Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Herrick
Timothy J. Herrick 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: 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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Patent number: 9009618Abstract: A method of tracking status and progress of a process is presented and described herein. The method provides a plurality of markers that can be visualized in three dimensions, where each of the plurality of markers represents a respective trackable event. The markers are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration that visually indicates current status of a plurality of trackable events corresponding to the plurality of markers, and the three-dimensional configuration is updated over time to visually indicate an updated status of the plurality of trackable events. The markers and the three-dimensional configuration may be realized using a tangible model or a virtual model that is generated and rendered on a display element.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Gregory L. Schone, Timothy J. Herrick, Nathan A. Wilmot, Dennis J. Pastor, Jamie L. Pickett, Kevin T. Quinn
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Publication number: 20120317508Abstract: A method of tracking status and progress of a process is presented and described herein. The method provides a plurality of markers that can be visualized in three dimensions, where each of the plurality of markers represents a respective trackable event. The markers are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration that visually indicates current status of a plurality of trackable events corresponding to the plurality of markers, and the three-dimensional configuration is updated over time to visually indicate an updated status of the plurality of trackable events. The markers and the three-dimensional configuration may be realized using a tangible model or a virtual model that is generated and rendered on a display element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Gregory L. SCHONE, Timothy J. HERRICK, Nathan A. WILMOT, Dennis J. PASTOR, Jamie L. PICKETT, Kevin T. QUINN
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Patent number: 8185269Abstract: An active suspension system and method for controlling the height of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the active suspension system receives information from one or more input sources, including both internal and external vehicle inputs, and uses that information to actively control the vehicle height. By doing so, the active suspension system can reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and improve the vehicle's fuel economy, ride comfort, handling, and other aspects of operation. Some examples of external vehicle inputs that may be used include: short-range road and vehicle information, as well as long-range traffic, road and route information.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yunjun Li, Timothy J. Herrick, Nancy McMahon, Steven A. Opiteck, John X. Cui, Loren J. Majersik, Nathan A. Wilmot
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Publication number: 20100185341Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for activation of a vehicle operational mode. The device includes one or more detectors and a controller. The one or more detectors visually monitor one or more predetermined spatial locations, each of the one or more detectors corresponding to one of the one or more predetermined spatial locations. The controller is coupled to the one or more detectors and activates a predetermined vehicle operational mode in response to a current vehicle operational mode and a predetermined gesture detected within one of the one or more predetermined spatial locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: THOMAS A. WILSON, CRAIG A. KOLLAR, TIMOTHY J. HERRICK
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Publication number: 20100152969Abstract: An active suspension system and method for controlling the height of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the active suspension system receives information from one or more input sources, including both internal and external vehicle inputs, and uses that information to actively control the vehicle height. By doing so, the active suspension system can reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and improve the vehicle's fuel economy, ride comfort, handling, and other aspects of operation. Some examples of external vehicle inputs that may be used include: short-range road and vehicle information, as well as long-range traffic, road and route information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Yunjun Li, Timothy J. Herrick, Nancy McMahon, Steven A. Opiteck, John X. Cui, Loren J. Majersik, Nathan A. Wilmot
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Publication number: 20090236877Abstract: A method of constructing vehicle frames of varying lengths from a flexible modular architecture is provided. The method comprises: providing substantially identical front and rear modules, and providing middle modules with constant-section longitudinal rails that are formable to a variety of desired lengths. The components are selected by trimming or forming a first middle module to a first longitudinal length and selecting one each of the substantially identical front and rear modules. A first frame, having a first frame length, is then assembled from the formed first middle module and substantially identical front and rear modules. After forming another middle module to a second length; a second frame, having a different frame length, may then be assembled from the second formed middle module and a second pair of substantially identical front and rear modules. An assembly for constructing frames of varying lengths from a flexible modular architecture is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Len V. Peschansky, David L. Von Knorring, Robert F. Norton, Frank Burger, Timothy J. Herrick, Richard E. Jayroe
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Patent number: 6880878Abstract: A cargo storage system for a vehicle having a cargo bay includes cover members adapted to cooperate with each other to at least partially cover and at least partially uncover the cargo bay. The system further includes two bracket assemblies configured to be connectable and disconnectable from the vehicle. The bracket assemblies are adapted to support at least one of the cover members above the other cover members when the bracket assemblies are connected to the vehicle such that the cover members are secured to the vehicle in a relatively stacked manner above the cargo bay and the cargo bay is at least partially uncovered. A method of storing a cargo cover is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Henry J. Nykiel, Timothy J. Herrick, John Acker