Patents by Inventor Thomas V. Timmons

Thomas V. Timmons 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: 10074358
    Abstract: A sound control module is configured to determine N magnitudes for outputting a predetermined engine sound at N predetermined harmonics of a base frequency, respectively, where N is an integer greater than one. An adjustment module is configured to determine N magnitude adjustments for the N predetermined harmonics, respectively, based on a position of a compression ratio (CR) actuator configured to vary a CR of an engine. The sound control module is further configured to determine N adjusted magnitudes for the N predetermined harmonics based on: the N magnitudes for the N predetermined harmonics, respectively; and the N magnitude adjustments for the N predetermined harmonics, respectively. An audio driver module is configured to apply power to at least one speaker of the vehicle and output the predetermined engine sound based on the N adjusted magnitudes at N frequencies, respectively, corresponding to the N predetermined harmonics of the base frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank C. Valeri, Timothy J. Roggenkamp, Thomas V. Timmons
  • Patent number: 7610902
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly has a bushing defining a pumping chamber, a plunger, a cam follower piece, and a compliance device for absorbing noise by increasing either or both of a hydraulic and/or a mechanical compliance of the fuel pump assembly. The compliance device may includes a spring washer or a press-fit spring. The pump bushing and/or plunger may include a cavity as the compliance device for increasing dead volume, the cavity being in fluid communication with the pumping chamber via an orifice. A deflectable or movable mechanism is positioned within a cavity for increasing dead volume, and a solenoid varies a diameter of the orifice. The moveable mechanism includes a poppet valve having a switching pressure related to engine speed. A vehicle includes an engine, transmission, fuel rail, and a fuel pump assembly configured with at least one compliance device for absorbing a hydraulic noise component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Beardmore, Thomas V. Timmons
  • Publication number: 20090065292
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly has a bushing defining a pumping chamber, a plunger, a cam follower piece, and a compliance device for absorbing noise by increasing either or both of a hydraulic and/or a mechanical compliance of the fuel pump assembly. The compliance device may includes a spring washer or a press-fit spring. The pump bushing and/or plunger may include a cavity as the compliance device for increasing dead volume, the cavity being in fluid communication with the pumping chamber via an orifice. A deflectable or movable mechanism is positioned within a cavity for increasing dead volume, and a solenoid varies a diameter of the orifice. The moveable mechanism includes a poppet valve having a switching pressure related to engine speed. A vehicle includes an engine, transmission, fuel rail, and a fuel pump assembly configured with at least one compliance device for absorbing a hydraulic noise component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Beardmore, Thomas V. Timmons