Patents Assigned to GM
  • VALVE MOTION MEASUREMENT ASSEMBLY FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20170044977
    Abstract: A valve motion measurement assembly is provided for a cylinder valve of an internal combustion engine provided with a valve stem and with a valve head. The valve motion measurement assembly includes a valve position sensor, a supporting bracket provided with at least one sensor seat for the valve position sensor, and a sensor target element configured to be coupled to the valve stem at a distance from the valve head to follow the motion of the cylinder valve. The valve position sensor interacts with the sensor target element for determining the position of the cylinder valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alessio COURTIAL, Luca TRABUCCHI, Andrea COLTELLA
  • AERODYNAMIC MECHANISM CONFIGURED TO SELECTIVELY GENERATE DOWNFORCE ONTO A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20170043644
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an aerodynamic mechanism for a vehicle including a body and a wheel. The aerodynamic mechanism includes a wing and a coupling assembly. The wing is configured to be arranged to intersect and airflow such that the airflow circulates about the wing and generates downforce. The coupling assembly is operatively connected to the wing and configured to be operatively connected to the body. The coupling assembly is configured to be selectively coupled to the wheel such that downforce generated by the wing is transmitted through the coupling assembly, directly to the wheel. The coupling assembly is configured to be selectively decoupled from the wheel such that downforce generated by the wing is transmitted through the coupling assembly, directly to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Mosher
  • TORSIONAL VIBRATION ABSORPTION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170045111
    Abstract: A system for absorbing vibration and transmitting torque from a rotating power source to a rotatable load includes a rotatable driving member configured as an input to be driven by the power source to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system has a cam plate with a cam surface. A spring is configured to extend lengthwise in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation. The spring is configured to be compressed due to the cam surface during relative rotation of the driving member and a driven member when the cam plate is operatively connected to rotate in unison with said one of the driving member and the driven member. The spring therefore has an effective spring rate dependent upon the cam surface, compression of the spring absorbs torsional vibration of the driving member, and the cam plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dongxu Li, Leonid Basin, Shushan Bai
  • TORQUE TRANSMITTING SYSTEM WITH TORSIONAL VIBRATION ABSORPTION FOR A POWERTRAIN
    Publication number: 20170045112
    Abstract: A system for absorbing vibration and transmitting torque from a rotating power source to a rotatable load includes a rotatable driving member configured as an input to be driven by the power source. The system also includes a rotatable driven member configured to be driven by the driving member via a fluid coupling of the driven member to the driving member. The system also has a rotatable component configured as an output to drive the load, and a centrifugal pendulum absorber attached to the rotatable component. A first resilient member connects the driven member to the rotatable component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dongxu Li, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale
  • METHOD FOR THERMALLY REGULATING AN INJECTOR FOR INJECTING A REDUCING AGENT INTO AN EXHAUST PIPE OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20170044951
    Abstract: A computer program, system and method are provided for thermally regulating an injector injecting a reducing agent into an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine. A pump is activated to deliver a coolant in a coolant circuit having a portion in heat exchange relation with the injector. A value is determined for a mass flow rate of the coolant delivered by the pump. A value is calculated for a temperature of the injector as a function of the determined value of the mass flow rate. A difference is calculated between the calculated value of the injector temperature and a predetermined set-point value thereof, and the mass flow rate of the coolant delivered by the pump is adjusted on the basis of the calculated difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michele BILANCIA, Giorgio STICCHI, Luis Daniel GUERRERO CRUZ, Stefano CASSANI
  • ENTRAPMENT-RISK RELATED INFORMATION BASED ON VEHICLE DATA
    Publication number: 20170046810
    Abstract: A method and system for processing vehicle data to respond to a vehicle crash is provided, vehicle data obtained from at least one vehicle is received. An entrapment-risk parameter indicative of an entrapment risk is estimated based on the vehicle data. Information related to an entrapment risk based on the entrapment-risk parameter is communicated to an emergency response point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stephane VITET
  • System and method for controlling a variable valve actuation system to reduce delay associated with reactivating a cylinder
    Patent number: 9567928
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cylinder control module and a valve control module. The cylinder control module deactivates and reactivates a cylinder of an engine based on a driver torque request while an ignition system associated with the engine is in an on position. The valve control module selectively adjusts a period for which at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the cylinder are opened based on a first time when the cylinder is reactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Allen B. Rayl, Daniel G. Brennan
  • Multi-vehicle user-assistance systems and methods
    Patent number: 9566903
    Abstract: In an example of a multi-vehicle user-assistance method, a central server receives a request from a mobile device. The request includes a location of the mobile device. A central processing unit of the central server identifies a location of a plurality of participating vehicles positioned within proximity of the mobile device. The participating vehicles are unassociated with the mobile device. Instructions are respectively transmitted to at least some of the participating vehicles to activate an exterior lighting component i) as the mobile device is within proximity of the at least some of the participating vehicles or ii) as part of a vehicle lighting pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott Calnek
  • Vehicle display having a retractable screen and cleaning device
    Patent number: 9566947
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided for a window element, which is insertably and retractably provided in a vehicle panel of a vehicle, with a cleaning element designed so as to rotate around its longitudinal axis, and with a feeder device to supply cleaning liquid to the cleaning element for cleaning the window element. A vehicle is also provided with such a cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Johannes Huth
  • Automatic mitigation of vehicle wind buffeting
    Patent number: 9568920
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a vehicle interior, doors attached to the body and providing access to the vehicle interior, windows, sensors, and a controller. The windows are disposed in a respective one of the doors, and each includes a window actuator. The sensors include a speed sensor operable for determining a speed of the vehicle and position sensors each operable for detecting a position of a respective one of the windows. The controller programmed to execute a method by receiving input signals from the set of sensors, including the speed of the vehicle and the detected position from each of the position sensors, and transmitting a control signal to at least one of the window actuators to cause one of the windows to move to a predetermined partially-opened position above a calibrated threshold vehicle speed. This action automatically mitigates effects of wind buffeting in the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brandon C. Bloss, Christopher L. Fulton
  • Driver assistance system and operating procedure for the latter
    Patent number: 9566900
    Abstract: A driver assistance system is disclosed which automatically control the high and low beam of a headlamp on a vehicle. The system includes a camera and an image evaluation unit configured to search images acquired by the camera for initial bright zones that correspond with an activated vehicle headlamp, and to switch the headlamp from a high beam to a low beam upon detecting both a first bright zone and a second bright zone that is larger and less bright than the image of the activated vehicle headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Schmidt, Marco Moebus
  • Inserts with holes for damped products and methods of making and using the same
    Patent number: 9568062
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a frictional damping insert including a body constructed and arranged to be incorporated into a product and to provide frictional damping of the product, the body including lines of weakness constructed and arranged to segment the body into separate sections upon exposure to a molten material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Walker, Michael D. Hanna, James G. Schroth
  • Methods for forming a polycarbonate with a hydrophilic surface
    Patent number: 9567433
    Abstract: In an example of a method disclosed herein, a polycarbonate with a hydrophilic surface is formed. An ether substituted dichlorosilane, phosgene, and a Bisphenol reactant are polymerized to form a polycarbonate including a hydrolyzable silane in its backbone chain. The hydrolyzable silane includes an alkoxy group attached to a silicon atom. The alkoxy group on the hydrolyzable silane is converted to a more hydrophilic functional group to form the polycarbonate with the hydrophilic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: William R. Rodgers
  • Method and apparatus for monitoring a resolver in a torque machine
    Patent number: 9566985
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an electrically-powered torque machine configured to generate torque in a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring signal outputs of a resolver configured to monitor rotational position of the torque machine. Upon detecting a fault warning state associated with the signal outputs of the resolver, a motor torque capacity of the torque machine is derated. Upon a clearing of the fault warning state, a torque ramp-up state to increase the motor torque capacity of the torque machine is executed. Notice of an incidence of a fault associated with the signal outputs of the resolver is provided only when the motor torque capacity fails to achieve a threshold motor torque capacity within a threshold recovery time period while executing the torque ramp-up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Wei D. Wang, Bon Ho Bae, Leah Dunbar, Kevin P. Houle, William R. Cawthorne, Andrew M. Zettel, Hanne Buur, Steven E. Schulz
  • Method of maximizing MIMO throughput by placing antennas in a vehicle
    Patent number: 9571172
    Abstract: An arrangement of MIMO antennas in a vehicle, such as an automobile, where at least one of the MIMO antennas is placed inside the vehicle in the richer multipath signal propagation environment. The MIMO antennas will include a primary MIMO antenna that may also be used for non-4G cellular services and one or more secondary MIMO antennas that are used only for 4G cellular services. In one embodiment, the primary MIMO antenna is mounted to a roof of the vehicle in a module including other antennas and the one or more secondary antennas are positioned at desired locations within the vehicle. In another embodiment, the primary MIMO antenna and the one or more secondary MIMO antennas are all positioned within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Hyok Jae Song, Arthur Bekaryan, James H. Schaffner, Eray Yasan, Duane S. Carper, Timothy J. Talty
  • Method and apparatus for open-wire fault detection and diagnosis in a controller area network
    Patent number: 9568533
    Abstract: A controller area network (CAN) includes a CAN bus with a CAN-H wire, a CAN-L wire, a pair of CAN bus terminators located at opposite ends of the CAN bus, each terminator having a corresponding known terminator resistance value, a plurality of nodes including controllers wherein at least one of said controllers is a monitoring controller. The monitoring controller includes a detection control routine for detecting the presence of a wire-open fault on the CAN bus, including determining a CAN bus resistance, and determining a wire-open fault on the CAN bus based upon the determined CAN bus resistance and the terminator resistance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shengbing Jiang, Xinyu Du, Natalie Ann Wienckowski
  • Negative electrode material for lithium-based batteries
    Patent number: 9570752
    Abstract: A negative electrode material includes an active material, which is present in an amount ranging from about 60 wt % to about 95 wt % of a total wt % of the negative electrode material. The negative electrode material further includes a polyimide binder, which is present in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of the total wt % of the negative electrode material. The polyimide binder contains a repeating unit, where a backbone structure of each repeating unit has no ether group present and no more than one carbonyl group present. The negative electrode material also includes a conductive filler, which is present in an amount ranging from about 3 wt % to about 20 wt % of the total wt % of the negative electrode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xiaosong Huang, Mei Cai
  • Multi-speed transmission
    Patent number: 9568068
    Abstract: A transmission has 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 brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips
  • Cooling system for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 9567892
    Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The cooling system includes a radiator for exchanging heat between a coolant and ambient air, and a coolant pump for circulating the coolant. The coolant system further includes a first set of fluid connection branches between the coolant pump and the engine block, the cylinder head and the exhaust manifold and a second set of fluid connection branches between the engine block, cylinder head and exhaust manifold and the radiator and/or the coolant pump. A first controlled valve intercepts the coolant towards the radiator so that the coolant is recirculated towards the coolant pump. A second controlled valve intercepts the coolant from the cylinder block. A third controlled valve intercepts the coolant from the integrated exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Michele Bilancia
  • Lighting device of a vehicle
    Patent number: 9566898
    Abstract: A lighting device of a vehicle is provided. The lighting device comprises a light fitting, which comprises a first and a second light source with different color locations. Furthermore, the lighting device has a first sensing module, which senses the actual value of the color location of the light fitting. In addition, the lighting device comprises a set value generator module which presets a set value for the color location of the light fitting, and a control module which reduces the difference between set value and actual value by means of an actuator module. Here, the set value of the color location of the light fitting is dependent on a driving situation of the vehicle or a personalized driving setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank Langkabel, Philipp Roeckl, Ingolf Schneider