Patents by Inventor Curtis D. Munden

Curtis D. Munden 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: 4536697
    Abstract: In a charge/float vehicle electrical system, heavy battery charging is effected during periods of engine deceleration and the float voltage is adjusted so as to maintain the battery state of charge at the level in existence at the initiation of the float mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph H. Johnston, Curtis D. Munden, Leonard J. Sheldrake
  • Patent number: 4459489
    Abstract: A voltage regulating system for a generator that supplies the battery and electrical loads on a motor vehicle. The system includes a load response control for detecting whenever a substantial electrical load is applied to the generator tending to cause a drop in generator output voltage and when such a condition is detected field current is controlled to gradually increase field current from some value. The load response control includes means for storing an electrical signal that corresponds to generator field current and for utilizing this stored value to set generator field current at a value corresponding to a field current that occurred just prior to the detected drop in voltage and then increasing field current slowly from this value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Kirk, Curtis D. Munden, Leonard J. Sheldrake
  • Patent number: 3988618
    Abstract: A Schmitt trigger circuit produces synchronizing signals during and of a pulse width equal to the positive half cycles of an alternating current input signal. A monostable multivibrator circuit is triggered to the alternate state by the leading edge of each synchronizing signal and the resulting series of alternate state output signals charges a capacitor to a direct current potential level range signal directly proportional to the frequency of the input signal. A direct current potential ramp timing signal generating circuit, which is reset and disenabled by the leading edge and enabled by the trailing edge of the synchronizing signals, generates a timing signal which increases linearly in potential level at a rate determined by the range signal. A potential level detector circuit responsive to the timing signal and a delay signal of a selectable direct current potential level produces an output signal when the potential level of the timing signal increases to that of the delay signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis D. Munden, Robert E. Campbell
  • Patent number: 3972315
    Abstract: The energizing circuit of one of the primary windings of an ignition coil having at least two primary windings and a secondary winding is interrupted in timed relationship with the engine whereby a high ignition arc-creating potential is induced in the secondary winding upon each interruption of the primary winding energizing circuit. Upon each interruption of the primary winding energizing circuit, a monostable multivibrator circuit is triggered to the alternate state in which a potential signal is present upon the output circuit thereof and an electrical switching device is triggered conductive to complete a discharge circuit for an ignition capacitor through the other ignition coil primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis D. Munden, Robert E. Campbell