Christopher J Mielke

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:

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:

20130336712, Dec 19, 2013

Filed:

Jun 19, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/526889

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:

F16C 11/12

US Classification:

403291

Abstract:

A joint assembly having a shaft with a retention notch, a joint coupling, a spring clip and a full insertion clip. The joint coupling including a body having a bore, with the bore receiving the shaft, and the body including a secondary fastener hole extending normal to the bore. The spring clip including a fixed end secured to the main body, a flexible middle portion, and a finger at an opposed end, the finger engaging the shaft as the shaft slides into the bore and extending into the retention notch when the shaft is in a fully inserted position. The full insertion clip having a first end secure to the main body, a flexible portion and an opposed second end having a fastener alignment hole, the fastener alignment hole aligning with the secondary fastener hole when not flexed and misaligning with the secondary fastener hole when flexed.

US Patent:

20190023313, Jan 24, 2019

Filed:

Jul 18, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/652720

Inventors:

- Detroit MI, US
Scott R. Kloess - Rochester Hills MI, US
Christopher J. Mielke - Shelby Township MI, US
Bo Yu - Novi MI, US
Nicholas V. Katcherian - South Lyon MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 5/04
G07C 5/08

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided for damage risk indication of a steering system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor system and a processing device. The sensor system is configured to detect a velocity of a servo unit of a steering system of the vehicle. The processing device is configured to determine an acceleration value of the servo unit and to compare the acceleration value, velocity values and thresholds of the servo unit with an acceleration value threshold, and to generate a warning signal if the acceleration value of the servo unit exceeds the acceleration value threshold. Thus, a damage risk is determined and the vehicle can be subjected to further damage investigation.