and apparatus to control operation of a hydraulic pump for an electro-mechanical transmission
Patent number: 8170762Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic flow within a powertrain comprising an electromechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an engine adapted to selectively transmit power to an output, wherein the transmission utilizes a hydraulic control system serving a number of hydraulic oil consuming functions includes monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements for each of the functions, determining a requested hydraulic pressure based upon the monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements and physical limits of the hydraulic control system including a maximum pressure, determining a desired flow utilizing a hydraulic control system flow model based upon the requested hydraulic pressure, and utilizing the desired flow to control an auxiliary hydraulic pump.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael D. Foster, Eric S. Tryon, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Ali K Naqvi -
Patent number: 8167773Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain including an transmission coupled to an engine and an electric machine and a hydraulic control system providing hydraulic flow to a cooling circuit of the electric machine, wherein the transmission is adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member, includes monitoring a temperature of the electric machine, determining a cooling flow requirement for the cooling circuit based upon the temperature of the electric machine, comparing the cooling flow requirement to a threshold cooling flow, and requesting active electric machine cooling of the electric machine based upon the comparing.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Aniket Kothari, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Ali K Naqvi, William Joseph Gourlay
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Patent number: 8167766Abstract: 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 selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrew W. Phillips, James M. Hart, Clinton E. Carey, Scott H. Wittkopp
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Patent number: 8167765Abstract: A transmission is provided having 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 include clutches and brakes.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrew W. Phillips, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, Clinton E. Carey
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Patent number: 8170764Abstract: A method to control a powertrain including a transmission, an engine, and an electric machine includes monitoring an input speed, monitoring an output speed, upon initiation of a transmission shift, determining a plurality of input acceleration profiles for controlling the engine and electric machine during the shift, identifying an input acceleration constraint affecting one of the input acceleration profiles, reprofiling the input acceleration profiles based upon the identified input acceleration constraint, and controlling operation of the engine and electric machine based upon the reprofiled input acceleration profiles.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah
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Patent number: 8167771Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic shifting power transmission having a fluid coupling device, at least one reaction clutch disposed in series with the fluid coupling device, and an electric machine disposed in series with the fluid coupling device and the at least one reaction clutch includes energizing the electric machine to provide additional torque to the first gear reaction clutch when the automatic shifting power transmission is in a first gear launch maneuver and partially engaging the at least one reaction clutch corresponding to a first gear engagement to effect the first gear launch maneuver when engine load is at or above a predetermined value. The at least one reaction clutch corresponding to the first gear engagement is fully engaged when engine load is below the predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Victor M. Roses, John C. Schultz
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Patent number: 8169779Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided for power electronics substrates adapted for direct substrate cooling. A power electronics substrate comprises a first surface configured to have electrical circuitry disposed thereon, a second surface, and a plurality of physical features on the second surface. The physical features are configured to promote a turbulent boundary layer in a coolant impinged upon the second surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Khiet Le, Terence G. Ward, Brooks S. Mann, Edward P. Yankoski, Gregory S. Smith
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Patent number: 8170861Abstract: Manufacturing facility process optimization includes monitoring communication signals within a facility device network, analyzing work station specific patterns in the communication signals, developing operational dependencies for work stations based upon the work station specific patterns, and predictively evaluating impacts to the work stations of the proposed configuration of the manufacturing facility process based upon the operational dependencies.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert Bruce Tilove, Pulak Bandyopadhyay, Stephan R. Biller
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Patent number: 8168015Abstract: A heat treatment method for the direct quench of aluminum alloy castings is presented. An aluminum alloy casting can be heated to the solutionizing temperature. The temperature can be maintained for a period of time sufficient to dissolve the hardening elements into the aluminum solid solution and affect any morphological changes to non-soluble phases, such as speriodization of the eutectic silicon phase. After solutionizing, the aluminum alloy casting can be quenched. The aluminum alloy casting can be rapidly cooled from the solutionizing temperature directly to the aging temperature, eliminating the room temperature hold of a conventional process. Thereby, the process can reduce process steps and equipment, can improve throughput, and can eliminate some waste heat. Further, the process can reduce residual stress and can provide a potential to form new precipitates. Direct quench can also be used with the sequential aging of aluminum casting alloys.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Herbert W. Doty
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Patent number: 8166841Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to, a drive shaft and at least two countershafts which can be driven by the drive shaft with opposite rotational directions. A first one of the countershafts carries a hollow shaft which can be fixed to the first countershaft and on which a first driven gearwheel is rotationally fixed. Further, on the hollow shaft, a second gearwheel is rotatably attached which meshes with a fixed gearwheel of the second countershaft. A selector sleeve is rotationally fixed on the hollow shaft and is displaceable between an engagement position at a selector gearing of the second gearwheel and an engagement position at a selector gearing of the first countershaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Mathias Remmler
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Patent number: 8166752Abstract: An exhaust gas cooling apparatus and method for cooling an exhaust gas is provided. The exhaust cooling apparatus having a first fluid conduit having a variable nozzle opening disposed at one end of the first fluid conduit, the variable nozzle opening being defined by a shape memory alloy extending from the first fluid conduit; and a second fluid conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end, the variable nozzle opening being disposed in the second fluid conduit proximate to the inlet end of the second fluid conduit such that a fluid inlet opening is disposed about an outer periphery of the variable nozzle opening and an inner surface of the inlet end of the second fluid conduit, the shape memory alloy varying the size of the variable nozzle opening by moving toward or away from a center line of the first fluid conduit in response to a temperature of an exhaust gas flowing through the first fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Linda Garcia, Charles E. Freese, V, Adam Vosz
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Patent number: 8167754Abstract: A hybrid electro-mechanical transmission connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member and a stationary member. The transmission also includes a first planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third node, and a compound planetary gear arrangement having a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, and a seventh node. The power sources include an engine, a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The engine, the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator are each operatively connected with the first planetary gear set, and the output member and the second motor/generator are each operatively connected with the compound planetary gear arrangement. Thus configured, the transmission provides forward under-drive and forward direct-drive gears for launching and propelling the vehicle, as well as a reverse gear.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Andrew W. Phillips
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Patent number: 8170750Abstract: A vehicle parametric active front steering (AFS) system remedial action is described herein. AFS system modules inter-communicate via messages containing parameters. The AFS system detects a message error, determines an invalid parameter, and takes appropriate remedial action. An error is detected if an error condition is satisfied or if occurrence of incorrect messages reaches or exceeds a certain predetermined frequency. The AFS system takes the remedial action by setting default values of valid parameters corresponding to the invalid parameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Robert R. Bolio
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Patent number: 8169110Abstract: An oil-cooled motor/generator for an automotive powertrain located outside of the transmission is provided, such as a BAS motor/generator. The motor/generator may have a stator, a rotor circumscribed by the stator, and a motor shaft on which the rotor is mounted for rotation. A housing assembly may surround the stator and the rotor, with a bearing positioned between the housing assembly and the motor shaft. A flow control member may at least partially circumscribe the rotor axially adjacent the stator. A bearing retainer may be positioned axially adjacent the bearing. A rotor end ring may be axially adjacent the rotor. The housing assembly may have an inlet configured to receive cooling oil. The housing assembly, the flow control member, the bearing retainer and the rotor end ring may be configured to distribute the cooling oil from the inlet to cool the stator, the rotor and the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Shawn H. Swales, Paul F. Turnbull, Brian Schulze, Fredrick R. Poskie, William J. Omell, William C. Deneszczuk
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Patent number: 8170739Abstract: A system for providing path generation for automated lane centering and/or lane changing purposes. The system includes a desired path generation processor that receives signals detecting the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling, a request for a lane change, vehicle state information and a steering angle of the vehicle. The system also includes a path prediction processor that predicts the vehicle path based on vehicle state information including vehicle longitudinal speed, vehicle lateral speed, vehicle yaw-rate and vehicle steering angle. The desired path information and the predicted path information are compared to generate an error signal that is sent to a lane change controller that provides a steering angle signal to turn the vehicle and reduce the error signal. The desired path generation processor can use a fifth order polynomial equation to determine the desired path of the vehicle based on the input signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jin-Woo Lee
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Patent number: 8167359Abstract: An assembly configuration for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a first assembly and a second assembly, a channel being at least partially implemented between the first assembly and the second assembly, a bulkhead plate being positioned transversely to the main direction of the channel and a gap being at least partially implemented between the lateral edge of the bulkhead plate and at least one of the assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jörg Öhlmann
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Patent number: 8169476Abstract: An in-cylinder imaging apparatus is provided for an internal combustion engine defining a combustion chamber. The in-cylinder imaging apparatus includes a high-speed imaging device such as a high-speed digital camera. A borescope is provided in communication with the combustion chamber and is operable to communicate images of the combustion chamber to the high-speed imaging device. A high intensity light source, for example, a xenon light source, is operable to substantially illuminate the combustion chamber. The high-speed imaging device and borescope are in axial alignment with respect to each other and are mounted with respect to the internal combustion engine. A method of imaging the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine during engine operation employing the disclosed in-cylinder imaging apparatus is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Akram R. Zahdeh
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Patent number: 8170818Abstract: A method for estimating vehicle battery parameters that uses two different sampling rates. The method samples a battery terminal voltage and current at a high sampling rate to estimate the battery open circuit voltage and high frequency resistance. The battery state of charge (SOC) is derived from the open circuit voltage. Next, the battery terminal voltage and current are re-sampled at a low sampling rate. Other battery parameters can be extracted from the low-rate sampled signals. Next, all of the battery parameters that were obtained from the two sampling rates are used together to predict battery power.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jian Lin, Xidong Tang, Brian J. Koch, Mark W. Verbrugge
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Patent number: 8170740Abstract: An adaptive vehicle control system that classifies a drivers driving style based on vehicle launching maneuvers. A process determines whether the vehicle speed signal during a predetermined time window is greater than a speed threshold, whether the vehicle speed signal before the time window is less than the speed threshold and whether the average of the vehicle longitudinal acceleration during the time window is greater than a first longitudinal acceleration threshold and, if so, determines if the vehicle is in a vehicle launching maneuver. The process then determines that the vehicle launching maneuver has ended if the average of the vehicle longitudinal acceleration during a second time window is less than the longitudinal acceleration threshold. The style characterization processor can then classify the vehicle launching maneuver using selected discriminant features.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jihua Huang, William C. Lin, Yuen-Kwok Chin