Mark Frederick Neal

US Patent:

6662092, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Dec 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/736581

Inventors:

Ming Tian - Sterling Heights MI
Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701 45, 701 49, 706 46

Abstract:

An improved control for the deployment of individual stages of a vehicle inflatable restraint during a crash event utilizes a fuzzy logic control to determine the crash severity, and a deployment control algorithm to control deployment of the restraints based on the determined crash severity and the elapsed time. In a preferred implementation, the crash severity is not determined until the measured acceleration and the corresponding change in velocity exceed respective thresholds, and a prediction of occupant movement due to the measured acceleration exceeds a threshold. Once the respective thresholds are exceeded, the fuzzy logic control is initiated to determine the crash severity, and the deployment control algorithm determines whether to deploy individual stages of the restraint based on comparisons of the determined crash severity and the elapsed time with respective thresholds.

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:

7334656, Feb 26, 2008

Filed:

May 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/120075

Inventors:

Mark A. Kramarczyk - Sterling Heights MI, US
Gary L. Jones - Farmington Hills MI, US
Joseph D. Mc Cleary - Clinton Township MI, US
Kenneth J. Baron - Sterling Heights MI, US
Mark O. Neal - Rochester MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60K 28/10

US Classification:

180274, 180 692, 29619311

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 self-locking mechanism configured to allow movement of the hood between the elevated and retracted positions initiated by the actuator, but to resist retraction of the hood as a result of certain loads applied to the hood. The self-locking mechanism thus enables repeated elevation and retraction of the hood. In a preferred embodiment, the self-locking mechanism is configured to deform, thereby absorbing energy from an impact to the hood.

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.