公开(公告)号：US12012022B2

公开(公告)日：2024-06-18

申请号：US17034642

申请日：2020-09-28

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Christopher P. Henry ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Dorel M. Sala ,  Anthony L Smith

IPC: B60N2/56 ,  D04B1/16 ,  D04B1/22 ,  H01B5/12 ,  H05B3/12 ,  H05B3/34

CPC classification number: B60N2/5685 ,  D04B1/16 ,  D04B1/22 ,  H01B5/12 ,  H05B3/12 ,  H05B3/347 ,  D10B2401/16 ,  H05B2203/006 ,  H05B2203/011

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an interior heating system for occupant seats of a vehicle is provided. The interior heating system uses a weft co-knit fabric combined with at least one conductive electrode to heat selective regions of a vehicle seat. The interior heating system includes the weft co-knit fabric that contains a set of weft knit active or plated emitting yarn configured with at least one conductive electrode. The knit active or plated emitting yarn is co-knit with at least one parent yarn for enhanced uniformity of an electrical current applied to at least one conductive electrode from the weft co-knit fabric, and a plurality of conductive electrodes arranged in an interdigitated layout to combine together each conductive electrode with a set of a plurality of conductive co-knit active emitting yarns which attach to each electrode tine of the conductive electrode in a select region.

公开(公告)号：US10914023B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-09

申请号：US15862130

申请日：2018-01-04

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: D04B21/04 ,  D04B1/02 ,  A44B18/00 ,  D04B21/02 ,  D04B21/20

Abstract: A fabric assembly includes a knitted fabric and a filament. The knitted fabric is adapted to move between a stretched state extended along a direction of an applied force, and a relaxed state. The filament is disposed in the knitted fabric, and includes a plurality of loops longitudinally spaced apart from one-another. Each loop of the plurality of loops are adapted to project outward from the knitted fabric when in the stretched state, and substantially retract into the knitted fabric when in the relaxed state.

公开(公告)号：US10349891B2

公开(公告)日：2019-07-16

申请号：US15245890

申请日：2016-08-24

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Nancy L. Johnson ,  Dorel M. Sala

IPC: A61B5/00 ,  A61B5/11 ,  A61B5/113

Abstract: An animate object detection system includes an apparatus configured for supporting an animate object and a sensor disposed in physical communication with the apparatus. The sensor includes a piezoelectric material and is configured for producing an electric signal in response to a force applied to the apparatus by the animate object. The system also includes a signal conditioner disposed in electrical communication with the sensor and configured for manipulating the electric signal and producing an output signal, and a receiver configured for receiving the output signal and generating an indicator signal. A method of detecting an animate object is also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20190194840A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-27

申请号：US15854207

申请日：2017-12-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: D03D15/10 ,  D03D1/00

CPC classification number: D03D15/10 ,  D03D1/00 ,  D03D2700/0166 ,  D10B2401/00 ,  D10B2403/01 ,  D10B2505/08 ,  D10B2505/12

Abstract: Presented herein are active textile structures with selectively variable surface friction characteristics, methods for making/using such structures, and vehicle components fabricated with electronically controlled textile structures with modifiable surface friction characteristics. An active textile system for governing frictional force levels at an interface with a user or object is presented. The system includes a textile structure that is fabricated from interlaced first and second textile filaments. Each textile filament has a respective texture that exhibits a distinct coefficient of friction. The textile structure has an outer and/or upper contact surface at the interface with the user/object. An actuating element, which is connected to the textile structure, is operable to selectively transition the textile structure between first and second states. The first state includes the first textile filament defining the textile structure's outer contact surface, whereas the second state includes the second textile filament defining the outer contact surface.

公开(公告)号：US20190193660A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-27

申请号：US15854223

申请日：2017-12-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Kuo-Huey Chen ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Steven C. Lang ,  Michael S. Foos ,  Suzanne M. Cody-Gump

IPC: B60R21/015 ,  D03D25/00 ,  D04B1/04

Abstract: A knitted structure is configured for heat generation and distribution. In some embodiments, the knitted structure includes a knitted fabric including a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer opposite the first knitted layer. The first knitted layer has a first thermal conductivity. The second knitted layer has a second thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity is greater than the first thermal conductivity to faciliate heat transfer toward the first knitted layer. The knitted structure may further include a plurality of electrodes at least partially disposed inside the knitted fabric. Each of the plurality of electrodes is configured to generate heat within the knitted fabric upon receipt of electrical energy in order to distribute heat along the knitted structure and toward the first knitted layer.

公开(公告)号：US10159351B1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-25

申请号：US15854202

申请日：2017-12-26

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame

IPC: A47C7/28 ,  A47C31/12 ,  A47C7/32

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a frame and a textile panel. The frame has a first member and a second member spaced apart from each other. The textile panel is attached to and extends between the first member and the second member. A tension controlling system is attached to the textile panel. The tension controlling system is reconfigurable between a first state for tensioning the textile panel to provide a first tensile force and a first maximum sag distance, and a second state for tensioning the textile panel to provide a second tensile force and a second maximum sag distance. The first tensile force is greater than the second tensile force, and the first maximum sag distance is less than the second maximum sag distance.

公开(公告)号：US10008342B2

公开(公告)日：2018-06-26

申请号：US15056474

申请日：2016-02-29

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Chandra S. Namuduri ,  Suresh Gopalakrishnan ,  Nicholas W. Pinto ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: B23K11/24 ,  H01H3/22 ,  F03G7/06 ,  E05B47/00 ,  H02M7/217 ,  G05F1/56 ,  H02M1/00

CPC classification number: H01H3/22 ,  E05B47/0001 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065 ,  G05F1/56 ,  H01H9/226 ,  H02M7/217 ,  H02M2001/0016 ,  H02M2001/0045 ,  H02M2001/007

Abstract: A device for supplying electric power includes a rectifier, an adaptive voltage clamping circuit, and a DC-DC voltage regulator. The rectifier receives electrical power, and is electrically connected to an input line of the adaptive voltage clamping circuit. The adaptive voltage clamping circuit includes a power transistor, a voltage feedback circuit, and a controller. The DC-DC voltage regulator is electrically connected to the adaptive voltage clamping circuit and, in one embodiment an actuator. The controller monitors the voltage feedback circuit and controls the power transistor to a fully open state to transfer electric power to the DC-DC voltage regulator when the voltage level supplied to the DC-DC voltage regulator is less than a threshold. The controller controls the power transistor in a linear state to regulate the voltage transferred to the DC-DC voltage regulator when the voltage level supplied to the DC-DC voltage regulator is greater than the threshold.

公开(公告)号：US09927035B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-27

申请号：US14995798

申请日：2016-01-14

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC ,  DYNALLOY, Inc.

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  James Holbrook Brown ,  Tyler P. Ownby ,  Brian W. Bowling

IPC: A62C31/00 ,  F16K1/32 ,  B05B1/16 ,  B05B1/20 ,  B05B1/32 ,  B05B1/30 ,  B05B9/04 ,  B08B3/02 ,  B05B1/00 ,  F16K11/18 ,  F16K11/22 ,  F16K27/00 ,  F16K31/02

CPC classification number: F16K1/32 ,  B05B1/00 ,  B05B1/1627 ,  B05B1/1636 ,  B05B1/1645 ,  B05B1/1654 ,  B05B1/20 ,  B05B1/3046 ,  B05B1/32 ,  B05B9/0423 ,  B08B3/02 ,  F16K11/18 ,  F16K11/22 ,  F16K27/003 ,  F16K31/025

Abstract: A valve manifold includes a housing defining an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. Each of the plurality of outlet ports defines a sealing face. The manifold also includes a plurality of poppets, wherein each of the plurality of poppets is disposed within a respective one of the plurality of outlet ports and is configured for translating towards and away from the sealing face. The manifold also includes a plurality of actuators each configured for translating a respective one of the plurality of poppets towards and away from the sealing face, wherein each of the plurality of actuators is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a thermal activation signal. A washer system, a device, and a method of simultaneously controlling fluid flow to a first component and a second component of the device are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US09797463B1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-24

申请号：US15164202

申请日：2016-05-25

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: B60T5/00 ,  F16D65/847 ,  F16D65/78

CPC classification number: F16D65/847 ,  B60T5/00 ,  F16D65/827 ,  F16D2065/781 ,  F16D2065/783

Abstract: A passive airflow regulation system for controlling temperature of a heat-absorbing subassembly is disclosed. The passive airflow regulation system includes a duct configured to provide a conduit for an incident ambient airflow to the heat-absorbing subassembly. The duct is arranged proximate to the heat-absorbing subassembly. The airflow regulation system includes a valve configured to control passage of the incident ambient airflow through the duct. The airflow regulation system also includes an actuator employing a phase-change element configured to selectively store and release energy in response to changes in temperature and stress. The actuator is arranged at the heat-absorbing subassembly and configured to select a position for the valve between and inclusive of fully-opened and fully-closed in response to a temperature of the heat-absorbing subassembly. The airflow regulation system can be arranged on a vehicle having a vehicle body including a first body end configured to face the incident ambient airflow.

公开(公告)号：US20170082507A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-23

申请号：US15245890

申请日：2016-08-24

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Nancy L. Johnson ,  Dorel M. Sala

IPC: G01L1/16 ,  A61B5/0205

CPC classification number: A61B5/6894 ,  A61B5/1102 ,  A61B5/1115 ,  A61B5/1135 ,  A61B5/6843 ,  A61B5/6892 ,  A61B2562/0247

Abstract: An animate object detection system includes an apparatus configured for supporting an animate object and a sensor disposed in physical communication with the apparatus. The sensor includes a piezoelectric material and is configured for producing an electric signal in response to a force applied to the apparatus by the animate object. The system also includes a signal conditioner disposed in electrical communication with the sensor and configured for manipulating the electric signal and producing an output signal, and a receiver configured for receiving the output signal and generating an indicator signal. A method of detecting an animate object is also disclosed.