Patents by Inventor Constantine Nick Raptis

Constantine Nick Raptis 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: 8738207
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided with an electric transmission operatively connected to a first axle and an electric drive module operatively connected to a second axle. A transmission ratio of a differential gear set and a final drive of the electric transmission are selected so that a torque ratio of torque of the first axle over the torque of the engine is that at which any working chamber of the engine that is operated to expand the working fluid can operate without throttling, without torque of the engine torque exceeding a torque necessary to propel the vehicle at a steady vehicle speed, and with the second electric machine freewheeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Brendan M. Conlon, Norman K. Bucknor, Constantine Nick Raptis
  • Publication number: 20130289810
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided with an electric transmission operatively connected to a first axle and an electric drive module operatively connected to a second axle. A transmission ratio of a differential gear set and a final drive of the electric transmission are selected so that a torque ratio of torque of the first axle over the torque of the engine is that at which any working chamber of the engine that is operated to expand the working fluid can operate without throttling, without torque of the engine torque exceeding a torque necessary to propel the vehicle at a steady vehicle speed, and with the second electric machine freewheeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Brendan M. Conlon, Norman K. Bucknor, Constantine Nick Raptis
  • Publication number: 20130047616
    Abstract: A cogeneration system includes an engine, a motor/generator unit (MGU) powered by the engine, a compressor powered by the MGU, and a heat storage tank. The system further includes an engine coolant loop which places the engine in thermal communication with the tank, and a vapor loop which circulates refrigerant from the compressor. An air handler unit exchanges heat between the engine coolant loop and the vapor loop. A controller is configured to control the engine, MGU, compressor, and air handler unit, alone or in combination, to heat or cool air supplied to a building and water in the tank, and to selectively charge at least one auxiliary device such as a battery of an electric vehicle (EV) via the MGU. The system may include two power plants, with one, e.g., an EV or a portable module, having the engine and a first engine coolant loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Edward D. Tate, JR., George M. Claypole, Constantine Nick Raptis, Michael Andrew Miller