Control logic for fluid flow control devices

US7178395B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Motors LLC · US

Inventors

• Alan L. Browne · Grosse Pointe, US
• Nancy L. Johnson · Northville, US
• Tadge J. Juechter · Troy, US
• Edward D. Moss · Wixom, US
• Jan H. Aase · Oakland Charter Township, US
• Thomas H. Froling · Beverly Hills, US
• Gary Lee Jones · Ottsville, US
• Bahram Khalighi · Birmingham, US
• Constantinos A. Koromilas · Sterling Heights, US
• Harlan W. Charles · Harper Woods, US
• Geoffrey P. McKnight · Los Angeles, US
• William Barvosa-Carter · Ventura, US
• Leslie Momoda · Los Angeles, US
• Franz K. Schenkel · Rochester, US
• Lawrence E. Peruski · Canton, US
• Jeffrey M. Pleune · Rochester Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 5, 2004
• Grant date: Feb 20, 2007
• Expiry date: Dec 3, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/82
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for controlling fluid flow about a vehicle. The system comprises a fluid flow control device, an obstacle sensor for detecting obstacles, and a controller. The fluid flow control device has a body with at least one surface and an actuation means in operative communication with the surface. The actuation means is operative to alter at least one attribute of the fluid flow control device in response to a control signal. The controller has control logic for generating the control signal in response to the obstacle sensor.