Patents by Inventor Bruce Edward Zemke

Bruce Edward Zemke 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: 7597169
    Abstract: A wheel module is configured for use on a vehicle chassis. A drivable vehicle includes a wheel module operatively connected to a vehicle chassis. The wheel module includes at least one non-rotating structural unit, a rotatable wheel controllably connected to the structural unit, a vehicle attachment interface operatively connected to the non-rotating structural unit including a load-bearing vehicle retention coupling and a control signal receiver. The wheel module further includes chassis components including at least one of a brake system, steering system, motor and suspension system operatively connected to the non-rotating structural unit and to the wheel, and operatively connected to the control signal receiver for controlling the wheel in response to non-mechanical control signals received through the control signal receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Adrian B. Chernoff, Mohsen D. Shabana, Robert Louis Vitale, Bruce Edward Zemke
  • Patent number: 7398846
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a rotatable wheel having a selectively adjustable steering angle. A steering actuator is operatively connected to the wheel and is configured to selectively adjust the steering angle of the wheel and not any other wheels. The wheel assembly allows independent control of the steering angle of the wheel. The wheel assembly also facilitates modular construction of vehicles by enabling the packaging of mechanical steering components in a preassembled wheel module with simple electrical connections to a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Young, Mohsen D. Shabana, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Adrian B. Chernoff, Robert L. Vitale, Bruce Edward Zemke
  • Patent number: 6768932
    Abstract: A wheel motor traction assembly configured for use on a light duty vehicle adaptable for electric traction. The wheel motor traction assembly includes a wheel, a brake disc operatively connected to the wheel, a motor operatively connected to the wheel and a motor housing operatively connected to the motor. The motor housing has structural connectors for steering and suspension systems on a vehicle chassis and has a brake caliper operatively connected thereto. A parking brake caliper may also be connected to the motor housing for connection to a parking brake cable on the chassis. The motor housing is configured to bear vehicle chassis loads as the motor housing structurally interconnects the wheel to the chassis through the structural connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: George M. Claypole, Bruce Edward Zemke, Cheuk S. Ng, Douglas Lee Wickham, Milos Stakich, Chris J. Karras, James M. Nagashima, Khwaja M. Rahman, Terence G. Ward
  • Publication number: 20030159866
    Abstract: A wheel motor traction assembly configured for use on a light duty vehicle adaptable for electric traction. The wheel motor traction assembly includes a wheel, a brake disc operatively connected to the wheel, a motor operatively connected to the wheel and a motor housing operatively connected to the motor. The motor housing has structural connectors for steering and suspension systems on a vehicle chassis and has a brake caliper operatively connected thereto. A parking brake caliper may also be connected to the motor housing for connection to a parking brake cable on the chassis. The motor housing is configured to bear vehicle chassis loads as the motor housing structurally interconnects the wheel to the chassis through the structural connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: George M. Claypole, Bruce Edward Zemke, Cheuk S. Ng, Douglas Lee Wickham, Milos Stakich, Chris J. Karras, James M. Nagashima, Khwaja M. Rahman, Terence G. Ward
  • Publication number: 20030132584
    Abstract: A wheel module is configured for use on a vehicle chassis. A drivable vehicle includes a wheel module operatively connected to a vehicle chassis. The wheel module includes at least one non-rotating structural unit, a rotatable wheel controllably connected to the structural unit, a vehicle attachment interface operatively connected to the non-rotating structural unit including a load-bearing vehicle retention coupling and a control signal receiver. The wheel module further includes chassis components including at least one of a brake system, steering system, motor and suspension system operatively connected to the non-rotating structural unit and to the wheel, and operatively connected to the control signal receiver for controlling the wheel in response to non-mechanical control signals received through the control signal receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Adrian B. Chernoff, Mohsen D. Shabana, Robert Louis Vitale, Bruce Edward Zemke