Mark L Neal

US Patent:

6748307, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Nov 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/303677

Inventors:

Dorel M. Sala - Troy MI
Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI
Chin-Hsu Lin - Troy MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2101

US Classification:

701 46, 701 45, 280734

Abstract:

A computer based method for activating a vehicular safety device for passenger protection is disclosed. The method uses two front-end acceleration sensors and a passenger compartment sensor. When a collision situation is sensed, current acceleration data is integrated to produce velocity and displacement values for the sensor locations. The velocity and displacement values are selectively used in at least three vehicle collision mode analyses. Examples of such collision modes are a full frontal mode, an angle mode and an offset deformable barrier mode. Each collision mode has sub-modes corresponding to the desired levels of airbag inflation. When appropriate threshold values are exceeded, device activation for one or more activation stages is initiated.

US Patent:

6756889, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Sep 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/242180

Inventors:

Dorel M. Sala - Troy MI
Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI
Chin-Hsu Lin - Troy MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60Q 100

US Classification:

340436, 180282, 701 45

Abstract:

A computer based method for activating a vehicular safety device for passenger protection is disclosed. The method uses a centrally located front-end acceleration sensor and a passenger compartment sensor. When a crash situation is sensed, current acceleration data is integrated to produce velocity values for both sensor locations. Actual displacement values for the front-end sensor are calculated as well as displacement values based on absolute values of acceleration of that sensor. The velocity and displacement values are selectively used in at least three vehicle crash mode analyses. Examples of such crash modes are full frontal-like modes, pole-like modes and angle-like modes. When appropriate threshold values are exceeded, device activation for one or more activation stages is initiated.

US Patent:

6999863, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Jan 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/336994

Inventors:

Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI, US
Dorel M. Sala - Troy MI, US
Chin-Hsu Lin - Troy MI, US
Jian Tu - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 22/00

US Classification:

701 46

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for managing variation in acceleration values obtained from a vehicle acceleration sensor for use in on-board computer based crash evaluation algorithm. Sources contributing to the variation are identified and a determination is made of the magnitude of the variation from each source to a selected multiple of a standard deviation, for example, 3 to 6 σ. The variation for each source is suitably combined to produce a database of acceleration-time history with the combined variations for use in calibrating and or validating a candidate crash algorithm.

US Patent:

7232178, Jun 19, 2007

Filed:

Feb 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/055468

Inventors:

Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI, US
Joseph D. Mc Cleary - Clinton Township, Macomb County MI, US
Kenneth J. Baron - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 27/00
B60N 3/00

US Classification:

29618704, 29619311, 180274, 292DIG 14, 292DIG 65

Abstract:

This invention relates to a vehicle hood assembly that is operative to raise the rearward and frontward portions of a vehicle hood. The system includes an actuator selectively extendable to raise the rearward portion of a vehicle hood from a first position to a higher second position. A striker of novel design enables the frontward portion of the hood to rise as the rearward portion rises when the striker is engaged with a latch member. The latch member may be disengaged from the striker without extending the actuator, enabling the hood to reach a third position ideal for vehicle service and thus allowing a nonreversible-type actuator to be employed. A method of elevating the vehicle hood with respect to the vehicle body is also provided.

US Patent:

7374008, May 20, 2008

Filed:

May 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/745591

Inventors:

Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI, US
Mark A. Kramarczyk - Sterling Heights MI, US
Dorel M. Sala - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60K 28/10

US Classification:

180274

Abstract:

A hood elevation system for a vehicle includes an actuator configured to selectively move at least a portion of a vehicle hood between an elevated and a retracted position. The hood elevation system also includes a motor and a spring. The spring biases the hood toward its elevated position, and the motor is configured to retract the hood, thereby compressing the spring.

US Patent:

8056427, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Mar 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/402620

Inventors:

Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI, US
Peter J. Gareau - Warren MI, US
James E. Williamson - Clarkston MI, US
Alexander Millerman - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G09B 23/32

US Classification:

738664, 73 1204

Abstract:

An adjustable head tool (AHT) is configured for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a target surface having a target point. The AHT has a built-in or a variable backoff angle relative to the position of the target point, and includes a cranial portion and an adjustable facial template. The cranial portion encloses a linkage assembly, and the facial template has one or more facial features. A rotary dial translates the facial template with respect to the cranial portion to maintain the regulated FMH backoff requirement. The cranial portion includes a forehead impact zone having a first set of demarcations, and the rotary dial has a second set of demarcations corresponding to the first set of demarcations. The dial is set so the second set of demarcations matches the first set during positioning of the AHT.

US Patent:

8135506, Mar 13, 2012

Filed:

May 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/468410

Inventors:

Cody R. Hansen - Shelby Township MI, US
Matthew M. Highstrom - South Lyon MI, US
Andrew W. Gellatly - Macomb MI, US
John P. Weiss - Shelby Township MI, US
Bhavna Mathur - Novi MI, US
Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI, US
Dorel M. Sala - Troy MI, US
Deborah Lucia Klose - Birmingham MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01M 17/00

US Classification:

701 29

Abstract:

In an exemplary embodiment a system provides vehicle information to an operator of a vehicle having a plurality of components. The system comprises an onboard database configured to store vehicle-specific data and behavior-specific data and an operator interface. The system includes an onboard processor coupled to the onboard database, the plurality of components, and the operator interface. The onboard processor is configured to provide requested vehicle-specific data to the operator in response to an operator request via the operator interface. The onboard processor is also configured to receive operator-behavioral data from the plurality of components, recognize patterns of operation from the operator-behavioral data, and provide the behavior-specific data to the operator in response to the recognized patterns in the operator-behavioral data.

US Patent:

8335616, Dec 18, 2012

Filed:

Sep 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/890863

Inventors:

Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI, US
Nataraju Vusirikala - Vizianagaram, IN
Abir Chakraborty - Bangalore, IN

International Classification:

B60R 22/00

US Classification:

701 45, 701 36, 340438, 180271, 280734

Abstract:

A method for predicting potential injury assessment for at least one occupant of a vehicle involved in a crash event and for broadcasting assessment of the occupant to a medical response unit. An occupant seated in each seat of a vehicle is detected. Occupant data is obtained relating to physical characteristics of each occupant seated in the vehicle. A crash event involving the vehicle is detected. Vehicle dynamic data and safety restraint data during the crash event is recorded. The potential injury assessment of each occupant is predicted by an injury assessment processing module based on the vehicle dynamic data and safety restraint data obtained during the crash event and the occupant data of each occupant in the vehicle. The corresponding injury assessment of each occupant of the vehicle is broadcast to a medical response unit.