Patents by Inventor William J. Bluethmann
William J. Bluethmann 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: 9381802Abstract: A wheel assembly for an electric vehicle includes a wheel rim that is concentrically disposed about a central axis. A propulsion-braking module is disposed within an interior region of the wheel rim. The propulsion-braking module rotatably supports the wheel rim for rotation about the central axis. The propulsion-braking module includes a liquid cooled electric motor having a rotor rotatable about the central axis, and a stator disposed radially inside the rotor relative to the central axis. A motor-wheel interface hub is fixedly attached to the wheel rim, and is directly attached to the rotor for rotation with the rotor. The motor-wheel interface hub directly transmits torque from the electric motor to the wheel rim at a 1:1 ratio. The propulsion-braking module includes a drum brake system having an electric motor that rotates a cam device, which actuates the brake shoes.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Joshua M. Figuered, Eduardo Herrera, Thomas M. Waligora, William J. Bluethmann, Logan Christopher Farrell, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Ross Briant Winn, Raymond Edward Eggleston, IV, Raymond Guo, Steven J. Weber, Lucien Q. Junkin, James Jonathan Rogers
-
Publication number: 20160129936Abstract: A method of controlling steering of a vehicle through setting wheel angles of a plurality of modular electronic corner assemblies (eModules) is provided. The method includes receiving a driving mode selected from a mode selection menu. A position of a steering input device is determined in a master controller. A velocity of the vehicle is determined, in the master controller, when the determined position of the steering input device is near center. A drive mode request corresponding to the selected driving mode to the plurality of steering controllers is transmitted to the master controller. A required steering angle of each of the plurality of eModules is determined, in the master controller, as a function of the determined position of the steering input device, the determined velocity of the vehicle, and the selected first driving mode. The eModules are set to the respective determined steering angles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Venkata Prasad Atluri
-
Patent number: 9266518Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a modular component, and a central operating system. The modular component is supported by the chassis. The central operating system includes a component control system, a primary master controller, and a secondary master controller. The component control system is configured for controlling the modular component. The primary and secondary master controllers are in operative communication with the component control system. The primary and secondary master controllers are configured to simultaneously transmit commands to the component control system. The component control system is configured to accept commands from the secondary master controller only when a fault occurs in the primary master controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Nathan Fraser-Chanpong, Ivan Spain, Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Thomas M. Waligora, Akinjide Akinniyi Akinyode, Ryan M. Reed
-
Patent number: 9254866Abstract: A method of controlling steering of a vehicle through setting wheel angles of a plurality of modular electronic corner assemblies (eModules) is provided. The method includes receiving a driving mode selected from a mode selection menu. A position of a steering input device is determined in a master controller. A velocity of the vehicle is determined, in the master controller, when the determined position of the steering input device is near center. A drive mode request corresponding to the selected driving mode to the plurality of steering controllers is transmitted to the master controller. A required steering angle of each of the plurality of eModules is determined, in the master controller, as a function of the determined position of the steering input device, the determined velocity of the vehicle, and the selected first driving mode. The eModules are set to the respective determined steering angles.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Venkata Prasad Atluri
-
Patent number: 9102331Abstract: A multi-functional electric module (eModule) is provided for a vehicle having a chassis, a master controller, and a drive wheel having a propulsion-braking module. The eModule includes a steering control assembly, mounting bracket, propulsion control assembly, brake controller, housing, and control arm. The steering control assembly includes a steering motor controlled by steering controllers in response to control signals from the master controller. A mounting feature of the bracket connects to the chassis. The propulsion control assembly and brake controller are in communication with the propulsion-braking module. The control arm connects to the lower portion and contains elements of a suspension system, with the control arm being connectable to the drive wheel via a wheel input/output block. The controllers are responsive to the master controller to control a respective steering, propulsion, and braking function.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: William J. Bluethmann, Thomas M. Waligora, Nathan Fraser-Chanpong, Ryan Reed, Akinjide Akinniyi Akinyode, Ivan Spain, Andrew D. Dawson, Joshua M. Figuered, Eduardo Herrera, Mason M. Markee, Robert L. Vitale, Chunhao J. Lee, Lucien Q. Junkin, Ross Briant Winn, James Jonathan Rogers, Raymond Guo
-
Patent number: 9085302Abstract: A modular robotic vehicle includes a chassis, driver input devices, an energy storage system (ESS), a power electronics module (PEM), modular electronic assemblies (eModules) connected to the ESS via the PEM, one or more master controllers, and various embedded controllers. Each eModule includes a drive wheel containing a propulsion-braking module, and a housing containing propulsion and braking control assemblies with respective embedded propulsion and brake controllers, and a mounting bracket covering a steering control assembly with embedded steering controllers. The master controller, which is in communication with each eModule and with the driver input devices, communicates with and independently controls each eModule, by-wire, via the embedded controllers to establish a desired operating mode. Modes may include a two-wheel, four-wheel, diamond, and omni-directional steering modes as well as a park mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Robert L. Vitale, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert O. Ambrose, William J. Bluethmann, Lucien Q. Junkin, Jonathan J. Lutz, Raymond Guo, Anthony Joseph Lapp, Justin S. Ridley
-
Publication number: 20150134202Abstract: A method of controlling steering of a vehicle through setting wheel angles of a plurality of modular electronic corner assemblies (eModules) is provided. The method includes receiving a driving mode selected from a mode selection menu. A position of a steering input device is determined in a master controller. A velocity of the vehicle is determined, in the master controller, when the determined position of the steering input device is near center. A drive mode request corresponding to the selected driving mode to the plurality of steering controllers is transmitted to the master controller. A required steering angle of each of the plurality of eModules is determined, in the master controller, as a function of the determined position of the steering input device, the determined velocity of the vehicle, and the selected first driving mode. The eModules are set to the respective determined steering angles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Venkata Prasad Atluri
-
Publication number: 20150134199Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a modular component, and a central operating system. The modular component is supported by the chassis. The central operating system includes a component control system, a primary master controller, and a secondary master controller. The component control system is configured for controlling the modular component. The primary and secondary master controllers are in operative communication with the component control system. The primary and secondary master controllers are configured to simultaneously transmit commands to the component control system. The component control system is configured to accept commands from the secondary master controller only when a fault occurs in the primary master controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nathan Fraser-Chanpong, Ivan Spain, Andrew D. Dawson, William J. Bluethmann, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Thomas M. Waligora, Akinjide Akinniyi Akinyode, Ryan M. Reed
-
Publication number: 20150107401Abstract: A pedal module includes a support structure, and a lever rotatably mounted to the support structure for rotation about a rotation axis. The lever includes a lower pedal portion and an upper guide portion. A cam plate is attached to the support structure and defines a cam slot. A guide rod is coupled to the upper guide portion of the lever, and is also coupled to the cam plate to follow the cam slot. A biasing device includes a first end coupled to the support structure, and a second end coupled to the guide rod, and is operable to bias the guide rod toward the rotation axis. Resistance to movement of the lever in a first rotational direction about the rotation axis is dependent upon a spring constant of the biasing device, and a profile of the cam slot perpendicular to the rotation axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Logan Christopher Farrell, Eduardo Herrera, Joshua M. Figuered, Mason M. Markee, William J. Bluethmann, Raymond Edward Eggleston, IV, Justin S. Ridley, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Steven J. Weber, Shaun Michael Azimi
-
Publication number: 20150108823Abstract: A wheel assembly for an electric vehicle includes a wheel rim that is concentrically disposed about a central axis. A propulsion-braking module is disposed within an interior region of the wheel rim. The propulsion-braking module rotatably supports the wheel rim for rotation about the central axis. The propulsion-braking module includes a liquid cooled electric motor having a rotor rotatable about the central axis, and a stator disposed radially inside the rotor relative to the central axis. A motor-wheel interface hub is fixedly attached to the wheel rim, and is directly attached to the rotor for rotation with the rotor. The motor-wheel interface hub directly transmits torque from the electric motor to the wheel rim at a 1:1 ratio. The propulsion-braking module includes a drum brake system having an electric motor that rotates a cam device, which actuates the brake shoes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Joshua M. Figuered, Eduardo Herrera, Thomas M. Waligora, William J. Bluethmann, Logan Christopher Farrell, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Ross Briant Winn, Raymond Edward Eggleston, IV, Raymond Guo, Steven J. Weber, Lucien Q. Junkin, James Jonathan Rogers
-
Publication number: 20150083508Abstract: A multi-functional electric module (eModule) is provided for a vehicle having a chassis, a master controller, and a drive wheel having a propulsion-braking module. The eModule includes a steering control assembly, mounting bracket, propulsion control assembly, brake controller, housing, and control arm. The steering control assembly includes a steering motor controlled by steering controllers in response to control signals from the master controller. A mounting feature of the bracket connects to the chassis. The propulsion control assembly and brake controller are in communication with the propulsion-braking module. The control arm connects to the lower portion and contains elements of a suspension system, with the control arm being connectable to the drive wheel via a wheel input/output block. The controllers are responsive to the master controller to control a respective steering, propulsion, and braking function.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: William J. Bluethmann, Thomas M. Waligora, Nathan Fraser-Chanpong, Ryan Reed, Akinjide Akinniyi Akinyode, Ivan Spain, Andrew D. Dawson, Joshua M. Figuered, Eduardo Herrera, Mason M. Markee, Robert L. Vitale, Chunhao J. Lee, Lucien Q. Junkin, Ross Briant Winn, James Jonathan Rogers, Raymond Guo
-
Publication number: 20150083509Abstract: A modular robotic vehicle includes a chassis, driver input devices, an energy storage system (ESS), a power electronics module (PEM), modular electronic assemblies (eModules) connected to the ESS via the PEM, one or more master controllers, and various embedded controllers. Each eModule includes a drive wheel containing a propulsion-braking module, and a housing containing propulsion and braking control assemblies with respective embedded propulsion and brake controllers, and a mounting bracket covering a steering control assembly with embedded steering controllers. The master controller, which is in communication with each eModule and with the driver input devices, communicates with and independently controls each eModule, by-wire, via the embedded controllers to establish a desired operating mode. Modes may include a two-wheel, four-wheel, diamond, and omni-directional steering modes as well as a park mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicants: The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Robert L. Vitale, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert O. Ambrose, William J. Bluethmann, Lucien Q. Junkin, Jonathan J. Lutz, Raymond Guo, Anthony Joseph Lapp, Justin S. Ridley