Patents by Inventor John C. Ulicny
John C. Ulicny 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: 9815261Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Tao Xie, John C. Ulicny, William R. Rodgers, Nilesh D. Mankame, Xingcheng Xiao, Nancy L. Johnson, Jessica A. Schroeder, John N. Owens, Ingrid Rousseau, Hamid G. Kia, Paul E. Krajewski
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Patent number: 9525194Abstract: A method of reversibly connecting two substrates includes positioning an electrically conductive adhesive connector including a shape memory polymer (SMP) between the substrates, heating the connector to a temperature higher than the SMP transition temperature, applying a load and cooling the connector below the transition temperature to transform the connector to a conforming shape to form an adhesive bond attaching the substrates and providing an electrical connection therebetween. The method may include disconnecting the connector from the substrates by heating the connector above the SMP transition temperature, which may disrupt the electrical connection between the substrates. The connector may be a battery tab connector configured to connect a battery cell to another battery cell or a terminal. The connector may be releasable from the battery tab such that the battery tab is reusable after removal of the connector. The connector may be multi-layer and generally arcuate in a permanent shape.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John C. Ulicny, Blair E. Carlson, Tao Xie
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Patent number: 9334905Abstract: A clutch for selective transmission of torque and power, utilizing pairs of coded arrays of permanent magnets affixed respectively to the driving member and the driven member. A shape memory alloy actuator brings to driving member and the driven member into proximity to engage the clutch via a higher-order mutual magnetic correspondence between the coded magnetic regions of the permanent magnet arrays. Also provided is a clutch having a magnetorheological fluid between the driving member and the driven member, to increase the torque and power transfer through the fluid when its viscosity is increased by the magnetic field of the arrays in proximity. Sets of corresponding teeth on the driving member and driven member mesh when the rotation of the members is synchronized, providing positive direct drive to prolong the service life of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Shivaram Ac, John C. Ulicny
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Patent number: 9016318Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid-based device and method may include the use of magnetorheological (MR) fluid, a primary magnetic field to control the viscosity of the fluid, and a secondary magnetic field to reduce clumping of ferromagnetic particles.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Alan L. Browne, John C. Ulicny
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Publication number: 20150086791Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Tao Xie, John C. Ulicny, William R. Rodgers, Nilesh D. Mankame, Xingcheng Xiao, Nancy L. Johnson, Jessica A. Schroeder, John N. Owens, Ingrid Rousseau, Hamid G. Kia, Paul E. Krajewski
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Patent number: 8960382Abstract: A component defines at least one chamber that is confined by the component. The chamber has an inner surface. A filler material is disposed inside the chamber. Relative movement between the inner surface and the filler material helps dampen vibrations and other oscillations if and when the component is vibrated.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael D. Hanna, Mark A. Golden, John C. Ulicny
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Patent number: 8899104Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a method comprising providing a tire having a component constructed and arranged to cause at least one portion of the tire to have a first stiffness or resistance to force exerted thereon under a first condition and a second stiffness or resistance to force exerted thereon under a second condition and selectively causing the first or second condition to occur.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John C. Ulicny, William R. Rodgers, Tadeusz B. Pietrzyk, Keith S. Snavely, Mark A. Golden, Jonathan Darab
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Publication number: 20140102628Abstract: Some select variations may include methods, devices and systems for simultaneously treating a substrate and adhering or applying a bonding agent thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Hesham A. Ezzat, John C. Ulicny
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Patent number: 8616613Abstract: A device for concealing a seam between a first abutting surface of a first article and a second abutting surface of a second article, the device includes a seam concealment body fixedly attached to a selected one or both of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface, wherein the seam concealment body comprises an active material, wherein the active material is configured to transition between a first stiffness and a second stiffness upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the transition permits movement of a selected one or both of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface such that the seam concealment body deforms with the movement of the surface to maintain concealment of the seam.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Ukpai I. Ukpai, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Nancy L. Johnson, Gary L. Jones, John C. Ulicny
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Publication number: 20130270056Abstract: A clutch for selective transmission of torque and power, utilizing pairs of coded arrays of permanent magnets affixed respectively to the driving member and the driven member. A shape memory alloy actuator brings to driving member and the driven member into proximity to engage the clutch via a higher-order mutual magnetic correspondence between the coded magnetic regions of the permanent magnet arrays. Also provided is a clutch having a magnetorheological fluid between the driving member and the driven member, to increase the torque and power transfer through the fluid when its viscosity is increased by the magnetic field of the arrays in proximity. Sets of corresponding teeth on the driving member and driven member mesh when the rotation of the members is synchronized, providing positive direct drive to prolong the service life of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nilesh D. MANKAME, John C. Ulicny, Shivaram Ac
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Publication number: 20130186473Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid-based device and method may include the use of magnetorheological (MR) fluid, a primary magnetic field to control the viscosity of the fluid, and a secondary magnetic field to reduce clumping of ferromagnetic particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Alan L. Browne, John C. Ulicny
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Patent number: 8470193Abstract: Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are disclosed herein. An example of the MR fluid includes a carrier fluid, magnetic particles disposed in the carrier fluid, and non-magnetic particles disposed in the carrier fluid. The non-magnetic particles are particles of a shape memory alloy having an Austenite finish temperature (Af) that is lower than a temperature encountered in an application in which the MR fluid is used so that the shape memory alloy exhibits stress-induced superelasticity.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Peter Maxwell Sarosi, John C. Ulicny
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Publication number: 20130157104Abstract: A method of reversibly connecting two substrates includes positioning an electrically conductive adhesive connector including a shape memory polymer (SMP) between the substrates, heating the connector to a temperature higher than the SMP transition temperature, applying a load and cooling the connector below the transition temperature to transform the connector to a conforming shape to form an adhesive bond attaching the substrates and providing an electrical connection therebetween. The method may include disconnecting the connector from the substrates by heating the connector above the SMP transition temperature, which may disrupt the electrical connection between the substrates. The connector may be a battery tab connector configured to connect a battery cell to another battery cell or a terminal. The connector may be releasable from the battery tab such that the battery tab is reusable after removal of the connector. The connector may be multi-layer and generally arcuate in a permanent shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: John C. Ulicny, Blair E. Carlson, Tao Xie
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Patent number: 8361341Abstract: A magnetorheological composition includes a mixture of a carrier medium and a particle component disposed in the carrier medium. The particle component includes a magnetic material and a nonmagnetic material. The nonmagnetic material is present in the particle component in an amount of from about 5 to about 95 parts by volume based on 100 parts by volume of the particle component. The particle component is present in the magnetorheological composition in an amount of from about 20 to about 80 parts by volume based on 100 parts by volume of the magnetorheological composition. The magnetorheological composition has an on-state yield stress at magnetic saturation of from about 0.1 to about 100 kPa.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John C. Ulicny, Mark A. Golden, Keith S. Snavely, Prabhakar Marur
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Patent number: 8354158Abstract: A microfibrous article includes a substrate and a plurality of magnetic fibers disposed on the substrate. Each of the plurality of magnetic fibers is individually sheathed with a polymer and includes a plurality of magnetic particles. Further, each of the plurality of magnetic fibers is aligned along a magnetic field and not connected by the polymer to any adjacent magnetic fiber. A method of forming the microfibrous article is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Tao Xie, Hamid G. Kia, Man Zhang, John C. Ulicny
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Publication number: 20120261943Abstract: A device for concealing a seam between a first abutting surface of a first article and a second abutting surface of a second article, the device includes a seam concealment body fixedly attached to a selected one or both of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface, wherein the seam concealment body comprises an active material, wherein the active material is configured to transition between a first stiffness and a second stiffness upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the transition permits movement of a selected one or both of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface such that the seam concealment body deforms with the movement of the surface to maintain concealment of the seam.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Ukpai I. Ukpai, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Nancy L. Johnson, Gary L. Jones, John C. Ulicny
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Patent number: 8282153Abstract: A device for concealing a seam between a first and second surface includes a seam concealment body having a body surface, the body overlaying and attached to a first surface and a second surface, the body surface being substantially co-planar with a portion of the first and second surfaces, the seam concealment body configured to transition between a first shape and a second shape, wherein the transition permits movement of one or both of the first surface and the second surface such that the seam concealment body forms a hinge. The device also includes an active material in operative communication with the seam concealment body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the seam body from the first shape to the second shape.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Ukpai I. Ukpai, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Nancy L. Johnson, Gary L. Jones, John C. Ulicny
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Patent number: 8272214Abstract: A cable adapted for use as an actuator, adaptive structural member, or damper, includes a plurality of longitudinally inter-engaged and cooperatively functioning shape memory alloy wires.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, John Andrew Shaw, Benjamin Reedlunn, Alan L. Browne, Xiujie Gao, Paul W. Alexander, Jan H. Aase, Nancy L. Johnson, Kenneth A. Strom, Sanjeev M. Naik, Chandra S. Namuduri, Robin Stevenson, William R. Rodgers, John C. Ulicny, Christopher P. Henry, Paul E. Krajewski, Ravindra Brammajyosula
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Publication number: 20120234488Abstract: One embodiment includes a magnetic particle-containing adhesive an adhesive including a polymer resin having a softening temperature; and magnetic particles dispersed within the polymer resin.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: John C. Ulicny, Paul E. Krajewski, Mark A. Golden, Keith S. Snavely
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Patent number: 8261892Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material and is adapted to control the displacement of the piston. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in operative communication with a piston; and activating an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, John C. Ulicny, Gary L. Jones, James C. O'Kane