Christopher J Mielke

US Patent:

8177018, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Sep 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/570483

Inventors:

Brian C. Coleman - Shelby Township MI, US
Christopher J. Mielke - Shelby Township MI, US
George E. Doerr - Clarkson MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16D 59/02
B62D 5/04

US Classification:

180444, 188184, 192105 CD

Abstract:

A bi-directional over-speed energizing brake system which implements automatically in the event an electric power steering system is in an over-speed condition. For rotational speeds of a rotating component exceeding a predetermined rotational speed threshold, centrifugal force acting on brake arms of a braking assembly overcome biasing by springs such that the brake arms will frictionally engage a non-rotating brake ring to thereby slow the rotational speed of the rotating component.

US Patent:

8262110, Sep 11, 2012

Filed:

Apr 13, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/758836

Inventors:

Miroslaw Zaloga - Shelby Township MI, US
George E. Doerr - Clarkson MI, US
Christopher J. Mielke - Shelby Township MI, US
Marco E. Rodriguez - Macomb Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 7/16

US Classification:

280 93509, 280 93508, 280 8675, 280 93511, 403149

Abstract:

An idler arm assembly employed in a steering assembly of a vehicle having a body. The idler arm assembly comprises: an idler housing mounted to the body and including a bore; a pivot shaft mounted in the bore and being rotatable and telescopically slidable in the bore, with the pivot shaft having a cavity at a first end; an idler arm having a first end supported by the second end of the pivot shaft and a second end that supports the steering assembly; a ball stud having a ball end secured in the cavity and supporting the pivot shaft in the telescopically slidable direction, and a shank having threads; and a threaded cap secured to the idler housing and engaged with the threads on the shank, whereby rotation of the threads relative to the threaded cap will telescopically slide the pivot shaft relative to the idler housing.

US Patent:

8360197, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Mar 23, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/069654

Inventors:

Mauro Pacheco Escobedo - Troy MI, US
Miroslaw Zaloga - Shelby Township MI, US
Christopher J. Mielke - Shelby Township MI, US
George E. Doerr - Clarkston MI, US
Scott R. Kloess - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 5/04

US Classification:

180444, 180407

Abstract:

A power steering system includes an input shaft operatively connected to an input member, and a sector gear operatively connected to a pitman arm. A first ball screw is formed on the input shaft. A first ball nut circumscribes the first ball screw and is in torque-transfer communication therewith through a plurality of ball bearings. A first rack is rigidly attached to the first ball nut, and is meshed with the sector gear for torque transfer therewith. A second ball screw is not substantially coaxial with the first ball screw. A second ball nut circumscribes the second ball screw and is in torque-transfer communication with the second ball screw through the ball bearings. A second rack is meshed with the sector gear for torque transfer therewith. An electric motor is configured to selectively supply torque to the sector gear through the second ball screw.

US Patent:

8511928, Aug 20, 2013

Filed:

Jul 25, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/190368

Inventors:

George E. Doerr - Clarkston MI, US
Christopher J. Mielke - Shelby Township MI, US
Miroslaw Zaloga - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16B 7/10
F16D 1/06

US Classification:

403 13, 4033793

Abstract:

An internal tube is inserted into an external tube to align first bolt holes provided through opposed walls of the external tube with second bolt holes provided through opposed walls of the internal tube. A bolt is inserted through the first bolt holes and through the second bolt holes to connect the tubes together when the bolt holes are aligned. An error-proofing clip is mounted in the internal tube and has a tongue extending from the end thereof to reach into the external tube and block the insertion of the bolt through the first bolt holes of the external tube until the insertion of the internal tube has proceeded fully to bring the first bolt holes of the external tube and the second bolt holes of the internal tube into alignment with one another, thereby preventing a premature installation of the bolt through only the first bolt holes.

US Patent:

8517422, Aug 27, 2013

Filed:

Jun 21, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/164884

Inventors:

Miroslaw Zaloga - Shelby Township MI, US
George E. Doerr - Clarkston MI, US
Christopher J. Mielke - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 1/184
F16B 7/18
F16D 1/12

US Classification:

280775, 180 78, 74493, 4033793, 4033595, 403373, 4034081

Abstract:

A steering wheel alignment system for a vehicle having a steering wheel and steering unit that includes a first shaft operatively connected to the steering unit, a second shaft operatively connected to the steering wheel, and a coupling disposed between the first and second shafts to couple the shafts so that rotation of the steering wheel operates the steering unit to steer the vehicle. The coupling includes: a bolt, one of the shafts is hollow to telescope over the other shaft, and each shaft has a radial extending hole therethrough for receiving the bolt to attach the first and second shafts together. The radial extending hole through one of the shafts is elongated in the radial direction so that when the bolt extends through the holes of the first and second shafts the elongation of the hole defines a range of radial adjusting movement of the shafts relative one another until tightening of the bolt clamps the first and second shafts together against further relative rotation.

US Patent:

8567554, Oct 29, 2013

Filed:

Mar 23, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/069645

Inventors:

Miroslaw Zaloga - Shelby Township MI, US
George E. Doerr - Clarkston MI, US
Christopher J. Mielke - Shelby Township MI, US
Scott R. Kloess - Rochester Hills MI, US
Mauro Pacheco Escobedo - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 5/04

US Classification:

180446

Abstract:

A power steering system for transferring torque to a sector gear includes a first ball screw and a first ball nut circumscribing the first ball screw. The first ball nut is in torque-transfer communication with the first ball screw through a plurality of ball bearings and is meshed or engaged with the sector gear for torque transfer therewith. An electric motor is configured to selectively supply torque to the sector gear through the first ball nut.

US Patent:

20100124455, May 20, 2010

Filed:

Nov 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/271991

Inventors:

Miroslaw Zaloga - Shelby Townhip MI, US
George E. Doerr - Clarkston MI, US
Christopher N. Bither - Commerce Township MI, US
Christopher J. Mielke - Shelby Township MI, US
Marco E. Rodriguez - Macomb Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16C 11/00
B62D 7/16

US Classification:

403144, 403120

Abstract:

A pivot joint assembly includes a housing having a bore therethrough and a coaxial central axis. A stud is disposed coaxially with the bore, and has a bearing surface. A resilient member disposed between the housing and the stud is biased against the housing to accommodate radial loads transferred therebetween. An inner metal ring disposed between the resilient member and the bearing surface substantially surrounds the bearing surface and is sized for a sliding fit between the bearing surface and an interface surface of the inner metal ring. The stud is configured to pivot about the central axis by a range of at least 40 degrees. The pivot joint assembly may further include a sealing element configured to seal the bearing surface and the interface surface. Another embodiment includes an axial restraint element configured to prevent axial separation of the stud and housing.

US Patent:

20100230921, Sep 16, 2010

Filed:

Mar 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/403609

Inventors:

Miroslaw Zaloga - Shelby Township MI, US
Christopher J. Mielke - Shelby Township MI, US
George E. Doerr - Clarkston MI, US
Christopher N. Bither - Commerce Township MI, US
Marco E. Rodriguez - Macomb Township MI, US
Eric B. Hoyer - White Lake MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 7/16

US Classification:

280 93511, 280 93502

Abstract:

A steering mechanism includes a relay rod and an idler arm operatively attached to a first end thereof. A pitman arm includes a stud and is operatively attached to a second end of the relay rod. A bushing is configured to allow displacement of the pitman arm relative to the relay rod. The bushing includes an outer can, an inner metal member, and a bushing disposed therebetween. The inner metal member has a tapered receptacle configured to mate with a tapered portion of the stud. The resilient member may include voids, which may be oriented generally perpendicular to a turning direction and may be tapered from the base to the opening. The inner metal member may have a generally-cylindrical portion and substantially-opposing outer flats interrupting the same. The outer flats are spaced by a distance smaller than the cylinder diameter and may be substantially parallel to the turning direction.