Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Froling
Thomas H. Froling 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: 9975421Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a shutter frame and at least one louver moveably mounted to the shutter frame. The shutter assembly also includes a mechanism configured to shift the at least one louver relative to the shutter frame to select a position for the shutter assembly between and inclusive of fully-opened and fully-closed. The shutter assembly additionally includes a heating element configured to generate thermal energy sufficient to melt ice formation on the shutter assembly and facilitate shifting of the at least one louver relative to the shutter frame. Furthermore, the shutter assembly includes a controller configured to regulate the mechanism and activate the heating element. A method of controlling operation of a shutter assembly and a vehicle having such a shutter assembly are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas H. Froling, David Schroeck
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Publication number: 20180015819Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a shutter frame and at least one louver moveably mounted to the shutter frame. The shutter assembly also includes a mechanism configured to shift the at least one louver relative to the shutter frame to select a position for the shutter assembly between and inclusive of fully-opened and fully-closed. The shutter assembly additionally includes a heating element configured to generate thermal energy sufficient to melt ice formation on the shutter assembly and facilitate shifting of the at least one louver relative to the shutter frame. Furthermore, the shutter assembly includes a controller configured to regulate the mechanism and activate the heating element. A method of controlling operation of a shutter assembly and a vehicle having such a shutter assembly are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas H. Froling, David Schroeck
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Patent number: 9517802Abstract: An active aerodynamic feature for an underside of a vehicle includes a static panel and a dynamic panel. The static panel has a leading edge attached to a front fascia of the vehicle, and a trailing edge distal from the front fascia. The dynamic panel is movably attached to the trailing edge of the static panel. An actuator is configured to locate the dynamic panel in at least two fixed positions relative to the static panel. The fixed positions include a stowed position, which is substantially aligned with the trailing edge of the static panel, and a deployed position, which is at an offset angle relative to the trailing edge of the static panel and also to the stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas H. Froling, Timothy J. Herrick, Joseph Hanna, Titus H. Sgro, Changyoung Heo
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Publication number: 20150246696Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle generally has a front wall, two side walls, a truck bed, and a tailgate that altogether define a tonneau. The apparatus includes a tonneau cover that has a front panel and a rear panel. The tonneau cover is slidable along the side walls of the vehicle to move between a closed position and an extended position. In the closed position, the tonneau cover substantially covers the tonneau. In the extended position, at least a portion of the rear panel overhangs the tailgate exterior to the tonneau. The tonneau cover is securable in at least one of the closed position and the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas H. Froling, Scott C. Anderson
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Patent number: 9108685Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle generally has a front wall, two side walls, a truck bed, and a tailgate that altogether define a tonneau. The apparatus includes a tonneau cover that has a front panel and a rear panel. The tonneau cover is slidable along the side walls of the vehicle to move between a closed position and an extended position. In the closed position, the tonneau cover substantially covers the tonneau. In the extended position, at least a portion of the rear panel overhangs the tailgate exterior to the tonneau. The tonneau cover is securable in at least one of the closed position and the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas H. Froling, Scott C. Anderson
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Patent number: 9043095Abstract: A user programmable motor vehicle driving parameter control system includes a motor vehicle including at least one active aerodynamic control element, and a user/vehicle interface member, and a controller including a memory having stored therein a user defined deployment schedule and a processor configured and disposed to selectively deploy the at least one aerodynamic control element based on the user defined deployment schedule.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Thomas H. Froling
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Publication number: 20150006041Abstract: A user programmable motor vehicle driving parameter control system includes a motor vehicle including at least one active aerodynamic control element, and a user/vehicle interface member, and a controller including a memory having stored therein a user defined deployment schedule and a processor configured and disposed to selectively deploy the at least one aerodynamic control element based on the user defined deployment schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventor: Thomas H. Froling
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Patent number: 8882176Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface, and also having a second body end opposite of the first body end. The vehicle also includes an underbody portion configured to span a distance between the first and second body ends and define a space between the vehicle body and the road surface. The vehicle additionally includes an active diffuser assembly disposed at the second end and configured to control the airflow past the underbody portion through the space between the vehicle body and the road surface and out to the ambient. The active diffuser assembly includes a panel configured to selectively extend into and retract from the ambient airflow aft of the second end. The active diffuser assembly also includes a first device configured to extend the panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas H. Froling, Joel P. Ruschman, Joshua L. Thurter, Chris Piscitelli
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Publication number: 20140097638Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface, and also having a second body end opposite of the first body end. The vehicle also includes an underbody portion configured to span a distance between the first and second body ends and define a space between the vehicle body and the road surface. The vehicle additionally includes an active diffuser assembly disposed at the second end and configured to control the airflow past the underbody portion through the space between the vehicle body and the road surface and out to the ambient. The active diffuser assembly includes a panel configured to selectively extend into and retract from the ambient airflow aft of the second end. The active diffuser assembly also includes a first device configured to extend the panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas H. Froling, Joel P. Ruschman, Joshua L. Thurber, Chris Piscitelli
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Patent number: 8607744Abstract: An active air intake adapted for selectively regulating fluid flow into an engine generally includes a housing defining an opening, a covering member disposed relative to the opening and translatable between opened and closed conditions, an actuator including an active material element operable to effect movement of the member, a load limit protector configured to present a secondary output path for the element, an overheat protection mechanism for preventing unintentional activation and stress loads in the element, a biasing mechanism for returning the member to the original condition, and a latching mechanism for retaining the member in the closed condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2008Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Xiujie Gao, Thomas H. Froling, Richard J. Skurkis, Matthew D. Scrase, Clifford Jason Yee, Evan P. Joranlien, Mark D. Dickens, Arnold G Warner, Laurence M Lemaire
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Publication number: 20090173305Abstract: An active air intake adapted for selectively regulating fluid flow into an engine generally includes a housing defining an opening, a covering member disposed relative to the opening and translatable between opened and closed conditions, an actuator including an active material element operable to effect movement of the member, a load limit protector configured to present a secondary output path for the element, an overheat protection mechanism for preventing unintentional activation and stress loads in the element, a biasing mechanism for returning the member to the original condition, and a latching mechanism for retaining the member in the closed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Xiujie Gao, Thomas H. Froling, Richard J. Skurkis, Matthew D. Scrase, Clifford Jason Yee, Evan P. Joranlien, Mark D. Dickens, Arnold G. Warner, Laurence M. Lemaire
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Patent number: 7178395Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow about a vehicle. The system comprises a fluid flow control device, an obstacle sensor for detecting obstacles, and a controller. The fluid flow control device has a body with at least one surface and an actuation means in operative communication with the surface. The actuation means is operative to alter at least one attribute of the fluid flow control device in response to a control signal. The controller has control logic for generating the control signal in response to the obstacle sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Tadge J. Juechter, Edward D. Moss, Jan H. Aase, Thomas H. Froling, Gary L. Jones, Bahram Khalighi, Constantinos A. Koromilas, Harlan W. Charles, Geoffrey P. McKnight, William Barvosa-Carter, Leslie A. Momoda, Franz K. Schenkel, Lawrence E. Peruski, Jeffrey M. Pleune
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Patent number: 5461938Abstract: A control cable end connector offering positive locking and positive sealing features for control cable connection. A connector feature is molded on the cable sleeve becoming a permanent part of the cable assembly. An acoustic cup is positioned on the connector which slides along the connector and includes two cantilevered locking hooks. The connector locates through an opening in a substantially flat portion of a wall by capturing the wall between two flanges. The acoustic cup seals the end connector area of the wall and snaps into the substantially flat wall providing a positive lock against the removal of the connector.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1994Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Thomas H. Froling, Thomas A. Nistor, Stephen Sigety, Jr.