Patents by Inventor John E. Howard

John E. Howard 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: 11731703
    Abstract: An energy dissipation system for a frame of a vehicle includes a frame rail including a crushable region and a non-crushable region. An energy dissipation device includes an energy transfer portion arranged partially in the crushable region and partially in the non-crushable region and configured to move in response to a vehicle impact on the frame rail. An energy dissipation portion is arranged within the non-crushable region, connected to the energy transfer portion. The energy dissipation device includes a first region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the non-crushable region, and a second region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the energy transfer portion. The first region of the energy dissipation portion is stiffer than the second region of the energy dissipation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John E. Howard, Bradley Leier, Zohir Molhem
  • Publication number: 20220340204
    Abstract: An energy dissipation system for a frame of a vehicle includes a frame rail including a crushable region and a non-crushable region. An energy dissipation device includes an energy transfer portion arranged partially in the crushable region and partially in the non-crushable region and configured to move in response to a vehicle impact on the frame rail. An energy dissipation portion is arranged within the non-crushable region, connected to the energy transfer portion. The energy dissipation device includes a first region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the non-crushable region, and a second region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the energy transfer portion. The first region of the energy dissipation portion is stiffer than the second region of the energy dissipation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: John E. HOWARD, Bradley LEIER, Zohir MOLHEM
  • Patent number: 9676415
    Abstract: A vehicle having a structure is provided. The system includes a cradle mounted to the structure at a first position and a second position, the second position being spaced apart from the first position. A rear drive module is provided having a housing, the housing coupled to the cradle between the first position and the second position, the housing coupled to the cradle in at least two locations. At least one linkage is operably coupled to the housing on a first end and to the structure on a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daryl R. Poirier, James C. Holtgreven, Joseph A. Schudt, John E. Howard
  • Patent number: 9630576
    Abstract: A panel assembly includes a first panel and noise attenuation panel that is attached to the first panel. The noise attenuation panel includes a central portion having a length and a width. The central portion of the noise attenuation panel is spaced from the surface of the first panel by a gap distance to form a gas chamber between the surface of the first panel and the central portion of the noise attenuation panel. The panel assembly includes at least one wall structure that is disposed within the gas chamber. The wall structure extends between the central portion of the noise attenuation panel and the surface of the first panel, and includes a pattern that defines a fluid flow path through the gas chamber, which includes an effective length that is greater than both the length and the width of the central portion of the noise attenuation panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Stebbins, Qijun Zhang, Joseph A. Schudt, Andrew J. Baines, John E. Howard
  • Publication number: 20170088063
    Abstract: A panel assembly includes a first panel defining a surface, and a boom attenuation panel. The boom attenuation panel includes a circumferential edge, and a central portion. The boom attenuation panel is attached to the surface of the first panel, along the circumferential edge of the boom attenuation panel. The central portion of the boom attenuation panel is spaced from the surface of the first panel a gap distance to form a gas chamber between the surface of the first panel and the central portion of the boom attenuation panel. The gas chamber contains a gas that is moveable within the gas chamber in response to wave-like motion of the first panel. Movement of the gas increases the effective acoustic mass of the boom attenuation panel, and damped the wave-like motion of the first panel, which operates to reduce noise generated from the wave-like motion of the first panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Qijun Zhang, Mark A. Stebbins, Christopher A. Stirlen, Michael E. McGuire, Andrew J. Baines, John E. Howard, Joseph A. Schudt
  • Publication number: 20160263955
    Abstract: A vehicle having a structure is provided. The system includes a cradle mounted to the structure at a first position and a second position, the second position being spaced apart from the first position. A rear drive module is provided having a housing, the housing coupled to the cradle between the first position and the second position, the housing coupled to the cradle in at least two locations. At least one linkage is operably coupled to the housing on a first end and to the structure on a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Daryl R. Poirier, James C. Holtgreven, Joseph A. Schudt, John E. Howard
  • Patent number: 6893011
    Abstract: An upper strut assembly comprising a strut rod, a jounce bumper, a jounce bumper cup, and an upper strut mount attached to the strut rod by a fastener is disclosed. The strut rod extends about a vertical axis. The jounce bumper axially encompasses the strut rod. The jounce bumper cup includes an upper surface that is fixed about a top portion of the jounce bumper. The upper strut mount limits an anticipated peak force applied to the upper strut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Schudt, John E. Howard, Fan Li
  • Publication number: 20040178552
    Abstract: An upper strut assembly comprising a strut rod, a jounce bumper, a jounce bumper cup, and an upper strut mount attached to the strut rod by a fastener is disclosed. The strut rod extends about a vertical axis. The jounce bumper axially encompasses the strut rod. The jounce bumper cup includes an upper surface that is fixed about a top portion of the jounce bumper. The upper strut mount limits an anticipated peak force applied to the upper strut assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph A. Schudt, John E. Howard, Fan Li
  • Patent number: 6621179
    Abstract: A device for curtailing electric demand is suitable as a tool for responding to the real-time pricing of electrical energy or for reducing demand during power shortages. The device (104) according to the present invention works in conjunction with an energy management system (40), which receives demand signals from an electric meter (24). Upon executing a curtailment command sent to the device (104) through a communications network (48, 50, 102), device intercepts and biases the signal going to the energy management system (40), which, in effect, coerces it to reduce the demand upon the meter (24) and upon the electric grid (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: John E. Howard