Mark Alan Voss

US Patent:

7607717, Oct 27, 2009

Filed:

Sep 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/533883

Inventors:

Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
Kevin B. Rober - Washington MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Tadge J. Juechter - Troy MI, US
Edward D. Moss - Commerce Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 35/00

US Classification:

2961801

Abstract:

A reversibly deployable spoiler for a vehicle comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow and downforce to better suit changes in driving conditions such as speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

US Patent:

8382192, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Oct 14, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/578594

Inventors:

Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
Kevin B. Rober - Washington MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Canton MI, US
Tadge J. Juechter - Troy MI, US
Edward D. Moss - Commerce Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 35/00

US Classification:

2961801

Abstract:

A reversibly deployable spoiler for a vehicle comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow and downforce to better suit changes in driving conditions such as speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

US Patent:

8382211, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Jul 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/836649

Inventors:

Paul W. Renius - Metamora MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Derek L. Patterson - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60B 7/06

US Classification:

301 37102, 301 37106

Abstract:

An ornamental wheel insert utilizing a snap-fit attachment to a wheel. In a first embodiment, fingers carrying bosses are attached to an insert body, wherein when the insert body is seated the bosses snappingly engage a boss abutment of the wheel. In a second embodiment, a snap ring snappingly engages the insert body from the inside of the wheel to thereby securely seat the insert body at the wheel.

US Patent:

8485588, Jul 16, 2013

Filed:

May 11, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/469241

Inventors:

Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Paul E. Krajewski - Troy MI, US
Keith S. Snavely - Sterling Heights MI, US
Matthew F. Pawlicki - Williamsville NY, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 25/10

US Classification:

29618704, 29619311, 180 6922, 180 692

Abstract:

A vehicle hood or a panel covering an object includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface faces the object and is offset from the object by a basin depth. The outer surface is substantially opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface or is disposed between the inner surface and the object. The local energy absorber has a singly-connected structure, which includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion. The first wall portion is operatively attached to the inner surface. The singly-connected structure also includes a curved connector portion joining the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

US Patent:

8499607, Aug 6, 2013

Filed:

Aug 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/549632

Inventors:

Richard M. Kleber - Clarkston MI, US
Paul E. Krajewski - Troy MI, US
Sooho Kim - Troy MI, US
Curtis L. Shinabarker - Brighton MI, US
Nicholas M Bosway - Clarkston MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Gary R. Pelowski - Oxford MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B21D 13/00
B21C 23/00
B21C 25/08

US Classification:

723796, 72254, 72260

Abstract:

A billet of an aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy is formed by a combination of forming operations into a desired article of complex, but open shape. In a first step a billet is heated and extruded to form an extruded workpiece profile having at least first and second sections of different thicknesses. The extruded workpiece may be shaped so that the respective sections are at an angle to each other. The extruded workpiece is then further formed against a forming surface so that the shape of least one of the sections is further formed toward the shape of the article. The methods are suitable for efficient manufacture of many like complex shapes such as brackets and reinforcement members, and even container pans for computers and other electronic devices.

US Patent:

20090214874, Aug 27, 2009

Filed:

Feb 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/038377

Inventors:

Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Mary Sue Acker - Howell MI, US
Stanley A. Iobst - Troy MI, US
Phuong-Anh P. Ngo - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - DETROIT MI

International Classification:

C08K 5/34
B32B 27/40
B32B 19/00
B32B 9/04

US Classification:

4284231, 524 92, 428426, 428457, 428688, 4284111, 428447

Abstract:

One exemplary embodiment may include a coating composition including an additive to prevent or hinder at least one of the coating or an underlying substrate from destabilization upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

US Patent:

20100112924, May 6, 2010

Filed:

Nov 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/611322

Inventors:

Paul W. Alexander - Ypsilanti MI, US
Xiujie Gao - Troy MI, US
Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Derek L. Patterson - Shelby Township MI, US
John N. Owens - Franklin MI, US
James Holbrook Brown - Costa Mesa CA, US
Brian D. Hu - Upland CA, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - Detroit MI
DYNALLOY, INC. - Costa Mesa CA

International Classification:

B60H 1/00

US Classification:

454 70

Abstract:

A pressure relief valve includes a housing and vane that is movable to one of an open position and a closed position. A linear actuator mechanically couples between the movable vane and the housing. The linear actuator is a wire device fabricated from a shape memory alloy. An actuable latching system is configured to retain the movable vane in one of the open position and the closed position for an indeterminate time period.

US Patent:

20100330894, Dec 30, 2010

Filed:

Nov 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/612112

Inventors:

Paul W. Alexander - Ypsilanti MI, US
Xiujie Gao - Troy MI, US
Alan L. Browne - Gross Pointe MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Derek L. Patterson - Shelby Township MI, US
Lei Hao - Troy MI, US
Chandra S. Namuduri - Troy MI, US
James Holbrook Brown - Costa Mesa CA, US
Aragorn Zolno - Whittier CA, US
John N. Owens - Franklin MI, US
Alexander Millerman - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Kevin B. Rober - Washington MI, US
Suresh Gopalakrishnan - Farmington Hills MI, US
Sanjeev M. Naik - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - Detroit MI
DYNALLOY, INC. - Costa Mesa CA

International Classification:

B60H 1/26

US Classification:

454 70, 454 75, 454162

Abstract:

A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is open to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch.