Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • Internal combustion engine and method for operating an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10746143
    Abstract: Examples are provided for switching an engine fuel supply. One example system includes a direct-injection engine including a cylinder, an LPG tank for storing a LPG fuel, a CNG tank for storing a CNG fuel, a gas switching valve, a high-pressure pump connected between the LPG tank and the gas switching valve, a pressure-limiting valve connected between the CNG tank and the gas switching valve, a fuel distributor configured to be supplied with one or more of the LPG fuel and the CNG fuel via the gas switching valve, an LPG injection valve coupled to the cylinder, a CNG injection valve coupled to the cylinder, the LPG injection valve and the CNG injection valve configured to be supplied with fuel via the fuel distributor; and a controller configured to control the gas switching valve depending on an aggregate state of the fuel disposed in the fuel distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Georg Louven, Klemens Grieser, Oliver Berkemeier, Martin Wirth, Ulrich Kramer, Helmut Hans Ruhland
  • Methods and systems for engine idle stop
    Patent number: 10745013
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine idle-stop based on operation of an on-board generator. In one example, during operation of the generator to power an external load, a method may include inhibiting engine shut-down based on input from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Herhusky, Scott Steadmon Thompson, John Eric Rollinger, Vincent Martinez
  • Automated vehicle software update feedback system
    Patent number: 10744937
    Abstract: A vehicle includes onboard controller(s) that initiate an automated feedback mode responsive to software updates to vehicle controller(s), and which generate a trigger signal upon detecting update status inquiry conditions and feedback concluded conditions. The trigger signal causes communication of a feedback update status identifying success or failure of the software update, and terminates the feedback mode upon detecting feedback concluded conditions. The update status inquiry conditions include, for example, one or more of a vehicle door handle actuation, receiving a wireless remote keyfob signal, receiving a wireless software update status inquiry, detecting an instrument cluster switch actuation, and other update status inquiry conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Naum Vangelov, Brunilda Bleta Caushi, Jason Michael Miller
  • Lifting device for a wheelchair, and motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10744046
    Abstract: A lifting device for lifting a wheelchair into and out of a rear loading space of a motor vehicle includes lifting assemblies, fastened within a loading space of the vehicle, each having a pivot bearing; a telescopic lifting arm, connected to the pivot bearings to pivot about an axis in the vehicle transverse direction; a transverse stay which runs in the vehicle transverse direction, connected to free end portions of the lifting arms; and a coupling unit disposed on the transverse stay and configured to couple at least indirectly to the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Longin, Gunther Cuypers, Roel Hannes, Eduard De Jong
  • Circuit and method for cell voltage sensing in fuel cell stack
    Patent number: 10749194
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a voltage sensing circuit configured to detect voltages across cells in a fuel cell stack, and powered by a power supply sharing a voltage reference with the cells and having a voltage magnitude greater than a sum of voltage magnitudes of the cells. The system further includes a controller configured to, responsive to a change in polarity in at least one of the voltages indicative of freezing of the cells, issue an alert notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • Leaf spring suspension
    Patent number: 10744835
    Abstract: A suspension for a wheeled vehicle includes a leaf spring extending longitudinally relative to the vehicle and having first and second lugs protruding downward therefrom. The lugs are spaced from one another a length of the leaf spring to define a pocket therebetween. An axle passes perpendicularly beneath the leaf spring such that a portion of the axle is disposed in the pocket and is clamped between the lugs. The lugs may be fabricated integrally with the leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralf Hintzen, Paul Zandbergen, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Daniel Mainz, Friedrich Wolf-Monheim, Alberto Girelli Consolaro
  • Vehicle charge control for protection against cold crank failure
    Patent number: 10746151
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle charge control for protection against cold crank failure. An example vehicle includes a battery and a body control module. The body control module is to obtain state of charge information of the battery, obtain temperature information, and estimate a next crank time based on the state of charge information and the temperature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hanyang B. Chen, Michael J. Irby
  • Closed loop auxiliary heating circuit and an electric motor vehicle incorporating that circuit
    Patent number: 10744849
    Abstract: A closed loop auxiliary heating circuit includes a coolant, a closed loop coolant line and a pump for circulating the coolant through the closed loop coolant line between a computing device and an auxiliary heater core whereby heat is transferred from the computing device to the auxiliary heater core to heat the cabin of an electric motor vehicle. An electric motor vehicle incorporating the closed loop auxiliary heating circuit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Herr-Rathke, Manfred Koberstein, Mario Domonick Iaquinta, Jared Lynn Fromme, Curtis M. Jones
  • Mobile device tethering for remote parking assist
    Patent number: 10747218
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for remote parking assist. An example vehicle includes ultra-wide angle cameras and a processor coupled to memory. The processor generates an interface based on a location of the mobile device including an overhead representation of the vehicle generated using images from the cameras and representations of a position of a mobile device and a boundary around the vehicle. The processor also sends the interface to the mobile device, and when the mobile device is not within the boundary, prevents autonomous parking of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Hamid M. Golgiri
  • Systems and methods for improving vehicle engine stability
    Patent number: 10746111
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining an extent of clogging of a canister filter included in a fuel vapor storage canister of a vehicle. In one example, a method comprises determining an extent to which the canister filter is clogged based on an output of an exhaust gas sensor, and adjusting one or more parameters related to purging of the fuel vapor storage canister as a function of the extent to which the canister filter is clogged. In this way, canister lifetime may be improved, and release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere may be reduced or avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Exoskeleton vehicle upper body structure
    Patent number: 10745055
    Abstract: A vehicle body exoskeleton includes a plurality of nodes each defining a receptacle. A plurality of tubes have first and second end portions smaller than and tapering inwardly from a main portion. Each end portion is received in one of the receptacles. An adhesive is applied to the end portions filling a gap defined between the receptacles and the end portions to bond the tubes to the receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Daniel Pastrick, Stephen William Gallagher
  • Seating assembly with suspension
    Patent number: 10744911
    Abstract: A lifter mechanism for an edge of a seat cushion includes a bracket pivotable about a transverse bar. The bracket includes a forward lever and a rearward portion. The forward lever is coupled to a channel within a flange of a seat suspension. The rearward portion is coupled to a linkage. The linkage is coupled to a seatback. The forward lever raises an edge of the seat suspension upon the seatback pivoting to a predetermined reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Jimmy Moua, Adam Ewel, Corbin Shea Johnston, Robert Damerow, Paul Iacoban, S. M. Akbar Berry
  • Systems and methods for delivering and securing a magnetic package delivered by a drone onto a magnetic delivery platform
    Patent number: 10746348
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a package delivery platform. The package delivery platform may be configured to receive a package from a drone. The package may include a magnetic material. The package delivery platform may include a platform body, a plurality of magnets disposed about the platform body, and a controller configured to control the plurality of magnets in order to secure the package to the platform body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick Karl Strahlendorf, Sravani Yajamanam Kidambi
  • METHOD FOR THE OPERATION OF A SELF-DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20200254924
    Abstract: A method and a system can include receiving travel direction information representing a planned driving maneuver of the motor vehicle, detecting at least one road user in a path region of the planned driving maneuver based on an evaluation of at least the travel direction information, determining a lamp operation data set for operating at least one lamp of the motor vehicle based on the evaluation of at least the travel direction information when a road user is detected in the path region, and operating the lamp in accordance with the lamp operation data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Anette Sawonski
  • VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL
    Publication number: 20200257297
    Abstract: A system, including a means for controlling vehicle steering, braking and powertrain and a means for determining first lane marker distances based on second lane marker distances received at a first vehicle from a second vehicle and a distance and an angle measured from the first vehicle to the second vehicle. A vehicle can be operated based on the first lane marker distances and the means for controlling vehicle steering, braking and powertrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Pankaj Kumar
  • FORCED AIR SYSTEM OUTLET FOR A VEHICLE WITH A LOADABLE TRAY TO HOLD AN AROMATIC AGENT
    Publication number: 20200254853
    Abstract: An outlet for a forced air system of a vehicle comprising: a primary air flow chamber; a secondary air flow chamber adjacent the primary air flow chamber; an air flow diverter between the primary air flow chamber and the secondary air flow chamber that diverts a portion of air flow from the primary air flow chamber and into the secondary air flow chamber, with the diverted portion of the air flow flowing back into the primary air flow chamber; and a tray configured to retain an aromatic agent, the tray movable into and out of the secondary air flow chamber to selectively place the aromatic agent in contact with air flowing through the secondary air flow chamber to aromatize the air before flowing back into the primary air flow chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Federico Emilio Mejia, Cecilia Abigail Ayala Rubio, Carlos Pietra Santa, Jose Sandoval, Mario Hernandez
  • VEHICLE ROAD FRICTION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20200255020
    Abstract: A road friction is determined for a road location based on a traffic speed determined from respective speeds of each of a plurality of vehicles. A vehicle can be operated based on the determined road friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: KYLE SIMMONS, ERIC HONGTEI TSENG, MICHAEL HAFNER, MOHSEN LAKEHAL-AYAT
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE ACCESS USING BIOMETRIC DATA
    Publication number: 20200254974
    Abstract: Systems and methods providing vehicle access using identified biometric data are provided herein. An example method includes storing a first biometric input for a user in a database; receiving a ride reservation from the user, the ride reservation having at least a pickup location; activating a biometric input device associated with a vehicle when the vehicle arrives at the pickup location to obtain a second biometric input for the user; authenticating the user by comparing the first biometric input with the second biometric input; and granting access to the vehicle when the first biometric input substantially matches the second biometric input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gordon, Connie Zeng
  • VEHICLE CONTROL ARBITRATION
    Publication number: 20200257282
    Abstract: A system includes a processor. The system includes a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to select one of a first message from a first input device or a second message from a second input device based on one of user priority, device priority, or temporal priority. The instructions include instructions to actuate a vehicle based on the selected first or second message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: ERICK MICHAEL LAVOIE
  • Vehicle front lower bumper cover
    Patent number: D893366
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Dewitt, Todd Willing, Max Wolff, Pedro Guarinon, Mark Wright