Patents by Inventor Terry A. Swartzell

Terry A. Swartzell 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: 11670818
    Abstract: An serviceable battery pack and assembly method may include a battery pack having a stanchion extending through a wall of the battery pack, a first battery pack seal between the stanchion and the wall of the battery pack, attachment of the battery pack at the exterior of a floor pan of a vehicle at the stanchion, and a second battery pack seal between the exterior of the floor pan and the wall of the battery pack surrounding the stanchion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, James A. Rochon, Terry J. Short, Charles E. Jensen
  • Patent number: 11607962
    Abstract: A battery enclosure, support beam for the battery enclosure and method of providing structural support to the battery enclosure. The battery enclosure includes a base having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. The support beam extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The support beam includes a body having a first beam end and a through passage. An internal stabilizer disposed within the through passage at the first beam end. The internal stabilizer includes a first stabilizer sidewall extending from a first stabilizer end to a second stabilizer end, a second stabilizer sidewall extending from the first stabilizer end to the second stabilizer end, and a bridge connecting the first stabilizer sidewall to the second stabilizer sidewall at the second stabilizer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tyler A. Riley, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, Charles E. Jensen, James A. Rochon
  • Patent number: 11515600
    Abstract: Electric vehicle battery enclosures and methods of assembling electric vehicle battery enclosures involve a base portion to hold one or more batteries that provide motive power to an all-electric or hybrid electric vehicle. An electric vehicle battery enclosure includes a cover portion to mate with the base portion to enclose the one or more batteries, and a sealant to create a bond between the base portion and the cover portion around an entire perimeter of the enclosure and to seal the enclosure based on a uniform height of the sealant around the perimeter of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Jensen, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, James A. Rochon
  • Patent number: 11511808
    Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle body including a rocker insert is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle body including a plurality of metallic structure members and a lower portion operable to provide support to a floor surface within a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a rocker insert mounted to an in-vehicle side portion of the lower portion. The rocker insert includes an elongated bar portion including a hollow center portion including internal reinforcing web features. The rocker insert is oriented with respect to the vehicle body such that a longitudinal axis of the elongated bar portion of the rocker insert is parallel to an in-vehicle forward direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Halonen, Terry A. Swartzell, Yiran Tong, Luke A. Reini, Andrew W. White, Michael D. Regiec, Warren J. Parsons, Monte L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11404740
    Abstract: A system for protecting a battery enclosure of a vehicle, comprising of a structural blocker configured to be fixedly attached to a side portion of the battery enclosure. The side portion faces a lateral direction, extending along a vehicle axis that extends between a front and a rear of a vehicle. The battery enclosure includes at least one cross member oriented along a lateral direction, wherein the structural blocker is configured to be aligned with an end of the cross member and localized to a region of the side portion proximate to the end of the cross member. The structural blocker is configured to transfer a side load from a structural component of the vehicle to the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, James A. Rochon, Mark T. Dingman
  • Patent number: 11394074
    Abstract: A battery enclosure, support beam for a battery enclosure and method of manufacturing the support beam. The battery enclosure includes a base and the support beam is securable within the base. The support beam includes a body, a nut channel secured to the body, and a mechanical fastener attached to the nut channel. The nut channel is formed into a u-shaped channel. The mechanical fastener is attached to the nut channel and the nut channel is secured to the body of the support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tyler A. Riley, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, Charles E. Jensen, James A. Rochon
  • Publication number: 20220135136
    Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle body including a rocker insert is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle body including a plurality of metallic structure members and a lower portion operable to provide support to a floor surface within a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a rocker insert mounted to an in-vehicle side portion of the lower portion. The rocker insert includes an elongated bar portion including a hollow center portion including internal reinforcing web features. The rocker insert is oriented with respect to the vehicle body such that a longitudinal axis of the elongated bar portion of the rocker insert is parallel to an in-vehicle forward direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Halonen, Terry A. Swartzell, Yiran Tong, Luke A. Reini, Andrew W. White, Michael D. Regiec, Warren J. Parsons, Monte L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11299206
    Abstract: A load impact management system for an automotive vehicle includes a load member extending from a first vehicle frame rail to a second vehicle frame rail and perpendicular to each of the first and second vehicle frame rails and to a vehicle body axis. The load member is coupled to the first vehicle frame rail at two attachment points and coupled to the second vehicle frame rail at two attachment points. The load member defines a load path between a first side of the automotive vehicle to a second side of the automotive vehicle opposite the first side and the load member is forward of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andre T. Matsumoto, Zohir Molhem, Terry A. Swartzell, Michael T. Quaggiotto, Mark. T. Dingman
  • Patent number: 11201375
    Abstract: A battery electric vehicle includes a pair of spaced apart and substantially parallel longitudinal members and a floor pan coupled to and above at least a portion of the longitudinal members. A battery pack bay is defined below the floor pan, longitudinally between predefined front and rear limits, and laterally between the longitudinal members. A battery pack may be upwardly disposed within the battery pack bay, the battery pack including a pair of laterally spaced apart sides whereat the first battery pack is removably attached to the respective longitudinal members. The battery pack may be dimensioned longitudinally to occupy less than the entire longitudinal space of the battery pack bay. A closeout structure may be removably attached to the respective longitudinal members and one longitudinal end of the first battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, David A. Saari, Charles N. Kriete
  • Patent number: 11110787
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a body structure, a forward sub-frame, and a battery pack. The body structure includes first and second side rails. The forward sub-frame includes first and second side supports each having and extending longitudinally between forward and rearward end portions. The first and second side supports are located forward of, and substantially parallel to, the first and second side rails. The battery pack includes a support structure disposed beneath, and engaged to, the body structure between the first and second side rails. The support structure has a plurality of longitudinal components spaced laterally apart from one-another, and disposed parallel to the opposite first and second side rails. The rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are proximate to respective first and second longitudinal components of the plurality of longitudinal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Terry A. Swartzell, Andre T. Matsumoto, Bradley Leier, Andrew W. White
  • Publication number: 20210178879
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a body structure, a forward sub-frame, and a battery pack. The body structure includes first and second side rails. The forward sub-frame includes first and second side supports each having and extending longitudinally between forward and rearward end portions. The first and second side supports are located forward of, and substantially parallel to, the first and second side rails. The battery pack includes a support structure disposed beneath, and engaged to, the body structure between the first and second side rails. The support structure has a plurality of longitudinal components spaced laterally apart from one-another, and disposed parallel to the opposite first and second side rails. The rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are proximate to respective first and second longitudinal components of the plurality of longitudinal components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Terry A. Swartzell, Andre T. Matsumoto, Bradley Leier, Andrew W. White
  • Publication number: 20210178912
    Abstract: A battery enclosure, support beam for the battery enclosure and method of providing structural support to the battery enclosure. The battery enclosure includes a base having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. The support beam extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The support beam includes a body having a first beam end and a through passage. An internal stabilizer disposed within the through passage at the first beam end. The internal stabilizer includes a first stabilizer sidewall extending from a first stabilizer end to a second stabilizer end, a second stabilizer sidewall extending from the first stabilizer end to the second stabilizer end, and a bridge connecting the first stabilizer sidewall to the second stabilizer sidewall at the second stabilizer end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Tyler A. Riley, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, Charles E. Jensen, James A. Rochon
  • Publication number: 20210184192
    Abstract: A system for protecting a battery enclosure of a vehicle, comprising of a structural blocker configured to be fixedly attached to a side portion of the battery enclosure. The side portion faces a lateral direction, extending along a vehicle axis that extends between a front and a rear of a vehicle. The battery enclosure includes at least one cross member oriented along a lateral direction, wherein the structural blocker is configured to be aligned with an end of the cross member and localized to a region of the side portion proximate to the end of the cross member. The structural blocker is configured to transfer a side load from a structural component of the vehicle to the cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, James A. Rochon, Mark T. Dingman
  • Publication number: 20210184191
    Abstract: A battery electric vehicle includes a pair of spaced apart and substantially parallel longitudinal members and a floor pan coupled to and above at least a portion of the longitudinal members. A battery pack bay is defined below the floor pan, longitudinally between predefined front and rear limits, and laterally between the longitudinal members. A battery pack may be upwardly disposed within the battery pack bay, the battery pack including a pair of laterally spaced apart sides whereat the first battery pack is removably attached to the respective longitudinal members. The battery pack may be dimensioned longitudinally to occupy less than the entire longitudinal space of the battery pack bay. A closeout structure may be removably attached to the respective longitudinal members and one longitudinal end of the first battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, David A. Saari, Charles N. Kriete
  • Publication number: 20210175478
    Abstract: A battery enclosure, support beam for a battery enclosure and method of manufacturing the support beam. The battery enclosure includes a base and the support beam is securable within the base. The support beam includes a body, a nut channel secured to the body, and a mechanical fastener attached to the nut channel. The nut channel is formed into a u-shaped channel. The mechanical fastener is attached to the nut channel and the nut channel is secured to the body of the support beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Tyler A. Riley, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, Charles E. Jensen, James A. Rochon
  • Publication number: 20210175480
    Abstract: An serviceable battery pack and assembly method may include a battery pack having a stanchion extending through a wall of the battery pack, a first battery pack seal between the stanchion and the wall of the battery pack, attachment of the battery pack at the exterior of a floor pan of a vehicle at the stanchion, and a second battery pack seal between the exterior of the floor pan and the wall of the battery pack surrounding the stanchion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew W. White, Terry A. Swartzell, James A. Rochon, Terry J. Short, Charles E. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20210175482
    Abstract: Electric vehicle battery enclosures and methods of assembling electric vehicle battery enclosures involve a base portion to hold one or more batteries that provide motive power to an all-electric or hybrid electric vehicle. An electric vehicle battery enclosure includes a cover portion to mate with the base portion to enclose the one or more batteries, and a sealant to create a bond between the base portion and the cover portion around an entire perimeter of the enclosure and to seal the enclosure based on a uniform height of the sealant around the perimeter of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Charles E. Jensen, Terry A. Swartzell, Andrew W. White, James A. Rochon
  • Publication number: 20210078636
    Abstract: A load impact management system for an automotive vehicle includes a load member extending from a first vehicle frame rail to a second vehicle frame rail and perpendicular to each of the first and second vehicle frame rails and to a vehicle body axis. The load member is coupled to the first vehicle frame rail at two attachment points and coupled to the second vehicle frame rail at two attachment points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andre T. Matsumoto, Zohir Molhem, Terry A. Swartzell, Michael T. Quaggiotto, Mark. T. Dingman
  • Patent number: 10919577
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body with a longitudinal axis. The vehicle also includes a rocker inner panel with a first channel having interior and exterior sides. The interior side is secured to the vehicle body. The first channel has a first upper horizontal sidewall, a first lower horizontal sidewall, and a first vertical endwall coupling the first upper and first lower horizontal sidewalls at the interior side. A rocker outer panel is secured to the rocker inner panel. The rocker outer panel includes a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel. The second channel is secured to the third channel, and the third channel is secured to the fourth channel. An upper cavity is defined between the second and third channels, an intermediate cavity is defined between the third and fourth channels, and a lower cavity is defined between the second and third channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Douglas, Robert Ristoski, Robert N. Saje, Kevin Stang, Terry A. Swartzell
  • Patent number: 10822039
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle to provide load distribution between the body of the vehicle and a battery contained in the vehicle includes a pair of body rockers, the body rockers being spaced apart and being substantially parallel to each other, a plurality of body cross bars that extend between the pair of body rockers, the plurality of body cross bars being spaced apart, substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the body rockers, and a plurality of battery cross bars that extend between the pair of body rockers, the plurality of battery cross bars being spaced apart, substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the body rockers, portions of the battery being located between adjacent battery cross bars. The plurality of battery cross bars, the plurality of body cross bars and the body rockers are configured to delay initiation of rocker plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Shannon, Terry A. Swartzell, Thomas M. Siberski, Andrew W. White