公开(公告)号：US12115891B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-15

申请号：US18058501

申请日：2022-11-23

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Wonhee M. Kim ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC: B60N2/72

CPC classification number: B60N2/72

Abstract: A cushion member having improved variable stiffness for a target is provided. The cushion member comprises a cushion housing having an interior with a variable internal pressure and an exterior surface for receiving the target. The cushion housing is arranged to be deformable and comprises granular particles disposed in the interior of the cushion housing. The cushion housing further comprises hollow particles disposed therein with the granular particles. Each hollow particle is compressible and hollow to define a void therein. The hollow particles have a size, a wall thickness, a material, and a bulk modulus defining infill properties thereof. The hollow particles and the granular particles are arranged to allow the cushion housing to be deformed upon contact with the target. The hollow particles and granular particles define a cushion infill having a variable stiffness based on the infill properties and the variable internal pressure of the interior.

公开(公告)号：US20240227653A9

公开(公告)日：2024-07-11

申请号：US17970807

申请日：2022-10-21

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Patrick Minjeur ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Lisa M. Simms

IPC: B60P1/43

CPC classification number: B60P1/43

Abstract: A deployable structure includes a reconfigurable member formed from a plurality of elements defining a first end, a second end that is opposite the first end, a first side extending between the first end and the second end, and a second side, opposite the first side, extending between the first end and the second end. A first inflatable rigidizing member extends along the first side across each of the plurality of elements and a second inflatable rigidizing member extends along the second side across each of the plurality of elements.

公开(公告)号：US12024915B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-02

申请号：US17583677

申请日：2022-01-25

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Paul E. Krajewski

IPC: E04H15/20 ,  B01J7/00 ,  B32B5/02 ,  B32B27/12 ,  B32B27/28 ,  B32B27/34 ,  B32B27/40

CPC classification number: E04H15/20 ,  B01J7/00 ,  B32B5/02 ,  B32B27/12 ,  B32B27/281 ,  B32B27/283 ,  B32B27/34 ,  B32B27/40 ,  B32B2255/02 ,  B32B2262/0253 ,  B32B2262/0261 ,  B32B2262/0276 ,  B32B2419/00 ,  E04H2015/201 ,  E04H2015/206

Abstract: A lightweight and portable inflatable assembly includes an inflatable structural component and a chemical reaction based inflator device. The inflatable structural component includes a flexible housing defining a cavity. The inflatable structure is uninflated in a first operational mode and filled with an inflation fluid retained for at least 4 hours in a second operational mode. At least one primary and at least one secondary charge unit are in fluid communication with the cavity. The primary charge unit includes a first gas generant material configured to generate a first predetermined volume of inflation medium for filling the cavity, while the secondary charge unit includes a second gas generant material configured to generate a second predetermined volume of inflation medium for filling the cavity in the second operational mode. The second predetermined volume is ≤about 40% by volume of the first predetermined volume.

公开(公告)号：US20240166107A1

公开(公告)日：2024-05-23

申请号：US18058501

申请日：2022-11-23

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Wonhee M. Kim ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC: B60N2/72

CPC classification number: B60N2/72

Abstract: A cushion member having improved variable stiffness for a target is provided. The cushion member comprises a cushion housing having an interior with a variable internal pressure and an exterior surface for receiving the target. The cushion housing is arranged to be deformable and comprises granular particles disposed in the interior of the cushion housing. The cushion housing further comprises hollow particles disposed therein with the granular particles. Each hollow particle is compressible and hollow to define a void therein. The hollow particles have a size, a wall thickness, a material, and a bulk modulus defining infill properties thereof. The hollow particles and the granular particles are arranged to allow the cushion housing to be deformed upon contact with the target. The hollow particles and granular particles define a cushion infill having a variable stiffness based on the infill properties and the variable internal pressure of the interior.

公开(公告)号：US11912546B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-27

申请号：US17825213

申请日：2022-05-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC ,  Regents of the University of Michigan

Inventor： Wonhee Michael Kim ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Yun Ju Kim ,  Diann Brei ,  Koray Benli ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz

IPC: B66F3/35 ,  B66F3/36

CPC classification number: B66F3/36 ,  B66F3/35

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air, a plurality of tethers disposed within the bladder, the inflatable structure moveable between a stowed profile and a final support profile, wherein the bladder is pressurized and expanded axially and the plurality of tethers are fully extended and restrict further movement of the top end cap and the bottom end cap away from one another and limit axial expansion of the bladder, a pulley assembly mounted within the bottom end cap, wherein in the stowed support profile, the plurality of tethers are wound onto the pulley assembly, the pulley assembly adapted to allow selective extension of the tethers allowing axial expansion of the bladder, wherein, the inflatable structure is adapted to provide multiple intermediary support profiles capable of supporting compressive loading.

公开(公告)号：US11541795B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-03

申请号：US17084796

申请日：2020-10-30

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Louis D. Thole ,  Conner J. Stormer ,  Daniel W. Booth ,  Wonhee M. Kim ,  David Acosta

IPC: B60N2/90 ,  A47C27/08 ,  B60R11/00

Abstract: An inflatable system includes a first bladder configured to contain gas and a second bladder configured to contain gas. The first bladder includes a top wall, a bottom wall opposite of the top wall, a sidewall extending between and connected to perimeter edges of the top and bottom walls, and a plurality of tethers extending between and connected to interior surfaces of the top and bottom walls. The second bladder includes a top wall, a bottom wall opposite of its top wall, a sidewall extending between and connected to perimeter edges of its top and bottom walls, and a plurality of tethers extending between and connected to interior surfaces of its top and bottom walls. The bottom wall of the first bladder is secured to the top wall of the second bladder.

公开(公告)号：US20220031069A1

公开(公告)日：2022-02-03

申请号：US16940541

申请日：2020-07-28

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul E. KRAJEWSKI ,  Wonhee M. Kim ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC: A47B81/00 ,  A47F3/04 ,  A47B31/04 ,  A47B31/02

Abstract: An inflatable cabinet is provided and includes a first inflatable cabinet stand and a base. The first inflatable cabinet stand is for storing products. The first inflatable cabinet stand includes members and first connectors. The members include side walls, a back wall, and a top member. The base is connected to the first inflatable cabinet stand and includes an air pump, second connectors and air lines. An air pump is configured to pump air into at least one of the members of the first inflatable cabinet stand. The second connectors are configured to connect to the first connectors. The air lines are connected between the air pump and the second connectors.

公开(公告)号：US20210170837A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-10

申请号：US16709880

申请日：2019-12-10

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Jeff E. Nasca ,  Adam R. Ballard ,  Koray Benli ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz ,  Diann Brei

IPC: B60J1/20 ,  B60J3/00

Abstract: A pneumatic shade includes a plurality of slats, a plurality of first fold members, and a plurality of second fold members. Each slat is elongated and includes and spans laterally between opposite longitudinal edges. Each of the first- and second-fold members are elongated and co-extend longitudinally with the slats. Each first fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of the respective adjacent slats. Each second fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of respective adjacent slats and are alternatingly orientated with respect to the first fold members such that each slat spans laterally between a respective first fold member and second fold member. Each of the first fold members and the second fold members are adapted to move between a folded state and an unfolded state upon application of pressurized air.

公开(公告)号：US11028506B2

公开(公告)日：2021-06-08

申请号：US15854207

申请日：2017-12-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: D03D15/10 ,  D03D1/00 ,  D03D15/58 ,  D04B1/14

Abstract: Presented herein are active textile structures with selectively variable surface friction characteristics, methods for making/using such structures, and vehicle components fabricated with electronically controlled textile structures with modifiable surface friction characteristics. An active textile system for governing frictional force levels at an interface with a user or object is presented. The system includes a textile structure that is fabricated from interlaced first and second textile filaments. Each textile filament has a respective texture that exhibits a distinct coefficient of friction. The textile structure has an outer and/or upper contact surface at the interface with the user/object. An actuating element, which is connected to the textile structure, is operable to selectively transition the textile structure between first and second states. The first state includes the first textile filament defining the textile structure's outer contact surface, whereas the second state includes the second textile filament defining the outer contact surface.

公开(公告)号：US11014619B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-25

申请号：US16566374

申请日：2019-09-10

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Taeyoung Han ,  Wonhee M. Kim ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Chih-hung Yen ,  Bahram Khalighi

IPC: B62D37/02 ,  B62D35/02 ,  B62D35/00

Abstract: An inflatable active flow control device includes a first surface, a second surface, and a spring including one end connected to the first surface and an opposite end connected to the second surface. A flexible material is connected to both the first surface and the second surface around the spring, defines an inflatable internal volume, and includes a plurality of threads extending between opposing inner surfaces of the flexible material at spaced locations through the inflatable internal volume.