Patents by Inventor James A. Rochon
James A. Rochon 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: 11670818Abstract: An serviceable battery pack and assembly method may include a battery pack having a stanchion extending through a wall of the battery pack, a first battery pack seal between the stanchion and the wall of the battery pack, attachment of the battery pack at the exterior of a floor pan of a vehicle at the stanchion, and a second battery pack seal between the exterior of the floor pan and the wall of the battery pack surrounding the stanchion.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, James A. Rochon, Terry J. Short, Charles E. Jensen
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Patent number: 11607962Abstract: A battery enclosure, support beam for the battery enclosure and method of providing structural support to the battery enclosure. The battery enclosure includes a base having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. The support beam extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The support beam includes a body having a first beam end and a through passage. An internal stabilizer disposed within the through passage at the first beam end. The internal stabilizer includes a first stabilizer sidewall extending from a first stabilizer end to a second stabilizer end, a second stabilizer sidewall extending from the first stabilizer end to the second stabilizer end, and a bridge connecting the first stabilizer sidewall to the second stabilizer sidewall at the second stabilizer end.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Tyler A. Riley, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, Charles E. Jensen, James A. Rochon
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Patent number: 11515600Abstract: Electric vehicle battery enclosures and methods of assembling electric vehicle battery enclosures involve a base portion to hold one or more batteries that provide motive power to an all-electric or hybrid electric vehicle. An electric vehicle battery enclosure includes a cover portion to mate with the base portion to enclose the one or more batteries, and a sealant to create a bond between the base portion and the cover portion around an entire perimeter of the enclosure and to seal the enclosure based on a uniform height of the sealant around the perimeter of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Charles E. Jensen, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, James A. Rochon
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Patent number: 11404740Abstract: A system for protecting a battery enclosure of a vehicle, comprising of a structural blocker configured to be fixedly attached to a side portion of the battery enclosure. The side portion faces a lateral direction, extending along a vehicle axis that extends between a front and a rear of a vehicle. The battery enclosure includes at least one cross member oriented along a lateral direction, wherein the structural blocker is configured to be aligned with an end of the cross member and localized to a region of the side portion proximate to the end of the cross member. The structural blocker is configured to transfer a side load from a structural component of the vehicle to the cross member.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, James A. Rochon, Mark T. Dingman
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Patent number: 11394074Abstract: A battery enclosure, support beam for a battery enclosure and method of manufacturing the support beam. The battery enclosure includes a base and the support beam is securable within the base. The support beam includes a body, a nut channel secured to the body, and a mechanical fastener attached to the nut channel. The nut channel is formed into a u-shaped channel. The mechanical fastener is attached to the nut channel and the nut channel is secured to the body of the support beam.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Tyler A. Riley, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, Charles E. Jensen, James A. Rochon
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Patent number: 11299205Abstract: A body structure for an automotive vehicle includes an enclosure for a power source, an upper shear structure assembly and a lower shear structure assembly. The enclosure includes a front cross-member, a rear cross-member, a left rocker and a right rocker. The upper and lower shear structure assemblies are disposed across the top and bottom of the enclosure, respectively, and are fastened to respective top and bottom surfaces of the cross-members and rockers. The upper and lower shear structure assemblies may include respective front and rear generally trapezoidal sections configured for attachment to respective front and rear box structures. Each of the shear structure assemblies is effective to dissipate in-plane a portion of an external load imposed upon the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert N. Saje, Brian V. Castillo, Giles D. Bryer, Warren J. Parsons, Michael T. Chaney, Eric A. Mathieson, James A. Rochon
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Publication number: 20210245809Abstract: A body structure for an automotive vehicle includes an enclosure for a power source, an upper shear structure assembly and a lower shear structure assembly. The enclosure includes a front cross-member, a rear cross-member, a left rocker and a right rocker. The upper and lower shear structure assemblies are disposed across the top and bottom of the enclosure, respectively, and are fastened to respective top and bottom surfaces of the cross-members and rockers. The upper and lower shear structure assemblies may include respective front and rear generally trapezoidal sections configured for attachment to respective front and rear box structures. Each of the shear structure assemblies is effective to dissipate in-plane a portion of an external load imposed upon the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Robert N. Saje, Brian V. Castillo, Giles D. Bryer, Warren J. Parsons, Michael T. Chaney, Eric A. Mathieson, James A. Rochon
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Publication number: 20210184192Abstract: A system for protecting a battery enclosure of a vehicle, comprising of a structural blocker configured to be fixedly attached to a side portion of the battery enclosure. The side portion faces a lateral direction, extending along a vehicle axis that extends between a front and a rear of a vehicle. The battery enclosure includes at least one cross member oriented along a lateral direction, wherein the structural blocker is configured to be aligned with an end of the cross member and localized to a region of the side portion proximate to the end of the cross member. The structural blocker is configured to transfer a side load from a structural component of the vehicle to the cross member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, James A. Rochon, Mark T. Dingman
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Publication number: 20210178912Abstract: A battery enclosure, support beam for the battery enclosure and method of providing structural support to the battery enclosure. The battery enclosure includes a base having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. The support beam extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The support beam includes a body having a first beam end and a through passage. An internal stabilizer disposed within the through passage at the first beam end. The internal stabilizer includes a first stabilizer sidewall extending from a first stabilizer end to a second stabilizer end, a second stabilizer sidewall extending from the first stabilizer end to the second stabilizer end, and a bridge connecting the first stabilizer sidewall to the second stabilizer sidewall at the second stabilizer end.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Tyler A. Riley, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, Charles E. Jensen, James A. Rochon
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Publication number: 20210175478Abstract: A battery enclosure, support beam for a battery enclosure and method of manufacturing the support beam. The battery enclosure includes a base and the support beam is securable within the base. The support beam includes a body, a nut channel secured to the body, and a mechanical fastener attached to the nut channel. The nut channel is formed into a u-shaped channel. The mechanical fastener is attached to the nut channel and the nut channel is secured to the body of the support beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Tyler A. Riley, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, Charles E. Jensen, James A. Rochon
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Publication number: 20210175482Abstract: Electric vehicle battery enclosures and methods of assembling electric vehicle battery enclosures involve a base portion to hold one or more batteries that provide motive power to an all-electric or hybrid electric vehicle. An electric vehicle battery enclosure includes a cover portion to mate with the base portion to enclose the one or more batteries, and a sealant to create a bond between the base portion and the cover portion around an entire perimeter of the enclosure and to seal the enclosure based on a uniform height of the sealant around the perimeter of the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Charles E. Jensen, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, James A. Rochon
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Publication number: 20210175480Abstract: An serviceable battery pack and assembly method may include a battery pack having a stanchion extending through a wall of the battery pack, a first battery pack seal between the stanchion and the wall of the battery pack, attachment of the battery pack at the exterior of a floor pan of a vehicle at the stanchion, and a second battery pack seal between the exterior of the floor pan and the wall of the battery pack surrounding the stanchion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, James A. Rochon, Terry J. Short, Charles E. Jensen
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Patent number: 7766410Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly has a first interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position, and a second interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Teru Tseng, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
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Patent number: 7731270Abstract: A door bracket is mounted to a vehicle sliding door. A primary track is mounted along a side and extends to a remote end. A roller bracket having rollers received by the primary track is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the remote end. A link is pivotally joined to the roller bracket by a first pivot and pivotally joined to the door bracket by a second pivot. The link is rotatable around the first pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation. The link comprises an extension arm extending from the link toward the primary track. A shift mechanism contacts the extension arm when the roller bracket is at an intermediate trip point so that the link shifts from its first orientation to its second orientation when the sliding door is being opened.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: David R. Fischer, Teru Tseng, Edward M. Sanocki, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
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Publication number: 20090230724Abstract: A door bracket is mounted to a vehicle sliding door. A primary track is mounted along a side and extends to a remote end. A roller bracket having rollers received by the primary track is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the remote end. A link is pivotally joined to the roller bracket by a first pivot and pivotally joined to the door bracket by a second pivot. The link is rotatable around the first pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation. The link comprises an extension arm extending from the link toward the primary track. A shift mechanism contacts the extension arm when the roller bracket is at an intermediate trip point so that the link shifts from its first orientation to its second orientation when the sliding door is being opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David R. Fischer, Teru Tseng, Edward M. Sanocki, JR., James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
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Patent number: 7537269Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly includes a bracket member and a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to the bracket member. A pin is slidably disposed with respect to the bracket member and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The bell crank member is operable to urge the pin into the extended position when the fuel filler door is open and the retracted position when the fuel filler door is closed. The pin operates to engage a bore defined by the slidable door when in the extended position to substantially lock the slidable door. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Teru Tseng, Eric A. Watterworth, James A. Rochon
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Publication number: 20080258552Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly has a first interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position, and a second interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Teru Tseng, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
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Publication number: 20070257505Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly includes a bracket member and a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to the bracket member. A pin is slidably disposed with respect to the bracket member and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The bell crank member is operable to urge the pin into the extended position when the fuel filler door is open and the retracted position when the fuel filler door is closed. The pin operates to engage a bore defined by the slidable door when in the extended position to substantially lock the slidable door. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2006Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Teru Tseng, Eric Watterworth, James Rochon