Patents by Inventor John W. Pennala

John W. Pennala 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: 10688975
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for application of a park hold assist system in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to receive an activation signal and to determine that the vehicle is in a park hold assist condition, such as inclined road surface, attached trailer or wheel rotation while transmission is in the park position. The system is operative to apply the hydraulic brakes in response to this condition thereby engaging a brake mechanism on all wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Todd J. Brinkman, John W. Pennala, Eric E. Krueger, Harold B. Thibodeau, Frank R. Bruneel, II
  • Publication number: 20200172058
    Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a vehicle includes receiving, by a vehicle controller, sensor data representing a first operating condition of the vehicle from at least one sensor, determining, by the vehicle controller, a temperature of a vehicle braking system of the vehicle, determining, by the vehicle controller, if the temperature of the vehicle braking system exceeds a temperature threshold, and if the temperature of the vehicle braking system exceeds the temperature threshold, generating, by the vehicle controller, a control signal to move a moveable underbody feature from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy D. Demetrio, Joshua R. Auden, John W. Pennala
  • Publication number: 20190366990
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for application of a park hold assist system in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to receive an activation signal and to determine that the vehicle is in a park hold assist condition, such as inclined road surface, attached trailer or wheel rotation while transmission is in the park position. The system is operative to apply the hydraulic brakes in response to this condition thereby engaging a brake mechanism on all wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Todd J. Brinkman, John W. Pennala, Eric E. Krueger, Harold B. Thibodeau, Frank R. Bruneel II
  • Publication number: 20180128334
    Abstract: A brake pad monitoring sensor includes an erodible, electrically non-conductive body, and an electrical circuit disposed within the body. The electrical circuit includes a first wear indicating portion. Electrical continuity of the first wear indicating portion is broken when the body erodes, in response to abrasion against a brake rotor, beyond a first depth relative to a contact surface of the body, to sense a first degree of wear. The electrical circuit includes a first thermocouple that is operable to generate a temperature dependent voltage signal for sensing a temperature of the brake pad. The brake pad monitoring sensor may be used to determine both brake pad wear, and brake pad temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John W. Pennala, Robert L. Nisonger, Phanu Amatyakul, Eric E. Krueger, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: 9964168
    Abstract: A brake pad monitoring sensor includes an erodible, electrically non-conductive body, and an electrical circuit disposed within the body. The electrical circuit includes a first wear indicating portion. Electrical continuity of the first wear indicating portion is broken when the body erodes, in response to abrasion against a brake rotor, beyond a first depth relative to a contact surface of the body, to sense a first degree of wear. The electrical circuit includes a first thermocouple that is operable to generate a temperature dependent voltage signal for sensing a temperature of the brake pad. The brake pad monitoring sensor may be used to determine both brake pad wear, and brake pad temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John W. Pennala, Robert L. Nisonger, Phanu Amatyakul, Eric E. Krueger, Steven J. Weber