David S Walters

US Patent:

6404163, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Jun 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/887959

Inventors:

Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Shelby Township MI
Michael Frank Matouka - Shelby Township MI
David William Walters - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 1046

US Classification:

320104

Abstract:

A method of regulating a charge voltage delivered to a battery in an automobile, wherein the automobile has an engine and an ignition system capable of being activated with an ignition switch, is provided. The method includes the steps of periodically estimating the electrolyte temperature of the battery when the ignition switch is on, periodically sensing the voltage of the battery, using the estimated electrolyte temperature and the sensed voltage to estimate the electric current of the battery, using the estimated electric current to estimate the amp-hours into the battery, using the estimated amp-hours to estimate the state of charge of the battery when the engine is running, using the running state of charge and the estimated electrolyte temperature to determine an optimum charge voltage for the battery, using the sensed voltage to adjust the optimum charge voltage, communicating the optimum charge voltage to a generator, and using the generator to deliver a charge voltage to the battery wherein the charge voltage is regulated by the optimum charge voltage. Also, a system for implementing the method is provided. The system includes a generator, an engine control module, a sensor for sensing the temperature of air entering into the engine, an actuator capable of adjusting the idle speed of the engine, a data link, a body control module, a plurality of body controllers, and a plurality of electrical loads.

US Patent:

6809501, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

Mar 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/386256

Inventors:

Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Shelby Township MI
Yaang Zhao - Shelby Township MI
David W. Walters - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 1044

US Classification:

320132

Abstract:

A fuel economy control method includes estimating a temperature of a battery, measuring a current of the battery, and measuring a voltage of the battery. A nominal optimum charging voltage is determined as a function of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery and the estimated temperature. The nominal optimum charging voltage is reduced to a fuel economy minimum charging voltage if the SOC is above a predetermined level and the current is within a predetermined range.

US Patent:

6936995, Aug 30, 2005

Filed:

Feb 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/374347

Inventors:

Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Shelby Township MI, US
David W. Walters - Sterling Heights MI, US
Marvin E. Carpenter - Clarkston MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M010/46

US Classification:

320132

Abstract:

A regulator voltage control includes measuring a current of a battery, determining a state of charge (SOC) of the battery based on the current, and determining a nominal optimum charging voltage as a function of the SOC of the battery. The nominal optimum charging voltage is converted to a % duty cycle, and a generator is operated relative to the % duty cycle for charging the battery. The nominal optimum charging voltage is reduced when either a battery charge current is below a predetermined value, or a current drawing accessory is turned on.

US Patent:

7009365, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Aug 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/931464

Inventors:

Chandra S. Namuduri - Troy MI, US
Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Shelby Township MI, US
Toufic M. Huazi - Troy MI, US
Kenneth J Shoemaker - Highland MI, US
David W. Walters - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H02P 7/36

US Classification:

322 23, 322 28, 322 29, 322 25, 322 27, 322 8, 322 73, 322314

Abstract:

Systems, methods and devices are described for controlling a vehicle electrical generator. A regulator for controlling a generator in response to an input signal received from a control module suitably includes a discriminator module, a processing module and a switching circuit. The discriminator determines whether the regulator is operating in voltage or torque control mode. If the input signal is a voltage control, the output generator produces a modulation signal to produce a desired voltage between two battery terminals. If the input signal is a torque control, the output generator produces one or more modulation signals (e. g. pulse width modulation signals) to control the torque of the generator. The modulation signals are applied across a field coil or other controllable element of the generator by a switching circuit that applies positive and/or negative voltage from the battery terminals as appropriate.

US Patent:

7290525, Nov 6, 2007

Filed:

Oct 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/553487

Inventors:

Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Shelby Township MI, US
Chandra S. Namuduri - Troy MI, US
David W. Walters - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F02D 29/00

US Classification:

123329, 123350, 180 652

Abstract:

An engine control system for use in connection with vehicles and the like allows the engine speed to be modified using the torque load from the electrical generator. The engine is subject to a torque load from a generator coupled to the engine. The controller compares the desired speed to the actual speed of the engine to determine an error value, and the torque load of the generator is modified (increased/decreased) based on the error value such that the absolute value of the error value is reduced. The generator control is combined with and arbitrated with respect to traditional spark control methods, thus reducing the need for spark timing that is substantially retarded from the mean best timing (MBT) setting. The electrical generator can operate in either voltage control mode or field duty cycle control mode, depending upon various conditions.

US Patent:

7418943, Sep 2, 2008

Filed:

Nov 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/607135

Inventors:

Michael G. Reynolds - Troy MI, US
David W. Walters - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F02P 5/15
F02P 5/00

US Classification:

12333911, 12340623

Abstract:

An engine idle speed control system for regulating an idle speed of an internal combustion engine includes a first module that determines an indicated torque of the engine based on a current spark timing and a second module that determines a desired indicated torque based on the indicated torque. A third module determines a new spark timing based on the desired indicated torque and a fourth module that regulates operation of the engine based on the new spark timing.

US Patent:

7545109, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Apr 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/736151

Inventors:

Mutasim A. Salman - Rochester Hills MI, US
Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Shelby Township MI, US
Xiaodong Zhang - Madison Heights MI, US
David W. Walters - Sterling Heights MI, US
Xidong Tang - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H02P 1/00

US Classification:

318139, 388806

Abstract:

A method and article of manufacture for monitoring an electrical energy storage device adapted to supply electrical power to a selectively actuable electric motor is described. This comprises determining a state of charge and a temperature of the electrical energy storage device subsequent to a stabilization period, and measuring a minimum voltage output from the electrical energy storage device during selective actuation of the electric motor. One of a plurality of predetermined threshold voltage states is selected based upon the state of charge and the temperature. The minimum voltage is compared to the selected predetermined threshold voltage.

US Patent:

7743649, Jun 29, 2010

Filed:

Dec 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/338054

Inventors:

Mutasim A. Salman - Rochester Hills MI, US
Zhenhui Yao - Warren MI, US
Nick S. Kapsokavathis - Shelby Township MI, US
David W. Walters - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01M 15/00

US Classification:

7311459

Abstract:

A method is provided for determining a cranking capability of a starting system for an internal combustion engine. An average power output of a battery is determined for the starting system during a start engine cranking interval. A temperature of the starting system is determined at an initiation of the start engine cranking interval. A predetermined average power output capability for a battery having a full state of charge at the determined temperature is looked up. A predetermined minimum average power output required of the battery for starting the respective engine at the determined temperature is looked up. A state of function based on the determined average power outputs is determined. The cranking capability of the starting system is identified in response to the determined state of function.

Address:

1924 E Behrend Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85024

Phone:

(623)4346495

VIN:

5J6RE38799L022368

Make:

HONDA

Model:

CR-V

Year:

2009