Patents by Inventor Charles J. Swan

Charles J. Swan 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: 10160332
    Abstract: A topology for electric power distribution in a vehicle includes a high-voltage bus connected to a DC-DC electric power converter that is connected to a low-voltage DC load. The DC-DC electric power converter includes a high-voltage switching circuit, a transformer, and a low-voltage rectifier. The high-voltage switching circuit includes first and second switches arranged in series between positive and negative legs of the high-voltage electric power bus at a first node that connects to a leg of an inductor of the transformer. A controller receives a command to discharge the high-voltage electric power bus, and in response, controls a first gate circuit to operate a first switch in a linear mode, and controls a second gate circuit to operate a second switch in a pulsewidth-modulated mode. A duty cycle for the pulsewidth-modulated operation of the second switch is determined based upon the magnitude of electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Steven V. Wybo, Kris S. Sevel, Charles J. Swan
  • Publication number: 20180029479
    Abstract: A topology for electric power distribution in a vehicle includes a high-voltage bus connected to a DC-DC electric power converter that is connected to a low-voltage DC load. The DC-DC electric power converter includes a high-voltage switching circuit, a transformer, and a low-voltage rectifier. The high-voltage switching circuit includes first and second switches arranged in series between positive and negative legs of the high-voltage electric power bus at a first node that connects to a leg of an inductor of the transformer. A controller receives a command to discharge the high-voltage electric power bus, and in response, controls a first gate circuit to operate a first switch in a linear mode, and controls a second gate circuit to operate a second switch in a pulsewidth-modulated mode. A duty cycle for the pulsewidth-modulated operation of the second switch is determined based upon the magnitude of electric current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Steven V. Wybo, Kris S. Sevel, Charles J. Swan
  • Patent number: 8933627
    Abstract: A system for controlling a lighting system for a vehicle includes an ambient light sensor operable for detecting a level of ambient light and a lighting circuitry. The system also includes a logical control unit that receives input signals from a vehicle control unit, a user input device and the ambient light sensor. The logical control unit controls a voltage on the lighting circuitry to provide a minimum voltage based on the one or more input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Erik C. Nordstrom, Stephen M. Cichy, Mehrdad Teimorzadeh, Charles J. Swan
  • Publication number: 20130344799
    Abstract: A system for delivery of radio content includes a database configured to receive a radio content data comprising a radio content, a broadcast time for the radio content and a broadcast channel of the radio content. Also included is a signal for communicating the radio content from the database to a remote radio unit, wherein the remote radio unit communicates the radio content data to a user for providing advance notice to the user of future radio content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Cichy, Erik C. Nordstrom, Charles J. Swan, Ryan A. Church
  • Publication number: 20130234593
    Abstract: A system for controlling a lighting system for a vehicle includes an ambient light sensor operable for detecting a level of ambient light and a lighting circuitry. The system also includes a logical control unit that receives input signals from a vehicle control unit, a user input device and the ambient light sensor. The logical control unit controls a voltage on the lighting circuitry to provide a minimum voltage based on the one or more input signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Erik C. Nordstrom, Stephen M. Cichy, Mehrdad Teimorzadeh, Charles J. Swan