Patents by Inventor Mary A. Jeffers

Mary A. Jeffers 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).

  • Variable battery refresh charging cycles
    Patent number: 7570022
    Abstract: A refresh control system that selectively initiates a refresh charge cycle includes an energy storage device and an electric machine that is operable to charge the energy storage device. A control module monitors a usage period of the energy storage device and determines a bias factor. The control module determines a modified usage period threshold based on a usage period threshold and the bias factor. The control module regulates the electric machine to initiate a refresh charge cycle of the energy storage device when the usage period exceeds the modified usage period threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Zettel, Damon R. Frisch, Mary A. Jeffers, Goro Tamai, Brian J. Koch
  • System and method for monitoring an electrical power relay in a hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 7557583
    Abstract: A method and system to monitor a high voltage power relay operable to conduct electrical power from a source to a load, during each vehicle shutdown event. The system includes the electrical relay with a resistive device, electrically connected in parallel circuit, a controllable electrical load device, and a sensing device. A controller is connected to the electrical relay and each sensing device, and operable to identify a low electrical load condition at the load. The controller commands the load to operate at a known current draw level, commands the relay open, and monitors a change in power to the load device when the relay is commanded open. The electrical relay is functioning properly when the change in electrical power to the load exhibits a known profile over time, when the electrical relay is controlled to the commanded-open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Zettel, Michael J. Miller, James C. Gibbs, Mary A. Jeffers
  • System and method for monitoring an electrical power relay in a hybrid electric vehicle
    Publication number: 20070115604
    Abstract: A method and system to monitor a high voltage power relay operable to conduct electrical power from a source to a load, during each vehicle shutdown event. The system includes the electrical relay with a resistive device, electrically connected in parallel circuit, a controllable electrical load device, and a sensing device. A controller is connected to the electrical relay and each sensing device, and operable to identify a low electrical load condition at the load. The controller commands the load to operate at a known current draw level, commands the relay open, and monitors a change in power to the load device when the relay is commanded open. The electrical relay is functioning properly when the change in electrical power to the load exhibits a known profile over time, when the electrical relay is controlled to the commanded-open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew Zettel, Michael Miller, James Gibbs, Mary Jeffers
  • On-board battery refresh charging
    Publication number: 20060176024
    Abstract: A refresh control system that selectively initiates a refresh charge cycle includes an energy storage device and an electric machine that is operable to charge the energy storage device. A control module monitors a usage period of the energy storage device and determines a bias factor. The control module determines a modified usage period threshold based on a usage period threshold and the bias factor. The control module regulates the electric machine to initiate a refresh charge cycle of the energy storage device when the usage period exceeds the modified usage period threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Zettel, Damon Frisch, Mary Jeffers, Goro Tamai, Brian Koch