autoevolution
 

GM Leader in Clean Energy with 135 Patents Last Year

General Motors received more clean-energy patents last year than any other organization, according to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index of U.S. patents. That data suggest that the 135 patents that focus on advanced propulsion technologies such as hybrid and electric-drive, and alternative sources of energy represent 14 percent of the total 1,881 received by 700 companies.

“U.S. clean-energy patents were at an all-time high in 2010,”
said Victor Cardona, co-chair of the Cleantech Group at Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti, publisher of the index. “GM has clearly put forth a lot of effort in a range of clean-energy technologies, resulting in its appearance at the top of the list for the first time.”

GM’s patents covered hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cells and solar energy, and focused on improvements to current and future technologies. Here are a few of last year’s inventions:
  • Multi-injection combustion cycle systems for spark ignition direct injection engines: Improves fuel and air mixing, and reduces hydrocarbon emissions during engine startup and cranking.
  • Dynamically adaptive method for determining a battery’s state of charge: Improves fuel economy with a new algorithm that estimates a lithium-ion battery’s internal parameters in real time.
  • Electrically variable transmission having three planetary gear sets with two fixed interconnections: Ultra-efficient hybrid electric vehicle transmission design that features low electrical losses, high torque capacity and city and highway modes.
  • Variable active fuel management delay with hybrid start-stop: Control system that seamlessly integrates active fuel management with start-stop for additional fuel savings.
  • Control of hybrid power regeneration during cruise control: Uses regenerative braking so the onboard battery can be charged during vehicle operation, saving fuel.
  • Method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle: Involves operating a heater when the vehicle is cold to preheat the battery, improving electric driving range.
"GM is on a journey to reinvent the automotive DNA, and that’s driving a great amount of innovation and technological breakthroughs,”
said Alan Taub, GM vice president of global research and development. “We will continue our aggressive focus on advanced propulsion technologies that will benefit our customers and the environment.”
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories