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).
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Publication number: 20230406305Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nathan A. Wilmot, Nick Brian Smith
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Patent number: 10825344Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Rohit Belapurkar, Nathan A. Wilmot
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Publication number: 20190236959Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Rohit Belapurkar, Nathan A. Wilmot
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Patent number: 9009618Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Gregory L. Schone, Timothy J. Herrick, Nathan A. Wilmot, Dennis J. Pastor, Jamie L. Pickett, Kevin T. Quinn
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Publication number: 20120317508Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Gregory L. SCHONE, Timothy J. HERRICK, Nathan A. WILMOT, Dennis J. PASTOR, Jamie L. PICKETT, Kevin T. QUINN
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Patent number: 8267216Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Diann Brei, Nathan A. Wilmot, John Redmond
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Patent number: 8185269Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yunjun Li, Timothy J. Herrick, Nancy McMahon, Steven A. Opiteck, John X. Cui, Loren J. Majersik, Nathan A. Wilmot
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Publication number: 20110240436Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Diann Brei, Nathan A. Wilmot, John Redmond
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Patent number: 7823682Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Diann Brei, Nathan A. Wilmot, John Redmond
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Publication number: 20100152969Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 7455147Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignees: General Motors Corporation, The University of MichiganInventors: Diann Brei, John Redmond, Nathan A. Wilmot, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Gary L. Jones
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Patent number: 7331616Abstract: 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 springType: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignees: General Motors Corporation, University of MichiganInventors: Diann Brei, John Redmond, Nathan A. Wilmot, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Gary L. Jones
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Patent number: 7233854Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Allen B. Rayl, Dennis M. Weglarz, James C. Champlin, Nathan A. Wilmot, James G. Gehringer, William R. Venner, III
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Patent number: 7063377Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignees: General Motors Corporation, University of MichiganInventors: Diann Brei, John Redmond, Nathan A. Wilmot, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Gary L. Jones