Patents by Inventor Nathan A. Wilmot

Nathan A. Wilmot 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: 20230406305
    Abstract: A measurement vehicle for use with a vehicle under a coastdown test on a surface includes a chassis including one or more wheels, and a propulsion system coupled to the chassis. The propulsion system is configured to drive the one or more wheels to move the measurement vehicle relative to the vehicle. The measurement vehicle includes at least one sensor configured to observe one or more conditions associated with the coastdown test and a communication system configured to transmit the one or more conditions to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nathan A. Wilmot, Nick Brian Smith
  • Patent number: 10825344
    Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a fleet and positioning vehicles in the fleet are disclosed. The system comprises a data transmission interface and a data processing unit. The data processing unit sends data to and receives data from the data transmission interface. The data processing unit determines an itinerary of each of a group of vehicles requesting to join a fleet. The data processing unit compares the itinerary of all vehicles of the group of vehicles. The data processing unit determines a second vehicle to form a fleet with a first vehicle from the group of vehicles. The data transmission interface communicates to the first vehicle a proposal to form a fleet with the second vehicle. The data processing unit determines if the first vehicle accepts the proposal, and if yes, determines instructions for the first vehicle how to join the fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rohit Belapurkar, Nathan A. Wilmot
  • Publication number: 20190236959
    Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a fleet and positioning vehicles in the fleet are disclosed. The system comprises a data transmission interface and a data processing unit. The data processing unit sends data to and receives data from the data transmission interface. The data processing unit determines an itinerary of each of a group of vehicles requesting to join a fleet. The data processing unit compares the itinerary of all vehicles of the group of vehicles. The data processing unit determines a second vehicle to form a fleet with a first vehicle from the group of vehicles. The data transmission interface communicates to the first vehicle a proposal to form a fleet with the second vehicle. The data processing unit determines if the first vehicle accepts the proposal, and if yes, determines instructions for the first vehicle how to join the fleet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rohit Belapurkar, Nathan A. Wilmot
  • Patent number: 9009618
    Abstract: A method of tracking status and progress of a process is presented and described herein. The method provides a plurality of markers that can be visualized in three dimensions, where each of the plurality of markers represents a respective trackable event. The markers are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration that visually indicates current status of a plurality of trackable events corresponding to the plurality of markers, and the three-dimensional configuration is updated over time to visually indicate an updated status of the plurality of trackable events. The markers and the three-dimensional configuration may be realized using a tangible model or a virtual model that is generated and rendered on a display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Schone, Timothy J. Herrick, Nathan A. Wilmot, Dennis J. Pastor, Jamie L. Pickett, Kevin T. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20120317508
    Abstract: A method of tracking status and progress of a process is presented and described herein. The method provides a plurality of markers that can be visualized in three dimensions, where each of the plurality of markers represents a respective trackable event. The markers are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration that visually indicates current status of a plurality of trackable events corresponding to the plurality of markers, and the three-dimensional configuration is updated over time to visually indicate an updated status of the plurality of trackable events. The markers and the three-dimensional configuration may be realized using a tangible model or a virtual model that is generated and rendered on a display element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. SCHONE, Timothy J. HERRICK, Nathan A. WILMOT, Dennis J. PASTOR, Jamie L. PICKETT, Kevin T. QUINN
  • Patent number: 8267216
    Abstract: A cam lift and reset assembly includes a cam mounted on a rotatable shaft having a cam profile effective to provide a lifting force to a contacted part thereon upon rotation of the shaft and movement of the cam profile of the cam relative to the contacted part from a rest position to a lift position. The assembly also includes an active material in operative communication with the shaft, the active material being operative to change at least one property of the active material in response to an activation signal so as to effect rotation of the shaft. The assembly further includes a reset device in operative communication with the shaft to provide a reset force to the contacted part and counter-rotation of the shaft and movement of the cam profile of the cam relative to the contacted part from the lift position to the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Diann Brei, Nathan A. Wilmot, John Redmond
  • Patent number: 8185269
    Abstract: An active suspension system and method for controlling the height of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the active suspension system receives information from one or more input sources, including both internal and external vehicle inputs, and uses that information to actively control the vehicle height. By doing so, the active suspension system can reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and improve the vehicle's fuel economy, ride comfort, handling, and other aspects of operation. Some examples of external vehicle inputs that may be used include: short-range road and vehicle information, as well as long-range traffic, road and route information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yunjun Li, Timothy J. Herrick, Nancy McMahon, Steven A. Opiteck, John X. Cui, Loren J. Majersik, Nathan A. Wilmot
  • Publication number: 20110240436
    Abstract: A cam lift and reset assembly includes a cam mounted on a rotatable shaft having a cam profile effective to provide a lifting force to a contacted part thereon upon rotation of the shaft and movement of the cam profile of the cam relative to the contacted part from a rest position to a lift position. The assembly also includes an active material in operative communication with the shaft, the active material being operative to change at least one property of the active material in response to an activation signal so as to effect rotation of the shaft. The assembly further includes a reset device in operative communication with the shaft to provide a reset force to the contacted part and counter-rotation of the shaft and movement of the cam profile of the cam relative to the contacted part from the lift position to the rest position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Diann Brei, Nathan A. Wilmot, John Redmond
  • Patent number: 7823682
    Abstract: A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle hood and an underlying component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Diann Brei, Nathan A. Wilmot, John Redmond
  • Publication number: 20100152969
    Abstract: An active suspension system and method for controlling the height of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the active suspension system receives information from one or more input sources, including both internal and external vehicle inputs, and uses that information to actively control the vehicle height. By doing so, the active suspension system can reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and improve the vehicle's fuel economy, ride comfort, handling, and other aspects of operation. Some examples of external vehicle inputs that may be used include: short-range road and vehicle information, as well as long-range traffic, road and route information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yunjun Li, Timothy J. Herrick, Nancy McMahon, Steven A. Opiteck, John X. Cui, Loren J. Majersik, Nathan A. Wilmot
  • Patent number: 7455147
    Abstract: A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle hood and an underlying component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Diann Brei, John Redmond, Nathan A. Wilmot, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Gary L. Jones
  • Patent number: 7331616
    Abstract: A latch for engaging and disengaging two opposing surfaces includes a pin disposed on one surface and a gate disposed on an opposite surface; an active material in operative communication with the pin or the gate; an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an engagement or a disengagement of the pin or the gate from the other of the pin or the gate; and a spring in operative communication with the pin or the gate, wherein the spring is configured to provide a force opposite to a force provided by the active material, wherein the activated active material is effective to overcome the force provided by the spring
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, University of Michigan
    Inventors: Diann Brei, John Redmond, Nathan A. Wilmot, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Gary L. Jones
  • Patent number: 7233854
    Abstract: A method for controlling the speed in a vehicle includes adjusting at least one gain parameter based on a vehicle speed error and the displacement on demand mode of the engine. A new cruise throttle area is calculated from the adjusted gain parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Allen B. Rayl, Dennis M. Weglarz, James C. Champlin, Nathan A. Wilmot, James G. Gehringer, William R. Venner, III
  • Patent number: 7063377
    Abstract: A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle hood and an underlying component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, University of Michigan
    Inventors: Diann Brei, John Redmond, Nathan A. Wilmot, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Gary L. Jones