Patents by Inventor Francis R. Stabler

Francis R. Stabler 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: 9236639
    Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a battery is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoelectric device in thermally-conductive contact with the battery, measuring an actual temperature of the battery, comparing the actual temperature of the battery to a reference temperature for the battery, heating the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature is less than the reference temperature and cooling the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature exceeds the reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jihui Yang, Kelly B. Ledbetter, Francis R. Stabler
  • Patent number: 8256220
    Abstract: A method of controlling engine exhaust flow through at least one of an exhaust bypass and a thermoelectric device via a bypass valve is provided. The method includes: determining a mass flow of exhaust exiting an engine; determining a desired exhaust pressure based on the mass flow of exhaust; comparing the desired exhaust pressure to a determined exhaust pressure; and determining a bypass valve control value based on the comparing, wherein the bypass valve control value is used to control the bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Reynolds, Jihui Yang, Greogry P. Meisner, Francis R. Stabler, Hendrik Pieter (Peter) Jacobus De Bock, Todd Alan Anderson
  • Patent number: 7919210
    Abstract: A thermoelectric augmented fuel cell system is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack for generating electrical power and a thermoelectric unit provided in thermal contact with the fuel cell stack for receiving thermal energy from the fuel cell stack and generating additional electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Francis R. Stabler, Jihui Yang
  • Publication number: 20100281866
    Abstract: A method of controlling engine exhaust flow through at least one of an exhaust bypass and a thermoelectric device via a bypass valve is provided. The method includes: determining a mass flow of exhaust exiting an engine; determining a desired exhaust pressure based on the mass flow of exhaust; comparing the desired exhaust pressure to a determined exhaust pressure; and determining a bypass valve control value based on the comparing, wherein the bypass valve control value is used to control the bypass valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Reynolds, Jihui Yang, Greogry P. Meisner, Francis R. Stabler, Hendrik Pieter (Peter) Jacobus De Bock, Todd Alan Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090229649
    Abstract: A method comprising flowing engine combustion exhaust through a thermoelectric device and flowing engine coolant through the thermoelectric device to provide faster engine and transmission warming (coolant, oil).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jihui Yang, Michael G. Reynolds, Francis R. Stabler
  • Patent number: 7493766
    Abstract: An auxiliary electrical power supply includes a fuel combustor passively sourced with fuel for combusting fuel and a thermoelectric generator close-coupled to the combustor for converting the heat from the combustor to electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jihui Yang, Michael F. Matouka, Francis R. Stabler
  • Publication number: 20080311466
    Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a battery is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoelectric device in thermally-conductive contact with the battery, measuring an actual temperature of the battery, comparing the actual temperature of the battery to a reference temperature for the battery, heating the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature is less than the reference temperature and cooling the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature exceeds the reference temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jihui Yang, Kelly B. Ledbetter, Francis R. Stabler, David S. Scott
  • Patent number: 7253353
    Abstract: A thermoelectric augmented hybrid electric propulsion system for a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a combustion engine and an electric motor for rotating wheels of the vehicle. A thermoelectric device having a hot side provided in thermal contact with the combustion engine is electrically connected to the electric motor. In operation, the thermoelectric device receives waste heat from the combustion engine and generates electrical power for the electric motor to augment the vehicle propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Francis R. Stabler
  • Patent number: 7051522
    Abstract: A method for controlling temperature of a catalytic converter in an automobile exhaust system is disclosed. The method includes establishing a reference temperature for the catalytic converter, distributing a stream of exhaust gases through the catalytic converter, obtaining a measured temperature of the catalytic converter and converting thermal energy from the stream of exhaust gases into electrical energy when the measured temperature exceeds the reference temperature. An apparatus for controlling temperature of a catalytic converter in an automobile exhaust system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jihui Yang, Mei Cai, Francis R. Stabler