Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Scott A McLeod

Jianying Shi

Justin Jay Hackett

John Patrick Spicer

Systems and methods are disclosed for a multiphase clock generation. An example method includes facilitating, by a phase interpolator (PI) circuit comprising a plurality of PIs, transfer of information across one or both of a transmit (TX) lane or a receive (RX) lane, wherein the transfer of information is based on a clock timing. The PI circuit receives, from a clock-and-data recovery (CDR) circuit, a plurality of input clock phases. The CDR circuit comprises a centrally located phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit and a plurality of multiphase generators. In some embodiments, each multiphase generator of the plurality of multiphase generators is adjacent to a respective PI of the plurality of PIs. Based on the plurality of input clock phases, the PI circuit adjusts, the clock timing for the transfer of information.

Multiphase clock generation with automatic skew and amplitude control

An assembly system and a part holding assembly are configured to locate and secure a part defining holes. The part holding assembly further includes a first clamping device movable along a first track for positioning the first clamping device relative to the part. The first clamping device is configured to engage the part to secure the part to the first clamping device. The part holding assembly also includes a first pin device movable along a second track for positioning the first pin device relative to the location of one of the holes of the part. The first pin is configured to be disposed through the one of the holes of the part when in a closed position for locating the part. The first pin is configured to expand in the one of the holes when in an open position for securing the part to the first pin device.

Part holding assembly, an assembly system and a method of locating and securing a part

A method of assembling a component includes gripping a first subcomponent with a first end-of-arm tool and grasping a second subcomponent with a second end-of-arm tool. The first tool is attached to a first robot arm and the first subcomponent defines a first plurality of locating holes. The second tool is attached to a second robot arm and the second subcomponent defines a second plurality of locating holes. After grasping, the method includes aligning at least one of the first locating holes adjacent to at least one of the second locating holes to set an initial position of the second subcomponent with respect to the first subcomponent without releasing the first and second subcomponents. After aligning, the method includes forming a joint between the first and second subcomponents with a joining tool attached to a joining robot arm to thereby assemble the component. A component assembly system is also disclosed.

Component assembly system and method of assembling a component

A tooling pivot is configured to pivot and to hold a tool in a plurality of operating positions. The tooling pivot includes a bracket, a tooling plate, a motor, a brake, and a controller. The tooling plate is connected to the bracket, connectable to the tool, and rotatable. The motor is connected to the bracket and to the tooling plate and is configured to rotate the tooling plate to an operating position. The brake is connected to the bracket and is configured to hold the tooling plate in the operating position. The controller is connected to the motor and to the brake and is configured to control the motion and position of the tooling plate and to control the holding of the tooling plate. The brake is configured to release the tooling plate when the motor rotates the tooling plate to the operating position.

Tooling pivot

An expanding locating and clamping pin assembly configured to locate and clamp a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws radially movable in the radial jaw guides, extending past the part rest face, and configured with a part clamping feature. The actuating mechanism is connected to the housing and the jaws and is configured to synchronously move the jaws to a radial position and to apply the clamping force. The controller controls the radial position of the jaws and the clamping force. The part rest face and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position and to clamp the part in the located position via the clamping force.

Expanding locating and clamping pin

An expanding locating pin assembly configured to locate and hold a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws connected to and radially movable in the radial jaw guides and extending past the part rest face. The actuating mechanism synchronously moves the jaws to a radial position and applies a holding force to the part. The controller controls the radial position and the holding force of the jaws. The part rest face of the housing and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position. The jaws of the locating pin are configured to hold the part in the located position via the holding force and a friction force resulting from the holding force.

Expanding locating pin with controlled holding force

An assembly system and a part holding assembly are configured to locate and secure a part defining a plurality of holes. The assembly includes a frame having a track. The assembly includes a first device and a second device each supported by the frame. One of the devices is movable along the track for positioning the devices relative to each other and relative to the location of the holes of the part. The first device includes a first pin and the second device includes a second pin. Each of the pins is movable between a closed position and an open position. The pins are configured to be disposed through respective holes of the part when in the closed position for locating the part. The pins are configured to expand in the respective holes when in the open position for securing the part to the devices.

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Windsor, CA, United States of America

Scott A McLeod