Patents by Inventor Paulo M. Mendonca

Paulo M. Mendonca 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).

  • Closure release device
    Patent number: 10364593
    Abstract: A closure release device includes a housing fixedly attached to a closure and an actuating lever rotatably disposed on an axis of rotation on the housing. A crank lever is rotatably disposed on the axis of rotation. A coupling member is to selectively couple the actuating lever to the crank lever for rotation together. A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator is to selectively cause the coupling member to selectively couple the actuating lever to the crank lever. The SMA actuator is electrically actuated. The crank lever is to connect to a latch to selectively release or engage the latch in response to a coupling state of the actuating lever with the crank lever and an actuation state of the actuating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignees: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, DYNALLOY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Richard J. Skurkis, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, Tyler P. Ownby, Paulo M. Mendonca
  • Striker with expandable sleeve
    Patent number: 9493968
    Abstract: A striker assembly includes a striker having an attachment portion, a shaft portion having a cylindrical outer surface, and a shoulder portion between the shaft portion and the attachment portion. The striker assembly also includes a striker sleeve having a wall that has an inner surface defining an interior space having first and second openings. The wall has corrugations such that the inner surface defines a plurality of concave portions and joining portions that interconnect the concave portions. The concave portions and the joining portions extend from the first opening to the second opening. The shaft portion is inside the interior space and the outer surface of the shaft portion contacts the joining portions of the inner surface of the striker sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Fannon, Derek L. Patterson, Hugh S. Bauer, Paulo M. Mendonca
  • CLOSURE RELEASE DEVICE
    Publication number: 20150330118
    Abstract: A closure release device includes a housing fixedly attached to a closure and an actuating lever rotatably disposed on an axis of rotation on the housing. A crank lever is rotatably disposed on the axis of rotation. A coupling member is to selectively couple the actuating lever to the crank lever for rotation together. A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator is to selectively cause the coupling member to selectively couple the actuating lever to the crank lever. The SMA actuator is electrically actuated. The crank lever is to connect to a latch to selectively release or engage the latch in response to a coupling state of the actuating lever with the crank lever and an actuation state of the actuating lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Richard J. Skurkis, James Holbrook Brown, Aragorn Zolno, Tyler P. Ownby, Paulo M. Mendonca
  • Low mass truck end gate utilizing aluminum stampings and extrusions
    Patent number: 8979161
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including an extruded support beam constructed and arranged to be used as an inner support for a vehicle end gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek L. Patterson, Paulo M. Mendonca, Paul E. Krajewski, Joseph E. Champa, Robert A. Greene
  • LOW MASS TRUCK END GATE UTILIZING ALUMINUM STAMPINGS AND EXTRUSIONS
    Publication number: 20140265414
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including an extruded support beam constructed and arranged to be used as an inner support for a vehicle end gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Derek L. Patterson, Paulo M. Mendonca, Paul E. Krajewski, Joseph E. Champa, Robert A. Greene
  • STRIKER WITH EXPANDABLE SLEEVE
    Publication number: 20140239653
    Abstract: A striker assembly includes a striker having an attachment portion, a shaft portion having a cylindrical outer surface, and a shoulder portion between the shaft portion and the attachment portion. The striker assembly also includes a striker sleeve having a wall that has an inner surface defining an interior space having first and second openings. The wall has corrugations such that the inner surface defines a plurality of concave portions and joining portions that interconnect the concave portions. The concave portions and the joining portions extend from the first opening to the second opening. The shaft portion is inside the interior space and the outer surface of the shaft portion contacts the joining portions of the inner surface of the striker sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Fannon, Derek L. Patterson, Hugh S. Bauer, Paulo M. Mendonca