Patents by Inventor Joel P. Ruschman

Joel P. Ruschman 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: 11572108
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a first vehicle having a deflection system, a control system includes a controller electronically connected to the deflection system, and a first tow connection, the deflection system including a movable deflection member and at least one actuator coupled to the deflection member, providing a second vehicle coupled to the first vehicle, the second vehicle having a second tow connection, providing at least one sensor coupled to the first vehicle and electronically connected to the control system, the at least one sensor configured to capture data corresponding to a frontal area of the second vehicle, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the at least one sensor, and automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the at least one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joel P. Ruschman, David T. Renke, Joseph M. Polewarczyk
  • Patent number: 11440597
    Abstract: A rear wing for a motor vehicle includes a first end, a second end, and an aerodynamic surface including a pressure side extending between the first end and the second end, a first end plate is arranged at the first end, and a second end plate is arranged at the second end. At least one of the first end plate and the second end plate includes a selectively deployable aerodynamic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Cunningham, Adam Golembeski, Alexander N. Nastov, David C. Caples, Joel P. Ruschman
  • Publication number: 20220041228
    Abstract: A rear wing for a motor vehicle includes a first end, a second end, and an aerodynamic surface including a pressure side extending between the first end and the second end, a first end plate is arranged at the first end, and a second end plate is arranged at the second end. At least one of the first end plate and the second end plate includes a selectively deployable aerodynamic surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew T. Cunningham, Adam Golembeski, Alexander N. Nastov, David C. Caples, Joel P. Ruschman
  • Publication number: 20200353997
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a first vehicle having a deflection system, a control system includes a controller electronically connected to the deflection system, and a first tow connection, the deflection system including a movable deflection member and at least one actuator coupled to the deflection member, providing a second vehicle coupled to the first vehicle, the second vehicle having a second tow connection, providing at least one sensor coupled to the first vehicle and electronically connected to the control system, the at least one sensor configured to capture data corresponding to a frontal area of the second vehicle, monitoring, by the controller, sensor data received from the at least one sensor, and automatically generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the at least one actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joel P. Ruschman, David T. Renke, Joseph M. Polewarczyk
  • Patent number: 9409529
    Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein, and a camera including a lens. The camera is disposed in a deployed position such that the lens protrudes from the cavity. The camera system includes a debris region covering the lens and a duct disposed within the cavity. The duct defines a channel therein and has a first end spaced apart from the camera and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The duct is configured for directing an airstream through the channel from the first end to the debris region. A vehicle including the camera system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Dziurda, Joel P. Ruschman, Frank W. Meinert, Caroline Chung
  • Publication number: 20160096486
    Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein, and a camera including a lens. The camera is disposed in a deployed position such that the lens protrudes from the cavity. The camera system includes a debris region covering the lens and a duct disposed within the cavity. The duct defines a channel therein and has a first end spaced apart from the camera and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The duct is configured for directing an airstream through the channel from the first end to the debris region. A vehicle including the camera system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert A. Dziurda, Joel P. Ruschman, Frank W. Meinert, Caroline Chung
  • Patent number: 8882176
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface, and also having a second body end opposite of the first body end. The vehicle also includes an underbody portion configured to span a distance between the first and second body ends and define a space between the vehicle body and the road surface. The vehicle additionally includes an active diffuser assembly disposed at the second end and configured to control the airflow past the underbody portion through the space between the vehicle body and the road surface and out to the ambient. The active diffuser assembly includes a panel configured to selectively extend into and retract from the ambient airflow aft of the second end. The active diffuser assembly also includes a first device configured to extend the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas H. Froling, Joel P. Ruschman, Joshua L. Thurter, Chris Piscitelli
  • Publication number: 20140097638
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface, and also having a second body end opposite of the first body end. The vehicle also includes an underbody portion configured to span a distance between the first and second body ends and define a space between the vehicle body and the road surface. The vehicle additionally includes an active diffuser assembly disposed at the second end and configured to control the airflow past the underbody portion through the space between the vehicle body and the road surface and out to the ambient. The active diffuser assembly includes a panel configured to selectively extend into and retract from the ambient airflow aft of the second end. The active diffuser assembly also includes a first device configured to extend the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas H. Froling, Joel P. Ruschman, Joshua L. Thurber, Chris Piscitelli