Patents Assigned to GM
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Patent number: 9567966Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of controlling an automatic engine stop of an automotive system, during a coasting phase. A dynamic speed threshold is calculated as a minimum value of a plurality of dynamic speed values. Each dynamic speed value is calculated as a function of an automotive system parameter such as a steering wheel angle, a steering wheel angle rate, a wheel speed difference, an antilock braking system status, or an electronic stability control status (p5) and/or a road condition such as road grade. The automatic engine stop is enabled when a vehicle speed is lower than the dynamic speed threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Roberto Romanato
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Patent number: 9566898Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Frank Langkabel, Philipp Roeckl, Ingolf Schneider
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Patent number: 9567915Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a pump control module and a fuel vaporization module. The pump control module controls a first pump to deliver fuel from a fuel tank to a second pump through a fuel line. The pump control module controls the second pump to pressurize fuel from the fuel line and to deliver the pressurized fuel to a fuel rail. The fuel vaporization module determines whether fuel at an inlet of the second pump is vaporizing based on an engine operating condition. The pump control module increases an output of the first pump when fuel at the inlet of the second pump is vaporizing.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Rafat F. Hattar, Brian L. O'Hear, Phillip J. Baranek, Richard R. Shippy
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Patent number: 9571284Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed providing user information in a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: providing over a vehicle network a cryptographic key in response to receiving a wireless signal from a wireless transmitter at a first electronic control unit (ECU); receiving at a second ECU the cryptographic key; authenticating the cryptographic key at the second ECU; and providing user information via the second ECU based on the authentication.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Karl B. Leboeuf, William E. Mazzara, Jr., Thomas M. Forest, Vadim Draluk
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Publication number: 20170037946Abstract: A transmission includes a continuously variable unit and a fixed-gear-ratio unit. The continuously variable unit includes a variator input, and a variator output that is continuously connected to the transmission output member. A first torque transmitting mechanism interconnects the variator input and a transmission input member. The fixed-gear-ratio unit includes a single planetary gear set having a ring gear, planet gears supported by a carrier, and a sun gear. The fixed-gear-ratio unit includes a fixed input and a fixed output. The fixed input is continuously connected to the transmission input member, and one node of the planetary gear set. The fixed output is continuously connected to the transmission output member, and is selectively connected to another node of the planetary gear set. The fixed-gear-ratio unit includes second, third, fourth, and fifth torque transmitting mechanisms that are selectively engageable and/or disengageable for changing between fixed gear ratios.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Chi-Kuan Kao, Chunhao J. Lee
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Publication number: 20170036689Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column pivotably coupled to a rake bracket at a first pivot point, a rake locking mechanism including a rotatable rake bolt, and a multi-link assembly including a first member, a second member and a third member. The first member includes a first end fixedly coupled to the rotatable rake bolt and the second end rotatably coupled to a first end of the second member. The second member includes a second end rotatably coupled to a first end of a link portion of the third member. The third member includes a link coupled to a lever. A first end of the lever is coupled to a second end of the link. The lever includes a thumb pad. Rotation of the thumb pad around a second pivot point effects rotation of the rotatable rake bolt to lock or unlock the rake locking mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dan W. Figlioli, Michael P. Phillips, Jessica P. Tran
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Publication number: 20170036305Abstract: An aperture plate for a welding apparatus includes a body defining an aperture. The body of the aperture plate includes a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end. In addition, the body includes a first surface intersecting the first and second ends. Moreover, the body includes a second surface formed opposite the first surface. The second surface is nonparallel to the first surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Hui-ping Wang, Michael G. Poss, Aaron D. Cox, Blair E. Carlson, Thomas A. Perry
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Publication number: 20170038584Abstract: A head-up display system includes a projector configured for emitting a first ray of light having a first intensity, and a lens having a first surface facing the projector and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The lens is configured for refracting the first ray of light to emit from the second surface a second ray of light having a second intensity that is less than the first intensity, and a third ray of light that is parallel to the second ray of light and has a third intensity that is less than the second intensity. The system also includes a cured film disposed on the first surface and formed from an anti-reflection coating composition, wherein the cured film is configured for minimizing the third intensity. A device includes a windshield, an operator eyebox spaced apart from the windshield, and the head-up display system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Leslie G. Ferris, Thomas A. Seder
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Publication number: 20170036584Abstract: A cupholder assembly includes an outer housing and an inner carriage movably disposed within the outer housing. The inner carriage defines at least one cup well. A first door and a second door are movable between closed positions, which block the inner carriage, and open positions, which allow access to the inner carriage. A biasing member is configured to one of: bias the inner carriage away from the outer housing, and rotate one of the first door and the second door. Opening one of the first door and the second door releases the biasing member and allows at least a portion of the inner carriage to move upward relative to the outer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Douglas J. Amick
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Publication number: 20170036555Abstract: An onboard charging module (OBCM), e.g., for a vehicle, is characterized by an absence of a transformer and includes an AC-to-DC voltage rectifier, DC-DC buck converter, DC-DC boost converter, DC link capacitor between the buck converter and boost converter, and solid-state devices. The devices include a diode and first and second switches having opposite open/closed switching states. The first and second switches are connected to a common rail of a DC bus, the first switch and diode are between the voltage rectifier and boost converter, and the second switch is between the link capacitor and buck converter. Third and fourth switches may be used on the opposite rail as the first and second switches. The OBCM is operable, via operation of the solid-state devices, to charge the HV-ESS via an AC power supply while maintaining current isolation. An electrical system includes the OBCM, DC bus, and HV-ESS.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ahmad Albanna, Md Nayeem Arafat, William T. Ivan, Mohammad N. Anwar, Mehrdad Teimorzadeh
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Publication number: 20170037744Abstract: A camshaft-drive tensioner system is disclosed for an internal combustion engine having a camshaft-drive element. The camshaft-drive tensioner system includes a tensioner configured to be energized by a pressurized fluid in order to apply a force to the camshaft-drive element. The camshaft-drive tensioner system also includes a fluid pump configured to supply the pressurized fluid. The camshaft-drive tensioner system additionally includes a controller configured to regulate either volume or pressure of the fluid supplied to the tensioner by the fluid pump to thereby selectively vary the force applied to the camshaft-drive element. An internal combustion engine having such a camshaft-drive tensioner system and a method of selectively varying a force applied to the camshaft-drive element are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Thomas A. Spix
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Publication number: 20170037957Abstract: A system includes a torque converter having a turbine, a transmission having friction clutches and an input member connected to the turbine, and a controller. The controller is programmed to control a change-of-mind shift maneuver of the transmission. By executing a method, the controller detects the change-of-mind shift maneuver, predicts an acceleration profile of the turbine for a next-requested shift of the detected shift maneuver as a function of a calibrated desired shift time and an output speed of the transmission, calculates a shift control value for a next-requested shift of the shift maneuver using the predicted acceleration profile, and executes the next-requested shift via the clutches using the calculated shift control value. The shift maneuver may be a skip-at-sync quick shift-to-quick shift or power downshift-to-power downshift. The shift value may be a clutch pressure for an offgoing holding clutch or a torque management level from an engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dara Monajemi, Brian H Fiore, Jeremy V Horgan
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Patent number: 9561620Abstract: A method for providing localized stiffening of a vehicle trim panel using a plurality of discrete stiffening elements. The method includes selectively placing one or more of the discrete stiffening elements on the panel and then bonding the stiffening elements to the panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Mark O. Vann, Julien P. Mourou, Steven C. Lang
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Patent number: 9564648Abstract: A system and method for quantifying an anode leak location in a fuel cell system. The system and method include determining there is a leak in an anode sub-system of a fuel cell stack and estimating a first effective leak area using a first leak flow value and first operating parameters. The system and method also include increasing airflow to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack and estimating a second leak effective area using a second leak flow value and second operating parameters. The system and method further include comparing the first leak effective area to the second leak effective area and determining an anode outflow leak location based on the comparison between the first and second leak effective areas.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Daniel C. Di Fiore, Manish Sinha, Steven R. Falta, Matthew A. Lang
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Patent number: 9564659Abstract: A positive electrode includes a sulfur-based active material, a binder, a conductive filler, and porous, one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods. The one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods are mixed, as an additive, throughout the positive electrode with the sulfur-based active material, the binder, and the conductive filler. The positive electrode with the porous, one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods may be incorporated into any sulfur-based battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Zhongyi Liu, Qiangfeng Xiao, Mei Cai, Michael K. Carpenter
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Patent number: 9563523Abstract: An integrated fail-silence and fail-operational control system includes a primary controller controlling features of devices while operating under non-fault operating conditions. A secondary controller includes a fail detector/decider module monitoring faults in the primary controller. The fail detector/decider module determines whether the fault in the primary controller is associated with a fail-silence requirement or a fail-operational requirement. If the fail detector/decider module determines the fault is a fail-silence requirement, then the fail detector/decider module actuates a shutdown command to the primary controller to shut down a feature affected by the fault where the feature becomes non-operational. If the fail detector/decider module determines that the feature associated with the fault is a fail-operational requirement, then the fail detector/decider module signals the primary controller to relinquish controls of the feature to the secondary controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas E. Fuhrman, Soheil Samii
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Patent number: 9564639Abstract: Methods for making a negative electrode material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, are provided. The electroactive material comprises silicon. The electroactive material comprises a functionalized surface having a grafted reactive group (e.g., an epoxide group, an amino group, a carboxyl group, and the like). The functionalized surface is admixed and reacted with a polymeric binder (e.g., polyalkylene oxide (PAO), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), and the like that also has at least one reactive functional group) and optionally electrically conductive particles. A porous solid electrode material is thus formed. Negative electrodes are also provided, which provide significant performance benefits and reduce the issues associated with capacity fade, diminished electrochemical cell performance, cracking, and short lifespan associated with conventional silicon anode materials.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Xiaosong Huang
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Patent number: 9562452Abstract: A method for controlling regeneration within an after-treatment component of an engine comprises receiving a signal indicative of whether the engine is in an operating state or a non-operating state and detecting, based on the signal, when the engine has departed an operating state and entered a non-operating state. When the engine has departed an operating state and entered a non-operating state, a regeneration event is initiated. The regeneration event comprises causing a stream of air to flow through the after-treatment component and initiating a flow of fuel into the stream of air.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Charles E. Solbrig
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Patent number: D778212Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy P. Kozub, Evan Mai, Gary W. Ruiz
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Patent number: D778792Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Tae Ho Kim