Patents by Inventor Brent D. Lowe

Brent D. Lowe 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).

  • Patent number: 9527132
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention may include a product including a body portion including a first face and a frictional damping insert overlying the first face of the body portion. The body portion may include a second face overlying the insert. The insert may have a throughhole and a portion of the body portion may extend from the first face through the throughhole and the insert to the second face of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Omar S. Dessouki, Mohan Sundar, Kevin M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9500242
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes an automotive brake component, such as a brake drum or a brake rotor, and an inlay coupled to the automotive brake component. The inlay constituting at least a portion of a braking surface that is acted upon during a braking event. The inlay damping vibrations in the automotive brake component when the component is vibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Monsere, Mark T. Riefe, David B. Antanaitis, Brent D. Lowe, Mohan Sundar
  • Patent number: 9441686
    Abstract: A brake assembly includes a brake pad, a bracket supporting the brake pad and having a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a linkage interconnecting the first and second portions. The linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion, but is characterized by the absence of any bending modes. The absence of bending modes prevents excitation of the linkage, thereby reducing sound generated during application of the brake assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Omar S. Dessouki, Mohan Sundar, Chia N. Yang
  • Patent number: 9163682
    Abstract: A friction damped brake drum for reducing vibrations in a brake drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Patrick J. Monsere, Mohan Sundar
  • Patent number: 9027718
    Abstract: A light-weight, sound-damped, composite brake rotor for a vehicle braking system includes a rotor hat and an annular rotor cheek supported by, and cast around, the rotor hat. The rotor hat includes an axially-protruding central hub and an integral flange that extends radially from and circumferentially around the central hub. The rotor cheek includes a top ledge and a bottom ledge that overly a top annular surface and a bottom annular surface, respectively, of the integral flange. An annular interfacial boundary present between an underside of the top and/or bottom ledges and their respective adjacent annular surfaces of the integral flange includes a vibration damping interface. The brake rotor derives its vibration-deadening and sound-damping effects from the vibration damping interface through the occurrence of relative frictional contacting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Mark T. Riefe, Mohan Sundar, Brent D. Lowe
  • Patent number: 9016445
    Abstract: A light-weight and sound-damped brake rotor for a vehicle braking system includes a rotor hat and a rotor cheek supported by the rotor hat. The rotor hat includes an axially-protruding central hub and a flange that extends radially from and circumferentially around the central hub. The rotor cheek, which provides at least one braking surface, is formed from two or more separate and distinct pieces which are fixedly secured to the flange of the rotor hat. Located within the rotor cheek underneath the at least one braking surface is a vibration damping element. The brake rotor derives its vibration-deadening and sound-damping effects from the vibration damping element through the occurrence of relative frictional contacting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Mark T. Riefe, Mohan Sundar, Brent D. Lowe, Andrew L. Bartos
  • Patent number: 8820491
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a friction damped disc brake rotor, including the steps of: (A) providing a ceramic coating on an insert, wherein the insert has a body with tabs extending therefrom to hold the insert in a desired position within a mold; (B) washing the ceramic coating off of the tabs; (C) positioning the insert into the mold; and (D) casting a rotor cheek of the disc brake rotor in the mold around the insert such that a portion of each tab is bonded with the rotor cheek, and such that the coating is substantially non-bonded with the rotor cheek so that the coating provides a proper interfacial boundary between the body and the cheek for damping, and the at least partial bonding of each tab with the rotor cheek prevents corrosion-causing exterior elements from reaching the interfacial boundary when the friction damped disc brake rotor is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, James G. Schroth, Richard H. Hammar, Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Jeremy W. Short, Andrew Schertzer
  • Publication number: 20130256069
    Abstract: A brake assembly includes a brake pad, a bracket supporting the brake pad and having a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a linkage interconnecting the first and second portions. The linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion, but is characterized by the absence of any bending modes. The absence of bending modes prevents excitation of the linkage, thereby reducing sound generated during application of the brake assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Omar S. Dessouki, Mohan Sundar, Chia N. Yang
  • Patent number: 8469159
    Abstract: A brake assembly includes a brake pad, a bracket supporting the brake pad and having a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a linkage interconnecting the first and second portions. The linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion, but is characterized by the absence of any bending modes. The absence of bending modes prevents excitation of the linkage, thereby reducing sound generated during application of the brake assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Omar S. Dessouki, Mohan Sundar, Chia N. Yang
  • Publication number: 20130112514
    Abstract: A light-weight and sound-damped brake rotor for a vehicle braking system includes a rotor hat and a rotor cheek supported by the rotor hat. The rotor hat includes an axially-protruding central hub and a flange that extends radially from and circumferentially around the central hub. The rotor cheek, which provides at least one braking surface, is formed from two or more separate and distinct pieces which are fixedly secured to the flange of the rotor hat. Located within the rotor cheek underneath the at least one braking surface is a vibration damping element. The brake rotor derives its vibration-deadening and sound-damping effects from the vibration damping element through the occurrence of relative frictional contacting movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Mark T. Riefe, Mohan Sundar, Brent D. Lowe, Andrew L. Bartos
  • Publication number: 20130048448
    Abstract: A light-weight, sound-damped, composite brake rotor for a vehicle braking system includes a rotor hat and an annular rotor cheek supported by, and cast around, the rotor hat. The rotor hat includes an axially-protruding central hub and an integral flange that extends radially from and circumferentially around the central hub. The rotor cheek includes a top ledge and a bottom ledge that overly a top annular surface and a bottom annular surface, respectively, of the integral flange. An annular interfacial boundary present between an underside of the top and/or bottom ledges and their respective adjacent annular surfaces of the integral flange includes a vibration damping interface. The brake rotor derives its vibration-deadening and sound-damping effects from the vibration damping interface through the occurrence of relative frictional contacting movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Mark T. Riefe, Mohan Sundar, Brent D. Lowe
  • Patent number: 8162111
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a brake caliper has a housing with a first chamber and a second chamber. The brake caliper also has a first piston that moves in response to fluid pressure in the first chamber and has a second piston that moves in response to fluid pressure in the second chamber. A brake pad has a leading end portion that is acted upon by the first piston and has a trailing end portion that is acted upon by the second piston. A fluid passage leads to the first chamber. The trailing end portion contacts an associated rotor before the leading end portion contacts the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark T. Riefe, Brent D. Lowe, David B. Antanaitis, Patrick J. Monsere
  • Patent number: 8163399
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include products and parts including a frictional damping means and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James G. Schroth, Michael D. Hanna, Richard H. Hammar, Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Mohan Sundar
  • Patent number: 8146719
    Abstract: A brake rotor providing reduced brake pad radial taper wear by providing brake rotor friction surface indent patterns. For example, the indent patterns are the form of radial-biased grooves or linearly arranged cross-drill hole sets, patterned in a configuration that balances brake pad wear, thereby reducing brake pad radial taper wear in a manner tuned specifically for a given type of brake caliper and brake pad material, wherein the reduction in brake pad radial taper wear is accomplished with virtually no penalty to brake pad life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David B. Antanaitis, Mark T. Riefe, Brent D. Lowe, Patrick J. Monsere
  • Publication number: 20110297491
    Abstract: A brake assembly includes a brake pad, a bracket supporting the brake pad and having a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a linkage interconnecting the first and second portions. The linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion, but is characterized by the absence of any bending modes. The absence of bending modes prevents excitation of the linkage, thereby reducing sound generated during application of the brake assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Omar S. Dessouki, Mohan Sundar, Chia N. Yang
  • Publication number: 20110198169
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a friction damped disc brake rotor, including the steps of: (A) providing a ceramic coating on an insert, wherein the insert has a body with tabs extending therefrom to hold the insert in a desired position within a mold; (B) washing the ceramic coating off of the tabs; (C) positioning the insert into the mold; and (D) casting a rotor cheek of the disc brake rotor in the mold around the insert such that a portion of each tab is bonded with the rotor cheek, and such that the coating is substantially non-bonded with the rotor cheek so that the coating provides a proper interfacial boundary between the body and the cheek for damping, and the at least partial bonding of each tab with the rotor cheek prevents corrosion-causing exterior elements from reaching the interfacial boundary when the friction damped disc brake rotor is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, James G. Schroth, Richard H. Hammar, Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Jeremy W. Short, Andrew Schertzer
  • Patent number: 8000870
    Abstract: A brake system is provided for minimizing brake pulsation feedback caused by surface variations of a brake system corner component. The brake system includes at least one sensing device configured to measure a pressure pulse caused by the surface variation of a brake system corner component. A controller module is in communication with the at least one sensing device and a hydraulic brake circuit. The controller module is configured to receive an output from the at least one sensing device and to adjust line pressure in the hydraulic brake circuit to substantially minimize brake pulsation feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe
  • Patent number: 7975750
    Abstract: A Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotor, wherein damping is provided Coulomb friction in generally coextensive relation with the braking surfaces of the one or more rotor cheeks. The Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotor has at least one interfacial boundary formed in at least one rotor cheek disposed in generally coextensive relation to the braking surface thereof. The interfacial boundary provides a mechanically distinguishable surface boundary between two surfaces which are in mutual contact such that a state of Coulomb friction exists therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Matthew T. Doescher, Anil K. Sachdev, Mark W. Verbrugge, James G. Schroth, Michael D. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20110127124
    Abstract: A Coulomb friction damped disc brake caliper bracket, wherein damping is provided by Coulomb friction, most preferably at the outboard tie-bar thereof, by a Coulomb bar peripherally welded thereto. An inner surface of the Coulomb friction bar is in abutting contact with the external surface of the tie-bar, whereby because of the continuous peripheral edge welding, corrosion cannot find entry into the interface of the two surfaces, yet the two surfaces form are free to vibrate one as to the other in Coulomb friction fashion to thereby provide damping and reduction of brake squeal and other noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Omar S. Dessouki, Mohan Sundar, Chia N. Yang
  • Patent number: 7937819
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a friction damped disc brake rotor, including the steps of: (A) providing a ceramic coating on an insert, wherein the insert has a body with tabs extending therefrom to hold the insert in a desired position within a mold; (B) washing the ceramic coating off of the tabs; (C) positioning the insert into the mold; and (D) casting a rotor cheek of the disc brake rotor in the mold around the insert such that a portion of each tab is bonded with the rotor cheek, and such that the coating is substantially non-bonded with the rotor cheek so that the coating provides a proper interfacial boundary between the body and the cheek for damping, and the at least partial bonding of each tab with the rotor cheek prevents corrosion-causing exterior elements from reaching the interfacial boundary when the friction damped disc brake rotor is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, James G. Schroth, Richard H. Hammar, Omar S. Dessouki, Brent D. Lowe, Mark T. Riefe, Jeremy W. Short, Andrew Schertzer