General Motors Patents

General Motors Company designs, builds and sells cars, trucks and automobile parts worldwide. Its main brands include Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. Outside of North America, it also markets vehicles under the Holden, Open and Vauxhall. In Asia, subsidiaries also design, manufacture, and market vehicles under the Alpheon, Baojun, Jiefan ang Wuling brands. The company provides automotive financing services through GM Financial.

General Motors Patents by Type
  • Patent number: 10923287
    Abstract: A vascular cooled capacitor assembly includes a plurality of capacitors having respective first and second leads, first and second busbars disposed in electrical contact with the first and second leads, an encapsulant enveloping the capacitors and a respective major portion of each of the first and second busbars, and a network of channels enveloped within the encapsulant and formed by deflagration of a sacrificial material. The network has at least one network inlet and at least one network outlet, each of which is configured for sealable engagement with a cooling fluid system. A branch of each channel is positioned inside a central axial passage of a capacitor, around an outer periphery of a capacitor, and/or between two capacitors. A housing may enclose the capacitors, the channels and major portions of the first and second busbars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anthony M. Coppola, Alireza Fatemi, Thomas W. Nehl
  • Patent number: 10922969
    Abstract: Systems, Methods and Apparatuses are provided to control actuation of an autonomous operating mode feature of a vehicle to operate when the vehicle is on a limited access freeway. The elevated freeway detection system includes: receiving, by an evaluation module, a plurality of data in real-time about the vehicle including: mapping, GPS and radar data of the vehicle to provide at least a current vehicle location and image data to capture surroundings of the vehicle; determining, whether the vehicle is mapped on a limited access freeway by computing a matching probability location data of the vehicle to the limited access roadway based on the map data, radar data and GPS data; and sending a signal to inhibit the autonomous feature from engaging in the vehicle when the vehicle is not on the limited access freeway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xiaofeng F. Song, Haley M. Dalzell
  • Patent number: 10919572
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for controlling a vehicle based on trailer sway are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes estimating, by a processing device, an estimated articulation angle between a vehicle and a trailer coupled to the vehicle. The method further includes calculating, by the processing device, an expected articulation angle between the vehicle and the trailer. The method further includes comparing, by the processing device, the estimated articulation angle and the expected articulation angle to determine whether the trailer is experiencing trailer sway. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the trailer is experiencing sway, controlling, by the processing device, the vehicle to reduce the trailer sway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: SeyedAlireza Kasaiezadeh Mahabadi, Jinsong Wang, Bakhtiar B. Litkouhi
  • Patent number: 10923969
    Abstract: Systems, methods and motor-generators with preform windings and a molded core are described. The preform windings include a first end, a second end, and a plurality of in-slot portions extending from the first end to the second end. The molded core includes a plurality of slots. Each of the plurality of slots including a respective in-slot portion disposed therein. Each of the plurality of slots includes a wall conforming to an outer profile of the respective in-slot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alireza Fatemi, Anthony M. Coppola, Thomas W. Nehl, David J. Brooks
  • Patent number: 10919542
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for driving automation control of a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to determine a vehicle maneuver, such as a lane change, and provide a first kinesthetic cue to a supervisory driver or vehicle occupant indicating the start of a vehicle maneuver. The system and method are then operative to complete the vehicle maneuver and provide a second kinesthetic cue indicating the completion of the vehicle maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sami Ahmed, Charles A. Green, Kevin A. O'Dea, Daniel B. Cutler
  • Patent number: 10923926
    Abstract: An electrical system includes a high-voltage bus connected to a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a high-voltage component connected to the RESS via the voltage bus. The component defines a service opening spanned by a removable cover. The electrical system may include a fastener connecting the cover to the component, as well as a battery disconnect unit (BDU) having a high-voltage switch device connecting the RESS to the high-voltage bus. The switch device closes responsive to a low-voltage drive current to connect the RESS to the high-voltage bus. A drive circuit conducts the current to the switch device. An electrical connector has multiple connector pieces collectively forming a switch in the drive circuit. Disconnection of the pieces from each other opens the switch to interrupt the drive current and cause the high-voltage switch device to open, which disconnects the RESS from the high-voltage bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yue Fan, Konking Wang
  • Patent number: 10923987
    Abstract: An electrical system includes a cycloidal electric machine having a stator and a balanced rotor. The rotor is eccentrically positioned radially within the stator, such that the rotor moves with two degrees of freedom (2DOF). The 2DOF motion includes rotating motion about the rotor axis and orbiting motion about the stator axis. A rotor constraint mechanism constrains the motion of the rotor, such that the rotor is able to generate torque on a coupled load. Part of the rotor constraint mechanism may be integrally formed with the rotor. A coupling mechanism may be coupled to the rotor and configured to translate the 2DOF into 1DOF, i.e., rotation without orbital motion. The rotor may include mutually-coupled rotors. At least one counterweight may be connected to the rotor, e.g., externally or within the airgap. Balancing of the balanced rotor may be optionally provided via the multiple rotors and/or the counterweight(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek F. Lahr, Alireza Fatemi
  • Patent number: 10919577
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body with a longitudinal axis. The vehicle also includes a rocker inner panel with a first channel having interior and exterior sides. The interior side is secured to the vehicle body. The first channel has a first upper horizontal sidewall, a first lower horizontal sidewall, and a first vertical endwall coupling the first upper and first lower horizontal sidewalls at the interior side. A rocker outer panel is secured to the rocker inner panel. The rocker outer panel includes a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel. The second channel is secured to the third channel, and the third channel is secured to the fourth channel. An upper cavity is defined between the second and third channels, an intermediate cavity is defined between the third and fourth channels, and a lower cavity is defined between the second and third channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Douglas, Robert Ristoski, Robert N. Saje, Kevin Stang, Terry A. Swartzell
  • Publication number: 20210044168
    Abstract: An electric machine is described, and includes a rotor that is rotatably disposed in a stator. The rotor includes a rotatable shaft that is disposed on a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of laminations that are disposed on the rotatable shaft. The plurality of laminations are arranged on the rotatable shaft to form a plurality of axially-disposed cavities, wherein each of the cavities is defined by a surface. A coating is disposed on the surfaces of the cavities, and a curable filler material is introduced into each of the cavities. The curable filler material adheres to the plurality of laminations via the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anthony M. Coppola, Gayatri V. Dadheech, Alireza Fatemi
  • Publication number: 20210043389
    Abstract: A vascular cooled capacitor assembly includes a plurality of capacitors having respective first and second leads, first and second busbars disposed in electrical contact with the first and second leads, an encapsulant enveloping the capacitors and a respective major portion of each of the first and second busbars, and a network of channels enveloped within the encapsulant and formed by deflagration of a sacrificial material. The network has at least one network inlet and at least one network outlet, each of which is configured for sealable engagement with a cooling fluid system. A branch of each channel is positioned inside a central axial passage of a capacitor, around an outer periphery of a capacitor, and/or between two capacitors. A housing may enclose the capacitors, the channels and major portions of the first and second busbars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anthony M. Coppola, Alireza Fatemi, Thomas W. Nehl
  • Publication number: 20210039331
    Abstract: A welding method includes: moving a welding head toward a plurality of workpieces, wherein each of the plurality of workpieces includes a polymeric composite, the polymeric composite includes a polymer matrix and a plurality of fibers, and each of the fibers includes a magnetic material; applying a joining pressure to the workpieces with the welding head; applying energy to the plurality of workpieces to melt an interface between the plurality of workpieces, wherein a weld plane is defined at the interface between the plurality of workpieces; and applying a magnetic field to the plurality of workpieces to change an orientation of the plurality of fibers relative to the polymer matrix in the weld area so that the fibers in a weld area are at an angle relative to the weld plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marie-Christine Jones, Nikki Sgriccia
  • Publication number: 20210040608
    Abstract: A method for bonding a polymeric fill material onto a surface of a substrate is described, and includes exposing the surface of the substrate to a microwave-generated argon-hydrogen plasma for a predetermined time period, applying, via a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition process, a SiOx surface coating onto the surface of the substrate, and executing a post-treatment process to the SiOx surface coating. The polymeric fill material may be applied onto the substrate and subjected to curing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anthony M. Coppola, Gayatri V. Dadheech, Alireza Fatemi
  • Publication number: 20210039124
    Abstract: A system for indicating degraded operation of a robotic paint station is provided. The system includes a paint nozzle operable to spray paint upon a work piece, a paint supply tube system including a plurality of paint supply tubes operable to supply a flow of paint to the paint nozzle, a vacuum system connected to the paint supply tube system and operable to remove air pockets from the paint supply tube system, a pressure sensor connected to the vacuum system, and a computerized robot control module. The computerized robot control module is programmed to monitor data from the pressure sensor, compare the data to a threshold pressure value, and generate a maintenance warning indicating degraded vacuum system operation based upon the comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven Hawthorne Jones, Michael Andrew Cieslik, James Brenner
  • Publication number: 20210041505
    Abstract: An active isolation detection method may be used with an electrical system having a battery pack connected to a high-voltage bus. The bus has positive and negative bus rails, each having a respective rail-to-ground voltage. The method may include connecting variable resistance element to the high-voltage bus, and determining input information indicative electrical characteristics of the battery pack, the high-voltage bus, and/or a charging station. The method includes varying a bias resistance of the high-voltage bus, via control of the variable resistance element, e.g., via duty cycle control of a binary switch in series with a bias resistor, to produce a varied bias resistance based on the input information. A target voltage shift is achieved on the high-voltage bus as a target level of change in one of the rail-to-ground voltages. An isolation resistance of the electrical system is determined via the controller using the varied bias resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yue Fan, Shifang Li, Russell K. Steele, James E. Tarchinski
  • Publication number: 20210043894
    Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system includes a battery pack and a battery controller. The battery pack has a voltage current temperature module and multiple battery modules. Respective battery modules have multiple battery cells and are operable to store a module identifier that encodes at least one parameter of the battery cells, receive a configuration request from the voltage current temperature module, and transfer the module identifier to the voltage current temperature module in response to the configuration request. The battery controller is in communication with the voltage current temperature module and is operable to send a status request to the voltage current temperature module, receive the plurality of module identifiers from the voltage current temperature module in response to the status request, and compare the module identifiers to determine either a match or at least one mismatch among the module identifiers of the battery modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Cornelli, Philip J. Prociw, Karl C. Dorgan, Andrew C. Baughman, Steven J. Bunce, Steven M. Davis
  • Patent number: 10913417
    Abstract: An energy absorbing structure for a vehicle includes a body having an outer periphery defined by one or more outer walls. An inner periphery of the body is defined by and extends between the one or more outer walls. A first end and a second end of the body are defined by the one or more outer walls. A transverse plate is disposed within and extending at least partially through the inner periphery of the body to provide structural support to the body, wherein the transverse plate cooperates with and extends between the first wall and the opposing second wall. The transverse plate divides the inner periphery into a first compartment defined between the third wall and the transverse plate and a second compartment defined between the fourth wall and the transverse plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bradley A. Newcomb, Robert N. Saje, Xiaosong Huang
  • Patent number: 10913992
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a crystalline aluminum-iron-silicon alloy, and optionally an automotive component comprising the same, comprising forming a composite ingot including a plurality of crystalline phases by melting aluminum, iron, and silicon raw materials in an inert environment to form a substantially homogenous melt, subsequently solidifying the melt, and annealing the ingot under vacuum by heating at a temperature in the range of 850° C. to 1000° C. yield an annealed crystalline ingot wherein the predominant crystalline phase is FCC Al3Fe2Si. The raw materials can further include one or more additives such as zinc, zirconium, tin, and chromium. Melting can occur above the FCC Al3Fe2Si crystalline phase melting point, or at a temperature of about 1100° C. to about 1400° C. Annealing can occur under vacuum conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Zhongyi Liu, Tengjiao Qi, James R. Salvador, Ratandeep S. Kukreja
  • Patent number: 10917764
    Abstract: One general aspect includes a system to responsively send vehicle information to a data center, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to carry out the steps of: receiving vehicle identification information; sending the vehicle identification information to the data center; capturing an image of one or more third-party-vehicle identifying features in response to a request from the data center; and sending the image to the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Matt Neely, Eric T. Hosey, Huong T. Chim, Russell A. Patenaude
  • Patent number: 10914273
    Abstract: An engine includes an air intake system, an exhaust system, a single-cylinder-sourced EGR system, an exhaust sensor that is disposed to monitor exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders, and a diverter valve. A controller includes an instruction set that executable to determine operation of the engine in a fuel cut-off mode, discontinue fuel flow to the single one of the cylinders, divert exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders to the air intake system, determine an airflow, temperature, and an equivalence ratio of the diverted exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders, determine a mass flowrate of oxygen in the diverted exhaust gas, integrate the mass flowrate of oxygen in the diverted exhaust gas, and discontinue the diverting of the exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders when the integrated mass flowrate of oxygen is greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Robert J. Gallon, Michael P. Kaczmar, Martino A. Casetti, Eric M. Hall
  • Patent number: 10915159
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes determining a current operating situation of the vehicle, and identifying a subset of a plurality of sensors of the vehicle needed to provide data to enable a vehicle control function for the current operating situation of the vehicle. A remainder of the plurality of sensors is disengaged to reduce electric energy usage by the vehicle while the vehicle is operating in the current operating situation of the vehicle. A sampling rate for the selected subset of sensors may be reduced to further reduce energy usage of the vehicle. Additionally, an energy reduction processing strategy may be implemented to reduce a processor frequency or a voltage of a computing device used to provide the vehicle control function to further reduce energy usage of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, Steven E. Muldoon, Wei Tong, Shige Wang
  • Patent number: 10913353
    Abstract: An operation control method for a vehicle infotainment system for enabling phone projection to be automatically executed during a connection between a head unit of a vehicle and a smart device, and the method comprises: a phone projection setting step of allowing any one of a plurality of phone projections mounted on a head unit of a vehicle to be set; a step of connecting a first smart device to the head unit of a vehicle; a step of determining whether the first smart device connected to the head unit of a vehicle supports the phone projection set in the phone projection setting step; and a step of executing the set phone projection if the first smart device supports the set phone projection, according to the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jin Kim, Heewon Lee
  • Patent number: 10916985
    Abstract: A method of forming a stator assembly, including providing a stator with a plurality of slots and a plurality of conductors configured to be inserted into the plurality of slots. The method includes obtaining a respective first shape for the plurality of conductors such that the plurality of conductors in the respective first shape forms concentric arcs sharing a common center. Obtaining the respective first shape includes forming a respective first portion, a respective second portion and a respective turn portion between the respective first portion and respective second portion. The method includes obtaining a respective second shape for the plurality of conductors, including: bending the respective first portion at a respective first bend to obtain a respective first leg and a respective first arm, and bending the respective second portion at a respective second bend to obtain a respective second leg and a respective second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott Vaubel, John D. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10913344
    Abstract: A drivetrain for a powertrain system is arranged to transfer mechanical power between an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and a driveline. The drivetrain includes a gearbox including an input member disposed on a first end, an output member disposed on a second end and an auxiliary geartrain including a first mechanical drive mechanism, a second mechanical drive mechanism, and an auxiliary driveshaft. The auxiliary driveshaft rotatably couples the first mechanical drive mechanism and the second mechanical drive mechanism. The electric machine includes a stator attached to the second end of the gearbox and annular to the output member of the gearbox. The second mechanical drive mechanism is rotatably coupled to the rotor of the electric machine. The first mechanical drive mechanism is rotatably coupled to the input member of the gearbox. The internal combustion engine is also coupled to the input member of the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Derek F. Lahr, Joel R. Briggs
  • Patent number: 10916370
    Abstract: An engine ignition coil assembly disclosed herein provides an ignition coil housing that may be mounted on an engine block assembly and that is isolated from engine vibrations. The engine ignition coil assembly comprises an ignition coil housing. The ignition coil housing contains an ignition coil apparatus. An electrical connector for the ignition coil apparatus is mounted to the ignition coil housing. An elastomeric boot supports the ignition coil housing and may be disposed on an engine block assembly such that ignition coil housing is spaced apart from the engine block assembly by the elastomeric boot. A single fastener extends through a fastener opening in the ignition coil housing parallel with the elastomeric boot. An elastomeric isolator is disposed on the ignition coil housing at the fastener opening around the single fastener. A proximal end of the single fastener may be fixed to the engine block assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kubani, Coburn C. Bland, Jr., Sean M. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 10914223
    Abstract: A method for mitigating against failure of a particulate matter sensor of an automobile vehicle includes: determining if a key-off event is present, identifying an engine is off in a vehicle after-run mode; defining when local environmental conditions are outside of mechanical limits of a particulate matter (PM) sensor; identifying input values to reverse the local environmental conditions of the PM sensor; and controlling operation of a heating element of the PM sensor to achieve the input values to reverse the local environmental conditions during the vehicle after-run mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bryan D. Axe, Gaetano Di Venti, Francesco Cannarile
  • Patent number: 10914411
    Abstract: Flexible fluid connection systems are provided with misalignment management, vibration attenuation and compact packaging for a variety of applications. A fluid connection system includes a component that operates using a fluid. The component defines a surface and a passageway containing the fluid and opening through the surface. A fluid line is configured to convey the fluid relative to the component. A connector is made of a flexible material and is connected with the component and with the fluid line. The connector is positioned against the surface and has an end spaced away from the surface through which the fluid line is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Herrala, Michael Kaczmar, Martin K Scott
  • Patent number: 10914821
    Abstract: A lidar system includes a light source to generate a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal, and a waveguide splitter to split the FMCW signal into an output signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal. A transmit coupler provides the output signal for transmission. A receive lens obtains a received signal resulting from reflection of the output signal by a target. A waveguide coupler combines the received signal and the LO signal into a first combined signal and a second combined signal. A first phase modulator and second phase modulator respectively adjust a phase of the first combined signal and the second combined signal to provide a first phase modulated signal and a second phase modulated signal to a first photodetector and a second photodetector. A processor processes a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal from the first and second photodetectors to obtain information about the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pamela R. Patterson, Keyvan Sayyah, Oleg Efimov, Raymond Sarkissian, James H. Schaffner, Biqin Huang, David Hammon
  • Patent number: 10913464
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle, system and method of operating an autonomous vehicle. The system includes a processor for operating an external condition awareness module, a driver driving behavior awareness module and an escalator module: The external condition awareness module is configured to determine an intelligent escalation factor based on an external condition of an environment and driving traffic conditions of the autonomous vehicle. The driver driving behavior awareness module is configured to generate a behavior disciplining factor based on a behavior history of a driver of the autonomous vehicle. The escalation module is configured to generate an escalation signal to alert the driver based on the intelligent escalation factor and the behavior disciplining factor, a driver attention level and a speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ningsheng Qiao, Matthew R. Kirsch, Richard A. Weaver, Mark Gazda
  • Patent number: 10917030
    Abstract: An electric drive system includes a battery pack, a power inverter module (“PIM”), an electric machine, a switching circuit, and a controller. The electric machine has three or more phase legs. The PIM has a DC-side connected to the battery pack, and an alternating current (“AC”)-side connected to the electric machine. The switching circuit includes AC switches. For each phase leg the circuit also includes three or more winding sections each electrically connectable to or disconnectable from the PIM via the AC switches. The controller commands a binary switching state of each respective AC switch based on the rotary speed to implement one of four different speed-based operating modes of the electric machine, and to thereby vary a conductive path from the PIM to the electric machine through one or more of the connected winding sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Rashmi Prasad
  • Patent number: 10914822
    Abstract: A chip-scale lidar system includes a first light source to output a first signal, and a second light source to output a second signal. A transmit beam coupler provides an output signal for transmission that includes a portion of the first signal and a portion of the second signal, and receive beam coupler obtains a received signal resulting from reflection of the output signal by a target. The system includes a first and second set of photodetectors to obtain a first and second set of electrical currents from a first and second set of combined signals including a first and second portion of the received signal. A processor obtains Doppler information about the target from the second set of electrical currents and obtains range information about the target from the first set of electrical currents and the second set of electrical currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard Kremer, Keyvan Sayyah
  • Patent number: 10914819
    Abstract: A method of mitigating vibration in a radar system on a moving platform includes obtaining received signals resulting from reflections of transmitted signals by one or more objects in a field of view of the radar system. The received signals are a three-dimensional data cube. The method also includes processing the received signals to obtain a first three-dimensional map and second three-dimensional map, estimating the vibration based on performing a first detection using the second three-dimensional map, and cancelling the vibration from the first three-dimensional map to obtain a corrected first three-dimensional map. A corrected second three-dimensional map is obtained by further processing the corrected first three-dimensional map; and a second detection is performed using the corrected second three-dimensional map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Oren Longman, Shachar Shayovitz, Shahar Villeval, Igal Bilik
  • Patent number: 10915109
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes collecting data about human driving styles; machine learning how the human driver reacts to different traffic scenarios based on the collected data to create a plurality of human driving styles profiles; selecting an optimal driving profile of the plurality of human driving styles profiles, wherein the optimal driving profile is selected based feedback provided by a passenger of the vehicle, the feedback is indicative of a pleasantness of each of the plurality of human driving styles profiles; creating a driving plan based on the optimal driving profile; commanding the vehicle to execute the driving plan in a controlled environment to test the pleasantness of the optimal driving profile; and receiving a pleasantness rating from the passenger of the vehicle while the vehicle executes the driving plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ariel Telpaz, Gila Kamhi, Asaf Degani
  • Patent number: 10914023
    Abstract: A fabric assembly includes a knitted fabric and a filament. The knitted fabric is adapted to move between a stretched state extended along a direction of an applied force, and a relaxed state. The filament is disposed in the knitted fabric, and includes a plurality of loops longitudinally spaced apart from one-another. Each loop of the plurality of loops are adapted to project outward from the knitted fabric when in the stretched state, and substantially retract into the knitted fabric when in the relaxed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10914262
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a set of feature data, the feature data sensed from a fuel injector during a fuel injection event; processing, by a processor, the set of feature data with a machine learning model to generate a prediction of a fault status; and selectively generating, by the processor, a notification signal based on the prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Patricia M. Laskowsky, Dana J. Suttman, Jin Shen, Jeffrey M. Hutmacher
  • Patent number: 10914378
    Abstract: A shift by wire parking system includes a park gear including a gear body and a plurality of teeth. The teeth are circumferentially spaced from one another. The park gear defines a plurality of void spaces between each pair of the plurality of teeth. The shift by wire parking system includes a circumferential body sized to fit inside each of the plurality of void spaces to lock a position of the park gear. The circumferential body is movable towards and away from the park gear between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the circumferential body is disposed outside each of the plurality of void spaces, thereby allowing the park gear to rotate. In the engaged position, the circumferential body is disposed inside one of the void spaces to lock the position of the park gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dumitru Puiu, Gurdeep Singh, Alan G. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20210034371
    Abstract: A method in a multiprocessor system for processing multiple perception streams is disclosed. The method comprises: reading data from a plurality of perception streams according to a reading schedule determined by a predetermined policy, each perception stream comprising perception data from a different perception sensor; assigning a unique identification tag to each perception stream; writing each perception stream with its unique identification tag to a server input queue based on the predetermined policy; and processing the tagged perception streams using a server. The processing includes: retrieving tagged perception streams from the server input queue; applying a processing algorithm to process the retrieved tagged perception streams; and outputting the processed perception streams to a server output queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shige Wang, Ming Yang, Wei Tong, Unmesh Dutta Bordoloi
  • Publication number: 20210033691
    Abstract: A hyperbolic waveform multiple-input multiple-output radar includes a generator circuit, multiple transmit circuits, a multiple-input multiple-output antenna, and multiple receive circuits. The generator circuit may be operable to generate a linear frequency modulated signal and a hyperbolic frequency modulated signal. The transmit circuits may be operable to generate multiple transmit signals by analog mixing the linear frequency modulated signal and the hyperbolic frequency modulated signal in response to a plurality of coding family parameters, wherein the transmit signals define an orthogonal family of waveforms. The multiple-input multiple-output antenna may be operable to transmit the transmit signals toward an object and receive multiple receive signals from the object. The receive circuits may be operable to determine multiple data signals in response to the receive signals, wherein the data signals are suitable to determine a distance between the multiple-input multiple-output antenna and the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gaston Solodky, Oren Longman, Shahar Villeval, Igal Bilik
  • Publication number: 20210031643
    Abstract: System and method of controlling power distribution from a charging source to an electric vehicle having a battery. The system includes a plurality of switches selectively connectable between the charging source, the battery and a thermal circuit. A controller is configured to control operation of the plurality of switches to provide multiple settings for the electric vehicle. The controller is configured to select from the multiple settings based on part on a trigger signal from a mobile application. The multiple settings include an external power mode, a charging mode, a discharging mode and a mixed charging and conditioning mode. The mixed charging and conditioning mode allows charging of the battery concurrently with thermal conditioning of at least one of the battery and a cabin of the vehicle. The mixed charging and conditioning mode enables a power split between a thermal conditioning power (PT) and a charging power (PC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, David J. Brooks, Jun-Mo Kang, Donald K. Grimm
  • Publication number: 20210033494
    Abstract: A method for quantifying dynamic response characteristics of a real-time damper includes positioning the damper between a stationary member and a moveable member of a shock press having a force transducer, and transmitting motion control signals to the shock press, via a test controller, to stroke the moveable member and cause the damper to move with a constant velocity between extremes of stroke. A test drive signal is transmitted to the damper for a calibrated test duration. The test drive signal has a calibrated discrete frequency, frequencies, or a frequency sweep range. The method includes measuring, via the force transducer, a force component of the damper while transmitting the test drive signal, and quantifying the response characteristics of the damper over the test duration, including recording the response characteristics in a memory device. A test system includes a shock press, force transducer, and test controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Oblizajek
  • Publication number: 20210034711
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for developing and producing a die using mesh data. A mesh data file representing a surface of the die is created. The mesh data file is configured in an original format that is one of a point-facet format or a node-element format. The mesh data file is translated into a translated format that is another of the point-facet format or the node-element format. Prior to building, the die, as represented by the mesh data file, is evaluated virtually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ziqiang Sheng, Jounqmin Norman Goan, Adam R. Groseclose, Kleber Cabral
  • Publication number: 20210031297
    Abstract: A system and method for inspecting and laser welding a workpiece at an area of interest on the workpiece includes a first camera configured to view the area of interest along a first line of sight, a second camera configured to view the area of interest along a second line of sight different from the first line of sight, a laser welding scan head configured to laser weld the workpiece at the area of interest, and a control system configured to receive input from each of the first and second cameras, determine one or more alignment measurements based on the received input, and select a weld schedule from a plurality of weld schedules based on the one or more alignment measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hongliang Wang, John S. Agapiou, John D. Campbell, Hui-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 10907981
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric motor and a battery operable to provide electrical power to the electric motor. The battery system includes a first battery pack and a second battery pack. The first battery pack has a relatively high power density, and the second battery pack has a relatively high energy density. An electronic controller determines a remaining driving range of the first battery pack, and a remaining driving range of the second battery pack. The vehicle has a human-machine interface (HMI) operatively connected to the electronic controller and configured to indicate the remaining driving range of the first battery pack and the remaining driving range of the second battery pack. The controller executes a method of monitoring the battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wei Li, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 10912182
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to induce airflow over a sensor lens is provide. The apparatus includes a sensor lens; and a plasma actuator. The plasma actuator may include a dielectric element, a first electrode disposed under the dielectric element, a second electrode disposed on the dielectric element such that the second electrode is exposed, and a plasma layer disposed in between the first electrode and the second electrode. The plasma actuator may be disposed at a periphery of the sensor lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Taeyoung Han, Bahram Khalighi, Paul E. Krajewski, Gayatri V. Dadheech
  • Patent number: 10908273
    Abstract: A vehicle, system and method of estimating a velocity of an object with respect to the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of radars associated with the vehicle and a processor. The plurality of radars provide a coarse estimate of the velocity. The processor obtains a plurality of velocity hypotheses based on the coarse estimate of the velocity of the object, determines a likelihood for each of the plurality of velocity hypotheses, and chooses a velocity hypothesis having as the estimate of velocity based on the determined likelihood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Oded Bialer, Amnon Jonas, Tom Tirer
  • Patent number: 10907521
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine (ICE) exhaust gas treatment systems include the ICE having one or more cylinders configured to receive a mixture of air and fuel defined by an air to fuel ratio (AFR) for combustion therein, a control module configured to control the AFR, a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) configured to receive exhaust gas generated by the ICE and oxidize NOx species within the exhaust gas, and a selective catalytic reduction device (SCR) configured to receive exhaust gas from the DOC. Methods for operating and diagnosing such systems include determining, via the control module, a baseline value of a SCR performance parameter which is unsuitable, changing, via the control module, the AFR to change the DOC outlet NO2:NOx ratio, subsequently assessing a second value of the SCR performance parameter, and implementing a control action based on the second value of the SCR performance parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shouxian Ren, Gongshin Qi, Rahul Mital, Anirban Sett
  • Patent number: 10908254
    Abstract: A radar system includes a traveling-wave imaging manifold (TIM) antenna including a waveguide with multiple paths configured such that adjacent ones of the multiple paths have different path lengths. The radar system also includes a processor configured to generate a transmit signal to be input at an opening of the waveguide or to process a reflection obtained from the opening of the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Lynch, Keerti S. Kona
  • Patent number: 10909390
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for using fixed-point quantization in deep neural networks are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes capturing a plurality of images at a camera associated with a vehicle and storing image data associated with the plurality of images to a memory. The method further includes dispatching vehicle perception tasks to a plurality of processing elements of an accelerator in communication with the memory. The method further includes performing, by at least one of the plurality of processing elements, the vehicle perception tasks for the vehicle perception using a neural network, wherein performing the vehicle perception tasks comprises quantizing a fixed-point value based on an activation input and a synapse weight. The method further includes controlling the vehicle based at least in part on a result of performing the vehicle perception tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shuqing Zeng, Wei Tong, Shige Wang, Roman L. Millett
  • Publication number: 20210023914
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for heating a vehicle window to remove ice and condensation using a carbon nanotube heating pad. The apparatus includes a user interface operative to receive a user request, a vehicle windshield, a heating pad wherein the heating pad includes a carbon nanotube heating element and a reflective surface and is oriented such that the carbon nanotube heating element is directed towards the windshield, a power supply operative to supply power to the carbon nanotube heating element in response to a control signal, and a processor operative to generate the control signal in response to the user request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alok Warey, Chih-hung Yen, Taeyoung Han, Kuo-huey Chen, Bahram Khalighi, Paul E. Krajewski
  • Patent number: D909263
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gapdong Choi, Gunjo Hwang
  • Patent number: D909916
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Carl J. Zipfel