Patents by Inventor Nilesh D. Mankame

Nilesh D. Mankame 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).

  • Local energy absorber
    Patent number: 9381879
    Abstract: A vehicle hood covering an underhood object includes an inner surface of the vehicle hood facing the underhood object and spaced from the underhood object, and an outer surface of the vehicle hood opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. The local energy absorber is a multiply-connected structure. The local energy absorber includes a wall defining an interior surface having symmetry about a central plane normal to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. A plurality of apertures is defined in the wall symmetrically about the central plane to initiate buckling and fracture in the wall during an impact applied to the outer surface defining an impact event having a duration of less than 20 milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Hanif Muhammad, Louis G. Hector, Jr., Anil K. Sachdev
  • Architected automotive impact beam
    Patent number: 9376074
    Abstract: A curved sandwich impact structure for a vehicle having a micro-truss core. In one embodiment, the sandwich impact structure includes a micro-truss layer sandwiched between two facesheets, a micro-truss layer designed for energy absorption on the outside of one of the facesheets, and a fascia panel in contact with the energy absorbing micro-truss layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jacob M. Hundley, Nilesh D. Mankame, Alan J. Jacobsen, Eric C. Clough, Hanif Muhammad, Stuart J. Brown, Elisabeth J. Berger
  • Active material elements having reinforced structural connectors
    Patent number: 9353734
    Abstract: A load-carrying active material assembly and a method of preparing such an active material assembly suitable for attachment to a movable component of a mechanism is described. The assembly includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) element, a connector adapted to engage the moveable component mechanically crimped to the SMA element, and a filler material disposed intermediate the connector and SMA element. The filler may be a solder or a polymer. Methods for appropriately distributing the filler material and for promoting good adhesion of the filler to the SMA element and the connector are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Strom, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Jason R. Spenny
  • TEMPORARY ALIGNMENT OF COMPONENTS USING SPATIALLY MODULATED MAGNETIC FIELDS
    Publication number: 20160148733
    Abstract: Fixtureless self-alignment and orientation of components during an assembly process, and self-aligning/self-orienting components for assembly. Self-alignment and self-orientation are provided by integrating complementary spatially-modulated magnetic arrays into components requiring alignment and/or orientation during an assembly process. In addition to providing self-alignment/self-orientation, the spatially-modulated magnetic arrays also provide selective component placement and/or assembly order. Final assembly can involve permanent mechanical or adhesive fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: ROLAND J. MENASSA, NILESH D. MANKAME
  • LOCAL ENERGY ABSORBER
    Publication number: 20160129865
    Abstract: A vehicle hood covering an underhood object includes an inner surface of the vehicle hood facing the underhood object and spaced from the underhood object, and an outer surface of the vehicle hood opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. The local energy absorber is a multiply-connected structure. The local energy absorber includes a wall defining an interior surface having symmetry about a central plane normal to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. A plurality of apertures is defined in the wall symmetrically about the central plane to initiate buckling and fracture in the wall during an impact applied to the outer surface defining an impact event having a duration of less than 20 milliseconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Hanif Muhammad, Louis G. Hector, JR., Anil K. Sachdev
  • Hybrid coded magnets and SMA positive drive clutch
    Patent number: 9334905
    Abstract: A clutch for selective transmission of torque and power, utilizing pairs of coded arrays of permanent magnets affixed respectively to the driving member and the driven member. A shape memory alloy actuator brings to driving member and the driven member into proximity to engage the clutch via a higher-order mutual magnetic correspondence between the coded magnetic regions of the permanent magnet arrays. Also provided is a clutch having a magnetorheological fluid between the driving member and the driven member, to increase the torque and power transfer through the fluid when its viscosity is increased by the magnetic field of the arrays in proximity. Sets of corresponding teeth on the driving member and driven member mesh when the rotation of the members is synchronized, providing positive direct drive to prolong the service life of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Shivaram Ac, John C. Ulicny
  • Support system for magnetically supporting an object on a support
    Patent number: 9315321
    Abstract: A support system includes a support, a root magnet, an object, and a cover magnet. The root magnet is fixedly attached to the support. The cover magnet is fixedly attached to the object. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to be magnetically attracted to one another such that the object is magnetically attached to the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are aligned with one another in an attachment arrangement. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to magnetically repel one another such that the object is detached from the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are unaligned with one another in a detachment arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Albert H. Butlin, Jr., Roland Menassa
  • PASSENGER CABIN INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160096412
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring environmental conditions in an interior portion of a vehicle. The system and method include a plurality of sensors that monitor environmental conditions in the interior portion of the vehicle and a controller that is programmed to receive sensor signals and compile indexes based on one or more of the sensor signals, built-in control logic and a history of user preferences. The controller is further programmed to determine if one or more predetermined threshold environmental conditions have been reached and to provide countermeasures when one or more of the predetermined thresholds has been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: NILESH D. MANKAME, NANCY L. JOHNSON, DONALD K. GRIMM
  • CELLULAR MATERIALS BASED MOLDS WITH LOWER CYCLE TIME
    Publication number: 20160089825
    Abstract: A mold comprising a scaffolding support structure including a base member, a top member and side members defining an enclosure. The scaffolding structure further includes a plurality of interconnected and elongated support members interspersed within the enclosure between the base member and the top member so as to define open space within the enclosure for ease of heating and cooling fluid flow, and a plurality of flow partitions within the enclosure. An intermediate layer is formed on the top member and a working surface layer is formed on the intermediate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Julien P. Mourou, James E. Osbourn
  • APPROACHES FOR WELDING SANDWICH STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20160089868
    Abstract: Methods for welding sandwich structures together, especially vehicle structures, where the structures include two opposing face sheets with a core, such as a micro-truss core, therebetween. In one embodiment, two sandwich structures are butt welded together. A cooling fluid barrier is provided at an end of the core between the face sheets to prevent cooling fluid from entering the core during the welding process, where the cooling barrier can be a micro-truss structure and can include cooling fluid channels. A welding insert is inserted into the end of one of the structures adjacent to the cooling barrier, and is welded to the other structure to secure the structures together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Nilesh D. Mankame
  • JOINING APPROACHES FOR SANDWICH STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20160089753
    Abstract: A method for securing sandwich structures together, especially vehicle structures. In one embodiment, two sandwich structures are perpendicularly secured together, where a first one of the sandwich structures includes a micro-truss core having one unit cell geometry and second one of the sandwich structures includes a micro-truss core having different unit cell geometry. The micro-truss core of the second sandwich structure includes a micro-truss extension fabricated at the same time as the micro-truss core and having the same unit cell geometry as the micro-truss core for the first sandwich structure. The extension is inserted in an open area between face sheets in the first sandwich structure so that it abuts against the micro-truss core in the first sandwich structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Nilesh D. MANKAME, Jan H. AASE, Mark O. VANN
  • MICROTRUSS REPLACING STRUCTURAL FOAM IN BODY STRUCTURAL APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20160059897
    Abstract: A vehicle structural member, such as a rocker panel, including a micro-truss core. The structural member includes specially configured and opposing outer panels that are welded together to define a channel therein, where the micro-truss core is placed in one of the panels or is fabricated to one of the panels during the micro-truss fabrication process before the panels are secured together. The micro-truss core can include separate individual sections, where each section has a tailored stiffness for that location in the member, or the micro-truss core can be a continuous core, where different sections along the length of the core are fabricated with different stiffnesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: STEVEN C. LANG, NILESH D. MANKAME, JOSEPH M. POLEWARCZYK
  • Intrinsic monitoring of shape memory alloy actuated devices
    Patent number: 9267493
    Abstract: Some on-vehicle devices, such as air dams, air spoilers, and HVAC system baffles, may have movable components that are pulled from one position to another by shrinkage of a linear shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. Upon an activation signal, the shrinkage of the SMA actuator occurs when it is resistance heated by an electrical current. It is found that useful information concerning the overall intended operation of the on-vehicle device may be obtained by computer analysis of the temporal variation of both current flow through the actuator and its electrical resistance as it is heated to perform its function in the device. A comparison of present current flow and variation of resistance, during activation of the device, with prescribed stored values can reveal malfunction of components of the device as it is being used, in place, on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Xiujie Gao, Nilesh D. Mankame, Guillermo A. Herrera, Geoffrey P. McKnight
  • DESIGNS AND PROCESSES FOR USING DISCRETE STIFFENERS TO CREATE LIGHT, STIFF AND STRONG AUTOMOTIVE STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20160039360
    Abstract: A technique for providing localized stiffening of a vehicle trim panel, especially for high curvature areas. The vehicle trim panel includes an outer panel having an outer show surface and an inner surface. A plurality of discrete reinforcement elements are bonded to the inner surface of the outer panel at locations where localized stiffening is desired. The discrete elements can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, where the combination of elements and the number of elements is selected for a particular trim panel stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, MARK O. VANN, JULIEN P. MOUROU, STEVEN C. LANG
  • PROCESS FOR SECURING A MICRO-TRUSS STRUCTURE TO A PANEL
    Publication number: 20160039193
    Abstract: A process for reinforcing a trim panel for a vehicle using one or more micro-truss reinforcement patches. Each micro-truss reinforcement patch is secured to an inner surface of a show surface panel of the trim panel while it is in a partially cured state and then fully cured. The micro-truss patch is fusion bonded to the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Jacob M. Hundley, Julien P. Mourou, Steven C. Lang
  • PROCESS FOR SECURING DISCRETE STIFFENERS TO A PANEL
    Publication number: 20160039361
    Abstract: A method for providing localized stiffening of a vehicle trim panel using a plurality of discrete stiffening elements. The method includes selectively placing one or more of the discrete stiffening elements on the panel and then bonding the stiffening elements to the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Mark O. Vann, Julien P. Mourou, Steven C. Lang
  • DESIGN AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING LIGHT, STIFF AND STRONG STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20160039168
    Abstract: A panel assembly including a panel having an outer show surface and an inner surface and at least one micro-truss reinforcement patch secured to the inner surface of the panel. The micro-truss patch includes a micro-truss structure having cured and interconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, JACOB M. HUNDLEY, JULIEN P. MOUROU, STEVEN C. LANG
  • Bi-stable and multi-stable devices
    Patent number: 9255619
    Abstract: A bi-stable or multi-stable device having two or more stable positions includes an elastically deformable member having two or more stable positions of minimal potential energy, the deformable member being movable, in response to an external force applied to the deformable member, between stable positions by moving through a position at which the deformable member has a peak potential energy. The device also includes an energy storage member, either separate from or part of the deformable member, that absorbs energy from the external force applied to the deformable member as the deformable member moves from a stable position toward a position of peak potential energy, and releases energy as the deformable member moves from a position of peak potential energy toward a stable position, wherein the energy storage member includes a super elastic shape memory alloy (SMA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Pablo D. Zavattieri, Nilesh D. Mankame
  • Flush door handle with shape memory alloy drive and heated handle to body seal
    Patent number: 9249608
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a structure including an exterior panel defining an opening, and a grab bar. The grab bar is moveable relative to the exterior panel. A first linkage system and a second linkage system interconnect the grab bar and the structure. A drive assembly is coupled to the first linkage system and the second linkage system to move the grab bar between an extended position and a retracted position. The drive assembly includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator that contracts in response to a control signal, to move the grab bar. A seal may be provided to seal between the grab bar and the structure. A heating element may provide a thermal load to heat the grab bar, a seal surrounding the grab bar, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Lang, Nilesh D. Mankame, Hesham A. Ezzat
  • Quick-return active material actuator
    Patent number: 9234509
    Abstract: A quick-return active material actuator adapted for more rapidly returning a load, so as to reduce the de-actuation time of a system, includes in a first aspect a thermally activated active material actuation element drivenly coupled to the load, an active material de-actuation element drivenly coupled to the load non-antagonistic to the actuation element, and a reconfigurable mechanism interconnecting the elements and load, wherein the de-actuation element and mechanism are cooperatively configured to return the load while the actuation element is still activated, and, in a second aspect a thermally activated active material actuation element drivenly coupled to a biased load and operable to autonomously release, so that the load is caused to be returned while the actuation element is still activated, and subsequently re-engage the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Richard J. Skurkis, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Paul W. Alexander