Patents by Inventor JOSHUA R. AUDEN

JOSHUA R. AUDEN 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: 9669885
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling an incident ambient airflow in a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body with a first vehicle body end configured to face the incident ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The system includes a duct providing a conduit for the incident airflow into the vehicle body. The system also includes a shutter assembly configured to control the airflow through the duct and thereby regulate a downforce acting on the first vehicle body end. The shutter assembly may include an adjustable louver, a mechanism configured to select the position for the louver between and inclusive of fully opened and fully closed, and a controller configured to regulate the mechanism. The vehicle may also have a heat-absorbing subassembly, and the duct can provide a conduit for the incident airflow to the heat-absorbing subassembly for cooling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fahland, Joshua R. Auden, David Dominguez
  • Publication number: 20170151984
    Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis with a first vehicle body end configured to face incident ambient airflow. The system includes an aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body and configured to generate a downforce thereon via controlling the incident ambient airflow. The system also includes an adjustable flap arranged at the aerodynamic-aid element. The adjustable flap is configured to shift relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby control movement of the incident ambient airflow relative to the aerodynamic-aid element. The system additionally includes a mechanism configured to vary position of the adjustable flap relative to the aerodynamic-aid element and thereby vary a magnitude of downforce generated by the aerodynamic-aid element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Samantha J. Bray, Joshua R. Auden, Jason D. Fahland, David Dominguez
  • Publication number: 20170106857
    Abstract: A method is provided for use with a vehicle collision system. The method includes identifying one or more objects along a side surface of the vehicle, determining a highest threat object based on the vehicle's trajectory relative to the one or more identified objects, calculating a time-to-collision between the highest threat object and the side surface of the vehicle, determining a remedial action by comparing the time-to-collision with at least one threshold, and initiating the remedial action to avoid a collision between the side surface of the vehicle and the highest threat object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Mohamed M. Nasser, Steve K. Dobos, Jerry D. Green, Fred W. Huntzicker, Joshua R. Auden
  • Publication number: 20170096180
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine generating exhaust gas flow and a vehicle body having a first body end facing oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion and an opposite second body end. A vehicle underbody section spans a distance between the first and second body ends. A diffuser disposed at the second body end controls an underbody airflow portion past the second body end. An exhaust duct discharges the exhaust gas via a duct outlet arranged between the underbody section and the diffuser. A first diffuser aperture aligns with the duct outlet for discharging the exhaust gas from the outlet to the ambient. A second diffuser aperture pulls at least a fraction of the underbody airflow over the duct outlet and through the first aperture. The first and second apertures accelerate the pulled underbody airflow to increase a downforce on the vehicle body at the second body end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David Dominguez, Jason D. Fahland, Joshua R. Auden
  • Publication number: 20170088200
    Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a body having a front end facing oncoming ambient airflow. The system includes a vehicle control device for receiving operator input to command a target vehicle dynamic response. A vehicle subsystem adjusts an actual vehicle dynamic response to the operator input. The system also includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element and a mechanism for varying the element's position to control movement of the airflow relative to the vehicle. At least one sensor detects the adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and communicates a feedback signal indicative of the detected vehicle dynamic response to a controller. The controller also determines a target position for the aerodynamic-aid element using the detected adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and regulates the aerodynamic-aid element to its target position via the mechanism to control the aerodynamics and achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward T. Heil, Jason S. Rhee, Hualin Tan, Joshua R. Auden, Jason D. Fahland
  • Publication number: 20170088193
    Abstract: A method can be executed to diagnose an aerodynamic system and includes the following steps: (a) determining, via a controller, a first expected downforce acting on an aerodynamic element of a vehicle based, at least in part, on a current position of the aerodynamic element relative to a vehicle body of the vehicle, wherein an electric motor is operatively coupled to the aerodynamic element; (b) determining, via the controller, a second expected downforce acting on the aerodynamic element of the vehicle based, at least in part, on an electrical current used to move the electric motor in order to move the aerodynamic element from the current position to another position; (c) determining a deviation, via the controller, based on the first expected downforce and the second expected downforce; and (d) controlling, via the controller, the aerodynamic element based, at least in part, on the deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward T. Heil, Joshua R. Auden
  • Publication number: 20170088106
    Abstract: A vehicle employing an active aerodynamic control system is described. A method for controlling the active aerodynamic control system includes determining a target acceleration downforce associated with an acceleration request and vehicle speed, determining a target braking downforce associated with a braking request and vehicle speed, and determining a target cornering downforce associated with a cornering request and vehicle speed. A maximum downforce request and a second greatest downforce request of the target acceleration downforce, the target braking downforce, and the target cornering downforce are determined. A preferred front/rear distribution of downforce is determined based upon the maximum downforce request and the second greatest downforce request. The active aerodynamic control system is controlled based upon the preferred front/rear distribution of downforce and the maximum downforce request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fahland, Edward T. Heil, Joshua R. Auden, Hualin Tan, David Dominguez
  • Publication number: 20170088192
    Abstract: A multi-wheeled vehicle employing an active aerodynamic control system is described. A method for controlling the vehicle and the active aerodynamic control system includes determining states of parameters related to ride and handling of the vehicle, and determining a current tractive effort based upon the states of parameters related to ride and handling of the vehicle. A desired tractive effort is determined based upon an operator desired acceleration, and an available tractive effort is determined based upon an available downforce transferable to the wheels from the active aerodynamic control system and downforces of the wheels. The active aerodynamic control system controls the downforce on one of the wheels to control the current tractive effort responsive to the desired tractive effort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Auden, Jason D. Fahland, David Dominguez, Edward T. Heil
  • Publication number: 20170088201
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor for propelling the vehicle and at least one active aerodynamic element configured to generate a variable amount of aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle also includes at least one driver input sensor configured to detect a driver input and generate a feedforward signal indicative of a desired behavior of the vehicle. The vehicle additionally includes a controller in communication with the at least one driver input sensor and the at least one active aerodynamic element and configured to regulate the at least one active aerodynamic element at least partially in response to the feedforward signal. A method for controlling such an active aerodynamic element and a system for controlling an aerodynamic downforce on a vehicle are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward T. Heil, Jason S. Rhee, Hualin Tan, Joshua R. Auden, Jason D. Fahland, Kevin Irwin
  • Publication number: 20170080770
    Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front end facing an ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The system includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body and thereby control movement of the airflow. The system additionally includes a sensor configured to detect a height of the vehicle body relative to a predetermined reference frame and a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the detected vehicle body height. The controller is also configured to determine a ride-height of the vehicle using the detected vehicle body height and to regulate the mechanism in response to the determined ride-height to control aerodynamics of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Irwin, Edward T. Heil, Jason D. Fahland, Joshua R. Auden, Steven A. Opiteck, David Dominguez, Chris Morgan
  • Publication number: 20160362133
    Abstract: A toe optimization system for a vehicle with first and second rear wheels defining a rear toe angle. The vehicle includes a plurality of sensors and first and second actuators operatively connected to the first and second rear wheels, respectively, for varying the rear toe angle. A controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for controlling the rear toe angle. Execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to select one of a plurality of vehicle states. Each of the plurality of vehicle states has a respective toe setting. The controller is configured to actuate the first and second actuators to vary the rear toe angle to the respective toe setting. By actively controlling the rear toe angle, the agility and stability of the vehicle can be optimized according to the specific vehicle state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Auden
  • Publication number: 20160304100
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, data indicating at least one of a tire tread temperature and a force distribution on a tire; determining, by the processor, a vehicle reference value based on the data; and controlling, by the processor, at least one feature of the vehicle based on the vehicle reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: HUALIN TAN, JOSHUA R. AUDEN, JASON D. FAHLAND, DAVID DOMINGUEZ
  • Publication number: 20160297477
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling a direction of a vehicle using aerodynamic forces. A rudder is positioned on a body of the vehicle. A control system is coupled to the rudder, and comprises a detection unit and a processor. The detection unit is configured to obtain sensor data for the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the detection unit, and is configured to at least facilitate obtaining a measured yaw rate for the vehicle using the sensor data, determining an intended yaw rate for the vehicle using the sensor data, and moving the rudder based at least in part on a comparison between the measured yaw rate and the intended yaw rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventor: JOSHUA R. AUDEN
  • Patent number: 9381957
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The vehicle additionally includes a spoiler assembly mounted to the vehicle body. The spoiler assembly includes a spoiler body configured to control a movement of the ambient airflow along the vehicle body. The spoiler body includes a frame having an upper side, a lower side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The spoiler body also includes a first fluid bladder arranged on the upper side of the frame and a second fluid bladder arranged on the lower side of the frame. The spoiler assembly also includes a mechanism configured to selectively supply and remove fluid from the first and second fluid bladders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Auden, Hesham A. Ezzat
  • Publication number: 20160167646
    Abstract: Methods and systems automatically controlling a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining that a vehicle operating mode has been selected by a user; and in response to the determining, automatically preparing at least one component of the vehicle for the vehicle operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: J. WILLIAM HANDZEL, JR., JOSHUA R. AUDEN