Patents by Inventor Jan F. Herbst

Jan F. Herbst 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: 9914366
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a method including providing a battery, producing a first magnetic field so that a second magnetic field is induced in the battery, sensing a magnetic field resulting from the interaction of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, utilizing the sensed net magnetic field to determine the state of charge of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Meisner, Jan F. Herbst, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 9548150
    Abstract: New magnetic materials containing cerium, iron, and small additions of a third element are disclosed. These materials comprise compounds Ce(Fe12?xMx) where x=1-4, having the ThMn12 tetragonal crystal structure (space group I4/mmm, #139). Compounds with M=B, Al, Si, P, S, Sc, Co, Ni, Zn, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, and W are identified theoretically, and one class of compounds based on M=Si has been synthesized. The Si cognates are characterized by large magnetic moments (4?Ms greater than 1.27 Tesla) and high Curie temperatures (264?Tc?305° C.). The Ce(Fe12?xMx) compound may contain one or more of Ti, V, Cr, and Mo in combination with an M element. Further enhancement in Tc is obtained by nitriding the Ce compounds through heat treatment in N2 gas while retaining the ThMn12 tetragonal crystal structure; for example CeFe10Si2N1.29 has Tc=426° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chen Zhou, Frederick E. Pinkerton, Jan F. Herbst
  • Patent number: 9377328
    Abstract: A sensor includes a magnetic piece with a magnetic array, a conductive coil and ferromagnetic object. The magnetic array provides a spatially modulated magnetic field that is concentrated in the near-field. A processor calculates the ferromagnetic object's speed based on voltage induced in the conductive coil. The ferromagnetic object's movement through the magnetic field causes a change in the magnetic flux, and the rate of change is proportional to the induced voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jan F. Herbst
  • Patent number: 9289778
    Abstract: A magnetic separator system may include a rotating wheel, a conveyor belt drawn around the wheel, and at least one magnetic array. The pulley transports material mix through a spatially modulated magnetic field generated by the magnetic array. The magnetic array may be fixed in place on the pulley and directed towards the stream of material mix, or multiple magnetic arrays may be distributed on the conveyor belt or wheel of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Jan F. Herbst
  • Patent number: 9070873
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing torque and angular position of a rotating shaft may include a shaft with a magnetostrictive ring affixed to the shaft. The magnetostrictive ring may generate position-dependent magnetic fields relative to the shaft's rotation. A first sensor may measure a magnetic field that varies with angular position. A second sensor may measure a magnetic field that varies with torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jan F. Herbst
  • Patent number: 8872519
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a method including providing a battery, producing a first magnetic field so that a second magnetic field is induced in the battery, sensing a magnetic field resulting from the interaction of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, utilizing the sensed net magnetic field to determine the state of charge of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Meisner, Jan F. Herbst, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Publication number: 20140297084
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a method including providing a battery, producing a first magnetic field so that a second magnetic field is induced in the battery, sensing a magnetic field resulting from the interaction of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, utilizing the sensed net magnetic field to determine the state of charge of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory P. Meisner, Jan F. Herbst, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Publication number: 20140251500
    Abstract: New magnetic materials containing cerium, iron, and small additions of a third element are disclosed. These materials comprise compounds Ce(Fe12?xMx) where x=1-4, having the ThMn12 tetragonal crystal structure (space group I4/mmm, #139). Compounds with M=B, Al, Si, P, S, Sc, Co, Ni, Zn, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, and W are identified theoretically, and one class of compounds based on M=Si has been synthesized. The Si cognates are characterized by large magnetic moments (4?Ms greater than 1.27 Tesla) and high Curie temperatures (264?Tc?305° C.). The Ce(Fe12?xMx) compound may contain one or more of Ti, V, Cr, and Mo in combination with an M element. Further enhancement in Tc is obtained by nitriding the Ce compounds through heat treatment in N2 gas while retaining the ThMn12 tetragonal crystal structure; for example CeFe10Si2N1.29 has Tc=426° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: CHEN ZHOU, FREDERICK E. PINKERTON, JAN F. HERBST
  • Patent number: 8807159
    Abstract: A valve for an anti-lock brake system, wherein the anti-lock brake system is configured for controlling flow of a fluid, includes a housing defining a cavity therein and having a longitudinal axis, a valve seat disposed within the cavity so as to define a first passage for the fluid, and an armature disposed within the cavity so as to at least partially define a second passage for the fluid. The armature is translatable with respect to the valve seat along the longitudinal axis and matable with the valve seat to seal off fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage. The armature defines a surface that is substantially resistant to corrosion from the fluid, and the surface is substantially free from a coating including zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Guangling Song, Jan F. Herbst, Mark W. Verbrugge, Yar-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 8673048
    Abstract: Iron impurities may be removed from volumes of molten aluminum or magnesium metals or alloys by applying a static magnetic field gradient to each of the molten metal volumes, or melts. The magnetic field gradient is applied to each of the melts so that separate-phase iron impurities suspended therein will move in the direction of the applied magnetic field and become concentrated in a predetermined region of the of the melts, thereby forming an iron-rich region. The remaining iron-depleted region of each of the melts can be physically separated from the as-formed iron-rich region and cast into shaped articles of manufacture or into semi-finished articles for further processing. Such articles will have a lower iron-content than the original molten metal volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Guangling Song, Jan F. Herbst, Anil K. Sachdev
  • Publication number: 20130186807
    Abstract: A magnetic separator system may include a rotating wheel, a conveyor belt drawn around the wheel, and at least one magnetic array. The pulley transports material mix through a spatially modulated magnetic field generated by the magnetic array. The magnetic array may be fixed in place on the pulley and directed towards the stream of material mix, or multiple magnetic arrays may be distributed on the conveyor belt or wheel of the pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Jan F. Herbst
  • Publication number: 20130186209
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing torque and angular position of a rotating shaft may include a shaft with a magnetostrictive ring affixed to the shaft. The magnetostrictive ring may generate position-dependent magnetic fields relative to the shaft's rotation. A first sensor may measure a magnetic field that varies with angular position. A second sensor may measure a magnetic field that varies with torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jan F. HERBST
  • Publication number: 20130187638
    Abstract: A sensor includes a magnetic piece with a magnetic array, a conductive coil and ferromagnetic object. The magnetic array provides a spatially modulated magnetic field that is concentrated in the near-field. A processor calculates the ferromagnetic object's speed based on voltage induced in the conductive coil. The ferromagnetic object's movement through the magnetic field causes a change in the magnetic flux, and the rate of change is proportional to the induced voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jan F. HERBST
  • Publication number: 20130145899
    Abstract: Iron impurities may be removed from volumes of molten aluminum or magnesium metals or alloys by applying a static magnetic field gradient to each of the molten metal volumes, or melts. The magnetic field gradient is applied to each of the melts so that separate-phase iron impurities suspended therein will move in the direction of the applied magnetic field and become concentrated in a predetermined region of the of the melts, thereby forming an iron-rich region. The remaining iron-depleted region of each of the melts can be physically separated from the as-formed iron-rich region and cast into shaped articles of manufacture or into semi-finished articles for further processing. Such articles will have a lower iron-content than the original molten metal volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GUANGLING SONG, JAN F. HERBST, ANIL K. SACHDEV
  • Publication number: 20120285583
    Abstract: Useful permanent magnet materials are formed by processing molten alloys of cerium, iron, and boron to form permanent magnet compositions with appreciable coercivity and remanence. For example, Ce16.7Fe77.8B5.6 has been produced with coercivity, Hci of 6.18 kOe and remanence, Br of 4.92 kG. In one practice, streams of the molten alloy are rapidly quenched (e.g., by melt spinning) to form magnetically-soft melt-spun material which is suitably annealed to obtain permanent magnet properties. In another practice, the streams of molten alloy are quenched at a predetermined quench rate to directly obtain permanent magnet properties in the cerium-iron-boron material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Martin S. Meyer, Jan F. Herbst, Frederick E. Pinkerton
  • Publication number: 20120273710
    Abstract: A valve for an anti-lock brake system, wherein the anti-lock brake system is configured for controlling flow of a fluid, includes a housing defining a cavity therein and having a longitudinal axis, a valve seat disposed within the cavity so as to define a first passage for the fluid, and an armature disposed within the cavity so as to at least partially define a second passage for the fluid. The armature is translatable with respect to the valve seat along the longitudinal axis and matable with the valve seat to seal off fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage. The armature defines a surface that is substantially resistant to corrosion from the fluid, and the surface is substantially free from a coating including zinc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Guangling Song, Jan F. Herbst, Mark W. Verbrugge, Yar-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 8071064
    Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations yield results consistent with the observed compound SiLi2Mg and provide likelihood of the availability of IrLi2Mg and RhLi2Mg. Similar calculations provide likelihood of the availability of YLi2MgHn, ZrLi2MgHn, NbLi2MgHn, MoLi2MgHn, TcLi2MgHn, RuLi2MgHn, RhLi2MgHn, LaLi2MgHn, Ce4+Li2MgHn, Ce3+Li2MgHn, PrLi2MgHn, NdLi2MgHn, PmLi2MgHn, SmLi2MgHn, EuLi2MgHn, GdLi2MgHn, TbLi2MgHn, DyLi2MgHn, HoLi2MgHn, ErLi2MgHn, TmLi2MgHn, YbLi2MgHn, LuLi2MgHn, HfLi2MgHn, TaLi2MgHn, ReLi2MgHn, OsLi2MgHn, and IrLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jan F. Herbst, Martin S. Meyer, James R. Salvador
  • Patent number: 7968071
    Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations provide the likelihood of the availability of AlLi2MgHn, ScLi2MgHn, TiLi2MgHn, VLi2MgHn, CrLi2MgHn, MnLi2MgHn, FeLi2MgHn, CoLi2MgHn, NiLi2MgHn, CuLi2MgHn, ZnLi2MgHn, GaLi2MgHn, GeLi2MgHn, PdLi2MgHn, AgLi2MgHn, CdLi2MgHn, InLi2MgHn, SnLi2MgHn, SbLi2MgHn, PtLi2MgHn, AuLi2MgHn, HgLi2MgHn, TlLi2MgHn, PbLi2MgHn, and BiLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jan F. Herbst
  • Publication number: 20110091368
    Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations yield results consistent with the observed compound SiLi2Mg and provide likelihood of the availability of IrLi2Mg and RhLi2Mg. Similar calculations provide likelihood of the availability of YLi2MgHn, ZrLi2MgHn, NbLi2MgHn, MoLi2MgHn, TcLi2MgHn, RuLi2MgHn, RhLi2MgHn, LaLi2MgHn, Ce4+Li2MgHn, Ce3+Li2MgHn, PrLi2MgHn, NdLi2MgHn, PmLi2MgHn, SmLi2MgHn, EuLi2MgHn, GdLi2MgHn, TbLi2MgHn, DyLi2MgHn, HoLi2MgHn, ErLi2MgHn, TmLi2MgHn, YbLi2MgHn, LuLi2MgHn, HfLi2MgHn, TaLi2MgHn, ReLi2MgHn, OsLi2MgHn, and IrLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jan F. Herbst, Martin S. Meyer, James R. Salvador
  • Publication number: 20110038776
    Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations provide the likelihood of the availability of AlLi2MgHn, ScLi2MgHn, TiLi2MgHn, VLi2MgHn, CrLi2MgHn, MnLi2MgHn, FeLi2MgHn, CoLi2MgHn, NiLi2MgHn, CuLi2MgHn, ZnLi2MgHn, GaLi2MgHn, GeLi2MgHn, PdLi2MgHn, AgLi2MgHn, CdLi2MgHn, InLi2MgHn, SnLi2MgHn, SbLi2MgHn, PtLi2MgHn, AuLi2MgHn, HgLi2MgHn, TlLi2MgHn, PbLi2MgHn, and BiLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Jan F. Herbst