Patents by Inventor Thomas McGettrick

Thomas McGettrick 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: 10927585
    Abstract: A system for waking an electronic control unit upon movement of a controlled member, such as a vehicle lift gate or window, and protecting the electronic control unit from motor back EMF are provided. The system includes a power drive unit coupled to the controlled member and to the electronic control unit for moving the controlled member. A comparator subsystem is coupled to the power drive unit and is configured to compare an electrical output of the power drive unit generated due to motor back electromotive force in response to a manual movement of the controlled member to an electrical reference to determine whether to wake the electronic control unit. The system detects manual movement of the controlled member, e.g. from unauthorized entry, and causes an alarm and/or for the motor to brake or to drive to counteract the manual movement of the controlled member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Thomas McGettrick, Xu Yang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190017311
    Abstract: A system for waking an electronic control unit upon movement of a controlled member, such as a vehicle lift gate or window, and protecting the electronic control unit from motor back EMF are provided. The system includes a power drive unit coupled to the controlled member and to the electronic control unit for moving the controlled member. A comparator subsystem is coupled to the power drive unit and is configured to compare an electrical output of the power drive unit generated due to motor back electromotive force in response to a manual movement of the controlled member to an electrical reference to determine whether to wake the electronic control unit. The system detects manual movement of the controlled member, e.g. from unauthorized entry, and causes an alarm and/or for the motor to brake or to drive to counteract the manual movement of the controlled member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas McGETTRICK, Xu Yang ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20160365853
    Abstract: A switching system is disclosed and includes a first device including a dormant local supply and a ground source and a first device connector having a plurality of first device terminals. The first device includes a switching unit for selectively coupling a first device power terminal to the dormant local supply in an on mode and for decoupling the first device power terminal and the dormant local supply in an off mode. A cable subassembly includes a shield and a first cable connector including a plurality of first cable connector terminals for connection to the first device terminals. The shield is connected to a first cable ground terminal for interconnecting the first device power terminal to the dormant local supply in response to the first cable connector engaging the first device connector and forming a conductive path through the shield to the ground source and activating the switching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: John G. Zeabari, Thomas McGettrick, Joshua M. Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20050184534
    Abstract: A method as disclosed for operating a motor bidirectionally to cinch and release a closure panel of a motor vehicle. The motor is operatively connected to a pawl, ratchet and spring of a latch for the closure panel. The method includes the step of driving the motor in a cinching direction to rotate the ratchet to cinch the closure panel in the closed position. The motor is then returned to a park position by driving the motor in a park direction opposite to the cinching direction. Power is applied to the motor to drive the motor in a release direction to drive the motor past the park position with respect to the cinching direction. In doing so, the motor contracts the spring as it moves in the release direction. Power is then removed from the motor allowing the spring to force the motor to return to the park position as the spring returns to its steady state position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: G. Oberheide, Gregory Jorgensen, John Zeabari, Thomas McGettrick