Patents by Inventor Michael J. Kutcher

Michael J. Kutcher 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).

  • Methods and systems for conditioning energy storage systems of vehicles
    Patent number: 8679658
    Abstract: A method for conditioning an energy storage system for a vehicle located in a geographic area includes the steps of obtaining data pertaining to an external temperature of the geographic area, measuring a temperature of the energy storage system, heating the energy storage system if the temperature is less than a first predetermined threshold, and cooling the energy storage system if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined threshold. The first predetermined threshold is dependent upon the external temperature. The second predetermined threshold is also dependent upon the external temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rolf B. Karlsson, George M. Claypole, Michael J. Kutcher, Richard A. Marsh, Keith R. Kabel
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONDITIONING ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS OF VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20100304193
    Abstract: A method for conditioning an energy storage system for a vehicle located in a geographic area includes the steps of obtaining data pertaining to an external temperature of the geographic area, measuring a temperature of the energy storage system, heating the energy storage system if the temperature is less than a first predetermined threshold, and cooling the energy storage system if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined threshold. The first predetermined threshold is dependent upon the external temperature. The second predetermined threshold is also dependent upon the external temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ROLF B. KARLSSON, GEORGE M. CLAYPOLE, MICHAEL J. KUTCHER, RICHARD A. MARSH, KEITH R. KABEL
  • Aerodynamic closure for wheel housing liner of a vehicle and method of applying the closure to reduce drag
    Patent number: 6276746
    Abstract: In a vehicle with a wheel housing, a tire and a wheel housing liner, a closure for the wheel housing liner comprising first and second brushes connected to the wheel housing liner, wherein the first brush is inside the wheel housing at a side away from a center of the vehicle near an outside periphery of a tire, and wherein the second brush is inside the wheel housing around a suspension opening contour, wherein the brushes reduce flow of outside air that enters the wheel housing and circulates in the housing, thereby reducing aerodynamic friction and increasing vehicle efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Garvin Gentry, George M. Claypole, Michael J. Kutcher