Patents by Inventor Robert J. Gollehur

Robert J. Gollehur 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: 8987631
    Abstract: A method is provided for the projection electric resistance welding of a component to a laminated metal member. The laminated metal member is comprised of top and bottom metal sheets adhered together by a polymer layer provided between the top and bottom metal sheets. A plurality of projections is provided on the component and the projections extend toward the top metal sheet of the laminated metal. Force is applied to the component and the projections have a pointed shape so that the projections pierce through the top metal sheet and contact the bottom metal sheet. Weld current is then applied to flow through the projections so that the projections are electric resistance welded to both the top and bottom metal sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Robert J. Gollehur, James F. Hengel, Narayanan P. Menon, Mark D. Gugel, Alexander Michael Turley
  • Patent number: 7834292
    Abstract: A method is provided for welding a laminated metal sheet to a workpiece. The laminated metal sheet includes an outer metal sheet and an inner metal sheet bonded together by a polymer material that impedes the flow of weld current. A punch is applied against the outer metal sheet and driven through the laminated metal sheet to create a hole and also create an annular metallic burr that bridges across the polymer material layer between the outer metal sheet and the inner metal sheet. A weld electrode is positioned against the outer metal sheet at the punched hole and weld current is conducted through the first annular metallic burr to create an electric resistance weld between the laminated metal and the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Robert J. Gollehur
  • Patent number: 7625037
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle body panel. The vehicle body panel, such as a floor pan, may have a generally planar portion adapted to be located adjacent to and conceal a vehicle component, such as a fuel pump module. An access portion is located within and extends out of plane of the generally planar portion, and includes a periphery, wherein the access portion is integral with the generally planar portion. Also, a cutting guide feature extends around it adjacent to the periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gollehur, Stephen H. Miller, Marcel R. Cannon, John T. Freiwald, Steven P. Balgaard, Charles E. Jensen, Anthony J. Brower
  • Publication number: 20080087650
    Abstract: A method is provided for welding a laminated metal sheet to a workpiece. The laminated metal sheet includes an outer metal sheet and an inner metal sheet bonded together by a polymer material that impedes the flow of weld current. A punch is applied against the outer metal sheet and driven through the laminated metal sheet to create a hole and also create an annular metallic burr that bridges across the polymer material layer between the outer metal sheet and the inner metal sheet. A weld electrode is positioned against the outer metal sheet at the punched hole and weld current is conducted through the first annular metallic burr to create an electric resistance weld between the laminated metal and the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Robert J. Gollehur
  • Publication number: 20070272660
    Abstract: A method is provided for the projection electric resistance welding of a component to a laminated metal member. The laminated metal member is comprised of top and bottom metal sheets adhered together by a polymer layer provided between the top and bottom metal sheets. A plurality of projections is provided on the component and the projections extend toward the top metal sheet of the laminated metal. Force is applied to the component and the projections have a pointed shape so that the projections pierce through the top metal sheet and contact the bottom metal sheet. Weld current is then applied to flow through the projections so that the projections are electric resistance welded to both the top and bottom metal sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Robert J. Gollehur, James F. Hengel, Narayanan P. Menon, Mark D. Gugel, Alexander Michael Turley