Patents Assigned to GM
  • Patent number: 9422883
    Abstract: A method is provided for generating rapid light-off for a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) close-coupled to a compression-ignition engine. The engine includes an intake passage in fluid communication with a combustion chamber, a throttle for controlling a flow of intake air through the intake passage, and an exhaust passage configured to channel an exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the DOC. The method includes starting the engine to commence a warm-up thereof and regulating the throttle to restrict supply of the intake airflow to the combustion chamber. The method additionally includes injecting a predetermined amount of fuel into the combustion chamber during the engine's exhaust cycle such that the injected fuel is carried by the exhaust gas and burned in the exhaust passage. Regulating the throttle and injecting fuel during the warm-up of the engine together increase temperature of the exhaust gas for rapid light-off of the close-coupled DOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ping Ge, Ryu Hariyoshi
  • Patent number: 9422752
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door is provided with a supporting door structure and with a door lock as well as with an actuating unit, which, spaced from the door lock, is arranged on the door structure and mechanically coupled to the door lock with at least one connecting link, and with a holding part supporting itself on the door structure, which is designed in order to limit a position change of the actuating unit caused due to external application of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark Rosenau, Peter Eduard Schuessler, Andreas Heberer, Winfried Langendorf, Joerg Gschweng
  • Patent number: 9421655
    Abstract: A plate assembly can support a cylinder head and includes a frame. The frame includes a frame body and a supporting wall extending from the frame body. The frame body defines an inner frame surface. The inner frame surface and the supporting wall jointly define a frame cavity. The plate assembly also includes an insert configured to support the cylinder head. The insert is sized to be received in the frame cavity and includes an insert body. The insert body defines a top insert surface, a bottom insert surface opposite to the top insert surface, and a lateral insert surface interconnecting the top and bottom insert surfaces. The supporting wall supports the insert such that the inner frame surface surrounds the lateral insert surface and the supporting wall contacts the insert bottom surface when the insert is disposed in the frame cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bryan F. Hacker, Matthew D. Kaake
  • Patent number: 9425963
    Abstract: A method of securing electronic control units (ECUs) using message authentication codes includes receiving a message authentication code (MAC) at an ECU; determining that the length of the MAC is greater than or equal to a predefined bit value; authenticating the MAC when the length of the MAC has been determined to be equal to or greater than the predefined bit value; and rejecting the MAC when the length of the MAC has been determined to be less than the predefined bit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David Nairn, Thomas Forest
  • Patent number: 9422842
    Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system for an engine that may include a control valve and a disconnect fitting disposed in a conduit between the crankcase and an intake system. The disconnect fitting may include a tube wall, where the inside of the tube wall may have a support. The support may include at least one flow gap, and a plunger opening. The inside of the tube wall may have a plunger seat spaced apart from the support. A plunger may include a stem positioned in the plunger opening, that may be configured to translate in the opening. The plunger may include a head configured to engage the plunger seat to close flow. The conduit may include a segment configured for insertion into the disconnect to engage and unseat the plunger from the plunger seat to open flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John Mark Lorentz, Marie-Christine G. Jones
  • Patent number: 9421885
    Abstract: An adjustable seat cushion assembly is disclosed which exhibits a first seat element and a second seat element moveable relative to the first seat element. A cover piece straddles a variable gap between cushion parts of the first and second seat elements. The adjustable seat cushion assembly is configured to draw the cover piece into the gap when the seat cushion assembly is moved from an extended position into a retracted position. A hem is formed with the cover piece in an area between the two cushion parts, and is joined with the second seat element. A link rod extends in the seat width direction of the cover piece and engages into slots at opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joerg Wiegelmann, Christine Suchy, Guenter Fleckenstein
  • Patent number: 9421908
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The assembly includes a bottom seat member and a haptic alert assembly. The haptic alert assembly includes a first actuator incorporated into the bottom seat member. The first actuator is configured to generate at least a first portion of a haptic alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Diane K. McQueen, Raymond J. Kiefer, Mark A. Stebbins
  • Patent number: 9422859
    Abstract: A method of adapting operation of a variable geometry turbocharger having a variable position vane mechanism with movable vanes is disclosed. The method includes performing at time T1 a vane sweep between open-limit and closed-limit positions to identify an initial range of movement of the mechanism and storing in controller's memory the initial range of movement. The method additionally includes performing at time T2 a vane sweep between the open-limit and closed-limit positions to identify a current range of movement of the mechanism and storing in controller's memory the current range of movement. The method also includes comparing the current range with the initial range. Furthermore, the method includes replacing in controller's memory the initial range with the current range if the current range is equal to or greater than a predetermined range to thereby adapt the operation of the turbocharger to the mechanism's wear between T1 and T2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chad E. Marlett, Kevin J. McKay, Lorenzo Pataccia
  • Publication number: 20160238840
    Abstract: A display device includes a translucent windscreen, particularly the windscreen of a motor vehicle, a narrow-band light source that emits light into the windscreen via an edge thereof, and a periodic structure formed in the windscreen that bends the light from the light source toward the eye of a driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Heiko CHARLE, Peter BRANDT, Georg BAUER
  • Publication number: 20160237867
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an oil pan having an oil pan body. The oil pan body includes an inner pan surface defining a cavity configured to collect oil and an outer pan surface opposite the inner pan surface. The engine assembly further includes a heat exchanger disposed within the cavity. The heat exchanger is submerged in the oil collected in the cavity of the oil pan and can receive a heat transfer fluid in order to facilitate heat transfer between the oil in the cavity and the heat transfer fluid flowing through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Akram R. Zahdeh, Amrita R. Wadhwa, Richard A. Barkman, Constantin Puiu
  • Publication number: 20160238083
    Abstract: A two-stage stiffness driveshaft includes a hollow cylinder having first and second ends and a hollow cylinder stiffness. An inner shaft having first and second ends and an inner shaft stiffness extends through the hollow cylinder. The inner shaft's first end and the hollow cylinder's first end are engaged via a rotational clearance fit. The inner shaft's second end is rotationally fixed to the hollow cylinder's second end to permit the inner shaft's first end to twist through a predetermined angle relative to the inner shaft's second end. The inner shaft's stiffness defines the driveshaft's first-stage stiffness, while the combined stiffness of the inner shaft and the hollow cylinder defines the driveshaft's second-stage stiffness. A damping element positioned between the inner shaft and the hollow cylinder controls variation in torque transmitted by the driveshaft and generates gradual transition between the first-stage stiffness and the second-stage stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Piorkowski
  • Publication number: 20160237941
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an intake manifold and a manifold absolute pressure sensor configured to generate a current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal for the intake manifold. The assembly includes a throttle valve adjustable to control airflow to the intake manifold and a throttle position sensor configured to generate a current measured throttle position (TPM) signal. A controller is operatively connected to the throttle valve and the manifold absolute pressure sensor and has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for determining a predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP). Execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to determine the predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP) based at least partially on a predicted throttle flow (TFP) and the current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, Ibrahim Haskara, Shifang Li, Sai S.V. Rajagopalan, Steven E. Muldoon, Chen-Fang Chang
  • Publication number: 20160238086
    Abstract: A method of regulating a clutch assembly that has a set of clutch plates and a clutch piston with a fluid seal in an automatic transmission that includes a hydraulic circuit is disclosed. The method includes commanding the hydraulic circuit via the controller to apply a first hydraulic force to the clutch piston to displace the clutch piston relative to the set of clutch plates in order to affect a shift between speed-ratios in the transmission. The method also includes determining a drag force of the fluid seal. The method also includes determining a velocity of the displaced clutch piston that results from the drag force of the fluid seal acting counter to the displacement of the clutch piston. The method additionally includes regulating the clutch assembly to compensate for the determined drag force of the fluid seal acting counter to the displacement of the clutch piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David C. Webert, Scott D. Biggs
  • Publication number: 20160237940
    Abstract: An engine system includes a mass air flow sensor and a manifold absolute pressure sensor configured to provide a real-time MAP signal during an event. The mass air flow sensor is configured to generate a set of mass air flow readings based on an airflow through the mass air flow sensor during the event. The set of mass air flow readings have a maximum value and a minimum value. A controller is configured to execute a method for detecting reversion in the air flow. If the rate of change in the real-time MAP signal is less than the predetermined transient threshold value (T0), the method includes setting a delta factor (D) as the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value. Reversion is detected based at least partially on a magnitude of the delta factor (D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, Shifang Li, Chen-Fang Chang
  • Publication number: 20160236611
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a headlight system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The headlight system can be actuated in at least two control modes, each having an associated, predetermined maximum main beam width. First, a current driving situation of the motor vehicle is captured on the basis of at least one operating, parameter of the motor vehicle. A current control mode is ascertained based on which control mode from at least two control modes matches a control mode assigned to the captured driving situation on the basis of the captured current driving situation and at least one-time or temporal parameter. The controller is shifted into the assigned control mode when the current control mode does not match the assigned control mode, wherein a maximum main beam width is set for the current driving situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank LANGKABEL, Carsten NEITZKE, Justus ILLIUM, Michael RABE, Ingolf SCHNEIDER, Phillipp ROECKL, Rouven HABERKORN
  • Patent number: 9417270
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for capturing and utilizing temperature information in a battery pack. An electrical measurement system may be configured to determine a subdivision electrical parameter associated with one or more subdivisions, and a thermal measurement system configured to determine and track a thermal parameter associated with one or more subdivisions. A battery model may utilize the thermal parameter and the electrical parameter to estimate a characteristic of one or more battery subdivisions. In some embodiments, the battery model may further estimate a second thermal parameter of a second subdivision based upon a location of the second subdivision within the battery pack and based on the estimated characteristic of a first subdivision. Some embodiments may further estimate a life assessment of one or more subdivisions based at least in part on the subdivision electrical parameter and the thermal parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John T. Guerin, Sudhakar Inguva, Rashed S. Rabaa, Sanjay K. Mahajan, Ramesh Rebba
  • Patent number: 9417982
    Abstract: A controller area network (CAN) includes a plurality of CAN elements comprising a communication bus and a plurality of controllers. A method for monitoring includes periodically determining vectors wherein each vector includes inactive ones of the controllers detected during a filtering window. Contents of the periodically determined vectors are time-filtered to determine a fault record vector. A fault on the CAN is isolated by comparing the fault record vector and a fault signature vector determined based upon a network topology for the CAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Shengbing Jiang
  • Patent number: 9416332
    Abstract: One embodiment may include a gear assembly comprising at least one pair of meshing gears situated inside a gear case having a sump portion and a wall portion. A gear oil mixture may be disposed at least in the sump portion. At least one gear is immersed partially or fully in the oil mixture. The oil mixture comprises a hydrocarbon oil base and a coolant having an endothermic liquid/vapor transition at a temperature between the lower and upper operating temperatures of the gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, James L. Linden, Andrew M. Mance
  • Patent number: 9415700
    Abstract: A system includes a battery pack having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and battery cells. The system also includes a thermal system having heat transfer fluid, a flow device, an inlet thermocouple, one or more internal thermocouples connected to a respective one of the battery cells, and a controller. The controller receives and processes temperature signals from the thermocouples using a thermal model to diagnose performance of the flow device. The system may estimate values when an outlet thermocouple is not used. A method includes circulating the fluid through the battery pack, positioning an inlet thermocouple proximate to the fluid inlet, and connecting one or more internal thermocouples to respective battery cells. A controller receives and processes temperature signals from the inlet thermocouple and the internal thermocouple(s) to diagnose performance of the flow device using the thermal model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott M. Skelton
  • Patent number: 9416835
    Abstract: A method of estimating brake pad wear includes determining required braking energy to be dissipated by a braking system as a fraction of total kinetic energy according to an energy partitioning model. The required braking energy is distributed to vehicle braking mechanisms according to a vehicle dynamics model. Rotor temperature of each brake rotor may be determined according to a rotor temperature model that utilizes the required braking energy and the distribution of the required braking energy, and determining brake pad wear of each brake pad according to a brake pad wear model that utilizes the rotor temperature and the distributed required braking energy. A first brake pad wear model is implemented under first operating conditions, and a second brake pad wear model under second operating conditions. The brake pad wear is indicated via a brake pad wear indicator output device. A vehicle has a controller that implements the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David B. Antanaitis, Mark T. Riefe