Patents by Inventor Andrew R Krenz
Andrew R Krenz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9233590Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a suspension corner connected to a road wheel in a vehicle's adjustable suspension system. The method includes monitoring operation of the vehicle, detecting an occurrence of a predetermined vehicle event, and detecting a road speed of the vehicle. The method also includes monitoring a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner. The vehicle ride height at the suspension corner is selected via a bladder arranged at the suspension corner. The bladder is characterized by a variable height and configured to pump a fluid in response to forces generated at the road wheel and hold a volume of the fluid. The method additionally includes selecting the ride height at the suspension corner in response to the detected occurrence of the predetermined vehicle event and the detected vehicle road speed by regulating the volume of the fluid being held by the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Richard J. Lannen, Robert E. Zeweke, Andrew R. Krenz
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Publication number: 20150375592Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a suspension corner connected to a road wheel in a vehicle's adjustable suspension system. The method includes monitoring operation of the vehicle, detecting an occurrence of a predetermined vehicle event, and detecting a road speed of the vehicle. The method also includes monitoring a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner. The vehicle ride height at the suspension corner is selected via a bladder arranged at the suspension corner. The bladder is characterized by a variable height and configured to pump a fluid in response to forces generated at the road wheel and hold a volume of the fluid. The method additionally includes selecting the ride height at the suspension corner in response to the detected occurrence of the predetermined vehicle event and the detected vehicle road speed by regulating the volume of the fluid being held by the bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Richard J. Lannen, Robert E. Zeweke, Andrew R. Krenz
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Patent number: 9004499Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body. The suspension corner maintains contact between the road wheel and a road surface. The suspension system includes a bladder arranged at the suspension corner for pumping a fluid in response to forces generated at the wheel and holding a volume of the fluid. The suspension system also includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the bladder for selectively accumulating the fluid pumped by and releasing the fluid to the bladder. The suspension system additionally includes a valve for selectively retaining the accumulated fluid in and releasing thereof from the accumulator. The height of the bladder varies in response to the volume of fluid being held by the bladder to set a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert E. Zeweke, Andrew R. Krenz, Richard J. Lannen
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Publication number: 20140367930Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body. The suspension corner maintains contact between the road wheel and a road surface. The suspension system includes a bladder arranged at the suspension corner for pumping a fluid in response to forces generated at the wheel and holding a volume of the fluid. The suspension system also includes a reservoir in fluid communication with the bladder for selectively accumulating the fluid pumped by and releasing the fluid to the bladder. The suspension system additionally includes a valve for selectively retaining the accumulated fluid in and releasing thereof from the reservoir. The height of the bladder varies in response to the volume of fluid being held by the bladder to set a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Robert E. Zeweke, Andrew R. Krenz, Richard J. Lannen
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Patent number: 8820815Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment, a cargo compartment, a battery, and a ducted seat. The battery is disposed in the cargo compartment and dissipates heat when energized such that air in the vehicle becomes heated air. The ducted seat is operatively disposed in the passenger compartment. The ducted seat includes a base layer, a ducting layer, and a cover layer. The ducting layer covers the base layer. The cover layer covers the ducting layer. The ducting layer presents a leading opening and trailing opening in fluid communication with one another such that the ducting layer is configured to receive air therein through the leading opening and exhaust air through the trailing opening. The trailing opening is disposed in fluid communication with the cargo compartment such that the exhausted air flows from the trailing opening into the cargo compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrew R. Krenz, Damond N. Hinatsu, Nicole Leslie Nicholas
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Publication number: 20140191556Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment, a cargo compartment, a battery, and a ducted seat. The battery is disposed in the cargo compartment and dissipates heat when energized such that air in the vehicle becomes heated air. The ducted seat is operatively disposed in the passenger compartment. The ducted seat includes a base layer, a ducting layer, and a cover layer. The ducting layer covers the base layer. The cover layer covers the ducting layer. The ducting layer presents a leading opening and trailing opening in fluid communication with one another such that the ducting layer is configured to receive air therein through the leading opening and exhaust air through the trailing opening. The trailing opening is disposed in fluid communication with the cargo compartment such that the exhausted air flows from the trailing opening into the cargo compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andrew R. Krenz, Damond N. Hinatsu, Nicole Leslie Nicholas
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Patent number: 7129849Abstract: An analog instrument gauge display is provided that comprises a lens having a pointing indicia displayed thereon, a back plate having a pattern thereon, and a drive motor coupled to the lens and configured to rotate the lens and pointing indicia relative to the pattern on the back plate in response to receipt of a signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Nancy Dinh, Andrew R Krenz, Cecile M Giroux, David Bolognino
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Patent number: 7030774Abstract: A visible indicator for an instrument cluster is backlit with an electroluminescent (EL) film. A mounting plate is located a first distance from a light source and includes a first aperture. A translucent lens is located adjacent to the mounting plate. An EL film is located adjacent to the translucent lens and includes a second aperture having a laser-cut first shape. A lens is located a second distance from the EL film and includes a sandblasted inner surface facing the EL film.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Andrew R Krenz, David Bolognino
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Publication number: 20030107497Abstract: A visible indicator for an instrument cluster is backlit with an electroluminescent (EL) film. A mounting plate is located a first distance from a light source and includes a first aperture. A translucent lens is located adjacent to the mounting plate. An EL film is located adjacent to the translucent lens and includes a second aperture having a laser-cut first shape. A lens is located a second distance from the EL film and includes a sandblasted inner surface facing the EL film.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Andrew R. Krenz, David Bolognino