Abstract: A vehicle includes one or more microphones that are each configured to selectively provide sound signals from one or more seating positions in the vehicle. A controller is programmed to receive an input indicative of a request to enter a group conversation mode upon initiation of a call, and, responsive to receiving the input, enable the microphones to selectively provide sound signals from all of the seating positions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 12, 2018
Date of Patent:
May 14, 2019
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TEHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Christian Edward Shaffer, Ryan Andrew Sikorski
Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel. The restraint system includes an airbag coupled to the instrument panel and having an impact panel facing away from the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated. The impact panel has a left half and a right half. A left tether is releasably coupled to the instrument panel and to the left half of the impact panel. A right tether is releasably coupled to the instrument panel and to the right half of the impact panel. A controller is programmed to selectively release one of the left and right tethers based on an impact angle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 5, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 21, 2018
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TEHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Jacob Wookeun Lee
Abstract: A battery is mounted in a hybrid electric automotive vehicle. The battery is held by a restraining bar across top surfaces of a plurality of cells that comprise the battery. A holder is located between the cells and restraining bar to increase a contact area between the restraining bar and the battery.
Abstract: A curve length, a curve size, and a curve heading angle change of a roadway being traveled by a vehicle are determined. Each of the curve length, the curve size, and the curve heading angle are compared with one or more threshold values to obtain a driving mode request.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 11, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 11, 2016
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TEHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Steven Joseph Szwabowski, David Starr, Fling Tseng, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Jianbo Lu
Abstract: A method for testing a transmission gear shift device includes using an electric machine and a primary mechanism to place the device and a secondary mechanism, latched to the primary mechanism, in a park position, using a motor to delatch the secondary mechanism from the primary mechanism, using the electric machine to absorb energy released by a spring when delatching, and using the electric machine to relatch the secondary mechanism to the primary mechanism.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 29, 2010
Date of Patent:
March 18, 2014
Assignee:
Ford Global Tehnologies, LLC
Inventors:
Brian J. Deurloo, William R. Goodwin, Christopher L. Danks, Louis A. Nagy
Abstract: Various example approaches are described, one of which includes a method for adjusting relative delivery of liquid and gaseous fuel to a cylinder of the engine to effect rapid changes in cylinder air charge via changes in the displacement of fresh air by the gaseous fuel. In one particular approach, turbocharger lag is addressed by decreasing gaseous fuel injection while increasing liquid fuel injection to increase cylinder fresh air over and above any changes to fresh air via the throttle, wastegate, and/or turbocharger.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2009
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2013
Assignee:
Ford Global Tehnologies, LLC
Inventors:
Ross Dykstra Pursifull, John D. Russell