Patents by Inventor Eric D. Staley

Eric D. Staley 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).

  • Publication number: 20140163839
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a torque modifier module that selects one of a plurality of torque modifier values based on variations in an accessory load. A torque calculating module calculates a maximum torque value for operation in a cylinder deactivation mode based on the selected one of the plurality of torque modifier values. A torque control module selectively switches the engine between the cylinder deactivation mode and a cylinder activation mode based on the maximum torque value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Staley, Ronald J. Pierik, Jeremy T. Demarest, Timothy M. Karnjate
  • Publication number: 20140096362
    Abstract: A screw assembly for operatively connecting a first component to a second component is provided such that the first and the second components are separated by a clearance when operatively connected by the assembly. The assembly includes a screw member defining a screw opening and a linking member defining a link opening. A fastener is configured to transfer a driving torque to the linking member when the fastener is rotatably driven into the link opening. A threaded portion of the fastener is configured to engage with the link opening. The linking member is configured to transfer the driving torque to the screw member, thereby moving the screw member until a second screw end of the screw member contacts a mounting face of the second component. The fastener may be configured to pass through the linking member and enter a second cavity in the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Eric D. Staley
  • Publication number: 20140020649
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a housing is disclosed. The housing includes an asymmetric surface portion having a periphery, the asymmetric surface portion comprising a plurality of asymmetric surface sections disposed about the periphery, each asymmetric surface section having a surface contour differing from the surface contours of the other surface sections. In another embodiment, an engine front cover is disclosed. The engine front cover includes a substantially circular asymmetric surface portion disposed concentrically about a crankshaft bore, the asymmetric surface portion comprising a plurality of asymmetric surface sections disposed substantially concentrically about the crankshaft bore, each asymmetric surface section having a surface contour differing from the surface contours of the other surface sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Staley, David R. Staley
  • Publication number: 20140017101
    Abstract: A clutch subassembly for a supercharger is disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a clutch subassembly housing, the clutch subassembly housing having an input shaft end, a supercharger end and a longitudinal axis. The clutch subassembly also includes a clutch input shaft rotatably disposed within the input shaft end. The clutch subassembly further includes a selectively rotatable clutch assembly disposed in the supercharger end, the clutch assembly comprising a rotating portion that is operably coupled to the clutch input shaft and a selectively rotatable portion that is selectively engageable with the rotating portion through a clutch, the selectively rotatable portion comprising a rotatable hub, the rotatable hub having a shaft engagement feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Eric D. Staley
  • Publication number: 20130284139
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, a crankshaft rotationally supported on the engine structure, a crankshaft isolator assembly and a belt. The crankshaft isolator assembly includes a hub fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, a crankshaft isolator pulley coupled to the hub, and a mechanical clutch. The mechanical clutch is engaged with the hub and the crankshaft isolator pulley. The mechanical clutch fixes the hub for rotation with the crankshaft isolator pulley during a first operating condition and allows relative rotation between the hub and the crankshaft isolator pulley during a second operating condition. The belt is engaged with the crankshaft isolator pulley and an accessory drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Eric D. Staley
  • Publication number: 20130095966
    Abstract: A rotary belt drive tensioner including a damping mechanism decoupled from the torque output and pulley alignment of the tensioner such that the damping force and the torque output may be independently variable. The damping mechanism includes a shoe plate and at least one shoe set includes a damping shoe and a shoe spring. The shoe plate is operatively attached to one of the arm and the base, and the shoe spring exerts a radial load on the damping shoe in sliding engagement with the other of the arm and the base to generate a flexible damping force. In one embodiment, the rotary belt drive tensioner includes a damping mechanism containing three damping shoe sets positioned generally equidistant from each other on the shoe plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Eric D. Staley
  • Publication number: 20120318589
    Abstract: A system for maintaining tension in a drive belt comprises a first belt tensioner that comprises a first pulley mounted on a first lever arm, and a second belt tensioner that comprises a second pulley mounted on a second lever arm. The first belt tensioner is configured and positioned to bias the first pulley against the drive belt at a first location following a departure of the drive belt from a pulley coupled to a motor-generator unit and to thereby maintain tension on the drive belt during both driving and driven modes of the motor-generator unit. The second belt tensioner is configured and positioned to bias the second pulley against the drive belt at a second location prior to an approach of the drive belt toward the pulley and to thereby maintain tension on the drive belt at the second location during both driving and driven modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eric D. Staley, William C. Deneszczuk, Paul J. Mc Vicar
  • Publication number: 20070215423
    Abstract: A damper is provided including first and second mass elements and first and second sets of elastic elements. The first mass element is coupled to the second mass element by the first set of elastic elements. The second mass element is coupled to a mounting structure by the second set of elastic elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: FREUDENBERG-NOK GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Eric D. Staley, Edson F. Lopes