Patents by Inventor Brett T. Muller
Brett T. Muller 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: 10322722Abstract: A method of controlling an autonomously operating vehicle includes determining if the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, or if the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger. When the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, a vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger present operating parameters. The set of passenger present operating parameters control the vehicle to provide a minimum level of passenger comfort. When the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger, the vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger not-present operating parameters. The set of passenger not-present operating parameters control the vehicle for one of optimal energy efficiency, or for optimal vehicle diagnostic performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brett T. Muller, Joshua R. Auden, Fred W. Huntzicker
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Publication number: 20180105175Abstract: A method of controlling an autonomously operating vehicle includes determining if the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, or if the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger. When the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, a vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger present operating parameters. The set of passenger present operating parameters control the vehicle to provide a minimum level of passenger comfort. When the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger, the vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger not-present operating parameters. The set of passenger not-present operating parameters control the vehicle for one of optimal energy efficiency, or for optimal vehicle diagnostic performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brett T. Muller, Joshua R. Auden, Fred W. Huntzicker
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Patent number: 9758171Abstract: A multi-mode powertrain system is described, and includes an internal combustion engine having stop/start capability. A method for controlling the multi-mode powertrain system includes circulating coolant to a heater core via an engine fluidic circuit that includes a water jacket of the internal combustion engine when temperature of the coolant is less than an engine fluidic circuit upper temperature threshold and the engine is in an ON state. Coolant is circulated to the heater core via a bypass fluidic circuit that excludes the water jacket of the internal combustion engine when temperature of the coolant is greater than a bypass fluidic circuit lower temperature threshold when the engine is in an OFF state.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ryan D. Martini, Brett T. Muller, Eric Piper, James Kenney
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Patent number: 9637019Abstract: A charging system and method that may be used to automatically apply customized charging settings to a plug-in electric vehicle, where application of the settings is based on the vehicle's location. According to an exemplary embodiment, a user may establish and save a separate charging profile with certain customized charging settings for each geographic location where they plan to charge their plug-in electric vehicle. Whenever the plug-in electric vehicle enters a new geographic area, the charging method may automatically apply the charging profile that corresponds to that area. Thus, the user does not have to manually change or manipulate the charging settings every time they charge the plug-in electric vehicle in a new location.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marjorie A. Bassham, Ciro A. Spigno, Jr., Brett T. Muller, Vernon L. Newhouse
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Patent number: 9522671Abstract: A method can be used to control a hybrid vehicle and includes the following steps: (a) receiving, via a control module, an input; (b) determining, via the control module, whether the hybrid vehicle is traveling on a highway based, at least in part, on a vehicle speed and an output torque request; (c) commanding, via the control module, the hybrid powertrain to switch from a charge-depletion mode to a blended mode if the hybrid vehicle is traveling on a highway; and (d) commanding, via the control module, the hybrid powertrain to use energy from the energy storage device via the electric motor-generator so as to maintain a substantially constant target state of charge (SOC) discharge rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Travis James Trippel, Brett T. Muller, Michael R. Colville, Anthony H. Heap, Dean Christopher Degazio
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Publication number: 20160362110Abstract: A multi-mode powertrain system is described, and includes an internal combustion engine having stop/start capability. A method for controlling the multi-mode powertrain system includes circulating coolant to a heater core via an engine fluidic circuit that includes a water jacket of the internal combustion engine when temperature of the coolant is less than an engine fluidic circuit upper temperature threshold and the engine is in an ON state. Coolant is circulated to the heater core via a bypass fluidic circuit that excludes the water jacket of the internal combustion engine when temperature of the coolant is greater than a bypass fluidic circuit lower temperature threshold when the engine is in an OFF state.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ryan D. Martini, Brett T. Muller, Eric Piper, James Kenney
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Patent number: 9499157Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes the following: (a) receiving route data for a trip route; (b) determining a drive profile for the trip route based on the route data and vehicle information; (c) determining an energy deficit distribution based on an adjusted tractive power distribution defined by the drive profile compared with a generator power of the vehicle; (d) determining a minimum energy requirement energy deficit distribution; (e) determining a state of charge (SOC) threshold based on the minimum energy requirement; and (f) commanding the powertrain to operate in a charging mode when the SOC threshold is greater than the SOC of an energy storage device of the vehicle. The charging mode may be one of a condensed charging mode, a standard charging mode, and a prolonged charging mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brett T. Muller, Travis James Trippel
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Publication number: 20160023649Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes the following: (a) receiving route data for a trip route; (b) determining a drive profile for the trip route based on the route data and vehicle information; (c) determining an energy deficit distribution based on an adjusted tractive power distribution defined by the drive profile compared with a generator power of the vehicle; (d) determining a minimum energy requirement energy deficit distribution; (e) determining a state of charge (SOC) threshold based on the minimum energy requirement; and (f) commanding the powertrain to operate in a charging mode when the SOC threshold is greater than the SOC of an energy storage device of the vehicle. The charging mode may be one of a condensed charging mode, a standard charging mode, and a prolonged charging mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Brett T. Muller, Travis James Trippel
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Publication number: 20150232084Abstract: A method can be used to control a hybrid vehicle and includes the following steps: (a) receiving, via a control module, an input; (b) determining, via the control module, whether the hybrid vehicle is traveling on a highway based, at least in part, on a vehicle speed and an output torque request; (c) commanding, via the control module, the hybrid powertrain to switch from a charge-depletion mode to a blended mode if the hybrid vehicle is traveling on a highway; and (d) commanding, via the control module, the hybrid powertrain to use energy from the energy storage device via the electric motor-generator so as to maintain a substantially constant target state of charge (SOC) discharge rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Travis James Trippel, Brett T. Muller, Michael R. Colville, Anthony H. Heap, Dean Christopher Degazio
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Patent number: 9056552Abstract: A system and method for charging a battery in a plug-in electric vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the method determines if a delayed battery charging feature is active and if the battery is severely depleted. If both conditions are satisfied, the method enables a priority charging feature that temporarily overrides the delayed charging feature and begins charging the battery according to a priority charging process until it reaches a level where it is no longer severely depleted. At this point, the method may terminate the priority charging process and initiate the delayed charging process, which is designed to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, anticipated times of vehicle use, etc.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brett T. Muller, Nicholas J. Hainer, Adam R. Sepanak
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Publication number: 20140117946Abstract: A system and method for charging a battery in a plug-in electric vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the method determines if a delayed battery charging feature is active and if the battery is severely depleted. If both conditions are satisfied, the method enables a priority charging feature that temporarily overrides the delayed charging feature and begins charging the battery according to a priority charging process until it reaches a level where it is no longer severely depleted. At this point, the method may terminate the priority charging process and initiate the delayed charging process, which is designed to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, anticipated times of vehicle use, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brett T. Muller, Nicholas J. Hainer, Adam R. Sepanak
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Publication number: 20130175974Abstract: A charging system and method that may be used to automatically apply customized charging settings to a plug-in electric vehicle, where application of the settings is based on the vehicle's location. According to an exemplary embodiment, a user may establish and save a separate charging profile with certain customized charging settings for each geographic location where they plan to charge their plug-in electric vehicle. Whenever the plug-in electric vehicle enters a new geographic area, the charging method may automatically apply the charging profile that corresponds to that area. Thus, the user does not have to manually change or manipulate the charging settings every time they charge the plug-in electric vehicle in a new location.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Marjorie A. Bassham, Ciro A. Spigno, JR., Brett T. Muller, Vernon L. Newhouse