Patents by Inventor Peter H. Foss
Peter H. Foss 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).
-
Patent number: 10315340Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a mold. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, a fiber orientation for a plurality of points in a part; determining, by the processor, a distortion value based on the fiber orientations; and generating, by the processor, mold dimensions based on the distortion values.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Peter H. Foss, Jorge F. Arinez
-
Patent number: 10150178Abstract: A method and associated device for joining a first workpiece to a second workpiece employing a vibration welder includes placing the first and second workpieces in a lapped arrangement and interposing an adhesive material between contiguous surfaces of the first and second workpieces. A first compressive load is applied to a spot welding locus associated with the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces, and then relaxed. A second compressive load is applied to the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces simultaneous with applying, via a vibration welder, a vibrational excitation to the spot welding locus associated with the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces. The applied vibrational excitation is discontinued, and the second compressive load continues to be applied to the spot welding locus associated with the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces for a period of time subsequent thereto.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Peter H. Foss, Yongqiang Li
-
Publication number: 20180126483Abstract: A method and associated device for joining a first workpiece to a second workpiece employing a vibration welder includes placing the first and second workpieces in a lapped arrangement and interposing an adhesive material between contiguous surfaces of the first and second workpieces. A first compressive load is applied to a spot welding locus associated with the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces, and then relaxed. A second compressive load is applied to the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces simultaneous with applying, via a vibration welder, a vibrational excitation to the spot welding locus associated with the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces. The applied vibrational excitation is discontinued, and the second compressive load continues to be applied to the spot welding locus associated with the lapped arrangement of the first and second workpieces for a period of time subsequent thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2016Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Peter H. Foss, Yongqiang Li
-
Publication number: 20160325468Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a mold. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, a fiber orientation for a plurality of points in a part; determining, by the processor, a distortion value based on the fiber orientations; and generating, by the processor, mold dimensions based on the distortion values.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: PETER H. FOSS, JORGE F. ARINEZ
-
Patent number: 9227673Abstract: A pillar for a vehicle includes a translucent polymer composite having chopped reinforcing fibers incorporated therein. The pillar also includes a truss embedded in the translucent polymer composite and disposed substantially along a length of the pillar. The truss and the translucent polymer composite share a loading condition applied to the pillar. The pillar is to be disposed between a lower body portion of the vehicle and a roof of the vehicle to support the roof.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Peter H. Foss
-
Publication number: 20150151796Abstract: A pillar for a vehicle includes a translucent polymer composite having chopped reinforcing fibers incorporated therein. The pillar also includes a truss embedded in the translucent polymer composite and disposed substantially along a length of the pillar. The truss and the translucent polymer composite share a loading condition applied to the pillar. The pillar is to be disposed between a lower body portion of the vehicle and a roof of the vehicle to support the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Peter H. Foss
-
Patent number: 8966734Abstract: Methods of joining a magnesium substrate to a second substrate are provided. A region of the magnesium substrate and a region of the second substrate are aligned to provide an overlap. A region of the overlap is deformed to provide a joint. A polymeric material is disposed in the joint to secure together the magnesium substrate and the second substrate. The joining of the magnesium substrate and the second substrate is facilitated by using a die in various aspects.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Jon T. Carter, Peter H. Foss, Leonid C. Lev
-
Publication number: 20150005432Abstract: A composite material is disclosed that includes a matrix binder material and a plurality of elongated fiber strands. The strands have a longitudinally extending central portion having two or more lobes extending radially from the central portion and disposed longitudinally along the strand.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Leonard Barry Griffiths, Michael A. Karram, Peter H. Foss
-
Patent number: 8904642Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-ferrous, light metal alloy vibration-damped part for a vehicle chassis includes introducing a polymer insert into a cavity formed in the part. The polymer insert may be introduced into the cavity by separately fabricating the polymer insert and then sliding or maneuvering the insert into the cavity or by injecting a liquid polymer material into the cavity and then solidifying and shrinking the liquid polymer material into the polymer insert. The vibration-damped light metal alloy part can damp vibrations that originate within or are imparted to the part when such vibrations effectuate relative contacting frictional movement between an exterior surface of the polymer insert and an interior surface of the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael D. Hanna, John P. Miller, Peter H. Foss
-
Patent number: 8448324Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming corrosion-resistant joints in a plurality of overlapping thin metal sheet workpieces, at least one of which comprises at least 85% by weight of magnesium sheets. The fastener is a fiber-reinforced polymer rod shaped and sized for insertion into a coaxial opening formed in each sheet and subsequently upset on each end to form a head. The workpiece sheets are deformed to form mechanically-interfering features which cooperatively complement the strength of the fastener, under at least some joint loading patterns. The method may be used for other workpiece and fastener compositions.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Peter H. Foss, Leonid C. Lev, Jon T. Carter
-
Publication number: 20130074312Abstract: Methods of joining a magnesium substrate to a second substrate are provided. A region of the magnesium substrate and a region of the second substrate are aligned to provide an overlap. A region of the overlap is deformed to provide a joint. A polymeric material is disposed in the joint to secure together the magnesium substrate and the second substrate. The joining of the magnesium substrate and the second substrate is facilitated by using a die in various aspects.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Jon T. Carter, Peter H. Foss, Leonid C. Lev
-
Publication number: 20130036611Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-ferrous, light metal alloy vibration-damped part for a vehicle chassis includes introducing a polymer insert into a cavity formed in the part. The polymer insert may be introduced into the cavity by separately fabricating the polymer insert and then sliding or maneuvering the insert into the cavity or by injecting a liquid polymer material into the cavity and then solidifying and shrinking the liquid polymer material into the polymer insert. The vibration-damped light metal alloy part can damp vibrations that originate within or are imparted to the part when such vibrations effectuate relative contacting frictional movement between an exterior surface of the polymer insert and an interior surface of the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michael D. Hanna, John P. Miller, Peter H. Foss
-
Patent number: 8250725Abstract: A shape memory polymer workpiece is attached to a second workpiece. A face of the SMP workpiece is placed against an attachment surface of the second workpiece. The second workpiece has an attachment hole(s). The SMP workpiece is activated (e.g., heated) to a softening temperature and a portion extruded into the attachment hole of the facing surface of the second workpiece. The SMP piece is held while still heated against the second workpiece, the material flowing as result of the shape memory effect to form an attachment. As the SMP material cools while still under load its modulus increases fixing the attachment geometry. Reheating the attached parts without pushing them together reverses the process.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: David R. Sigler, Yen-Lung Chen, Peter H. Foss, Alan L. Browne, Nilesh D. Mankame
-
Publication number: 20120124816Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming corrosion-resistant joints in a plurality of overlapping thin metal sheet workpieces, at least one of which comprises at least 85% by weight of magnesium sheets. The fastener is a fiber-reinforced polymer rod shaped and sized for insertion into a coaxial opening formed in each sheet and subsequently upset on each end to form a head. The workpiece sheets are deformed to form mechanically-interfering features which cooperatively complement the strength of the fastener, under at least some joint loading patterns. The method may be used for other workpiece and fastener compositions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Elisabeth J. Berger, Peter H. Foss, Leonid C. Lev, Jon T. Carter
-
Patent number: 7955459Abstract: One side of a metal sheet is joined to a polymer layer by applying heat to a joining area on the opposite side of the metal. The heat flows through the thin metal to activate a thermoplastic material or heat setting polymer into a bond with the metal. The method can be used to bond the metal sheet to a plastic body or another metal member. It is preferred to use a friction or friction stir tool to heat the metal surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yen-Lung Chen, Peter H. Foss, Mark W. Verbrugge, Xiaohong Q. Gayden
-
Patent number: 7784856Abstract: A composite floor pan may be joined with other structural members of an automotive vehicle. External loads imparted to the structural members may be transferred to the floor pan. The floor pan may be configured to absorb and/or transfer these external loads without separating.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignees: United States Council for Automotive Research, United States Materials Automotive Partnership, LLCInventors: John P. Fuchs, Erik Arthur Banks, Elisabeth Jane Berger, John D. Fickes, Dean Robert Oswald, Peter H. Foss
-
Patent number: 7695656Abstract: One side of a metal sheet is joined to a polymer layer by applying heat to a joining area on the opposite side of the metal. The heat flows through the thin metal to activate a thermoplastic material or heat setting polymer into a bond with the metal. The method can be used to bond the metal sheet to a plastic body or another metal member. It is preferred to use a friction or friction stir tool to heat the metal surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Yen-Lung Chen, Peter H. Foss, Mark W. Verbrugge, Xiaohong Q. Gayden
-
Patent number: 7628876Abstract: In an assembly of facing metal sheets separated by a polymer layer, welded metallurgical bonds are formed between the metal sheets by use of a friction stir weld tool. A rotating tool penetrates the first sheet, locally displaces the encountered portion of polymer film and penetrates into the second sheet. The affected metal of the two sheets is momentarily plasticized and stirred, and the plasticized metal of the two sheets combines to form a weld between the metal sheets. The interposed polymer film may be intended to serve as an adhesive or a vibration damping medium or the like. The facing metal sheets can be layers of facing laminated metal sheet structures that each comprise two metal sheets bonded by an adhesive interlayer.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Yen-Lung Chen, Douglas L. Faulkner, Peter M. Parlow, Mark W. Verbrugge, Xiaohong Q. Gayden, John D. Fickes, Peter H. Foss
-
Publication number: 20090179461Abstract: A composite floor pan may be joined with other structural members of an automotive vehicle. External loads imparted to the structural members may be transferred to the floor pan. The floor pan may be configured to absorb and/or transfer these external loads without separating.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: John P. Fuchs, Erik Arthur Banks, Elisabeth Jane Berger, John D. Fickes, Dean Robert Oswald, Peter H. Foss
-
Patent number: 7497917Abstract: One side of a metal sheet is joined to a polymer layer by applying heat to a joining area on the opposite side of the metal. The heat flows through the thin metal to activate a thermoplastic material or heat setting polymer into a bond with the metal. The method can be used to bond the metal sheet to a plastic body or another metal member. It is preferred to use a friction or friction stir tool to heat the metal surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Yen-Lung Chen, Peter H. Foss, Mark W. Verbrugge, Xiaohong Q. Gayden