Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Cichy
Stephen M. Cichy 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: 10340724Abstract: An onboard charging system for charging from a power source may include an energy storage system. A connector may be configured to couple the onboard charging system with the power source. A charging circuit may be electrically connected between the connector and the energy storage system. A converter may be electrically connected in the charging circuit between the connector and the energy storage system. A rectifier may be electrically connected in the charging circuit between the connector and the converter. Output of an inductive receiver may be electrically connected with the charging circuit between the connector and the converter. The converter may control the delivery of voltage and current to the energy storage system from the power source and from the inductive receiver.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: GM GLOVAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ahmad Albanna, Mohammad N. Anwar, Stephen M. Cichy, Andrew J. Namou
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Patent number: 10286799Abstract: A conductive charging system for use with an offboard AC or DC power supply and a plug-in vehicle includes a conductive armature, an electromagnetic relay, and a switch. The armature is connected directly to the power supply and deploys into electrical contact with the vehicle in response to the vehicle weight. The switch closes in response to the vehicle weight to connect an auxiliary power device to an inductive coil. The relay moves to a first position connecting the charge coupler to an AC-DC converter or the battery pack when the switch is open, and to a second position bypassing the charge coupler when the switch is closed. A vehicle includes the system, charge coupler, HV battery pack, auxiliary power device, and armature.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrew J. Namou, Stephen M. Cichy, Kevin M. Robert
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Publication number: 20180281608Abstract: An onboard charging system for charging from a power source may include an energy storage system. A connector may be configured to couple the onboard charging system with the power source. A charging circuit may be electrically connected between the connector and the energy storage system. A converter may be electrically connected in the charging circuit between the connector and the energy storage system. A rectifier may be electrically connected in the charging circuit between the connector and the converter. Output of an inductive receiver may be electrically connected with the charging circuit between the connector and the converter. The converter may control the delivery of voltage and current to the energy storage system from the power source and from the inductive receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: AHMAD ALBANNA, MOHAMMAD N. ANWAR, STEPHEN M. CICHY, ANDREW J. NAMOU
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Publication number: 20180056799Abstract: A conductive charging system for use with an offboard AC or DC power supply and a plug-in vehicle includes a conductive armature, an electromagnetic relay, and a switch. The armature is connected directly to the power supply and deploys into electrical contact with the vehicle in response to the vehicle weight. The switch closes in response to the vehicle weight to connect an auxiliary power device to an inductive coil. The relay moves to a first position connecting the charge coupler to an AC-DC converter or the battery pack when the switch is open, and to a second position bypassing the charge coupler when the switch is closed. A vehicle includes the system, charge coupler, HV battery pack, auxiliary power device, and armature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andrew J. Namou, Stephen M. Cichy, Kevin M. Robert
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Patent number: 9796326Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of lamps disposed on a rear portion of the vehicle, a user-actuatable hazard light control component (e.g. a turn-signal stalk) having a plurality of states, and a hazard lamp controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of lamps, the user-actuable hazard light control component, and the user-actuatable hazard light controller. The hazard lamp controller is configured to illuminate the plurality of lamps in accordance with a lighting pattern responsive to the state of the user-actuatable hazard light control component.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Erik C. Nordstrom, Kris S. Sevel, Stephen M. Cichy, Ryan A. Church
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Publication number: 20160039336Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of lamps disposed on a rear portion of the vehicle, a user-actuatable hazard light control component (e.g. a turn-signal stalk) having a plurality of states, and a hazard lamp controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of lamps, the user-actuable hazard light control component, and the user-actuatable hazard light controller. The hazard lamp controller is configured to illuminate the plurality of lamps in accordance with a lighting pattern responsive to the state of the user-actuatable hazard light control component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: ERIK C. NORDSTROM, KRIS S. SEVEL, STEPHEN M. CICHY, RYAN A. CHURCH
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Patent number: 9168835Abstract: Methods, systems are provided for controlling an auxiliary power outlet in a vehicle. The method includes connecting the battery powered device to the accessory power outlet, synchronizing communications between the battery powered device to a computing device of the vehicle, and determining when the battery powered device is connected to an electric bus and is charging. When the battery powered device is either not connected to the electric bus or the battery powered device is not charging, then disconnecting power from the accessory power outlet. The system includes a battery, an electrical bus electrically connected to the battery, at least one auxiliary power outlet in electrical communication with the battery and configured to mate with a battery charging port of a battery operated device; and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to disconnect power from the accessory power outlet when the battery is charged.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Erik C. Nordstrom, Jeffrey J. Hoorn, Stephen M. Cichy
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Publication number: 20150149034Abstract: Methods, systems are provided for controlling an auxiliary power outlet in a vehicle. The method includes connecting the battery powered device to the accessory power outlet, synchronizing communications between the battery powered device to a computing device of the vehicle, and determining when the battery powered device is connected to an electric bus and is charging. When the battery powered device is either not connected to the electric bus or the battery powered device is not charging, then disconnecting power from the accessory power outlet. The system includes a battery, an electrical bus electrically connected to the battery, at least one auxiliary power outlet in electrical communication with the battery and configured to mate with a battery charging port of a battery operated device; and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to disconnect power from the accessory power outlet when the battery is charged.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: ERIK C. NORDSTROM, JEFFREY J. HOORN, STEPHEN M. CICHY
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Patent number: 8933627Abstract: A system for controlling a lighting system for a vehicle includes an ambient light sensor operable for detecting a level of ambient light and a lighting circuitry. The system also includes a logical control unit that receives input signals from a vehicle control unit, a user input device and the ambient light sensor. The logical control unit controls a voltage on the lighting circuitry to provide a minimum voltage based on the one or more input signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Erik C. Nordstrom, Stephen M. Cichy, Mehrdad Teimorzadeh, Charles J. Swan
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Publication number: 20130344799Abstract: A system for delivery of radio content includes a database configured to receive a radio content data comprising a radio content, a broadcast time for the radio content and a broadcast channel of the radio content. Also included is a signal for communicating the radio content from the database to a remote radio unit, wherein the remote radio unit communicates the radio content data to a user for providing advance notice to the user of future radio content.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stephen M. Cichy, Erik C. Nordstrom, Charles J. Swan, Ryan A. Church
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Publication number: 20130234593Abstract: A system for controlling a lighting system for a vehicle includes an ambient light sensor operable for detecting a level of ambient light and a lighting circuitry. The system also includes a logical control unit that receives input signals from a vehicle control unit, a user input device and the ambient light sensor. The logical control unit controls a voltage on the lighting circuitry to provide a minimum voltage based on the one or more input signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Erik C. Nordstrom, Stephen M. Cichy, Mehrdad Teimorzadeh, Charles J. Swan