Patents Assigned to GM
  • LATERAL STABILIZATION ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20170057318
    Abstract: A lateral stabilization assembly includes a chassis and a stabilizer bar coupled to the chassis. The stabilizer bar includes a central bar portion extending along a bar axis. The lateral stabilization assembly also includes first and second bearings coupled to the chassis. The lateral stabilization assembly also includes a first and second flanges fixed to the central bar portion. The first flange and the second flange are configured to allow a transfer of lateral loads between the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the chassis through the first bearing, the stabilizer bar, and the second bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph K. Moore, Balbir S. Sangha, Norman Parker
  • TURBOCHARGING SYSTEM WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR(S)
    Publication number: 20170058840
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining a cylinder and a cylinder head mounted to the block. The cylinder head supplies air and fuel to the cylinder for combustion therein. The engine also includes an exhaust manifold operatively connected to the cylinder head and having first and second outlets configured to exhaust post-combustion gasses from the cylinder. The engine also includes a turbocharging system including a low-flow turbocharger driven by the post-combustion gasses from the first outlet to pressurize the airflow and a high-flow turbocharger driven by the post-combustion gasses from the second outlet. The turbocharging system also includes a flow control device for selectively directing the post-combustion gasses to the low-flow and high-flow turbochargers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ko-Jen Wu, Jason G Kohler
  • FILM SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME
    Publication number: 20170056871
    Abstract: A film system includes a substrate and a film disposed on the substrate. The film includes a monolayer formed from a fluorocarbon and a plurality of regions disposed within the monolayer such that each of the plurality of regions abuts and is surrounded by the fluorocarbon. Each of the plurality of regions includes a photocatalytic material. A method of forming a film system includes depositing a monolayer formed from a fluorocarbon onto a substrate. After depositing, the method includes ablating the monolayer to define a plurality of cavities therein, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the plurality of cavities along the monolayer. After ablating, the method includes embedding a photocatalytic material into each of the plurality of cavities to form a film on the substrate and thereby form the film system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gayatri V. Dadheech, Thomas A. Seder, James A. Carpenter
  • VALVE CONFIGURED REGULATING THE FLOW OF FLUID BETWEEN A DEVICE, A HEATER, AND A COOLER
    Publication number: 20170059054
    Abstract: A valve directs fluid flow received from a device to one of a heater and a cooler. The valve includes a spool movably disposed in the housing between a first, second, and third position. An actuator is in fluid communication with the fluid. The actuator includes a smart material that deactivates when the fluid temperature is no greater than a first temperature, partially activated when the fluid temperature is greater than the first temperature, and fully activated when the fluid temperature is at least equal to a second temperature. The spool moves to the first position when deactivated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the heater. The spool moves to the second position when partially activated to prevent fluid from flowing to each of the heater and the cooler. The spool moves to the third position when fully activated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Dongxu Li, Nancy L. Johnson, Ronald R. Semel
  • Clip and coupling assembly
    Patent number: 9580114
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a panel and a clip. The panel has a panel hole, and the clip is partly inserted through the panel hole. The clip is a one-way clip because, once it is partly inserted through the panel hole, it cannot be decoupled from the panel. In an embodiment, the clip includes a clip base and a plurality of retainers coupled along the clip base. Once the coupling assembly is fully assembled, the retainers extend through the panel hole. Each retainer includes a frame coupled to the clip base and an overhang rotatably coupled to the frame. Each retainer also includes a restrictor coupled to the overhang. The restrictor can rotate relative to the frame between a first restrictor position and a second restrictor position. In the second restrictor position, the restrictor inhibits the clip from decoupling from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Todd E. Allen, Seung H. Lee, Paul W. Kenyon
  • Internally matched active single-to-differential RF converter
    Patent number: 9584073
    Abstract: A single-to-differential converter and a method of fabricating the single-to-differential converter on an integrated circuit are described. The single-to-differential converter provides a pair of differential outputs based on a single-ended input and includes an input node to receive the single-ended input, and a first transistor connected to a power supply pin. A second transistor is connected to the power supply pin. The first transistor and the second transistor are biased under a same amount of direct current (DC) and the pair of differential outputs are generated at respective collectors of the first transistor and the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pan Hsuanyu, Alexandros Margomenos, Hasan Sharifi, Igal Bilik
  • Centralized speech logger analysis
    Patent number: 9583100
    Abstract: A method of providing hands-free services using a mobile device having wireless access to computer-based services includes receiving speech in a vehicle from a vehicle occupant; recording the speech using a mobile device; transmitting the recorded speech from the mobile device to a cloud speech service; receiving automatic speech recognition (ASR) results from the cloud speech service at the mobile device; and comparing the recorded speech with the received ASR results at the mobile device to identify one or more error conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Denis R. Burke, Danilo Gurovich, Daniel E. Rudman, Keith A. Fry, Shane M. McCutchen, Marco T. Carnevale, Mukesh Gupta
  • Configurable passive-assist work gloves
    Patent number: 9578907
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a passive-assist glove comprising an impact portion, having a plurality of palm sections configured and arranged in the glove to cover a palm of the hand and allow manipulation of the palm, such that the palm may configure to receive an object during use of the glove. The glove additionally includes a dexterity portion comprising (i) a thumb compartment configured and arranged in the glove to receive a thumb of the hand and allow manipulation of the thumb such that the thumb may configure to receive an object during use of the glove and (ii) at least one finger compartment to configured and arranged in the glove to receive at least one of multiple fingers of the hand and allow manipulation of the at least one finger such that the at least one finger may configure to receive an object during use of the glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Diana Marie Wegner, Robert Rolland Fox
  • Multi-speed transmission
    Patent number: 9581221
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least 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 a brake actuatable in combinations of four to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Daryl A. Wilton
  • Methods for making battery electrode systems
    Patent number: 9583767
    Abstract: Methods for making battery electrode system are disclosed herein. In an example of the method, a mixture of a polymer binder, an active material and a conductive filler is deposited on a current collector. The deposited mixture is exposed to an external field having a field direction that is normal to a surface of the current collector. The exposure aligns, outward from and normal to the surface of the current collector, the active material and the conductive filler to form a plurality of discrete structures that extend outward from and normal to the surface of the current collector and are respectively aligned with a field line of the external field. Each of the plurality of discrete structures includes some of the active material and some of the conductive filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Verbrugge, Tao Xie, Hamid G. Kia
  • Vehicle torque compensation system
    Patent number: 9581100
    Abstract: A control system configured to control an internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft and an engine speed sensor. The crankshaft is rotated in response to combusting a mixture of air and fuel delivered to at least one cylinder included in the internal combustion engine. The engine output speed sensor is configured to output an engine output speed signal indicating a rotational speed of the crankshaft. An engine control module controls an amount of air and fuel delivered to the at least one cylinder and estimates a torque output based on the amount of air and fuel. A torque compensation module is configured to determine at least one weak cylinder based on the engine output speed signal. The torque compensation module is further configured to determine a torque compensation value that adjusts the estimated torque output based on the weak cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marcus S. Gilbert, David S. Mathews, Keith M. Lindsey, Jr.
  • Transmission fluid expansion reservoir
    Patent number: 9581237
    Abstract: An active fluid reservoir for transmission fluid of an automatic transmission, in a first embodiment, comprehends an elongate reservoir disposed adjacent fluid lines from the automatic transmission to the transmission fluid cooler. The reservoir may be associated with either the supply or return line or include two smaller reservoirs associated with both lines. Thermally actuated valves at each end of the reservoir(s) open to allow fluid flow through the reservoir as fluid temperature increases and a diverter valve in the cooler line(s) closes to divert flow into the reservoir. In a second embodiment, the fluid reservoir comprehends a container, tank or similar storage device in fluid communication with a transmission oil cooler line. Again, the device includes three thermally actuated valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Stevens
  • Rear end reinforcement structure for a motor vehicle body
    Patent number: 9580109
    Abstract: A rear-side reinforcement structure for a motor vehicle body includes at least one side member extending in vehicle longitudinal direction, a shock absorber reinforcement profile and an outer rear end reinforcement profile. The shock absorber reinforcement profile is connected to the side member with a lower front profile section located in travelling direction at the front. The shock absorber reinforcement profile is connected to the rear end reinforcement profile with a rear profile section that is spaced from the side member and facing a rear end of the body. The outer rear end reinforcement profile extends from the rear profile section of the shock absorber reinforcement profile to the side member and with a lower connection section is connected to the side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske
  • Handle module for a motor vehicle door
    Patent number: 9580941
    Abstract: A handle module is provided for fastening an outer door handle to a motor vehicle door with a modular basic body that in a final assembly state with its outer door handle protrudes through an opening in the outer door panel and comes to lie on the inside of the outer door panel. A giver is mounted on the modular basic body in a manner allowing pivoting or turning can be brought in operational connection with a taker of the door lock via an actuation rod. A shielding device is provided that at least partially encloses the giver at least in some regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Heberer, Winfried Langendorf, Mark Rosenau, Peter Eduard Schuessler, Joerg Gschweng, Thorsten Luedtke
  • Battery humidity control by diffusion barrier
    Patent number: 9583802
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for controlling humidity in batteries to reduce formation of condensate in a battery compartment. In one embodiment, a system consistent with the present disclosure may include a cooling system configured to produce a flow of coolant. A battery compartment may house a battery and may separate the battery from an environment. The flow of coolant may pass into the battery compartment and may be used to cool the battery. The battery compartment may include a vent configured to permit a flow of environmental air to enter the battery compartment. A diffusion barrier may be in fluid communication with the vent and configured to deliver the flow of environment air to the battery compartment. The diffusion barrier may decrease diffusion of water vapor from the environment into the battery compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Boris Schilder, Andreas Mueller
  • Control apparatus for operating a fuel metering valve
    Patent number: 9581102
    Abstract: A method and control apparatus are disclosed for operating a fuel-metering valve associated to a fuel pump arranged to supply fuel into a fuel rail, the fuel-metering valve having a valve member and an electric actuator arranged to move that member for regulating a fuel flow-rate. The control apparatus includes an electronic control unit connected to the fuel-metering valve and configured to implement a method of control using a target value, a nominal function corrected value to set an adjustable parameter of a control signal for the fuel-metering valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stefano Nieddu
  • Vehicle body exterior
    Patent number: D780067
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Carl J. Zipfel, David Gillespie
  • Vehicle body exterior
    Patent number: D780068
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Guy W. Whitla, Takahiko Suginoshita, Ramesh R. Gound
  • Vehicle rear fascia
    Patent number: D780077
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeasoo Kim, Phillip A. Zak, Jr.
  • Vehicle wheel
    Patent number: D780084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard F. Scheer, Morio Ikeda, Eduardo H. Mine, Lamildson Rolin, Danilo C. Rodrigues