Patents by Inventor Martin G. Foulkes

Martin G. Foulkes 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: 11543017
    Abstract: A sound reduction assembly includes a housing and a component supported via the housing. The component is movable relative to the housing. The sound reduction assembly includes a ring coupled to the component and the housing. The ring is configured to attenuate sound inducing vibrations in response to operation of the component. The ring includes a flange fixed relative to the housing to maintain a position of the ring relative to the component which maximizes attenuation of the sound in response to operation of the component. A method of utilizing a ring to attenuate sound inducing vibrations in response to operation of a component inside of a housing. A torque is selected to be applied to the ring. A stiffness of the ring is determined based on a stiffness-torque curve utilizing the selected torque to maximize attenuation of the sound. The ring is manufactured to meet the determined stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sen J. Zhou, John Miller, Martin G. Foulkes, Jeffrey D. Curtis, Jack M. Gayney
  • Publication number: 20220213955
    Abstract: A sound reduction assembly includes a housing and a component supported via the housing. The component is movable relative to the housing. The sound reduction assembly includes a ring coupled to the component and the housing. The ring is configured to attenuate sound inducing vibrations in response to operation of the component. The ring includes a flange fixed relative to the housing to maintain a position of the ring relative to the component which maximizes attenuation of the sound in response to operation of the component. A method of utilizing a ring to attenuate sound inducing vibrations in response to operation of a component inside of a housing. A torque is selected to be applied to the ring. A stiffness of the ring is determined based on a stiffness-torque curve utilizing the selected torque to maximize attenuation of the sound. The ring is manufactured to meet the determined stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sen J. Zhou, John Miller, Martin G. Foulkes, Jeffrey D. Curtis, Jack M. Gayney
  • Patent number: 9102373
    Abstract: A hinge pillar assembly includes a hinge pillar panel that is cast from a die casting process, and that defines an interior surface. An acoustic foam layer is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the hinge pillar panel. An inner retainer panel is attached to the hinge pillar panel. The inner retainer panel secures the acoustic foam layer between the inner retainer panel and the hinge pillar panel. The hinge pillar assembly is cast to define a cored boss that is used to retain the hinge pillar panel within an upper ejector half of a die set during the casting process. A fastener is disposed in the threaded engagement with the cored boss to attach the inner retainer panel to the hinge pillar panel. A vehicle component may be attached to the inner retainer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Martin G. Foulkes, William P. Ciaramitaro, Jack E. Brown, Michael W. Davenport, Keith J. Saari
  • Publication number: 20150145286
    Abstract: A hinge pillar assembly includes a hinge pillar panel that is cast from a die casting process, and that defines an interior surface. An acoustic foam layer is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the hinge pillar panel. An inner retainer panel is attached to the hinge pillar panel. The inner retainer panel secures the acoustic foam layer between the inner retainer panel and the hinge pillar panel. The hinge pillar assembly is cast to define a cored boss that is used to retain the hinge pillar panel within an upper ejector half of a die set during the casting process. A fastener is disposed in the threaded engagement with the cored boss to attach the inner retainer panel to the hinge pillar panel. A vehicle component may be attached to the inner retainer panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Martin G. Foulkes, William P. Ciaramitaro, Jack E. Brown, Michael W. Davenport, Keith J. Saari