Patents by Inventor Robert L. Vitale
Robert L. Vitale 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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Patent number: 9457791Abstract: A vehicle charging cable is disclosed configured to charge a vehicle battery on a vehicle from a utility power source, the cable comprising: a vehicle connector and a control module. The vehicle connector is connected to a power cable configured to supply power for charging the vehicle battery. The vehicle connector is configured to connect to a charging port on the vehicle. The control module is connected to the power cable. The control module is configured to receive utility data from the utility power source and to receive vehicle data from the vehicle, and to adjust the power supplied to the vehicle battery based on the utility data and the vehicle data.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Robert L. Vitale, Jonas Bereisa, Raymond A. Beaufait, Gery J. Kissel, Craig R. Markyvech
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Patent number: 9381802Abstract: A wheel assembly for an electric vehicle includes a wheel rim that is concentrically disposed about a central axis. A propulsion-braking module is disposed within an interior region of the wheel rim. The propulsion-braking module rotatably supports the wheel rim for rotation about the central axis. The propulsion-braking module includes a liquid cooled electric motor having a rotor rotatable about the central axis, and a stator disposed radially inside the rotor relative to the central axis. A motor-wheel interface hub is fixedly attached to the wheel rim, and is directly attached to the rotor for rotation with the rotor. The motor-wheel interface hub directly transmits torque from the electric motor to the wheel rim at a 1:1 ratio. The propulsion-braking module includes a drum brake system having an electric motor that rotates a cam device, which actuates the brake shoes.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Joshua M. Figuered, Eduardo Herrera, Thomas M. Waligora, William J. Bluethmann, Logan Christopher Farrell, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Ross Briant Winn, Raymond Edward Eggleston, IV, Raymond Guo, Steven J. Weber, Lucien Q. Junkin, James Jonathan Rogers
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Publication number: 20160129936Abstract: A method of controlling steering of a vehicle through setting wheel angles of a plurality of modular electronic corner assemblies (eModules) is provided. The method includes receiving a driving mode selected from a mode selection menu. A position of a steering input device is determined in a master controller. A velocity of the vehicle is determined, in the master controller, when the determined position of the steering input device is near center. A drive mode request corresponding to the selected driving mode to the plurality of steering controllers is transmitted to the master controller. A required steering angle of each of the plurality of eModules is determined, in the master controller, as a function of the determined position of the steering input device, the determined velocity of the vehicle, and the selected first driving mode. The eModules are set to the respective determined steering angles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Venkata Prasad Atluri
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Patent number: 9266518Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a modular component, and a central operating system. The modular component is supported by the chassis. The central operating system includes a component control system, a primary master controller, and a secondary master controller. The component control system is configured for controlling the modular component. The primary and secondary master controllers are in operative communication with the component control system. The primary and secondary master controllers are configured to simultaneously transmit commands to the component control system. The component control system is configured to accept commands from the secondary master controller only when a fault occurs in the primary master controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Nathan Fraser-Chanpong, Ivan Spain, Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Thomas M. Waligora, Akinjide Akinniyi Akinyode, Ryan M. Reed
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Patent number: 9254866Abstract: A method of controlling steering of a vehicle through setting wheel angles of a plurality of modular electronic corner assemblies (eModules) is provided. The method includes receiving a driving mode selected from a mode selection menu. A position of a steering input device is determined in a master controller. A velocity of the vehicle is determined, in the master controller, when the determined position of the steering input device is near center. A drive mode request corresponding to the selected driving mode to the plurality of steering controllers is transmitted to the master controller. A required steering angle of each of the plurality of eModules is determined, in the master controller, as a function of the determined position of the steering input device, the determined velocity of the vehicle, and the selected first driving mode. The eModules are set to the respective determined steering angles.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Venkata Prasad Atluri
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Patent number: 9102331Abstract: A multi-functional electric module (eModule) is provided for a vehicle having a chassis, a master controller, and a drive wheel having a propulsion-braking module. The eModule includes a steering control assembly, mounting bracket, propulsion control assembly, brake controller, housing, and control arm. The steering control assembly includes a steering motor controlled by steering controllers in response to control signals from the master controller. A mounting feature of the bracket connects to the chassis. The propulsion control assembly and brake controller are in communication with the propulsion-braking module. The control arm connects to the lower portion and contains elements of a suspension system, with the control arm being connectable to the drive wheel via a wheel input/output block. The controllers are responsive to the master controller to control a respective steering, propulsion, and braking function.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: William J. Bluethmann, Thomas M. Waligora, Nathan Fraser-Chanpong, Ryan Reed, Akinjide Akinniyi Akinyode, Ivan Spain, Andrew D. Dawson, Joshua M. Figuered, Eduardo Herrera, Mason M. Markee, Robert L. Vitale, Chunhao J. Lee, Lucien Q. Junkin, Ross Briant Winn, James Jonathan Rogers, Raymond Guo
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Patent number: 9085302Abstract: A modular robotic vehicle includes a chassis, driver input devices, an energy storage system (ESS), a power electronics module (PEM), modular electronic assemblies (eModules) connected to the ESS via the PEM, one or more master controllers, and various embedded controllers. Each eModule includes a drive wheel containing a propulsion-braking module, and a housing containing propulsion and braking control assemblies with respective embedded propulsion and brake controllers, and a mounting bracket covering a steering control assembly with embedded steering controllers. The master controller, which is in communication with each eModule and with the driver input devices, communicates with and independently controls each eModule, by-wire, via the embedded controllers to establish a desired operating mode. Modes may include a two-wheel, four-wheel, diamond, and omni-directional steering modes as well as a park mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Robert L. Vitale, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert O. Ambrose, William J. Bluethmann, Lucien Q. Junkin, Jonathan J. Lutz, Raymond Guo, Anthony Joseph Lapp, Justin S. Ridley
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Publication number: 20150134199Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a modular component, and a central operating system. The modular component is supported by the chassis. The central operating system includes a component control system, a primary master controller, and a secondary master controller. The component control system is configured for controlling the modular component. The primary and secondary master controllers are in operative communication with the component control system. The primary and secondary master controllers are configured to simultaneously transmit commands to the component control system. The component control system is configured to accept commands from the secondary master controller only when a fault occurs in the primary master controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nathan Fraser-Chanpong, Ivan Spain, Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Thomas M. Waligora, Akinjide Akinniyi Akinyode, Ryan M. Reed
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Publication number: 20150134202Abstract: A method of controlling steering of a vehicle through setting wheel angles of a plurality of modular electronic corner assemblies (eModules) is provided. The method includes receiving a driving mode selected from a mode selection menu. A position of a steering input device is determined in a master controller. A velocity of the vehicle is determined, in the master controller, when the determined position of the steering input device is near center. A drive mode request corresponding to the selected driving mode to the plurality of steering controllers is transmitted to the master controller. A required steering angle of each of the plurality of eModules is determined, in the master controller, as a function of the determined position of the steering input device, the determined velocity of the vehicle, and the selected first driving mode. The eModules are set to the respective determined steering angles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Venkata Prasad Atluri
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Publication number: 20150108823Abstract: A wheel assembly for an electric vehicle includes a wheel rim that is concentrically disposed about a central axis. A propulsion-braking module is disposed within an interior region of the wheel rim. The propulsion-braking module rotatably supports the wheel rim for rotation about the central axis. The propulsion-braking module includes a liquid cooled electric motor having a rotor rotatable about the central axis, and a stator disposed radially inside the rotor relative to the central axis. A motor-wheel interface hub is fixedly attached to the wheel rim, and is directly attached to the rotor for rotation with the rotor. The motor-wheel interface hub directly transmits torque from the electric motor to the wheel rim at a 1:1 ratio. The propulsion-braking module includes a drum brake system having an electric motor that rotates a cam device, which actuates the brake shoes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Joshua M. Figuered, Eduardo Herrera, Thomas M. Waligora, William J. Bluethmann, Logan Christopher Farrell, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Ross Briant Winn, Raymond Edward Eggleston, IV, Raymond Guo, Steven J. Weber, Lucien Q. Junkin, James Jonathan Rogers
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Publication number: 20150107401Abstract: A pedal module includes a support structure, and a lever rotatably mounted to the support structure for rotation about a rotation axis. The lever includes a lower pedal portion and an upper guide portion. A cam plate is attached to the support structure and defines a cam slot. A guide rod is coupled to the upper guide portion of the lever, and is also coupled to the cam plate to follow the cam slot. A biasing device includes a first end coupled to the support structure, and a second end coupled to the guide rod, and is operable to bias the guide rod toward the rotation axis. Resistance to movement of the lever in a first rotational direction about the rotation axis is dependent upon a spring constant of the biasing device, and a profile of the cam slot perpendicular to the rotation axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Logan Christopher Farrell, Eduardo Herrera, Joshua M. Figuered, Mason M. Markee, William J. Bluethmann, Raymond Edward Eggleston, IV, Justin S. Ridley, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Steven J. Weber, Shaun Michael Azimi
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Publication number: 20150083509Abstract: A modular robotic vehicle includes a chassis, driver input devices, an energy storage system (ESS), a power electronics module (PEM), modular electronic assemblies (eModules) connected to the ESS via the PEM, one or more master controllers, and various embedded controllers. Each eModule includes a drive wheel containing a propulsion-braking module, and a housing containing propulsion and braking control assemblies with respective embedded propulsion and brake controllers, and a mounting bracket covering a steering control assembly with embedded steering controllers. The master controller, which is in communication with each eModule and with the driver input devices, communicates with and independently controls each eModule, by-wire, via the embedded controllers to establish a desired operating mode. Modes may include a two-wheel, four-wheel, diamond, and omni-directional steering modes as well as a park mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Robert L. Vitale, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert O. Ambrose, William J. Bluethmann, Lucien Q. Junkin, Jonathan J. Lutz, Raymond Guo, Anthony Joseph Lapp, Justin S. Ridley
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Publication number: 20150083508Abstract: A multi-functional electric module (eModule) is provided for a vehicle having a chassis, a master controller, and a drive wheel having a propulsion-braking module. The eModule includes a steering control assembly, mounting bracket, propulsion control assembly, brake controller, housing, and control arm. The steering control assembly includes a steering motor controlled by steering controllers in response to control signals from the master controller. A mounting feature of the bracket connects to the chassis. The propulsion control assembly and brake controller are in communication with the propulsion-braking module. The control arm connects to the lower portion and contains elements of a suspension system, with the control arm being connectable to the drive wheel via a wheel input/output block. The controllers are responsive to the master controller to control a respective steering, propulsion, and braking function.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: William J. Bluethmann, Thomas M. Waligora, Nathan Fraser-Chanpong, Ryan Reed, Akinjide Akinniyi Akinyode, Ivan Spain, Andrew D. Dawson, Joshua M. Figuered, Eduardo Herrera, Mason M. Markee, Robert L. Vitale, Chunhao J. Lee, Lucien Q. Junkin, Ross Briant Winn, James Jonathan Rogers, Raymond Guo
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Patent number: 8727426Abstract: An expandable vehicle system includes a drivable vehicle having a first propulsion system, a first set of wheels, and a first body supported by the first set of wheels. The first body at least substantially encloses and defines a first interior compartment. An extension unit has a second body and at least one wheel supporting the second body. The second body at least partially defines a second interior compartment. The first body is configured with a first attachment interface and the second body is configured with a second attachment interface. The first and second attachment interfaces are cooperatively configured to attach to one another such that the drivable vehicle is mechanically-coupled to the extension unit to form an expanded vehicle drivable by the drivable vehicle and with the first interior compartment contiguous with the second interior compartment.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert L. Vitale, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Roland J. Menassa
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Patent number: 8540272Abstract: A vehicle chassis includes a vehicle chassis frame. The frame has a first frame portion and a second frame portion operatively connected to the first frame portion. The second frame portion is selectively movable with respect to the first frame portion such that the length of the chassis is selectively variable. The chassis may thus be lengthened to support the addition of an extension unit when additional passenger space or cargo space is desired.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert L. Vitale, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Roland J. Menassa
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Publication number: 20130241236Abstract: An expandable vehicle system includes a drivable vehicle having a first propulsion system, a first set of wheels, and a first body supported by the first set of wheels. The first body at least substantially encloses and defines a first interior compartment. An extension unit has a second body and at least one wheel supporting the second body. The second body at least partially defines a second interior compartment. The first body is configured with a first attachment interface and the second body is configured with a second attachment interface. The first and second attachment interfaces are cooperatively configured to attach to one another such that the drivable vehicle is mechanically-coupled to the extension unit to form an expanded vehicle drivable by the drivable vehicle and with the first interior compartment contiguous with the second interior compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Robert L. Vitale, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Roland J. Menassa
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Patent number: 7995038Abstract: A rotary quad control interface that allows a vehicle driver to control several vehicle systems without focusing on the interface itself. The interface includes four touch pads disposed in four quadrants of the interface, an outer rotary dial positioned substantially at the center of the four touch pads and an inner rotary dial disposed within the outer rotary dial and being concentric thereto, where the inner rotary dial also operates as a push button. A display screen displays the operation of the interface, and includes a first display portion, a second display portion, a third display portion and a fourth display portion that are provided as quadrants on the display screen and are representative of the touch pads on the interface.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert L. Vitale, Joseph F. Szczerba, John K. Lenneman
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Patent number: 7971393Abstract: A door system includes a structural member and a door that is movably mounted with respect to the structural member for movement between an open position and a closed position. A spring is mounted with respect to the structural member or the door and being sufficiently positioned to bias the door toward its open position when the door is in its closed position. Active material based actuators may selectively compress the spring prior to door closure to minimize door closing effort.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Xiujie Gao, James H. Shoemaker, Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Louise E. Stauffer, Robert L. Vitale, Jack L. Bailey
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Publication number: 20100174667Abstract: A vehicle charging cable is disclosed configured to charge a vehicle battery on a vehicle from a utility power source, the cable comprising: a vehicle connector and a control module. The vehicle connector is connected to a power cable configured to supply power for charging the vehicle battery. The vehicle connector is configured to connect to a charging port on the vehicle. The control module is connected to the power cable. The control module is configured to receive utility data from the utility power source and to receive vehicle data from the vehicle, and to adjust the power supplied to the vehicle battery based on the utility data and the vehicle data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: ROBERT L. VITALE, JONAS BEREISA, RAYMOND A. BEAUFAIT, GERY J. KISSEL, CRAIG R. MARKYVECH
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Publication number: 20090085880Abstract: A rotary quad control interface that allows a vehicle driver to control several vehicle systems without focusing on the interface itself. The interface includes four touch pads disposed in four quadrants of the interface, an outer rotary dial positioned substantially at the center of the four touch pads and an inner rotary dial disposed within the outer rotary dial and being concentric thereto, where the inner rotary dial also operates as a push button. A display screen displays the operation of the interface, and includes a first display portion, a second display portion, a third display portion and a fourth display portion that are provided as quadrants on the display screen and are representative of the touch pads on the interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Robert L. Vitale, Joseph F. Szczerba, John K. Lenneman