Patents by Inventor Jeffrey T. Wolak
Jeffrey T. Wolak 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: 8560254Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatus for testing an electrical system (e.g., of an electric vehicle) that includes a high voltage (HV) energy storage system, HV contactors, one or more energy consuming components, one or more energy supplying components, an HV bus, discharge circuitry, and a control system. The control system is adapted to perform a method that includes performing a first diagnostic test to test the functionality of the HV contactors, and performing a second diagnostic test to test the functionality of the discharge circuitry. When the first and second tests have passed, the control system allows the HV contactors to be closed to enable an exchange of energy between the HV energy storage system, the one or more energy consuming components, and the one or more energy supplying components.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Vernon L. Newhouse, Jeffrey T. Wolak
-
Patent number: 8054039Abstract: A battery charging system and method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle with power from an external power source, such as a standard 110 volt or 220 volt AC wall outlet. The method senses various internal and external conditions and uses this information to charge the plug-in electric vehicle in an optimum fashion that reduces charging time yet avoids damage to components of the charging system. In one embodiment, the battery charging system includes an external power source, a battery charger with sensors for monitoring the external power source and the charger, a battery unit with sensors for monitoring the battery, a battery charging control module for processing the information, and a user interface that allows user-specified custom charging constraints. All of these components, with the exception of external power source, may be located on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Vernon L. Newhouse, Jeffrey T. Wolak
-
Patent number: 8049372Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for precharging high-voltage buses. The precharge system comprises an energy source having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein a first voltage is equal to a potential difference between the first terminal and the second terminal. The precharge system further comprises a bus having a first rail and a second rail, wherein a second voltage is equal to a potential difference between the first rail and the second rail. A first contactor is coupled between the first terminal and the first rail and a second contactor is coupled between the second terminal and the second rail. A controller is coupled to the energy source, the bus, and the contactors. The controller is configured to activate the second contactor, and thereafter activate the first contactor if the magnitude of a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is less than a threshold tolerance.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Vernon L. Newhouse, Jason A. Nassar, Jeffrey T. Wolak
-
Patent number: 7831369Abstract: There is provided a method and executable code for controlling operation of a vehicle. The vehicle control occurs during ongoing operation subsequent to deactivating an internal combustion engine which is effective to generate vehicle tractive torque. The method comprises: monitoring conditions external to the vehicle, and, restarting the internal combustion engine when the monitored external conditions indicate an imminent opportunity to move the vehicle in a forward direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Sanjeev M. Naik, Man-Feng Chang, Jeffrey T. Wolak
-
Publication number: 20100250194Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatus for testing an electrical system (e.g., of an electric vehicle) that includes a high voltage (HV) energy storage system, HV contactors, one or more energy consuming components, one or more energy supplying components, an HV bus, discharge circuitry, and a control system. The control system is adapted to perform a method that includes performing a first diagnostic test to test the functionality of the HV contactors, and performing a second diagnostic test to test the functionality of the discharge circuitry. When the first and second tests have passed, the control system allows the HV contactors to be closed to enable an exchange of energy between the HV energy storage system, the one or more energy consuming components, and the one or more energy supplying components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: VERNON L. NEWHOUSE, JEFFREY T. WOLAK
-
Publication number: 20100156355Abstract: A battery charging system and method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle with power from an external power source, such as a standard 110 volt or 220 volt AC wall outlet. The method senses various internal and external conditions and uses this information to charge the plug-in electric vehicle in an optimum fashion that reduces charging time yet avoids damage to components of the charging system. In one embodiment, the battery charging system includes an external power source, a battery charger with sensors for monitoring the external power source and the charger, a battery unit with sensors for monitoring the battery, a battery charging control module for processing the information, and a user interface that allows user-specified custom charging constraints. All of these components, with the exception of external power source, may be located on the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Vernon L. Newhouse, Jeffrey T. Wolak
-
Publication number: 20100057282Abstract: A method for communicating between a battery charger and a battery control unit in a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of forming a first message with at least a renewable energy storage system (RESS) command and a command security measure for the RESS command, transmitting the first message from the battery control unit to the battery charger, forming a second message in response to the first message with at least an RESS response and a response security measure for the RESS response, and transmitting the second message from the battery charger to the battery control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: KERFEGAR K. KATRAK, JEFFREY T. WOLAK, GERY J. KISSEL
-
Publication number: 20100001582Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for precharging high-voltage buses. The precharge system comprises an energy source having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein a first voltage is equal to a potential difference between the first terminal and the second terminal. The precharge system further comprises a bus having a first rail and a second rail, wherein a second voltage is equal to a potential difference between the first rail and the second rail. A first contactor is coupled between the first terminal and the first rail and a second contactor is coupled between the second terminal and the second rail. A controller is coupled to the energy source, the bus, and the contactors. The controller is configured to activate the second contactor, and thereafter activate the first contactor if the magnitude of a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is less than a threshold tolerance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Vernon L. NEWHOUSE, Jason A. NASSAR, Jeffrey T. WOLAK