Patents by Inventor Scott A. Hucker
Scott A. Hucker 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: 20230381908Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting contact between a manufacturing apparatus and an article being worked upon by the manufacturing apparatus. Vehicles that include the article are also provided. The system includes the manufacturing apparatus configured to perform a process on the article, a signal transmitter configured to apply an input signal to the article with during the process such that the input signal is conducted through the article, a signal receiver configured to monitor a first component of the manufacturing apparatus to detect conduction of the input signal through the first component with during the process, and a signal processor configured to determine whether contact has occurred between the first component of the manufacturing apparatus and the article based on the detection of the input signal by the signal receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Joseph Gerard Lovasz, Scott A Hucker, David A Hann
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Patent number: 11549549Abstract: Presented are crankshaft assemblies with internal stiffening structures, methods for making/using such crankshaft assemblies, and internal combustion engines equipped with such crankshaft assemblies. A crankshaft body, which is formed with a first material, includes multiple bearing journals that are mutually coaxial to rotate on a crankshaft axis and spaced from each other along the length of the crankshaft. Each bearing journal has an internal journal cavity. Multiple crankpins are longitudinally spaced from each and axially offset from the crankshaft's rotational axis. Each crankpin has an internal crankpin cavity. Multiple crank webs project radially from the crankshaft axis and interconnect the bearing journals with the crankpins. Each crank web has an internal web cavity. Disposed within the journal cavities, crankpin cavities, and/or web cavities is a stiffening bar formed with a second material having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the first material.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dale E. Murrish, Scott A. Hucker, Maurice G. Meyer
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Publication number: 20220397149Abstract: Presented are crankshaft assemblies with internal stiffening structures, methods for making/using such crankshaft assemblies, and internal combustion engines equipped with such crankshaft assemblies. A crankshaft body, which is formed with a first material, includes multiple bearing journals that are mutually coaxial to rotate on a crankshaft axis and spaced from each other along the length of the crankshaft. Each bearing journal has an internal journal cavity. Multiple crankpins are longitudinally spaced from each and axially offset from the crankshaft's rotational axis. Each crankpin has an internal crankpin cavity. Multiple crank webs project radially from the crankshaft axis and interconnect the bearing journals with the crankpins. Each crank web has an internal web cavity. Disposed within the journal cavities, crankpin cavities, and/or web cavities is a stiffening bar formed with a second material having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the first material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2021Publication date: December 15, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dale E. Murrish, Scott A. Hucker, Maurice G. Meyer
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Publication number: 20220371156Abstract: Apparatus are provided for automatic repositioning of fluid nozzles when operating on a workpiece with a tool. The apparatus includes a nozzle assembly configured to convey a fluid to a target zone defined on the workpiece and/or on the tool. The target zone has a location that varies over time. A spring applies a spring force to bias the nozzle assembly toward the target zone, and moves the nozzle assembly as the location of the target zone varies. The nozzle assembly moves to a position relative to the target zone by a combination of action of the spring force and of any hydrodynamic force of the fluid, when moving through the nozzle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eduardo Pinoncely, Joseph Gerard Lovasz, Scott A. Hucker
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Patent number: 11143066Abstract: A crankshaft assembly for a vehicle, a method of operating a crankshaft assembly, and a method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly. The crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft, a first pin bearing journal and a main journal, an oil passage having a main passage wall, the oil passage extending from the first pin bearing journal to or through the main bearing journal, a crankpin exit hole located in the main passage wall, and a blocking element positioned in the oil passage, wherein the blocking element is located in a radially outward position with respect to the crankpin exit hole.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dale E. Murrish, Luke Luehr, Scott A. Hucker, Varoon Shankar, Jeremy T. Demarest
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Patent number: 10821527Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crankshaft includes the steps of: (1) forming a crankshaft blank via a first half and a second half; (2) measuring a plurality of surface variations between a predetermined surface in a first region and a corresponding predetermined surface in a second region of the crankshaft blank; (3) calculating centering offset data based on the plurality of surface variations; (4) machining a pair center holes based on the centering offset data; (5) machining a counterweight and a journal relative to the pair of center holes to produce a partially machined crankshaft; (5) milling and grinding the partially machined crankshaft to produce a finished machined crankshaft; and (6) rotating the finished machined crankshaft typically on the outermost main journals in a final balancing machine and then modifying the counterweights to eliminate undesirable vibration generated during the rotation and engine operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott A. Hucker, Joseph G. Lovasz, Dale E. Murrish
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Publication number: 20200208548Abstract: A crankshaft assembly for a vehicle, a method of operating a crankshaft assembly, and a method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly. The crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft, a first pin bearing journal and a main journal, an oil passage having a main passage wall, the oil passage extending from the first pin bearing journal to or through the main bearing journal, a crankpin exit hole located in the main passage wall, and a blocking element positioned in the oil passage, wherein the blocking element is located in a radially outward position with respect to the crankpin exit hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: Dale E. Murrish, Luke Luehr, Scott A. Hucker, Varoon Shankar, Jeremy T. Demarest
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Publication number: 20200108455Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crankshaft includes the steps of: (1) forming a crankshaft blank via a first half and a second half; (2) measuring a plurality of surface variations between a predetermined surface in a first region and a corresponding predetermined surface in a second region of the crankshaft blank; (3) calculating centering offset data based on the plurality of surface variations; (4) machining a pair center holes based on the centering offset data; (5) machining a counterweight and a journal relative to the pair of center holes to produce a partially machined crankshaft; (5) milling and grinding the partially machined crankshaft to produce a finished machined crankshaft; and (6) rotating the finished machined crankshaft typically on the outermost main journals in a final balancing machine and then modifying the counterweights to eliminate undesirable vibration generated during the rotation and engine operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2018Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: SCOTT A. HUCKER, JOSEPH G. LOVASZ, DALE E. MURRISH
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Publication number: 20200064277Abstract: A method of detecting defects in workpieces having curved or cylindrical surfaces such as shafts, crankshafts, camshafts, bearings and the like by illuminating the curved or cylindrical surfaces of the workpiece, rotating the workpiece and the curved or cylindrical surfaces about their common axis, recording a plurality of adjacent individual longitudinal elongate images representing discrete circumferentially adjacent, axially extending regions of the curved or cylindrical surfaces of the workpiece, assembling these recorded discrete circumferentially adjacent images into a continuous, coherent planar image, detecting surface irregularities in the continuous, planar image and determining whether such detected irregularities are of a magnitude sufficient to reject the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventor: Scott A. Hucker
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Patent number: 10352352Abstract: A forged crankshaft assembly for an engine, and a method of manufacturing the same, has a forged crankshaft and a removable counterweight to provide access for core drilling or milling a cavity. The forged crankshaft has a pin bearing journal, a main bearing journal, a first crank arm supporting the pin bearing journal, a second crank arm supporting the pin bearing journal and connecting the pin bearing journal and the main bearing journal, and at least one milled crank arm cavity formed within at least a portion of the second crank arm. The removable counterweight extends radially outward from the first crank arm, wherein the crank arm cavity is configured to be accessible to a core drill or mill cutter only when the removable counterweight is removed from the first crank arm and inaccessible to the core drill or mill cutter when the removable counterweight is coupled to the first crank arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dale E. Murrish, Scott A. Hucker, David Hresko
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Publication number: 20190107144Abstract: A forged crankshaft assembly for an engine, and a method of manufacturing the same, has a forged crankshaft and a removable counterweight to provide access for core drilling or milling a cavity. The forged crankshaft has a pin bearing journal, a main bearing journal, a first crank arm supporting the pin bearing journal, a second crank arm supporting the pin bearing journal and connecting the pin bearing journal and the main bearing journal, and at least one milled crank arm cavity formed within at least a portion of the second crank arm. The removable counterweight extends radially outward from the first crank arm, wherein the crank arm cavity is configured to be accessible to a core drill or mill cutter only when the removable counterweight is removed from the first crank arm and inaccessible to the core drill or mill cutter when the removable counterweight is coupled to the first crank arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Dale E. MURRISH, Scott A. HUCKER, David HRESKO
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Patent number: 9970476Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly includes configuring a crankshaft with a crankpin journal having a cavity extending at least partially from a first axial side to a second axial side of the crankpin journal, and opening at at least one of the first axial side and the second axial side. The method includes disposing a core plug in the cavity. The crankshaft has a first density and the core plug may have a second density which may be less than the first density. A crankshaft assembly includes the crankshaft and the core plug.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dale E. Murrish, John B. Fisher, Scott A. Hucker, Amit Kumar, Balakrishna Chinta, James Dwight Cremonesi
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Patent number: 9845861Abstract: A rotatable assembly, such as a crankshaft or camshaft assembly, includes a first rotatable component and a second rotatable component coupled to the first rotatable component. The first rotatable component includes a first body and defines a plurality of recesses extending into the first body. The second rotatable component includes a second body and defines a plurality of protrusions extending from the second body. The protrusions are disposed inside the respective recesses to allow the second rotatable component to rotate in unison with the first rotatable component.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Scott A. Hucker, Chris D. Hosler, Ronald B. Beals
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Publication number: 20170343096Abstract: A rotatable assembly, such as a crankshaft or camshaft assembly, includes a first rotatable component and a second rotatable component coupled to the first rotatable component. The first rotatable component includes a first body and defines a plurality of recesses extending into the first body. The second rotatable component includes a second body and defines a plurality of protrusions extending from the second body. The protrusions are disposed inside the respective recesses to allow the second rotatable component to rotate in unison with the first rotatable component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott A. Hucker, Chris D. Hosler, Ronald B. Beals
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Publication number: 20170241471Abstract: A composite vehicle shaft assembly includes a body formed from a first material having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The intermediate portion defines an axis of rotation and includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity. At least one core plug formed from a second material is disposed in the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Dale E. Murrish, Amit Kumar, Scott A. Hucker
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Publication number: 20170241299Abstract: A shaft assembly for a powertrain includes a shaft having a cavity extending at least partially from a first axial end to a second axial end of the shaft and opening at at least one of the first axial end and the second axial end. For example, the shaft may be a balance shaft, a camshaft, or a transmission shaft. A first core plug is disposed in the cavity. The shaft and the core plug may be the same material, or may be different materials. The shaft may have a first density, first cross-sectional area, or first area modulus, and the core plug may have a different second density, second cross sectional area, or second area modulus which may be less than the first density, the first cross-sectional area, or the first area modulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dale E. Murrish, Amit Kumar, Addison T. Solak, Scott A. Hucker
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Publication number: 20170241473Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly includes configuring a crankshaft with a crankpin journal having a cavity extending at least partially from a first axial side to a second axial side of the crankpin journal, and opening at at least one of the first axial side and the second axial side. The method includes disposing a core plug in the cavity. The crankshaft has a first density and the core plug may have a second density which may be less than the first density. A crankshaft assembly includes the crankshaft and the core plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dale E. Murrish, John B. Fisher, Scott A. Hucker, Amit Kumar, Balakrishna Chinta, James Dwight Cremonesi
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Publication number: 20170089423Abstract: A crankshaft includes a plurality of counterweights. Each of the counterweights includes a counterweight body. The counterweight body has a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion, and a central portion between the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion. A method of balancing the crankshaft includes: (a) removing material from the first lateral portion of the counterweight body of at least one of the counterweights; and (b) removing material from the second lateral portion of the counterweight body of at least one of the counterweights in order to balance the crankshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Scott A. Hucker, Dale Edward Murrish
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Patent number: 6932675Abstract: A method of determining the condition of a grinding wheel is provided to avoid over use or premature changing of the grinding wheel in a grinding machine, such as for crankshaft or camshaft grinding. The grinding machine has a motor which drives a grinding spindle carrying an abrasive coated hub acting as a grinding wheel. Sensors detect the level of grinding force and motor torque required to grind a workpiece into a desired shape. The information is relayed to a controller, which averages and compares the grinding force and torque information to force and torque limits to determine the condition of the wheel. In addition, the controller compares grinding force and motor torque over a series of grinds to determine the level of increase between grinds to further determine the condition of the grinding wheel. If the level of increase exceeds an increase limit, the controller actuates a fault signal to stop the grinding machine indicating that the wheel is near the end of its life cycle.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Shane E. Bremer, Scott A. Hucker, Philip E. Burgess
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Publication number: 20050170752Abstract: A method of determining the condition of a grinding wheel is provided to avoid over use or premature changing of the grinding wheel in a grinding machine, such as for crankshaft or camshaft grinding. The grinding machine has a motor which drives a grinding spindle carrying an abrasive coated hub acting as a grinding wheel. Sensors detect the level of grinding force and motor torque required to grind a workpiece into a desired shape. The information is relayed to a controller, which averages and compares the grinding force and torque information to force and torque limits to determine the condition of the wheel. In addition, the controller compares grinding force and motor torque over a series of grinds to determine the level of increase between grinds to further determine the condition of the grinding wheel. If the level of increase exceeds an increase limit, the controller actuates a fault signal to stop the grinding machine indicating that the wheel is near the end of its life cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2004Publication date: August 4, 2005Inventors: Shane Bremer, Scott Hucker, Philip Burgess