Patents by Inventor Robert Patrick Marble
Robert Patrick Marble 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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Publication number: 20250375994Abstract: A system and method for using road preview to temporarily adjust height for an approaching obstacle includes receiving road preview data detected by a sensor system of a vehicle, the road preview data indicating an anomaly in a path of the vehicle. Here, the anomaly is disposed above a top surface of the path of the vehicle. The system and method also include estimating, based on the road preview data indicating the anomaly, attributes of the anomaly and determining, based on a velocity of the vehicle, a distance between the vehicle and the anomaly, and the attributes of the anomaly, whether a projected impact with the anomaly exceeds a vehicle travel threshold, and when the projected impact with the anomaly exceeds the vehicle travel threshold, raising the suspension of the vehicle from an initial height to a target height.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2024Publication date: December 11, 2025Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brian K. Saylor, Matthew Watts, Robert Patrick Marble
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Patent number: 12485966Abstract: A method of actively controlling camber offset of a suspension for a vehicle includes, with a system controller, receiving, via a plurality of sensing devices within the vehicle and in communication with the system controller, data related to a target camber angle for the suspension of the vehicle, defining the target camber angle based on the data related to the target camber angle for the suspension of the vehicle, actuating an active camber offset mechanism of the suspension for the vehicle, and adjusting, with the active camber offset mechanism, a camber angle of the suspension to the target camber angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2025Date of Patent: December 2, 2025Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Robert Patrick Marble, Nate Maye-Bloom, Brian K. Saylor
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Publication number: 20250346082Abstract: Disclosed is a product that may include an active suspension power system comprising at least one of a motor or a mass connected to a first side of a clutch and a movable arm connected to a second side of the clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2024Publication date: November 13, 2025Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brian K. Saylor, Robert Patrick Marble
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Patent number: 12466224Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle includes a knuckle, a lower control arm, an upper control arm, including an inner segment and an outer segment pivotally connected to one another, and a camber gain link interconnecting the upper control arm and the lower control arm, a pivotal position of the inner segment relative to the outer segment defining an effective length of the upper control arm and a camber angle of the knuckle, the camber gain link adapted to secure the pivotal connection of the inner segment and the outer segment and prevent pivotal movement of the inner segment and the outer segment relative to one another, thereby establishing a pivotal position of the inner segment relative to the outer segment, the effective length of the upper control arm and the camber angle of the knuckle.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2025Date of Patent: November 11, 2025Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert Patrick Marble, Nate Maye-Bloom
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Patent number: 12391083Abstract: A suspension air spring includes a spring mount assembly and a diaphragm seat spaced from the spring mount. A diaphragm includes a first end that is mounted to the spring mount assembly and a second end that is mounted to the diaphragm to create a main volume between the spring mount assembly and the diaphragm seat. The diaphragm rolls upon the diaphragm seat. An inflatable secondary bladder is disposed within the main volume.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2024Date of Patent: August 19, 2025Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Kyle M. Smith, Robert Patrick Marble
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Patent number: 12269310Abstract: A vehicle suspension control system includes a central suspension spring core, a first suspension spring surrounding an upper portion of the central suspension spring core, a second suspension spring surrounding a lower portion of the central suspension spring core, the first suspension spring and the second suspension spring coupled between a wheel and a fixed structure of a vehicle to inhibit movement of the wheel, a spring seat surrounding the central suspension spring core and coupled between the first and second suspension springs, the spring seat including an outer sleeve and multiple seals for retaining magnetorheological fluid between the outer sleeve and the central suspension spring core, one or more electromagnets adjacent the spring seat, and a suspension control module configured to energize the one or more electromagnets to selectively modify a viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to inhibit movement of the first suspension spring or the second suspension spring.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brian K. Saylor, Robert Patrick Marble, Christopher J. Mettrick
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Publication number: 20240367473Abstract: A vehicle suspension control system includes a central suspension spring core, a first suspension spring surrounding an upper portion of the central suspension spring core, a second suspension spring surrounding a lower portion of the central suspension spring core, the first suspension spring and the second suspension spring coupled between a wheel and a fixed structure of a vehicle to inhibit movement of the wheel, a spring seat surrounding the central suspension spring core and coupled between the first and second suspension springs, the spring seat including an outer sleeve and multiple seals for retaining magnetorheological fluid between the outer sleeve and the central suspension spring core, one or more electromagnets adjacent the spring seat, and a suspension control module configured to energize the one or more electromagnets to selectively modify a viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to inhibit movement of the first suspension spring or the second suspension spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2023Publication date: November 7, 2024Inventors: Brian K. SAYLOR, Robert Patrick MARBLE, Christopher J. METTRICK
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Publication number: 20240181826Abstract: An air suspension system for a vehicle including an air compressor, a bladder, and an air line. The bladder defines a reservoir configured to store air compressed by the air compressor. The bladder is configured to be seated within a structural member of a frame of the vehicle. The bladder includes a flexible layer covered by an abrasion resistant layer configured to protect the flexible layer from contact with the structural member of the vehicle. An air line fitting is connected to the bladder and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The air line fitting is configured to cooperate with an air line configured to carry air to and from the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2022Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Robert Patrick MARBLE, Gheorghe NICA, Eric B. HOYER
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Patent number: 11981178Abstract: A stabilizer bar assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle. The stabilizer bar assembly includes a first bar configured to be coupled to the vehicle suspension system proximate to a first wheel. A second bar is adjacent to the first bar. A coupling assembly is at an interface between the first bar and the second bar. The coupling assembly includes a magnetorheological material in contact with both the first bar and the second bar. The magnetorheological material is configured to transform from a fluid state to a viscoelastic solid state when subject to a magnetic field. A magnet is configured to apply the magnetic field to the magnetorheological material. In the viscoelastic solid state, the magnetorheological material resists relative movement between the first bar and the second bar.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2023Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brian K. Saylor, Robert Patrick Marble
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Patent number: 11872862Abstract: A weight balancing system for a vehicle performs a method of adjusting a weight on a wheel of a vehicle. The system includes a processor of the vehicle and a scale. A wheel of the vehicle is placed on the scale, the wheel having an associated spring seat and associated spring. The scale measures a weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle and communicates the weight to the processor. The processor activates the spring seat to adjust a length of the spring, thereby adjusting the weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brian K. Saylor, Matthew Gregory Kowal, Robert Patrick Marble
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Patent number: 11807061Abstract: A vehicle, variable spring system and method of operating a corner actuator coupled to wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle includes the corner actuator and the variable spring system. The variable spring system includes a control chamber coupled to the corner actuator, a first spring, a second spring, and a valve. An applied resistance for the corner actuator is selected by selecting an amount of fluid coupling between the control chamber and each of the first spring and the second spring. A force is absorbed at the wheel using the applied resistance.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Robert Patrick Marble
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Publication number: 20230278383Abstract: A vehicle, variable spring system and method of operating a corner actuator coupled to wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle includes the corner actuator and the variable spring system. The variable spring system includes a control chamber coupled to the corner actuator, a first spring, a second spring, and a valve. An applied resistance for the corner actuator is selected by selecting an amount of fluid coupling between the control chamber and each of the first spring and the second spring. A force is absorbed at the wheel using the applied resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventor: Robert Patrick Marble
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Publication number: 20230249511Abstract: A weight balancing system for a vehicle performs a method of adjusting a weight on a wheel of a vehicle. The system includes a processor of the vehicle and a scale. A wheel of the vehicle is placed on the scale, the wheel having an associated spring seat and associated spring. The scale measures a weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle and communicates the weight to the processor. The processor activates the spring seat to adjust a length of the spring, thereby adjusting the weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Brian K. Saylor, Matthew Gregory Kowal, Robert Patrick Marble
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Publication number: 20100084234Abstract: A valve assembly for a damper includes a piston with a central hole to receive a rod and at least one fluid passage spaced form the central hole. At least one deflecting disc is positioned on one side of the piston to at least partially overlap the fluid passage. The deflecting disc includes a center opening that is aligned with the central hole of the piston and is defined by an inner peripheral surface at the center opening. At least one translating disc is positioned in an overlapping relationship with the deflecting disc and is defined by an outer peripheral surface. A cage is positioned over the deflecting and translating discs and includes an abutment feature that constrains the translating disc at the outer peripheral surface while the inner peripheral surface of the deflecting disc is constrained at the rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventor: Robert Patrick Marble