John D Sopoci

US Patent:

7299117, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

Apr 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/100315

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Oblizajek - Troy MI, US
Carl T. Wright - Highland MI, US
Shawn G. Quinn - Grand Blanc MI, US
John D. Sopoci - West Bloomfield MI, US
Gregory J. Fadler - Commerce Township MI, US
William C. Gregory - Milford MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60G 17/018

US Classification:

701 37, 701 29, 73 1107

Abstract:

The ability of a damper to attenuate smooth road shake in a vehicle is tested using a test fixture that is controlled by inputting data for periodic low amplitude periodic excitations having a selected frequency range, selected amplitude range and a selected dither representative of vehicle operation on relatively smooth roads. The selected frequency range is about 5 Hz to 30 Hz and the selected amplitude range is about 0. 05 mm to 2. 00 mm. A preferred frequency is about 15 Hz which is applied preferably for about 200 cycles in a series of separate tests at individual amplitudes of, for example, 0. 05, 0. 10, 0. 15, 0. 20, 0. 25, 0. 50, 1. 00 and 2. 00 mm. The damper is tested to produce low amplitude test results comprising displacement, force and velocity parameters, measured as functions of time.

US Patent:

7765858, Aug 3, 2010

Filed:

Aug 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/188540

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Oblizajek - Troy MI, US
John D. Sopoci - Commerce Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01M 17/06

US Classification:

7311702

Abstract:

A method for measuring low amplitude dynamic properties of a steering column includes mounting the steering column into a test fixture and performing test runs. The test runs include subjecting the input end of the steering column to input excitations and measuring output conditions, which include at least one of acceleration, velocity and position, and determining whether the output conditions are within a predetermined output range. Input excitations may include sinusoidal excitations having a selected frequency range, torque, or displacement; or dither excitations. The selected torque or displacement is determined using open loop calculations from the output conditions, to achieve target acceleration levels. Data is interpreted to determine the natural frequency or rim gain of the steering column, which are compared to predetermined permissible ranges. The maximum steering wheel rim gain permissible level may be equal to approximately 1 divided by the polar moment of inertia of the wheel.

US Patent:

7926338, Apr 19, 2011

Filed:

Aug 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/539826

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Oblizajek - Troy MI, US
John D. Sopoci - Commerce Township MI, US
Carl T. Wright - Highland MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01M 17/02

US Classification:

73146

Abstract:

A raw runout signal of a tire is bandpass filtered utilizing appropriate, empirically determined, low and high tire order corners to determine the bandpass of the bandpass filter. A band-limited runout signal is then obtained and is examined for characteristic signal patterns of local runout which are known to exhibit periodically modulated cabin interior sound during vehicle movement, usually driving conditions involving highway speeds and smooth roads, which is audibly detectable by passengers based upon, for example, empirical analysis wherein the maximum gain of the bandpass filter is, preferably, unity.

US Patent:

8006550, Aug 30, 2011

Filed:

Apr 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/422342

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Oblizajek - Troy MI, US
William A. Cobb - Brighton MI, US
John D. Sopoci - Commerce Township MI, US
Jonathan Darab - West Bloomfield MI, US
David L. Howland - Webberville MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01M 17/02
B60K 28/16

US Classification:

73146, 701 82

Abstract:

A method for testing a tire of a vehicle that includes the steps of creating a first condition comprising a first slip angle of the tire, obtaining a first set of data regarding performance of the tire under the first condition, creating a second condition comprising either a second slip angle or lateral displacement of the tire, obtaining a second set of data regarding performance of the tire under the second condition, and determining the transient response of the lateral force and aligning moment of the tire, using the first set of data and the second set of data.

US Patent:

8271163, Sep 18, 2012

Filed:

Sep 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/565018

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Oblizajek - Troy MI, US
Derek K. Hogland - Brighton MI, US
John D. Sopoci - Commerce Township MI, US
Wen-Hou Ma - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 6/00

US Classification:

701 42, 701 41, 180446

Abstract:

A method to reduce vehicular sensitivity to torsional smooth road shake (SRS) at the steering wheel provided by selectively increasing reverse driven-impedance of the steering system via an effective dynamic tuned vibration absorber comprising the existing power steering motor inertia supported on the torsional stiffness of the gearing to the rack in the case of a REPS system, or of the column rotary shaft in the case of a CEPS system.

US Patent:

8335611, Dec 18, 2012

Filed:

Dec 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/326684

Inventors:

Lin Wang - Troy MI, US
Kenneth L. Oblizajek - Troy MI, US
R. Larry Arbanas - Farmington Hills MI, US
John D. Sopoci - Commerce Township MI, US
Scott R. Kloess - Rochester Hills MI, US
Jose M. Lopez - Brighton MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 5/09

US Classification:

701 41, 701 42

Abstract:

A method of controlling a motor current for a vehicle having a motor and a steering system includes the steps of obtaining a torque signal from the steering system, calculating a torque, and adjusting the motor current based at least in part on the torque signal, the torque gain, or both.

US Patent:

8571759, Oct 29, 2013

Filed:

Jul 25, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/190367

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Oblizajek - Troy MI, US
John D. Sopoci - Commerce Township MI, US
Stephen R. Pastor - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

A01B 69/00
B62D 6/00
B62D 5/04

US Classification:

701 42, 701 41, 180446

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for controlling steering in a vehicle having an electric power steering system (EPS) with a steering wheel, the EPS configured to attenuate smooth road shake (SRS) for the vehicle. A first relationship is determined between a torque of the steering wheel and motions of the steering wheel while free of SRS excitation. A second relationship is determined between the torque and the motions with SRS excitation. A mapping is generated based on the first relationship and the second relationship via a processor for use in adjusting steering control.

US Patent:

8645097, Feb 4, 2014

Filed:

Aug 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/198314

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Oblizajek - Troy MI, US
John D. Sopoci - Commerce Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01C 9/00

US Classification:

702151, 702 57, 702 64, 702 66, 702 67, 702 69, 702 71, 702150, 702189, 702194, 702199

Abstract:

A method for analyzing the output of a rotary sensor, such as that coupled to a vehicle wheel assembly. In one embodiment, the method detects periodic irregularities in the output of an incremental rotary sensor and uses those irregularities with a reference signal and a pattern comparison technique to determine the absolute angular position of the sensor.