Patents by Inventor MARK ANDREW STEFFKA

MARK ANDREW STEFFKA 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: 9905914
    Abstract: Slot antennas built into metallic body panels utilize the vehicle body itself as an antenna radiator. Building the slot antennas directly into the metallic body panels converts the vehicle body from functioning as an RF shield into an RF antenna, which significantly improves mobile communication reception for a wide range of RF communication devices. Different types of slot antennas may be included for different communication channels utilized by different types of devices. Multi-band slot antennas are configured to receive multiple bands within a larger frequency channel. Dual-polarity antennas are configured to receive signals propagating in a dual-polarity mode. Multiple slot components may be configured as multi-band, dual-polarity antennas. Each slot antenna may be passive (without an RF pickup) or active with an RF pickup and coaxial cable connecting the antenna to an electronic device, such as receiver or amplifier located inside or otherwise interconnected with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kobi Jacob Scheim, Mark Andrew Steffka, Moshe Laifenfeld, Scott W. Piper
  • Publication number: 20160197398
    Abstract: Slot antennas built into metallic body panels utilize the vehicle body itself as an antenna radiator. Building the slot antennas directly into the metallic body panels converts the vehicle body from functioning as an RF shield into an RF antenna, which significantly improves mobile communication reception for a wide range of RF communication devices. Different types of slot antennas may be included for different communication channels utilized by different types of devices. Multi-band slot antennas are configured to receive multiple bands within a larger frequency channel. Dual-polarity antennas are configured to receive signals propagating in a dual-polarity mode. Multiple slot components may be configured as multi-band, dual-polarity antennas. Each slot antenna may be passive (without an RF pickup) or active with an RF pickup and coaxial cable connecting the antenna to an electronic device, such as receiver or amplifier located inside or otherwise interconnected with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Kobi Jacob Scheim, Mark Andrew Steffka, Moshe Laifenfeld, Scott W. Piper
  • Patent number: 8937401
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a drive system is provided for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle that provides reduces electromagnetic emissions. The system includes, but is not limited to, an electric motor and a transmission having a collar for receiving a portion of a drive shaft. The collar has an inside diameter proportioned to an outside diameter of the drive shaft to cause capacitive coupling between the transmission and the drive shaft thereby reducing electromagnetic emissions along the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Campbell, Mark Andrew Steffka, Nicholas Hayden Herron
  • Patent number: 8624427
    Abstract: Vehicular electrical systems are provided. The vehicular electrical systems include a source device including an electrical component, a load device, and a cable assembly interconnecting the source device and the load device. The cable assembly includes a conductive core electrically interconnecting the electrical component and the load device, a conductive shield surrounding and being electrically insulated from the conductive core, the conductive shield having a first portion and a second portion, and an insulating body positioned between the first and second portions of the conductive shield such that the first and second portions of the conductive shield are electrically separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Steffka, William C. Goodwin, Jeremy B. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20120279790
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a drive system is provided for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle that provides reduces electromagnetic emissions. The system includes, but is not limited to, an electric motor and a transmission having a collar for receiving a portion of a drive shaft. The collar has an inside diameter proportioned to an outside diameter of the drive shaft to cause capacitive coupling between the transmission and the drive shaft thereby reducing electromagnetic emissions along the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy B. CAMPBELL, Mark Andrew STEFFKA, Nicholas Hayden HERRON
  • Publication number: 20110260530
    Abstract: Vehicular electrical systems are provided. The vehicular electrical systems include a source device including an electrical component, a load device, and a cable assembly interconnecting the source device and the load device. The cable assembly includes a conductive core electrically interconnecting the electrical component and the load device, a conductive shield surrounding and being electrically insulated from the conductive core, the conductive shield having a first portion and a second portion, and an insulating body positioned between the first and second portions of the conductive shield such that the first and second portions of the conductive shield are electrically separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: MARK ANDREW STEFFKA, WILLIAM C. GOODWIN, JEREMY B. CAMPBELL