Patents by Inventor Brian P. McDonald

Brian P. McDonald 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: 7030060
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition useful for the breaking of rest in deciduous fruit species such as apple species and grape species comprising an organic nitrogen-containing compound having a molecular weight of 60 to 300 with the exception of urea and dinitro-ortho-cresol, an inorganic nitrate rest-breaking agent, and a surfactant. Preferably, the organic nitrogen-containing compound is a choline salt such as choline chloride, the inorganic nitrate rest-breaking agent is selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, urea ammonium nitrate, zinc ammonium nitrate, and mixtures thereof, and the surfactant is an alkoxylated amine such as Armoblen ®*, and Berol®* compound or an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventors: Brian P. McDonald, Hennie A. Workel
  • Patent number: 6862506
    Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system is disclosed. The VSE system is used in conjunction with a steering system having a plurality of driver-selectable steering modes associated therewith. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes configuring a reference model within the VSE system to generate desired vehicle handling aspects, the desired vehicle handling aspects being a function of one or more driver inputs to the steering system. Then, a determination is made as to which of the plurality of driver-selectable steering modes is activated, wherein each of the desired vehicle handling aspects generated is made further dependent upon a specific steering mode selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen A. Boswell, John D. Martens, Edward J. Bedner, Brian P. McDonald, Hsien H. Chen
  • Publication number: 20030045980
    Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system is disclosed. The VSE system is used in conjunction with a steering system having a plurality of driver-selectable steering modes associated therewith. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes configuring a reference model within the VSE system to generate desired vehicle handling aspects, the desired vehicle handling aspects being a function of one or more driver inputs to the steering system. Then, a determination is made as to which of the plurality of driver-selectable steering modes is activated, wherein each of the desired vehicle handling aspects generated is made further dependent upon a specific steering mode selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Karen A. Boswell, John D. Martens, Edward J. Bedner, Brian P. McDonald, Hsien H. Chen
  • Patent number: 5275247
    Abstract: A rear steering system in which a rotary mechanical input obtained from one of the rear wheels is controllably applied to a rear steering rack through an electromagnetic clutch apparatus operated by an electronic control unit. The rotary mechanical input is achieved with a flexible cable gear driven by the rear wheel. The cable provides a rotary mechanical input to a magnetic particle clutch assembly, which in turn, interfaces with the rear steering rack via a bevel gearset. The clutch assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit which responds to a variety of system parameters such as the front and rear rack positions, forward/reverse indication and the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Weisgerber, Jeffery A. Zuraski, James W. Babineau, Brian P. McDonald
  • Patent number: 5195601
    Abstract: The rear wheels of a motor vehicle are independently steered in an inward (toe-in) direction to improve yaw stability and on-center response. In moderate-to severe turning maneuvers, the rear wheel on the outside of the turn is controlled. In low-to-moderate turning maneuvers, the rear wheel on the inside of the turn is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Voigt, Jeffrey A. Zuraski, Brian P. McDonald, James W. Babineau, Scott D. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5147004
    Abstract: A rear steering system in which a rotary mechanical input obtained from one of the rear wheels is controllably applied to a rear steering rack through an electromagnetic clutch apparatus operated by an electronic control unit. The rotary mechancial input is achieved with a flexible cable gear driven by the rear wheel. The cable provides a rotary mechanical input to a magnetic particle clutch assembly, which in turn, interfaces with the rear steering rack via a bevel gearset. The clutch assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit which responds to a variety of system parameters such as the front and rear rack positions, forward/reverse indication and the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Weisgerber, Jeffery A. Zuraski, James W. Babineau, Brian P. McDonald
  • Patent number: 4893073
    Abstract: An electric circuit board has a current trace thereon and a notch in the edge and an opening therethrough on opposite sides of the trace. A magnetic sensor is retained in the opening; and a flux member retained by the notch and opening forms a magnetic circuit around the current trace to concentrate current induced flux through the magnetic sensor. The flux member is made of a ductile magnetic material and is therefore easy to manufacture and handle without breakage compared to prior art ferrite flux members. It is also resilient so as to permit a "snap-on" design for ease of assembly with positive retention of the flux member on the board and of the magnetic sensor within the opening with minimal series air gap. The flux member further has high internal eddy current and hysteresis losses for inherent high frequency filtering to reduce aliasing distortion in sensor output to digital apparatus when applied to a measurement of PWM motor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. McDonald, Steven J. Collier-Hallman