John Anthony Cafeo from 32007 Valley View St, Farmington, MI 48336, age 64, Phone: 2484715647

Us Patents

Programmable Shims For Manufacturing And Assembly Lines
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US Patent:

7538472, May 26, 2009
Filed:

Mar 11, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/078693
Inventors:

Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Andrew C. Keefe - Santa Monica CA, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
John A. Cafeo - Farmington MI, US
Gary L. Jones - Farmington Hills MI, US
Nilesh D. Mankame - Sterling Heights MI, US
Assignee:

Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI
International Classification:

H01L 41/08
US Classification:

310311, 310328
Abstract:

Disclosed herein is a programmable shim for positioning a work piece comprising a first plate ; an optional reference frame ; and an actuator in operative communication with the first plate and the reference frame. Disclosed herein too is a method of aligning a work piece comprising disposing the work piece upon a first plate of a programmable shim ; activating an actuator with an external stimulus; wherein the actuator is in operative communication with the first plate ; and displacing the work piece.

Adjustable Shims And Washers
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US Patent:

7655170, Feb 2, 2010
Filed:

Jun 8, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/147658
Inventors:

Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
John A. Cafeo - Farmington MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B29C 51/00
US Classification:

264322, 264320, 264345
Abstract:

A method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer upon a first surface; wherein the active device is operative to change at least one physical attribute in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to substantially decrease its modulus, contacting and compressing the active device with a second surface, and cooling the device to set a compressed geometry. In another embodiment, a method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer in a gap between two opposing surfaces; wherein the active device is operative to exhibit a memorized shape in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to increase a dimension of the active device; filling the gap between the opposing surfaces, and cooling the device to set a new gap filling dimension.

Active Material Based Closure Hinge And Alignment Process
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US Patent:

7677639, Mar 16, 2010
Filed:

Feb 23, 2007
Appl. No.:

11/678085
Inventors:

John A. Cafeo - Farmington MI, US
Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Gary L. Jones - Farmington Hills MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B60J 5/00
US Classification:

29614611
Abstract:

An adjustable closure hinge assembly, includes a first hinge portion having a first aperture, a second hinge portion having a second aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, a hinge member disposed in the first and second apertures for joining the first and second hinge portions, wherein the hinge member further comprises a spacer intermediate walls defining the first and second apertures and the hinge member, wherein the spacer comprises an active material, and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in at least one property of the active material, wherein the change in the at least one property is effective to provide up to six degrees of freedom to the hinge member and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.

Active Material Based Conformable And Reconfigurable Seats
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US Patent:

7758121, Jul 20, 2010
Filed:

Apr 12, 2007
Appl. No.:

11/734308
Inventors:

Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
Pablo D. Zavattieri - Ann Arbor MI, US
Ukpai I. Ukpai - West Bloomfield MI, US
John C. Ulicny - Oxford MI, US
John A. Cafeo - Farmington MI, US
Rainer A. Glaser - Washington MI, US
Gary L. Jones - Farmington Hills MI, US
James Y. Khoury - Macomb MI, US
Carol Ann Perelli - Rochester MI, US
William R. Rodgers - Bloomfield Township MI, US
Xiujie Gao - Troy MI, US
Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B60N 2/427
US Classification:

29728411, 29745241, 2972161
Abstract:

A seat assembly includes an active material in operative communication with a seat surface configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to change at least one feature of the seat surface.

Active Material Based Closure Hinge And Alignment Process
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US Patent:

7967367, Jun 28, 2011
Filed:

Jan 6, 2010
Appl. No.:

12/683127
Inventors:

John A. Cafeo - Farmington MI, US
Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Gary L. Jones - Farmington Hills MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B60J 5/00
US Classification:

29614611
Abstract:

An adjustable closure hinge assembly, includes a first hinge portion having a first aperture, a second hinge portion having a second aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, a hinge member disposed in the first and second apertures for joining the first and second hinge portions, wherein the hinge member further comprises a spacer intermediate walls defining the first and second apertures and the hinge member, wherein the spacer comprises an active material, and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in at least one property of the active material, wherein the change in the at least one property is effective to provide up to six degrees of freedom to the hinge member and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.

Reconfigurable Storage Bins Having A Structural Component Formed Of A Shape Memory Material
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US Patent:

8061550, Nov 22, 2011
Filed:

Jul 14, 2006
Appl. No.:

11/457470
Inventors:

Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
John A. Cafeo - Farmington MI, US
Robert R. Mayer - Clio MI, US
Jan H. Aase - Oakland Township MI, US
Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B65D 6/16
B60R 7/04
US Classification:

220666, 220720, 220721, 224275
Abstract:

Reconfigurable bins include at least one structural component formed of shape memory materials such as a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, or a combination thereof. The shape memory material is in operative communication with an activation device adapted to provide an activation signal effective to change at least one attribute of the shape memory material such that the bin can be reconfigured from a first shape to a second shape. The reconfigurable bin can include a mesh network or may be formed of panels or a combination panels and mesh.

Active Material Based Closure Hinge And Latch Assembly
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US Patent:

8246100, Aug 21, 2012
Filed:

Apr 28, 2011
Appl. No.:

13/095965
Inventors:

John A. Cafeo - Farmington MI, US
Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Gary L. Jones - Farmington Hills MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI
International Classification:

B60J 5/00
US Classification:

29614611
Abstract:

Disclosed herein are active material based closure hinge assemblies, latch assemblies, and alignment methods. In one embodiment, a closure assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a first hinge portion having one end attached to a closure, a second hinge portion attached to the first hinge portion having one end attached to a vehicle body, and an active material configured to provide the first hinge portion with up to six degrees of freedom relative to second hinge portion upon receipt of an activation signal and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.

Concept Word Management
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US Patent:

20040186705, Sep 23, 2004
Filed:

Mar 18, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/392341
Inventors:

Alexander Morgan - Birmingham MI, US
John Cafeo - Farmington MI, US
Diane Gibbons - Troy MI, US
Ronald Lesperance - Troy MI, US
Gulcin Sengir - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Andrea Simon - Walled Lake MI, US
International Classification:

G06F017/27
US Classification:

704/009000
Abstract:

A method for concept word management. The method comprises receiving an editing request for a text document from a requestor. The editing request includes an initial phrase located in the text document. An ontology associated with the text document is searched for the initial phrase. The initial phrase is distinguished in the text document in response to the initial phrase being located in the ontology and to the editing request further including a distinguish phrase command. An alternate phrase associated with the initial phrase is presented to the requestor in response to the initial phrase being located in the ontology and to the editing request further including a display alternate phrase command. The initial phrase is replaced in the text document with the alternate phrase in response to the editing request further including a replace phrase command.