Patents by Inventor Elisabeth J. Berger
Elisabeth J. Berger 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).
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Patent number: 10749146Abstract: An example of a thermal composite includes a substrate, a primer layer, a first adhesive layer, a blanket layer, a second adhesive layer, and a metal layer. The blanket layer includes basalt fibers or glass fibers. The thermal composite may be incorporated into a battery pack as a battery enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Kestutis A. Sonta
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Patent number: 10589477Abstract: Methods of repairing a defect in a polymeric composite structure are provided. The methods include disposing a patch over a defect in a polymeric composite structure; disposing a textured sheet over the polymeric patch, applying pressure to the polymeric patch and the textured sheet; and heating the polymeric patch. The textured sheet has a surface texture that is a negative of a surface texture of the polymeric composite structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignees: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, TEIJIN LIMITEDInventors: Xiaosong Huang, Selina X. Zhao, Elisabeth J. Berger, William R. Rodgers, Tomohiro Ryutani, Glen Novak
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Patent number: 10105941Abstract: A method for fabricating a micro-truss structure having particular application for a vehicle impact structure. The method includes providing a thin support enclosure having a plurality of walls, where at least one of the walls is transparent to ultraviolet (UV) light. The support enclosure is filled with a liquid photomonomer resin and light from at least one UV source is directed through apertures in a mask and through the at least one transparent wall into the enclosure so as to polymerize and at least partially cure columns of the resin therein to form polymerized struts defining a micro-truss core in the enclosure that is secured to the walls. The support enclosure is then inserted into an outer structural enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Elisabeth J. Berger
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Publication number: 20180251919Abstract: A three-dimensional lattice includes a stabilizing grid having grid warp strands and grid weft strands crossing the grid warp strands. Grid cells are defined by adjacent grid warp strands and adjacent grid weft strands intersecting the adjacent grid warp strands. A projecting net has net warp strands and net weft strands crossing the net warp strands. Each subnet in a plurality of subnets uniquely corresponds to a corresponding grid cell. Each subnet includes a net warp strand portion intersecting both of the grid weft strands that define the corresponding grid cell. Each subnet includes a net weft strand portion intersecting both of the grid warp strands that define the corresponding grid cell. The net warp strand portion and the net weft strand portion of each subnet are spaced from a minimum surface defined by the corresponding grid cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2017Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Elisabeth J. Berger, William R. Rodgers, David A. Okonski
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Patent number: 10018211Abstract: Adhesive bonds may be formed between components (e.g., automotive) by sliding components into position without wiping or removing the uncured adhesive. Here, a first bonding region has an uncured adhesive and a plurality of bond standoffs that is positioned adjacent to a second bonding region. Bond standoffs promote sliding between the first and second components, while substantially retaining the uncured adhesive during the sliding. Bond standoffs can be formed on the surface, for example, by molding or stamping. The first and second bonding regions slide into engagement, followed by applying pressure, heat, and/or energy as needed, to form a solid adhesive bond. Methods of repairing manufactured components (e.g., automotive) are also provided with such techniques, including the ability to slide parts into place without removing the uncured adhesive, using bond standoffs formed as strips of adhesive cured on the substrate component or tacks pinned into a composite substrate component.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Hamid G. Kia
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Patent number: 9884436Abstract: A process for fabricating a curved vehicle impact sandwich beam including a micro-truss structure. The method includes positioning a mold in contact with a curved bottom facesheet so that the mold and the bottom facesheet define a reservoir. The reservoir is filled with a liquid photo-polymer resin and a mask is positioned over the reservoir. A series of UV light sources are provided on a mounting member relative to the mask and the mounting member is flexed to conform to the shape of the bottom facesheet. Light from UV sources shines through apertures in the mask to cure and form polymerized struts in the reservoir to define the micro-truss structure formed to the facesheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Elisabeth J. Berger
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Publication number: 20170365824Abstract: An example of a thermal composite includes a substrate, a primer layer, a first adhesive layer, a blanket layer, a second adhesive layer, and a metal layer. The blanket layer includes basalt fibers or glass fibers. The thermal composite may be incorporated into a battery pack as a battery enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Kestutis A. Sonta
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Publication number: 20170313002Abstract: Methods of repairing a defect in a polymeric composite structure are provided. The methods include disposing a patch over a defect in a polymeric composite structure; disposing a textured sheet over the polymeric patch, applying pressure to the polymeric patch and the textured sheet; and heating the polymeric patch. The textured sheet has a surface texture that is a negative of a surface texture of the polymeric composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Teijin LimitedInventors: Xiaosong HUANG, Selina X. ZHAO, Elisabeth J. BERGER, William R. RODGERS, Tomohiro RYUTANI, Glen NOVAK
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Patent number: 9751287Abstract: A process for fabricating a curved beam including a micro-truss structure. In one embodiment, the process includes fabricating the micro-truss structure on a bottom facesheet, where the micro-truss structure is only partially cured so that it is readily bendable, and then forming the partially cured micro-truss structure and bottom facesheet over a curved fixture, where the partially cured micro-truss structure is then fully cured and hardened to its final curved state. A top facesheet is then adhered to a top surface of the micro-truss structure. In an alternate embodiment, a curved bottom facesheet is forced flat against a fixture and the micro-truss structure is formed while the bottom facesheet is secured to the fixture to a partially cured state. The bottom facesheet is then released from the fixture, which causes it to return to its curved configuration causing the micro-truss structure to bend.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jacob M. Hundley, Nilesh D. Mankame, Eric C. Clough, Alan J. Jacobsen, Elisabeth J. Berger
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Publication number: 20160264082Abstract: A light-weight, high-strength energy absorption assembly is provided. Open cells of a reinforced composite web are filled with an energy absorbing material that defines energy absorbing cells within the web to provide a composite structure. A front component is disposed on a front side of the composite structure and a back component is disposed on a back side of the composite structure to provide an energy absorption assembly having a predetermined distribution profile. The light-weight, high-strength energy absorption assembly may be used in a variety of applications, including vehicle or automotive components, such as part of a bumper assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. BERGER, Vinayshankar L. VIRUPAKSHA, Jeanne C. POLAN
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Publication number: 20160214284Abstract: A process for fabricating a curved vehicle impact sandwich beam including a micro-truss structure. The method includes positioning a mold in contact with a curved bottom facesheet so that the mold and the bottom facesheet define a reservoir. The reservoir is filled with a liquid photo-polymer resin and a mask is positioned over the reservoir. A series of UV light sources are provided on a mounting member relative to the mask and the mounting member is flexed to conform to the shape of the bottom facesheet. Light from UV sources shines through apertures in the mask to cure and form polymerized struts in the reservoir to define the micro-truss structure formed to the facesheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: July 28, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: NILESH D. MANKAME, ELISABETH J. BERGER
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Patent number: 9376074Abstract: A curved sandwich impact structure for a vehicle having a micro-truss core. In one embodiment, the sandwich impact structure includes a micro-truss layer sandwiched between two facesheets, a micro-truss layer designed for energy absorption on the outside of one of the facesheets, and a fascia panel in contact with the energy absorbing micro-truss layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jacob M. Hundley, Nilesh D. Mankame, Alan J. Jacobsen, Eric C. Clough, Hanif Muhammad, Stuart J. Brown, Elisabeth J. Berger
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Patent number: 9331321Abstract: A battery enclosure comprising a support and a cover fabricated from a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer reinforced by at least a woven fabric reinforcement is described. In an embodiment the reinforcement is a woven glass fabric.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Kestutis A. Sonta, Bhavesh Shah
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Patent number: 9227673Abstract: A pillar for a vehicle includes a translucent polymer composite having chopped reinforcing fibers incorporated therein. The pillar also includes a truss embedded in the translucent polymer composite and disposed substantially along a length of the pillar. The truss and the translucent polymer composite share a loading condition applied to the pillar. The pillar is to be disposed between a lower body portion of the vehicle and a roof of the vehicle to support the roof.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Peter H. Foss
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Patent number: 9212437Abstract: A one-piece fiber reinforcement for a reinforced polymer is described. In an embodiment, a one-piece reinforcement is fabricated by first assembling an interior randomly oriented fiber layer between two exterior aligned fiber layers. With all layers in face to face contact, a preselected number of fibers from the aligned layer is conveyed out of its aligned layer and threaded into at least the random fiber layer so that the conveyed fibers engage and mechanically and frictionally interfere with the random fibers. The fibers may be conveyed from one aligned layer to the other for yet greater interference. The interfering fibers serve to secure and interlock the layers together, producing a one-piece reinforcement which, when impregnated with a polymer precursor, shaped and cured may be incorporated in a polymer reinforced composite article.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, John N. Owens, Chen-Shih Wang, Hamid G. Kia
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Publication number: 20150306861Abstract: A method for fabricating a micro-truss structure having particular application for a vehicle impact structure. The method includes providing a thin support enclosure having a plurality of walls, where at least one of the walls is transparent to ultraviolet (UV) light. The support enclosure is filled with a liquid photomonomer resin and light from at least one UV source is directed through apertures in a mask and through the at least one transparent wall into the enclosure so as to polymerize and at least partially cure columns of the resin therein to form polymerized struts defining a micro-truss core in the enclosure that is secured to the walls. The support enclosure is then inserted into an outer structural enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Elisabeth J. Berger
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Publication number: 20150307044Abstract: A curved sandwich impact structure for a vehicle having a micro-truss core. In one embodiment, the sandwich impact structure includes a micro-truss layer sandwiched between two facesheets, a micro-truss layer designed for energy absorption on the outside of one of the facesheets, and a fascia panel in contact with the energy absorbing micro-truss layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jacob M. Hundley, Nilesh D. Mankame, Alan J. Jacobsen, Eric C. Clough, Hanif Muhammad, Stuart J. Brown, Elisabeth J. Berger
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Publication number: 20150298443Abstract: A process for fabricating a curved beam including a micro-truss structure. In one embodiment, the process includes fabricating the micro-truss structure on a bottom facesheet, where the micro-truss structure is only partially cured so that it is readily bendable, and then forming the partially cured micro-truss structure and bottom facesheet over a curved fixture, where the partially cured micro-truss structure is then fully cured and hardened to its final curved state. A top facesheet is then adhered to a top surface of the micro-truss structure. In an alternate embodiment, a curved bottom facesheet is forced flat against a fixture and the micro-truss structure is formed while the bottom facesheet is secured to the fixture to a partially cured state. The bottom facesheet is then released from the fixture, which causes it to return to its curved configuration causing the micro-truss structure to bend.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jacob M. Hundley, Nilesh D. Mankame, Eric C. Clough, Alan J. Jacobsen, Elisabeth J. Berger
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Publication number: 20150224753Abstract: Adhesive bonds may be formed between components (e.g., automotive) by sliding components into position without wiping or removing the uncured adhesive. Here, a first bonding region has an uncured adhesive and a plurality of bond standoffs that is positioned adjacent to a second bonding region. Bond standoffs promote sliding between the first and second components, while substantially retaining the uncured adhesive during the sliding. Bond standoffs can be formed on the surface, for example, by molding or stamping. The first and second bonding regions slide into engagement, followed by applying pressure, heat, and/or energy as needed, to form a solid adhesive bond. Methods of repairing manufactured components (e.g., automotive) are also provided with such techniques, including the ability to slide parts into place without removing the uncured adhesive, using bond standoffs formed as strips of adhesive cured on the substrate component or tacks pinned into a composite substrate component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Hamid G. Kia
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Publication number: 20150151796Abstract: A pillar for a vehicle includes a translucent polymer composite having chopped reinforcing fibers incorporated therein. The pillar also includes a truss embedded in the translucent polymer composite and disposed substantially along a length of the pillar. The truss and the translucent polymer composite share a loading condition applied to the pillar. The pillar is to be disposed between a lower body portion of the vehicle and a roof of the vehicle to support the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Peter H. Foss