Patents by Inventor Brian D. Essenmacher

Brian D. Essenmacher 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).

  • Hybrid powertrain with electronic throttle and method of controlling throttle position
    Patent number: 8364372
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain and a method of controlling a throttle in an engine of the hybrid powertrain are provided. A throttle system has a throttle at an optimal position for the engine to power a first motor/generator when an electric throttle motor is de-energized to minimize current consumption by the throttle motor. The electric throttle motor is energizable to adjust the position of the throttle. A biasing member biases the throttle to a default position when the electric throttle motor is not energized. The hybrid powertrain has a first motor/generator operatively connected to the engine, and a second motor/generator operatively connected to the generator and operable for providing output power. The engine is operable in a predetermined optimal state to provide power to the generator for powering the first motor/generator. The throttle is at a predetermined position when the engine is in the predetermined optimal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James L. Worthing, John N. Stockbridge, Thomas Richard Durkin, Joseph E. Ploucha, Richard B. Jess, Brian D. Essenmacher
  • HYBRID POWERTRAIN WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THROTTLE POSITION
    Publication number: 20120029742
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain and a method of controlling a throttle in an engine of the hybrid powertrain are provided. A throttle system has a throttle at an optimal position for the engine to power a first motor/generator when an electric throttle motor is de-energized to minimize current consumption by the throttle motor. The electric throttle motor is energizable to adjust the position of the throttle. A biasing member biases the throttle to a default position when the electric throttle motor is not energized. The hybrid powertrain has a first motor/generator operatively connected to the engine, and a second motor/generator operatively connected to the generator and operable for providing output power. The engine is operable in a predetermined optimal state to provide power to the generator for powering the first motor/generator. The throttle is at a predetermined position when the engine is in the predetermined optimal state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James L. Worthing, John N. Stockbridge, Thomas Richard Durkin, Joseph E. Ploucha, Richard B. Jess, Brian D. Essenmacher