Patents by Inventor Gerard Alan Brinas
Gerard Alan Brinas 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: 10160293Abstract: An airflow outlet is provided. The airflow outlet comprises at least a first housing, a second housing, a first shut-off door, a second shut-off door, and a control apparatus. The first housing defines an outlet opening and the second housing defines an inlet opening. The first housing and the second housing are operatively coupled and define a substantially closed airflow path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The first shut-off door is coupled to the second housing and rotatable about a first axis. The second shut-off door is coupled to the second housing and rotatable about a second axis. The first shut-off door and the second shut-off door are operatively configured to meter a flow of air through the inlet opening by occupying a selectable operating position. The control apparatus is configured to control the selectable operating position of the first shut-off door and the second shut-off door.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Gerard Alan Brinas
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Patent number: 10131209Abstract: An airflow outlet assembly and a passenger compartment for a vehicle are disclosed. The airflow outlet assembly includes a support member and a first outlet component. The first outlet component includes a first plate and a first vane extending outwardly from the first plate. The first outlet component is supported by the support member. The airflow outlet assembly further includes a second outlet component. The second outlet component includes a second plate and a second vane extending outwardly from the second plate. The second outlet component is supported by the support member. The first and second outlet components are rotatably coupled to each other such that rotation of the first and second outlet components in opposite directions changes the position of the first and second plates and the first and second vanes relative to the support member.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Gerard Alan Brinas
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Patent number: 9895961Abstract: An airflow outlet comprising at least a first plurality of airflow direction elements, a second plurality of airflow direction elements, and an actuation system is provided. Each of the respective first airflow direction elements and second airflow direction elements include a vane shaft and at least one vane element disposed along the vane shaft and integrally coupled thereto. The actuation system is configured to control the position of the vane elements of each of the airflow direction elements. The actuation system includes a drive element engaged with the driven element, which is further engaged with the vane shafts of each of the airflow direction elements. A rotation of the drive element causes a proportional rotation of the vane elements of the each of the airflow direction elements to an operating position, which defines an airflow direction through the airflow outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Gerard Alan Brinas
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Publication number: 20170305238Abstract: An airflow outlet is provided. The airflow outlet comprises at least a first housing, a second housing, a first shut-off door, a second shut-off door, and a control apparatus. The first housing defines an outlet opening and the second housing defines an inlet opening. The first housing and the second housing are operatively coupled and define a substantially closed airflow path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The first shut-off door is coupled to the second housing and rotatable about a first axis. The second shut-off door is coupled to the second housing and rotatable about a second axis. The first shut-off door and the second shut-off door are operatively configured to meter a flow of air through the inlet opening by occupying a selectable operating position. The control apparatus is configured to control the selectable operating position of the first shut-off door and the second shut-off door.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Gerard Alan Brinas
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Patent number: 9707826Abstract: An airflow outlet is provided. The airflow outlet may include an adjustable vane component, a backplate, and a vane housing. The adjustable vane component has a vane nexus and a connection feature extending rearwardly from the vane nexus. The adjustable vane component further includes a plurality of vanes extending outwardly form the vane nexus. The backplate has a support tube defining a bore therethrough configured to receive the connection feature of the adjustable vane component and a plurality of backplate extensions extending outwardly form the support tube. The adjustable vane component and backplate may be fitted within a vane housing. The adjustable vane component is rotatable about a central axis between a first position and a second position, such that the positioning of the adjustable vane component and the selective alignment of the vanes relative to the backplate extensions defines the amount of airflow through an airflow outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Gerard Alan Brinas
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Publication number: 20160129761Abstract: An airflow outlet comprising at least a first plurality of airflow direction elements, a second plurality of airflow direction elements, and an actuation system is provided. Each of the respective first airflow direction elements and second airflow direction elements include a vane shaft and at least one vane element disposed along the vane shaft and integrally coupled thereto. The actuation system is configured to control the position of the vane elements of each of the airflow direction elements. The actuation system includes a drive element engaged with the driven element, which is further engaged with the vane shafts of each of the airflow direction elements. A rotation of the drive element causes a proportional rotation of the vane elements of the each of the airflow direction elements to an operating position, which defines an airflow direction through the airflow outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventor: Gerard Alan Brinas
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Publication number: 20160129762Abstract: An airflow outlet assembly and a passenger compartment for a vehicle are disclosed. The airflow outlet assembly includes a support member and a first outlet component. The first outlet component includes a first plate and a first vane extending outwardly from the first plate. The first outlet component is supported by the support member. The airflow outlet assembly further includes a second outlet component. The second outlet component includes a second plate and a second vane extending outwardly from the second plate. The second outlet component is supported by the support member. The first and second outlet components are rotatably coupled to each other such that rotation of the first and second outlet components in opposite directions changes the position of the first and second plates and the first and second vanes relative to the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventor: Gerard Alan Brinas
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Publication number: 20160031293Abstract: An airflow outlet is provided. The airflow outlet may include an adjustable vane component, a backplate, and a vane housing. The adjustable vane component has a vane nexus and a connection feature extending rearwardly from the vane nexus. The adjustable vane component further includes a plurality of vanes extending outwardly form the vane nexus. The backplate has a support tube defining a bore therethrough configured to receive the connection feature of the adjustable vane component and a plurality of backplate extensions extending outwardly form the support tube. The adjustable vane component and backplate may be fitted within a vane housing. The adjustable vane component is rotatable about a central axis between a first position and a second position, such that the positioning of the adjustable vane component and the selective alignment of the vanes relative to the backplate extensions defines the amount of airflow through an airflow outlet opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventor: Gerard Alan Brinas