Patents by Inventor James B. Hicks

James B. Hicks 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: 20210040877
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an engine cooling system for controlling the temperature of an engine of a motor vehicle. The system includes an engine cooling circuit for circulating a coolant to transfer heat from the engine to an airflow. An electric water pump is configured to circulate the coolant through the circuit at a maximum electric pump flow rate, and a mechanical water pump is configured to circulate the coolant through the circuit at a maximum mechanical pump flow rate that is higher than the maximum electric pump flow rate. The circuit further includes a selector valve configured to fluidly connect one of the electric water pump and the mechanical water pump to the engine. An engine control module generates a valve signal for actuating the selector valve to fluidly connect one of the electric water pump and the mechanical water pump to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Scott K. Wilson, Eugene V. Gonze, James B. Hicks, Sergio Quelhas, Anthony J. Corsetti
  • Patent number: 10895192
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an engine cooling system for controlling the temperature of an engine of a motor vehicle. The system includes an engine cooling circuit for circulating a coolant to transfer heat from the engine to an airflow. An electric water pump is configured to circulate the coolant through the circuit at a maximum electric pump flow rate, and a mechanical water pump is configured to circulate the coolant through the circuit at a maximum mechanical pump flow rate that is higher than the maximum electric pump flow rate. The circuit further includes a selector valve configured to fluidly connect one of the electric water pump and the mechanical water pump to the engine. An engine control module generates a valve signal for actuating the selector valve to fluidly connect one of the electric water pump and the mechanical water pump to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Scott K. Wilson, Eugene V. Gonze, James B. Hicks, Sergio Quelhas, Anthony J. Corsetti
  • Publication number: 20200386328
    Abstract: A coolant valve for a powertrain cooling system includes a housing and a valve member. The housing has a chamber, a first inlet port, a second inlet port, and an outlet port. The chamber has a first flat surface, a second flat surface, and a curved surface. The valve member has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a flat middle portion, and a hinge portion disposed on the first end. The valve member is disposed in one of a first and a second position. When the valve member is disposed in the first position the outlet port is in communication with the first inlet port. When the valve member is disposed in the second position the outlet port is in communication with the second inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Scott K. Wilson, James B. Hicks, Eugene V. Gonze
  • Publication number: 20140025307
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions related to genomic profiling, and in particular, to assigning probabilistic measure of clinical outcome for a patient having a disease or a tumor using segmented genomic profiles such as those produced by representational oligonucleotide microarray analysis (ROMA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY
    Inventors: Michael H. Wigler, James B. Hicks, Alexander Krasnitz, Anders P. Zetterberg
  • Patent number: 8628095
    Abstract: A gasket loop includes a gasket shape with a first portion characterized by a cross-sectional view. The first portion in the cross-sectional view includes a substantially elongated body characterized by a height, a first end characterized by a height, a tip, a width enlarged relative to the body, and a tapered backside. The tapered backside is integral with the body. The first portion in the cross-sectional view additionally includes a distal second end connected to the body. A fluid-pressure joint assembly and a method of sealing such a joint via the gasket loop are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Curt R. Danielewicz, Manmeet S. Pannu, James B. Hicks
  • Patent number: 8397689
    Abstract: A cylinder head including a dam defining a reservoir surrounding the periphery of the fuel pump tappet/roller follower mounting hole is provided. The cylinder head includes a tappet/roller follower mounted in the tappet/roller follower mounting hole and in communication with a cam and a fuel pump. The fuel pump is located on the high side of the head and oil drainage occurs in a direction away from the mounting hole. The dam and reservoir are configured to retain lubricant in the mounting hole and the sliding interface between the mounting hole and the tappet/roller follower. The dam and reservoir are configured to retain a minimum level of oil in the mounting hole when the head is in vehicle position. A method is provided for retaining lubrication in the tappet/roller follower hole by forming a dam defining a reservoir in the head and passively providing lubricant to the tappet/roller follower hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rodney E. Baker, James B. Hicks, Brian W. Geiser
  • Patent number: 8353268
    Abstract: An oiling system for providing oil to a timing chain adjacent a cylinder head of an engine is provided. The oiling system includes a redirect feature, a vent window defined by the cylinder head, a rail feature, and a transfer feature. The redirect feature is configured to channel oil toward the vent window, the rail feature is configured to channel oil from the vent window to the transfer feature, and the transfer feature is configured to transfer oil to the timing chain. The oil is transferred from the transfer feature to the timing chain at substantially ambient pressure. The engine may be characterized by the absence of a nozzle configured to transfer oil onto the timing chain. Furthermore, the redirect feature, the rail feature, and the transfer feature may all be formed as integral, one-piece structures with the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James B. Hicks, Michael A. Gorney
  • Publication number: 20120149593
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and arrays for determination of the methylation patterns at single-nucleotide resolution by array-based hybrid selection and next-generation sequencing of bisulfite-treated DNA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: James B. Hicks, Gregory J. Hannon, Emily Hodges, Jude Kendall, Andrew D. Smith
  • Patent number: 8166949
    Abstract: An engine comprises a cylinder head at least partially defining a dry valley and a cover secured to the cylinder head. The cover defines a first aperture. A boss extends from the cylinder head toward the cover. The boss defines a second aperture. A fastener extends through the first aperture and at least partially through the second aperture to secure the cover to the cylinder head. The fastener defines a passage to fluidly connect the dry valley to an exterior of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James B. Hicks, Curt R. Danielewicz, Gary L. Nye, Manmeet S. Pannu
  • Patent number: 8122862
    Abstract: A method of purging air from an oil passage in communication with a lifter assembly in an engine assembly may include isolating the oil passage from a pressurized oil source while the lifter assembly is engaged with a base region of a cam lobe to operate the first lifter assembly in the activated mode. The pressurized oil may be provided to the lifter assembly via the oil passage after the isolating when the lifter assembly is engaged with a lift region of the cam lobe. The lifter assembly may be maintained in the activated mode after the providing. Air may be purged from the oil passage based on the pressurized oil provided to the oil passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventors: James B. Hicks, William C. Albertson, Mark Stabinsky, Mike M. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20120004855
    Abstract: A methylation classification list comprising loci DNA, for which loci the methylation status of the DNA is indicative of likelihood of recurrence of cancer, is provided. Furthermore, a method, apparatus and use for predicting probability of relapse free survival of a subject diagnosed with cancer, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Sitharthan Kamalakaran, Vinay Varadan, James B. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20110277726
    Abstract: An oiling system for providing oil to a timing chain adjacent a cylinder head of an engine is provided. The oiling system includes a redirect feature, a vent window defined by the cylinder head, a rail feature, and a transfer feature. The redirect feature is configured to channel oil toward the vent window, the rail feature is configured to channel oil from the vent window to the transfer feature, and the transfer feature is configured to transfer oil to the timing chain. The oil is transferred from the transfer feature to the timing chain at substantially ambient pressure. The engine may be characterized by the absence of a nozzle configured to transfer oil onto the timing chain. Furthermore, the redirect feature, the rail feature, and the transfer feature may all be formed as integral, one-piece structures with the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James B. Hicks, Michael A. Gorney
  • Publication number: 20110277724
    Abstract: An engine comprises a cylinder head at least partially defining a dry valley and a cover secured to the cylinder head. The cover defines a first aperture. A boss extends from the cylinder head toward the cover. The boss defines a second aperture. A fastener extends through the first aperture and at least partially through the second aperture to secure the cover to the cylinder head. The fastener defines a passage to fluidly connect the dry valley to an exterior of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James B. Hicks, Curt R. Danielewicz, Gary L. Nye, Manmeet S. Pannu
  • Publication number: 20110278839
    Abstract: A gasket loop includes a gasket shape with a first portion characterized by a cross-sectional view. The first portion in the cross-sectional view includes a substantially elongated body characterized by a height, a first end characterized by a height, a tip, a width enlarged relative to the body, and a tapered backside. The tapered backside is integral with the body. The first portion in the cross-sectional view additionally includes a distal second end connected to the body. A fluid-pressure joint assembly and a method of sealing such a joint via the gasket loop are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Curt R. Danielewicz, Manmeet S. Pannu, James B. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20110277714
    Abstract: A cylinder head including a dam defining a reservoir surrounding the periphery of the fuel pump tappet/roller follower mounting hole is provided. The cylinder head includes a tappet/roller follower mounted in the tappet/roller follower mounting hole and in communication with a cam and a fuel pump. The fuel pump is located on the high side of the head and oil drainage occurs in a direction away from the mounting hole. The dam and reservoir are configured to retain lubricant in the mounting hole and the sliding interface between the mounting hole and the tappet/roller follower. The dam and reservoir are configured to retain a minimum level of oil in the mounting hole when the head is in vehicle position. A method is provided for retaining lubrication in the tappet/roller follower hole by forming a dam defining a reservoir in the head and passively providing lubricant to the tappet/roller follower hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney E. Baker, James B. Hicks, Brian W. Geiser
  • Patent number: 7854215
    Abstract: A valve train for use in an engine is provided. The valve train includes a rocker arm assembly having a valve side arm and a cam side arm. A valve is coupled to the engine and is in contact with the valve side arm. A pushrod is reciprocatable by a camshaft and is in contact with the cam side arm. An overload feature is located on at least one of the rocker arm assembly or the pushrod. The overload feature has a reduced cross-sectional area calibrated to activate at a predefined load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Rozario, James B. Hicks, William C. Albertson, Gary J. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20100227768
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions related to genomic profiling, and in particular, to assigning probabilistic measure of clinical outcome for a patient having a disease or a tumor using segmented genomic profiles such as those produced by representational oligonucleotide microarray analysis (ROMA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Michael H. Wigler, James B. Hicks, Alexander Krasnitz, Anders P. Zettenberg
  • Publication number: 20100186701
    Abstract: A method of purging air from an oil passage in communication with a lifter assembly in an engine assembly may include isolating the oil passage from a pressurized oil source while the lifter assembly is engaged with a base region of a cam lobe to operate the first lifter assembly in the activated mode. The pressurized oil may be provided to the lifter assembly via the oil passage after the isolating when the lifter assembly is engaged with a lift region of the cam lobe. The lifter assembly may be maintained in the activated mode after the providing. Air may be purged from the oil passage based on the pressurized oil provided to the oil passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: JAMES B. HICKS, WILLIAM C. ALBERTSON, MARK STABINSKY, MIKE M. MCDONALD
  • Patent number: 7765052
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle including an engine with cylinder deactivation comprises an engine time off module that determines an engine time off value. A re-purge determining module estimates a re-purge time required to purge a hydraulic control system of the engine of air before initiating cylinder deactivation. The re-purge time is estimated based on the engine time off value and an engine temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Michael J. Pitsch, James B. Hicks, William C. Albertson
  • Publication number: 20090150055
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle including an engine with cylinder deactivation comprises an engine time off module that determines an engine time off value. A re-purge determining module estimates a re-purge time required to purge a hydraulic control system of the engine of air before initiating cylinder deactivation. The re-purge time is estimated based on the engine time off value and an engine temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAS TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Michael J. Pitsch, James B. Hicks, William C. Albertson