Patents by Inventor Gary L. Villeneuve

Gary L. Villeneuve 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: 10996649
    Abstract: A method for position correction of a machine relative to a work piece. The machine may be provided with an end effector. The work piece may be engaged with the end effector. A force or a moment resulting from engaging the work piece with the end effector may be measured. A pose error may be determined from the force and/or the moment, wherein the pose error may define a misalignment of the end effector. The end effector may be repositioned an amount equal to the pose error to correct the misalignment. One application may involve torqueing nuts with a nut runner, which may be accomplished through the use of an automated machine such as a robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Muhammad E. Abdallah, Gary L. Villeneuve, Sreten Zakula
  • Publication number: 20190011897
    Abstract: A method for position correction of a machine relative to a work piece. The machine may be provided with an end effector. The work piece may be engaged with the end effector. A force or a moment resulting from engaging the work piece with the end effector may be measured. A pose error may be determined from the force and/or the moment, wherein the pose error may define a misalignment of the end effector. The end effector may be repositioned an amount equal to the pose error to correct the misalignment. One application may involve torqueing nuts with a nut runner, which may be accomplished through the use of an automated machine such as a robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD E. ABDALLAH, GARY L. VILLENEUVE, SRETEN ZAKULA
  • Patent number: 10120364
    Abstract: A method for position correction of a machine relative to a work piece. The machine may be provided with an end effector. The work piece may be engaged with the end effector. A force or a moment resulting from engaging the work piece with the end effector may be measured. A pose error may be determined from the force and/or the moment, wherein the pose error may define a misalignment of the end effector. The end effector may be repositioned an amount equal to the pose error to correct the misalignment. One application may involve torqueing nuts with a nut runner, which may be accomplished through the use of an automated machine such as a robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Muhammad E. Abdallah, Gary L. Villeneuve, Sreten Zakula
  • Patent number: 9457438
    Abstract: A system and method for automating an assembly process of threading a tube-nut onto a threaded connector. The system includes a robot having a force sensor and a tube-nut runner tool coupled to the robot and having a tool head with a rotatable socket therein. The method includes engaging the socket to the tube-nut under force control using the force signal from the force sensor. The tool controller causes the socket to rotate the tube-nut where the tool controller controls the torque and/or angle displacement of the tool head to tighten the tube-nut on the threaded connector. The method also includes disengaging the tool head from the tube-nut after the tube-nut is properly tightened onto the threaded connector under force control to ensure that the end member is properly disengaged from the tube-nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Muhammad E. Abdallah, Gary L. Villeneuve, Sreten Zakula, Srinivas Chilpuri, Michael S. Cochran
  • Publication number: 20160279798
    Abstract: A method for position correction of a machine relative to a work piece. The machine may be provided with an end effector. The work piece may be engaged with the end effector. A force or a moment resulting from engaging the work piece with the end effector may be measured. A pose error may be determined from the force and/or the moment, wherein the pose error may define a misalignment of the end effector. The end effector may be repositioned an amount equal to the pose error to correct the misalignment. One application may involve torqueing nuts with a nut runner, which may be accomplished through the use of an automated machine such as a robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD E. ABDALLAH, GARY L. VILLENEUVE, SRETEN ZAKULA
  • Patent number: 9120442
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine body and an acoustic and thermal cover assembly are provided. The engine body includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) pipe extending therefrom and the acoustic and thermal cover assembly is positioned adjacent to the engine body. The acoustic and thermal cover assembly includes a first section and a second section extending along the engine body. The assembly further includes an acoustic and thermal shield extending along the first section, a plastic shell extending along the second section, the acoustic and thermal shield and plastic shell forming a cover, and an insulating layer positioned between the cover and the engine body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ruihua Han, Gary L. Villeneuve, Arjinder Singh, Gary J. Hazelton
  • Publication number: 20150059175
    Abstract: A system and method for automating an assembly process of threading a tube-nut onto a threaded connector. The system includes a robot having a force sensor and a tube-nut runner tool coupled to the robot and having a tool head with a rotatable socket therein. The method includes engaging the socket to the tube-nut under force control using the force signal from the force sensor. The tool controller causes the socket to rotate the tube-nut where the tool controller controls the torque and/or angle displacement of the tool head to tighten the tube-nut on the threaded connector. The method also includes disengaging the tool head from the tube-nut after the tube-nut is properly tightened onto the threaded connector under force control to ensure that the end member is properly disengaged from the tube-nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Muhammad E. Abdallah, Gary L. Villeneuve, Sreten Zakula, Srinivas Chilpuri, Michael S. Cochran
  • Publication number: 20140076269
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine body and an acoustic and thermal cover assembly are provided. The engine body includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) pipe extending therefrom and the acoustic and thermal cover assembly is positioned adjacent to the engine body. The acoustic and thermal cover assembly includes a first section and a second section extending along the engine body. The assembly further includes an acoustic and thermal shield extending along the first section, a plastic shell extending along the second section, the acoustic and thermal shield and plastic shell forming a cover, and an insulating layer positioned between the cover and the engine body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ruihua Han, Gary L. Villeneuve, Arjinder Singh, Gary J. Hazelton
  • Patent number: 8616831
    Abstract: A compressor includes a shaft assembly including a thrust disk disposed on a main shaft and a housing having a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions adapted to receive the shaft assembly and enclose the shaft assembly therebetween, wherein the shaft assembly is rotatably disposed within the housing, and wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion includes a shaft assembly retention feature for receiving the thrust disk to regulate a motion of the shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Wollstadt, Grant William Brady, Gary L. Villeneuve