Sandra N Thomson

US Patent:

61488046, Nov 21, 2000

Filed:

Nov 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/447136

Inventors:

William B. Blomquist - Lake Orion MI
Sandra N. Thomson - Rochester Hills MI
Patrick T. McCourt - Auburn Hills MI
Yi Cheng - Jackson MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F02M 3704

US Classification:

123520

Abstract:

A method of controlling a proportional purge solenoid is provided to improve low flow resolution. The method includes looking-up a primary duty cycle corresponding to purge current in a three-dimensional surface by using purge flow and vacuum level as inputs. Should the primary duty cycle fall below a lowest allowable purge current threshold value, a secondary purge duty cycle (i. e. , an on/off pattern of the primary duty cycle) is obtained from a two-dimensional table by using the actual calculated purge flow as an input. The two-dimensional table includes a sequence of program loops subdivided into a delay region wherein the purge flow and vacuum level data are learned, an updating region wherein the purge current of the three-dimensional surface is updated, and a control region wherein the primary duty cycle is toggled between on and off states. When the current program loop falls within the delay region, a recorded primary duty cycle is output. When the current program loop falls within the updating region, the primary duty cycle is applied at a time determined during the last program sequence.

US Patent:

57301107, Mar 24, 1998

Filed:

Oct 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/727160

Inventors:

Brian J. Nelson - Royal Oak MI
Sandra N. Thomson - Rochester Hills MI
Gregory J. Dykstra - Grosse Pointe Wood MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F02M 2300

US Classification:

123588

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus for controlling air flow within an internal combustion engine comprising a secondary air passage. The secondary air passage system includes an air inlet channel directing air flow to the air assist valve and an air outlet channel directing air flow from the air assist valve. The air outlet channel communicates with a plurality of fuel injector tips which are disposed within the engine. An air bypass circuit is interposed between the air inlet channel and the air outlet channel to provide an alternate air channel which is independent of the air assist valve. An engine controller electronically communicates with the air assist valve for causing the air assist valve to vary between its open and closed modes.

US Patent:

20200094693, Mar 26, 2020

Filed:

Sep 26, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/142415

Inventors:

- Detroit MI, US
Brian V. Castillo - Birmingham MI, US
Sandra N. Thomson - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Bradly LaBaere - Washington Twp MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60L 15/20
B62K 5/027
B62K 5/05
B62K 7/04

Abstract:

Presented are adaptive propulsion assist systems and control logic for manually-powered vehicles, methods for making/using such systems, and intelligent electric scooters with distributed sensing and control-loop feedback for adaptive e-assist operations. A method for regulating a propulsion assist system of a manually-powered vehicle includes a vehicle controller detecting a user contacting the vehicle's handlebar, responsively receiving sensor signals indicative of a user-applied force to the handlebar, and then determining a net user-applied force based on the handlebar force and user-generated forces applied to the scooter deck. The vehicle controller also receives sensor signals indicative of the vehicle's current acceleration, and determines therefrom a pitch angle of the surface on which the vehicle moves. Responsive to the net force being greater than zero and the pitch angle being greater than a calibrated threshold angle, the controller commands the traction motor to increase motor torque output by a calibrated force gain increment.

US Patent:

20200094904, Mar 26, 2020

Filed:

Sep 26, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/142428

Inventors:

- Detroit MI, US
Carlos E. Caro Suarez - Warren MI, US
Brian V. Castillo - Birmingham MI, US
Sandra N. Thomson - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62K 7/04
B62K 5/05
B62K 5/06
F16C 11/04

Abstract:

Presented are multi-axis pivoting coupler joints for motorized vehicles, methods for making/using such coupler joints, and electric scooters with multi-axis pivoting coupler joints enabling multimodal scooter operation. A pivoting coupler joint includes first and second bearing assemblies each with a respective housing, respective inner and outer races concentric with each other and located in their respective housing, and a respective set of rolling elements rollably interposed between their respective inner and outer races. The first inner race of the first bearing assembly receives therethrough and circumscribes an axle shaft of a vehicle wheel. The second inner race attaches to a wheeled rider deck of the vehicle. The first and second bearing housings are joined together and angularly offset from each other. For some applications, the first bearing assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced needle roller bearings, and the second bearing assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced tapered bearings.

US Patent:

20170210352, Jul 27, 2017

Filed:

Jan 24, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/414417

Inventors:

- Detroit MI, US
SPENCER W. CHAMBERLAIN - STERLING HEIGHTS MI, US
JOSEPH NEIGHBORS - MILFORD MI, US
MARY E. DECALUWE - OXFORD MI, US
JIM K. RAINBOLT - HASLETT MI, US
JANET S. GOINGS - COMMERCE TOWNSHIP MI, US
WILLIAM J. OCHALEK - ROMEO MI, US
JOSEPH F. SZCZERBA - GRAND BLANC MI, US
ROY MATHIEU - ROCHESTER HILLS MI, US
PAUL W. ALEXANDER - YPSILANTI MI, US
DOREL SALA - TROY MI, US
DAVID R. FISCHER - BLOOMFIELD HILLS MI, US
JOSEPH M. BILDERBECK - ROCHESTER HILLS MI, US
ANN K. DUFFY - LAKE ORION MI, US
SANDRA N. THOMSON - BLOOMFIELD HILLS MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60S 1/64
G01C 21/34
G07C 5/00
B60Q 9/00
G05D 1/00
B60N 3/04

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for automatically maintaining cleanliness of an vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, at least one sensor signal from a sensor that monitors for particulates within an interior of a vehicle; determining, by the processor, a level of uncleanliness of the vehicle based on the sensor signal; and selectively generating, by the processor, at least one of a control signal to a cleaning element of the vehicle and a notification message based on the determining to achieve the level of cleanliness.

US Patent:

20170210353, Jul 27, 2017

Filed:

Jan 24, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/414453

Inventors:

- Detroit MI, US
SPENCER W. CHAMBERLAIN - STERLING HEIGHTS MI, US
JOSEPH NEIGHBORS - MILFORD MI, US
MARY E. DECALUWE - OXFORD MI, US
JIM K. RAINBOLT - HASLETT MI, US
PAUL W. ALEXANDER - YPSILANTI MI, US
DAVID R. FISCHER - BLOOMFIELD HILLS MI, US
JOSEPH M. BILDERBECK - ROCHESTER HILLS MI, US
ANN K. DUFFY - LAKE ORION MI, US
SANDRA N. THOMSON - BLOOMFIELD HILLS MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60S 1/64
B60N 3/04
G07C 5/00
G05D 1/00
H04W 4/00

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for cleaning systems of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a floor mat; a vacuum system integrated with the floor mat, the vacuum system comprising a port, one or more ducts, and one or more openings integrated with the floor mat; and a control module that selectively activates suction of the vacuum system based on a detection of a level of uncleanliness of the vehicle.