List of 24 C8 ME Potential & Realized Patents

[John]

Where will the C8 go next, after the 2020 Stingray?

ADMIN UPDATE: We missed one, # 25 on the E-Ray. Please go to post # 11.

This C8 thread is our “compendium/collector” thread to list all new potential mid engine Corvette patents. Some have already become reality, e.g., DCT, hatch venting, door mirrors, and body design. Some of the following ones will year later turn out to be “purely defensive patents,” others actually found on a version(s) of the ME, and others will most likely not appear due to GM either rejecting them for cost, manufacturing or other issues, or they figured out better ways to accomplish the intended purpose.



Wonder how many of the potential patents not already on the C8 Stingray, might be later found in a high performance version of the C8?

But first, a special thank you to our member who has found many of these, but who wishes to not be identified, and another special thanks to CorvetteBlogger who also first identified many other of these patents for us.

1). Active Aero Components: Two patents, first in March, 2017, second one this past August.

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...re-active-aero

2) Convertible Air Buffeting Deflector (which would also reduce drag, increase fuel economy):

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...flector-patent

3) Twin Stage Turbo Motor:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...s-turbo-patent

4) Actuated DCT With Clutch Pedal? https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...ft-alternative

5) Hybrid Powered Corvette: https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...hnology-patent

6) Adaptive Instrument Panel:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...strument-panel

7) C8 Body Design Patent: Note this one was superceeded by # 19 below.

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...esign-heritage

8) Front Bumper Cover:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-bumper-patent

9) GT Emblem:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...mblem-patented

10) Hatch Venting System:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-system-patent

11) Power Swinging Door:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...s-power-door

12) Motor Oil/Air Separator:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...8-motor-patent

13) Active Side Body Panel Aero Patent:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...y-panel-system

14) Active Hybrid Spoiler Patent:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...d-spoiler-aero

15) Adjustable Splitter System:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-granted-to-gm

16) Under Body Aero Strakes:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...r-body-strakes

17) Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT):

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...gamajajaran”

18) Vehicle Ride-Height Dependent Control Of Air Deflector:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-air-deflector

19) Body Design:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-design-patent

20) Door Mirror Design:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-design-patent

21) Lower Rear Fascia:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-fascia-patent

22) Front Fender:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-fender-patent

23) Upper Rear Fascia:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-bumper-patent

24) Hybridized Double Clutch DCT Arraignment:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...%9D#post354618

[John]

Often in a patent drawing, especially when one is using an earlier generation to show something, nothing In a drawing is precise (far from it) other than using an item for an illustrative purpose to get a patent on specific components, e.g., how they conceptually could work with other shown or noted items.. Precision of a drawing is the last thing of importance, as he text is often way more critical.

Reason: One does not want to give anything away to one’s competitors in a patent application. Here for example is the drawing for the ME’s “body design” patent as linked above.

[meyerweb]

Reason: One does not want to give anything away to one’s competitors in a patent application. Here for example is the drawing for the ME’s “body design” patent as linked above.

Now that would certainly be "not boring!"

[Sean]

I can’t wait for the 2020 Corvette to come out I’m gonna buy one ASAP I’m on the list to buy one

[John]

Sean, we can tell you sure are excited. How wonderful for you to be on a pre-order list already! You are in a large group of Corvette mid engine lovers here.

Thank you for joining us and for your first post.

[WWR]

I like Conti's comment about deposits.."don't send me any money" because then he will never get any relief from folks calling about the car. I would too. In my area who knows when a dealer will get one except HENDRICK 150 miles away and I saw in 2015 a $140,000 Z06 and felt bad when I left the dealership.

[John]

There are excellent MECF forum dealerships who will have outstanding allocation and who never have charged a penny of MSRP.

No time to feel gloom, instead time to methodically arrange for getting your ME at sticker.

[Shadow]

It is good to have these patents all in one thread for long term reference.

[Skank]

This Patent Page is awesome John. All in one location. Excellent!

[MidEngine]

While waiting for ME news, I found this thread. I have been wandering to its related ones about different mid engine patents. Very interesting information. I wonder how many actually arrive the 2020 regular version, and how many more will be added to the ZORA version

[John]

All the way back in 2015, GM patented an E-Ray one:


ROBERT KERIAN, UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE, AND THE MANUFACTURER

As Don Sherman had conjectured back then when we were still in the front engined Corvettes….(so please see that following schematic in that light).

“The notion of an electrified Corvette got me wondering: What’s the best way to hybridize today’s C7 Stingray? I’d do it by rearranging components behind the rear axle.

“Hanging a motor/generator onto the rear of the differential would be the way to go. The added electric machine would capture normally squandered energy during deceleration and braking. The electricity would be stored in one or more compact lithium-ion battery packs also located at the rear of the Corvette. Then, during acceleration, this device would operate as a motor to ease the engine’s labor, yielding a slight fuel-economy improvement.



“During all-out acceleration, the engine and electric motor would collaborate providing forward thrust. That said, the added weight of the motor/generator and battery pack(s) would likely mean the hybrid E-Ray wouldn’t necessarily top the zero-to-60-mph time of a nonhybrid Stingray with a 6.2-liter V-8.

“Major exhaust-system revisions would be necessary to clear the space needed for the motor/generator and the battery. Some of the Corvette coupe’s 15 cubic feet of cargo space would inevitably be sacrificed. Substituting GM’s twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6 for the current 6.2-liter V-8 would keep the total power on tap about the same while delivering significantly more fuel savings.”

Thanks Don for way back then being way ahead of the curve.