Patents by Inventor Michael J. Lukitsch

Michael J. Lukitsch 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).

  • Publication number: 20090226715
    Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate and a substantially pure metal layer coated thereon. The substantially pure metal layer is configured to enhance the strength of the underlying substrate. A method is also disclosed for making a coated article by providing a substrate and coating a substantially pure metal layer thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Leonid C. Lev, Erkan Konca, Michael J. Lukitsch
  • Publication number: 20090116913
    Abstract: A cutting tool for machining metal workpieces using polycrystalline diamond cutting surfaces with interspersed guide surfaces and chip evacuation surfaces. When machining holes in cast aluminum alloy workpieces it is found that aluminum machining chips adhere to guide surfaces and chip evacuation surfaces and mar the machined surface. It is found that when the guide and chip evacuation surfaces are coated with a diamond-like carbon material, aluminum chips do not mar the machined surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Michael J. Lukitsch, Anil K. Sachdev, Leonid C. Lev
  • Publication number: 20090087716
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an assembly of metal oxide comprising valve metal oxide nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Curtis A. Wong, Youssef M. Mikhail, Michael J. Lukitsch
  • Patent number: 7480975
    Abstract: A fixture device generally includes a base member, a reconfigurable pad comprising a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece, and a thermoelectric unit in operative communication with the shape memory material of the reconfigurable pad. A process for operating a fixture device includes passing a current in a first direction through a thermoelectric unit in operative communication with a reconfigurable pad in an amount effective to heat a shape memory material therein to or above a shape setting temperature, contacting a surface of a workpiece with the reconfigurable pad, cooling the shape memory material below the shape setting temperature, and fixturing the workpiece with the fixture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Verbrugge, Jihui Yang, Yang T. Cheng, Michael J. Lukitsch, Alan L. Browne, Nilesh D. Mankame
  • Publication number: 20080134493
    Abstract: A separator assembly for use in a stack of electrochemical cells is provided, having a first conductive metallic substrate with a first surface and a second conductive metallic substrate with a second surface, wherein each of the first and second surfaces are overlaid with an ultra-thin electrically conductive metal coating. The first and second surfaces form electrically conductive paths at regions where the metal coating of the first and second layer contact one another. The contact of the surfaces overlaid with metal coating is sufficient to join the first and second substrates to one another. Preferred metal coatings comprise gold (Au). Methods of making such separator assemblies are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gayatri Vyas, Michael Budinski, Brian K. Brady, Michael J. Lukitsch, Harald Schlag
  • Patent number: 7344798
    Abstract: A separator assembly for use in a stack of electrochemical cells is provided, having a first conductive metallic substrate with a first surface and a second conductive metallic substrate with a second surface, wherein each of the first and second surfaces are overlaid with an ultra-thin electrically conductive metal coating. The first and second surfaces form electrically conductive paths at regions where the metal coating of the first and second layer contact one another. The contact of the surfaces overlaid with metal coating is sufficient to join the first and second substrates to one another. Preferred metal coatings comprise gold (Au). Methods of making such separator assemblies are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gayatri Vyas, Michael Budinski, Brian K Brady, Michael J Lukitsch, Harald Schlag
  • Patent number: 7294077
    Abstract: A belt for a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes at least one continuous band supported against a contact face in a slot formed in each of a plurality of transverse elements of the CVT. The band has a surface positioned against the contact face. This surface is coated with chromium nitride by physical vapor deposition to reduce wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yucong Wang, Sohail A. Khan, Beizhi Zhou, Reuben Sarkar, Michael J. Lukitsch, Yang-Tse Cheng, Anita M. Weiner
  • Patent number: 7195817
    Abstract: A diamond coated cutting tool is disclosed having a either steel or cemented carbide substrate. The interior layer disposed between the diamond coating and the substrate inhibits the diffusion of carbon and other species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Leonid C Lev, Yang T Cheng, Michael J Lukitsch, Anita M Weiner
  • Patent number: 7138066
    Abstract: A method of surface treating heat treated members to remove oxide scale. The heat treated members are subjected to a staged series of discrete chemical and physical cleaning steps yielding a substantially scale-free surface readily adaptable for subsequent application of protective coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid C. Lev, Michael J. Lukitsch, Yang-Tse Cheng, Anita M. Weiner, Robert F. Paluch
  • Patent number: 7060140
    Abstract: A self-healing tribological surface comprises a shape memory material. The self-healing tribological surface can be used for recovering a scratches and/or indentations in the surface. Processes for recovering scratches or indentations generally comprises forming a shape memory material onto the surface; scratching or indenting the surface; and heating an area about the scratch or indentation, wherein a depth of the scratch or the indentation decreases after heating as compared to the depth prior to heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, Michigan State University
    Inventors: Yang-Tse Cheng, Wangyang Ni, Michael J. Lukitsch, Anita M. Weiner, David S. Grummon
  • Patent number: 7005195
    Abstract: A material and method for adhering at least two materials that includes the step of interposing at least one intermediate layer between the two materials and associated adhesion material. The materials to be adhered exhibit at least one characteristic dissimilarity and the intermediate material interposed contains at least one shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy capable of exhibiting superelasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, Michigan State University
    Inventors: Yang-Tse Cheng, Wangyang Ni, Leonid Charles Lev, Michael J. Lukitsch, David S. Grummon, Anita M. Weiner
  • Patent number: 6866730
    Abstract: A material and method for adhering at least two materials that includes the step of interposing at least one intermediate layer between the two materials and associated adhesion material. The materials to be adhered exhibit at least one characteristic dissimilarity and the intermediate material interposed contains at least one shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy capable of exhibiting -superelasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, Michigan State University
    Inventors: Yang-Tse Cheng, Wangyang Ni, Leonid Charles Lev, Michael J. Lukitsch, David S. Grummon, Anita M. Weiner
  • Patent number: 6841235
    Abstract: A metallic nanowire having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a diameter less than 200 nanometers composed of at least one of bismuth, indium, tin, lead, zinc, antimony and alloys of the same and a method of making the same from a thin film composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Anita M. Weiner, Curtis A. Wong, Yang-Tse Cheng, Michael P. Balogh, Michael J. Lukitsch
  • Patent number: 6841013
    Abstract: A metallic nanowire having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a diameter less than 200 nanometers composed of at least one of bismuth, indium, tin, lead, zinc, antimony and alloys of the same and a method of making the same from a thin film composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Anita Miriam Weiner, Curtis A. Wong, Yang-Tse Cheng, Michael P. Balogh, Michael J. Lukitsch
  • Publication number: 20040202888
    Abstract: A self-healing tribological surface comprises a shape memory material. The self-healing tribological surface can be used for recovering a scratches and/or indentations in the surface. Processes for recovering scratches or indentations generally comprises forming a shape memory material onto the surface; scratching or indenting the surface; and heating an area about the scratch or indentation, wherein a depth of the scratch or the indentation decreases after heating as compared to the depth prior to heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Yang-Tse Cheng, Wangyang Ni, Michael J. Lukitsch, Anita M. Weiner, David S. Grummon
  • Publication number: 20040185291
    Abstract: A material and method for adhering at least two materials that includes the step of interposing at least one intermediate layer between the two materials and associated adhesion material. The materials to be adhered exhibit at least one characteristic dissimilarity and the intermediate material interposed contains at least one shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy capable of exhibiting superelasticity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Yang-Tse Cheng, Wangyang Ni, Leonid Charles Lev, Michael J. Lukitsch, David S. Grummon, Anita Miriam Weiner
  • Publication number: 20040146710
    Abstract: A metallic nanowire having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a diameter less than 200 nanometers composed of at least one of bismuth, indium, tin, lead, zinc, antimony and alloys of the same and a method of making the same from a thin film composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Anita M. Weiner, Curtis A. Wong, Yang-Tse Cheng, Michael P. Balogh, Michael J. Lukitsch