Kenneth R Shoemaker

US Patent:

7009365, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Aug 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/931464

Inventors:

Chandra S. Namuduri - Troy MI, US
Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Shelby Township MI, US
Toufic M. Huazi - Troy MI, US
Kenneth J Shoemaker - Highland MI, US
David W. Walters - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H02P 7/36

US Classification:

322 23, 322 28, 322 29, 322 25, 322 27, 322 8, 322 73, 322314

Abstract:

Systems, methods and devices are described for controlling a vehicle electrical generator. A regulator for controlling a generator in response to an input signal received from a control module suitably includes a discriminator module, a processing module and a switching circuit. The discriminator determines whether the regulator is operating in voltage or torque control mode. If the input signal is a voltage control, the output generator produces a modulation signal to produce a desired voltage between two battery terminals. If the input signal is a torque control, the output generator produces one or more modulation signals (e. g. pulse width modulation signals) to control the torque of the generator. The modulation signals are applied across a field coil or other controllable element of the generator by a switching circuit that applies positive and/or negative voltage from the battery terminals as appropriate.

US Patent:

7422093, Sep 9, 2008

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/341786

Inventors:

Balarama V. Murty - West Bloomfield MI, US
Chandra S. Namuduri - Troy MI, US
Kenneth J. Shoemaker - Highland MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16D 27/00

US Classification:

192 215, 192 524

Abstract:

A magneto-rheological coupling (MRC) having an input assembly and an output member. The output member includes a generally cylindrical drum portion and a hub portion extending radially inwardly therefrom. The generally cylindrical drum portion has a low magnetically permeable region having a plurality of passages defined therein. Additionally, a plurality of apertures are defined by the hub portion. The plurality of passages and apertures enhance the flow of magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) within the MRC. The drum portion has a surface treatment of tungsten-carbide to enhance wear resistance. Additionally, the drum portion has an average roughness, or Ra value, of between 10 and 250 microns.

US Patent:

7571040, Aug 4, 2009

Filed:

Feb 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/352578

Inventors:

Balarama V. Murty - West Bloomfield MI, US
Chandra S. Namuduri - Troy MI, US
Kenneth J. Shoemaker - Highland MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

A01B 69/00
B62D 5/04

US Classification:

701 41, 701 42, 701 46, 701 47, 180415, 180417, 180442, 180443, 180444

Abstract:

A method of controlling a magneto-rheological power steering coupling is provided. The method is to be employed by a controller and is initiated upon engine start-up. The method includes initializing calibration parameters and reading a plurality of input values. Subsequently, a hand wheel angle rate value is calculated from one of said plurality of input values. A pump speed command value is calculated as a function of at least the hand wheel angle rate value. A pump speed error value is then calculated, and a proportional-integral-derivative calculation is performed acting on the pump speed error value to determine a pulse width modulation duty cycle value. The duty cycle value is then output to a power driver to provide a control signal to the magneto-rheological power steering coupling. Also provided is control system and apparatus operable to perform the functions described hereinabove.

US Patent:

7624850, Dec 1, 2009

Filed:

May 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/440909

Inventors:

Chandra S. Namuduri - Troy MI, US
David S. Rule - Waterford MI, US
Kenneth J. Shoemaker - Highland MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16F 9/53

US Classification:

1882672, 188290

Abstract:

A damper assembly is provided including a linear to rotary motion conversion mechanism having an outer tube member. An inner tube member is reciprocally movable and at least partially disposed within the outer tube member. The inner tube member is adapted for linear translation in a first and a second direction. A rotatable shaft is disposed within the inner tube member. The translation of the inner tube member produces a rotation of the shaft. Also included within the damper assembly is a damping mechanism having a rotor fixed to the shaft. A coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic field in response to an applied current. A magneto-rheological fluid is in contact with the rotor, and has a variable viscosity in the presence of the electromagnetic field that, in turn, provides variable resistance to rotation of the rotor and translation of the inner tube member within the outer tube member.

US Patent:

7690344, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Jul 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/178694

Inventors:

Qi Ma - Farmington Hills MI, US
Hsu-Chiang Miao - Troy MI, US
Kenneth J. Shoemaker - Highland MI, US
Thomas R. Brown - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/04
F02N 17/00

US Classification:

1231793, 12317917, 123450, 477107, 477110, 477115, 417223

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a direct-start engine and a fuel rail with a threshold fuel pressure, a transmission having a threshold fluid pressure, and a fuel delivery system. The system has a controller, a motor having a shaft, and an integrated pump assembly including a high-pressure (HP) fuel pump and a low-pressure (LP) fluid pump each connected to the shaft. Threshold pressures are maintained during the predetermined engine state, which includes an engine idling and an engine cranking state. A method for providing stop-and-go functionality in a vehicle having a direct-start engine includes detecting a current engine state, rotating a motor shaft to energize a secondary HP fuel pump at a first threshold pressure during engine cranking, and rotating the shaft to energize an LP fluid pump at a second threshold pressure during engine idling and engine cranking. The secondary pumps can also be used when primary pumps are temporarily inoperable.

US Patent:

7784441, Aug 31, 2010

Filed:

Dec 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/641385

Inventors:

Qi Ma - Farmington Hills MI, US
Hsu-Chiang Miao - Troy MI, US
Kenneth J. Shoemaker - Highland MI, US
Thomas R. Brown - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60W 10/04
F02N 17/00

US Classification:

1231793, 12317917, 477107, 477110, 477115, 417223

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a direct start engine, an automatic transmission having a threshold fluid pressure sufficient for enabling operation of the transmission when the engine is off, a controller, and a fuel delivery system. The controller determines the presence of predetermined engine states, and optimizes a stop-and-go functionality of the engine. The fuel delivery system includes a motor and an integrated pump assembly having a secondary high-pressure (HP) fuel pump which is selectively connectable to a rotatable shaft of the motor, and a secondary low-pressure (LP) fluid pump which is continuously connected to the shaft. The motor continuously energizes the secondary LP fluid pump via the rotatable shaft to thereby maintain the threshold fluid pressure during a first or second engine state, and selectively energizes the secondary HP fuel pump via the rotatable shaft to maintain the threshold fuel pressure during the second engine state.

US Patent:

8064227, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Sep 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/553891

Inventors:

Chandra S. Namuduri - Troy MI, US
Kenneth J. Shoemaker - Highland MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H02M 3/335

US Classification:

363 17, 363 58, 363108, 363126, 363132

Abstract:

Cathode-anode voltage across free-wheeling diodes in an active rectifier is used in the determination of switching points when the free-wheeling diode is forward biased. Hysteretic switching is accomplished through the selection of conductive and non-conductive switching threshold. The switching thresholds are further selected to prevent voltage oscillations at zero current crossings and reduce delays during deactivation to prevent cross-conduction.

US Patent:

8150579, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Mar 27, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/412705

Inventors:

Balarama V. Murty - West Bloomfield MI, US
Suresh Gopalakrishnan - Farmington Hills MI, US
Kenneth J. Shoemaker - Highland MI, US
Chandra S. Namuduri - Troy MI, US
Bradley Bezzina - Dearborn Heights MI, US
Ebrahim Handy - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 5/06

US Classification:

701 41, 180422

Abstract:

A method for determining a speed of a power steering pump used in a power steering assembly of a vehicle that has particular application in a vehicle using a magneto-rheological hydraulic power steering (MRHPS) system for improving the fuel efficiency and ride comfort of the vehicle, and for reliable functioning of the power steering system. The method includes determining an angle of rotation of the steering wheel and a rate of change of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel based on the angle of rotation of the steering wheel of the vehicle. The method further includes determining the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the power steering pump based on the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, the rate of change of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle.