Patents by Inventor Todd J. Brinkman
Todd J. Brinkman 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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Publication number: 20240400016Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling deceleration of a vehicle towing a trailer. In an embodiment, a method includes: generating, by a processor, trailer brake command data to pulsate brakes of the trailer; in response to the generating the trailer brake command data, storing, in a data storage device of the vehicle, a first set of deceleration data; generating, by the processor, vehicle brake command data to pulsate brakes of the vehicle; in response to the generating the vehicle brake command data, storing, in the data storage device, a second set of deceleration data; determining, by the processor, a maximum vehicle brake torque threshold where a maximum trailer brake output occurs based on the first set of deceleration data and the second set of deceleration data; and controlling, by the processor, the brakes of the trailer based on the maximum vehicle brake torque threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: December 5, 2024Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michael Nguyen, Todd J. Brinkman
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Publication number: 20240317228Abstract: Methods and systems determine resistance related constants for use by a vehicle towing a trailer. A system for controlling functions of the vehicle and the trailer includes sensors that provide sensor data. A processor performs a readiness check, based on the sensor data, by determining whether the sensor data exceeds predetermined thresholds. When the readiness check is passed, meaning the thresholds are not exceeded, and based on the sensor data, the processor computes values for constants that represent aerodynamic resistance and rolling resistance of the vehicle and the trailer. Based on the constants, the processor controls functions of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2023Publication date: September 26, 2024Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Todd J. Brinkman, Matthew Giuffre
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Patent number: 11858484Abstract: A braking current management system for use in a towed trailer. The braking current management system comprises a battery health module configured to determine an amount of available battery current associated with the towed trailer and to generate therefrom an available current signal. The system further includes a trailer brake control module configured to receive the available current signal and, in response to the available current signal, to control an amount of current applied to a trailer brake associated with the towed trailer.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Todd J. Brinkman, David B. Antanaitis, Stacey M. Marmara
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Patent number: 11864073Abstract: A method for enabling a V2V communications link between a trailer and a first tow vehicle including receiving a towing system activation control signal, transmitting a tow vehicle request, receiving a first tow vehicle response including a first tow vehicle location and a first tow vehicle identifier, determining a first distance between the first tow vehicle and the trailer, and enabling the V2V communications link in response to the first distance being less than a threshold distance.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Todd J. Brinkman, Ralph David Schlottke, Curtis L Hay, Priya B. Abraham
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Publication number: 20230328490Abstract: A method for enabling a V2V communications link between a trailer and a first tow vehicle including receiving a towing system activation control signal, transmitting a tow vehicle request, receiving a first tow vehicle response including a first tow vehicle location and a first tow vehicle identifier, determining a first distance between the first tow vehicle and the trailer, and enabling the V2V communications link in response to the first distance being less than a threshold distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Todd J. Brinkman, Ralph David Schlottke, Curtis L. Hay, Priya B. Abraham
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Patent number: 11745705Abstract: An anti-lock braking system for a triple axle trailer having three axles and six wheels is disclosed. The system includes a first wheel speed sensor coupled to the first wheel of the trailer, a second wheel speed sensor coupled to the third wheel of the trailer, a spring mount pivotably coupled to the body of the trailer, a first suspension member coupled to the first wheel and to the spring mount and a second suspension member coupled to the second wheel and to the spring mount. The system includes a hydraulic braking actuator having a first channel coupled to the first wheel and the second wheel and a second channel coupled to the third wheel. The spring mount pivots in response to an applied brake torque to increase a normal force applied to the second wheel as compared to a normal force applied to the first wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Todd J. Brinkman, Edward T. Heil, Douglas J. Spry, Steven G. Reini
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Patent number: 11453261Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an autonomous system is provided that includes: a tow vehicle, a trailer, and a control system. The tow vehicle has a vehicle battery. The trailer is coupled to the tow vehicle, and has a trailer battery. The control system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to at least facilitate measuring a state of charge of the trailer battery. The processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate selectively providing current from the tow vehicle to the trailer based on the state of charge of the trailer battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stacey M. Marmara, Todd J. Brinkman, David B. Antanaitis, Steven Reini, Douglas J. Spry, Brandon E. Pieniozek
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Publication number: 20220169085Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an autonomous system is provided that includes: a tow vehicle, a trailer, and a control system. The tow vehicle has a vehicle battery. The trailer is coupled to the tow vehicle, and has a trailer battery. The control system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to at least facilitate measuring a state of charge of the trailer battery. The processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate selectively providing current from the tow vehicle to the trailer based on the state of charge of the trailer battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stacey M. Marmara, Todd J. Brinkman, David B. Antanaitis, Steven Reini, Douglas J. Spry, Brandon E. Pieniozek
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Publication number: 20220161770Abstract: An anti-lock braking system for a triple axle trailer having three axles and six wheels is disclosed. The system includes a first wheel speed sensor coupled to the first wheel of the trailer, a second wheel speed sensor coupled to the third wheel of the trailer, a spring mount pivotably coupled to the body of the trailer, a first suspension member coupled to the first wheel and to the spring mount and a second suspension member coupled to the second wheel and to the spring mount. The system includes a hydraulic braking actuator having a first channel coupled to the first wheel and the second wheel and a second channel coupled to the third wheel. The spring mount pivots in response to an applied brake torque to increase a normal force applied to the second wheel as compared to a normal force applied to the first wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Todd J. Brinkman, Edward T. Heil, Douglas J. Spry, Steven G. Reini
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Publication number: 20220118961Abstract: A braking current management system for use in a towed trailer. The braking current management system comprises a battery health module configured to determine an amount of available battery current associated with the towed trailer and to generate therefrom an available current signal. The system further includes a trailer brake control module configured to receive the available current signal and, in response to the available current signal, to control an amount of current applied to a trailer brake associated with the towed trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Todd J. BRINKMAN, David B. ANTANAITIS, Stacey M. MARMARA
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Patent number: 10688975Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for application of a park hold assist system in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to receive an activation signal and to determine that the vehicle is in a park hold assist condition, such as inclined road surface, attached trailer or wheel rotation while transmission is in the park position. The system is operative to apply the hydraulic brakes in response to this condition thereby engaging a brake mechanism on all wheels.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Todd J. Brinkman, John W. Pennala, Eric E. Krueger, Harold B. Thibodeau, Frank R. Bruneel, II
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Publication number: 20190366990Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for application of a park hold assist system in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to receive an activation signal and to determine that the vehicle is in a park hold assist condition, such as inclined road surface, attached trailer or wheel rotation while transmission is in the park position. The system is operative to apply the hydraulic brakes in response to this condition thereby engaging a brake mechanism on all wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Todd J. Brinkman, John W. Pennala, Eric E. Krueger, Harold B. Thibodeau, Frank R. Bruneel II
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Patent number: 7104180Abstract: A linear actuator system including a cylinder, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and defining a piston chamber and a rod chamber in the cylinder, wherein the piston includes a plurality of orifices therethrough that place the piston chamber and the rod chamber in fluid communication, and a sealing member movable between a closed position, wherein the sealing member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the plurality of orifices, and an open position, wherein the sealing member is less restrictive of fluid flow through the orifices. The plurality of orifices may include an always-open orifice that is not blocked by the sealing member when the sealing member is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew F. Hall, Mike W. Hilton, Jason A. McClelland, Vincent Guy Pichon, Scott Alan Stacey, Steven K. Raypole, Todd J. Brinkman