Patents by Inventor Derek Hartl
Derek Hartl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20150111093Abstract: A battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a terminal holder, a terminal at least partially surrounded by the terminal holder, and a bus bar module connectable to the terminal holder. One of the terminal holder and the bus bar module includes at least one locating feature to position the bus bar module in a welding position relative to the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Debbi CALLICOAT, Brian UTLEY, Steve DROSTE, Derek HARTL
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Publication number: 20150109707Abstract: A vehicle high voltage system may include contactors/relays, wires, a traction battery, electrical components, and at least one controller. The at least one controller may open the contactors to interrupt current flow to the components if anyone of a plurality of amp?hour measurement associated with the traction battery exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Kevin VANDER LAAN, Derek HARTL
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Patent number: 9013839Abstract: A vehicle high voltage system may include contactors/relays, wires, a traction battery, electrical components, and at least one controller. The at least one controller may open the contactors to interrupt current flow to the components if anyone of a plurality of amp?hour measurement associated with the traction battery exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Vander Laan, Derek Hartl
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Publication number: 20150088361Abstract: A method for monitoring contactor health according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, storing wear data associated with a contactor, categorizing the wear data into at least a first bin and a second bin, assigning a first health level to the wear data associated with the first bin and assigning a second health level to the wear data associated with the second bin. Health information concerning the contactor is communicated to the vehicle operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Derek HARTL, Ai KERAMIDAS
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Publication number: 20150061376Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed comprising a pre-charge circuit, including a resistor, that selectively connects a traction battery to an electrical impedance. A controller is programmed to inhibit pre-charging for an amount of time when a predetermined number of pre-charge cycles have occurred within a preceding predetermined period of time. The predetermined number of pre-charge cycles may be based on a voltage or current magnitude across the resistor during the previous pre-charge cycles. The predetermined number of times may be modified based on prior successful and failed pre-charge cycles. A method of limiting a temperature increase of a pre-charge resistor is disclosed comprising counting a number of prior pre-charge cycles and inhibiting pre-charging when the number of prior pre-charge cycles within the preceding period of time exceeds a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Derek Hartl, Kevin Vander Laan
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Publication number: 20150025703Abstract: A primary current threshold is fit between an electrical capacity and electrical load for an electrical distribution component. When a first measured current exceeds the primary threshold, a power limit for the battery powering the component is reduced. When a second measured current is less than a secondary current threshold, the power limit is increased. The primary and secondary thresholds may be set for a plurality of time periods.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Kevin Vander Laan, Derek Hartl
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Patent number: 8909404Abstract: A user interface for conveying tips on driving behaviors or vehicle settings that will improve vehicle efficiency may be provided. The tips may be listed on an information display along with an efficiency impact value associated with each tip. The efficiency impact values may be conveyed in terms of fuel economy, vehicle range, emissions or some other value. Accordingly, the user interface may communicate ways to improve a vehicle's efficiency, as well as quantify the potential improvement in meaningful terms.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ryan J. Skaff, William Paul Perkins, Derek Hartl
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Publication number: 20140277873Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine for providing propulsion forces to wheels of the vehicle. In an electric-only propulsion mode, the engine is disabled and the electric machine acts as the power source for the wheels. In a hybrid propulsion mode, the engine is activated to act as an additional power source for the wheels. At least one controller along with a plurality of sensors and positional information devices activate an active safety control signal in response to objects surrounding the vehicle that pose a threat to a potential collision event. In response to the active safety control signal, the engine can be either automatically started or stopped to provide additional available power or a reduced available power, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Derek Hartl, Ming Lang Kuang, Bernard D. Nefcy
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Publication number: 20140277874Abstract: A user interface for conveying tips on driving behaviors or vehicle settings that will improve vehicle efficiency may be provided. The tips may be listed on an information display along with an efficiency impact value associated with each tip. The efficiency impact values may be conveyed in terms of fuel economy, vehicle range, emissions or some other value. Accordingly, the user interface may communicate ways to improve a vehicle's efficiency, as well as quantify the potential improvement in meaningful terms.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ryan J. Skaff, William Paul Perkins, Derek Hartl
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Patent number: 8560153Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has first and second propulsion devices. The vehicle determines a calculated decline in state of charge (SOC) for a charge depleting mode for a battery coupled to the first propulsion device. The vehicle is operated to achieve the calculated decline in SOC. The vehicle operates the second propulsion device for at least a predetermined time after the second propulsion device is turned on during the charge depleting mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Ming Lang Kuang, William Paul Perkins, Brandon R. Masterson, Derek Hartl
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Patent number: 8536996Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes an information display for displaying a plurality of selectable information display levels according to an information display hierarchy. Each selectable information display level may include one or more visual gauges for conveying vehicle information. Each successive selectable information display level may include additional and/or alternative vehicle information when compared to the preceding selectable information display level. The information display system further includes a controller configured to display the plurality of selectable information display levels according to an at least one driver input. In this way, the information display can display a particular selectable information display level best suited to a driver's individual preferences or understanding of the vehicle's operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Watson, Angela L. Watson, Sohel Merchant, Craig Sandvig, Ivette Hernandez, Steven Bishop, Engin Erdogan, Altay Jun Wakui Sendil, Susanne Stage, Ryan J. Skaff, Derek Hartl, James Belloli, Jeffrey Greenberg, Michael Blommer
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Publication number: 20130049945Abstract: A vehicle information display may include a split braking gauge for conveying information relating to braking operation and efficiency to assist drivers in maximizing energy capture during braking in vehicle with regenerative braking systems. The split braking gauge may incorporate a side-by-side or stacked configuration for conveying both regenerative braking and friction braking values. The split braking gauge may include fixed thresholds or boundaries associated with dynamic threshold values that can change based on current vehicle operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Ryan Skaff, Derek Hartl
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Publication number: 20120235806Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes an information display for displaying a plurality of selectable information display levels according to an information display hierarchy. Each selectable information display level may include one or more visual gauges for conveying vehicle information. Each successive selectable information display level may include additional and/or alternative vehicle information when compared to the preceding selectable information display level. The information display system further includes a controller configured to display the plurality of selectable information display levels according to an at least one driver input. In this way, the information display can display a particular selectable information display level best suited to a driver's individual preferences or understanding of the vehicle's operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Watson, Angela L. Watson, Sohel Merchant, Craig Sandvig, Ivette Hernández, Steven Bishop, Engin Erdogan, Altay Jun Wakui Sendil, Susanne Stage, Ryan J. Skaff, Derek Hartl, James Belloli, Jeffrey Greenberg, Michael Blommer
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Patent number: 8258937Abstract: A method of transmitting driver specific vehicle data includes entering driver specific hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) operating parameter settings for a plurality of drivers into a vehicle controller; identifying a vehicle driver; displaying driver specific HEV data within the vehicle; and configuring HEV operating parameters in accordance with the driver specific HEV operating parameter settings.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Allen D. Dobryden, William P. Perkins, Ryan Skaff, Derek Hartl
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Publication number: 20120179311Abstract: A computer-implemented method of displaying vehicle range includes receiving input corresponding to a level of charge remaining in a vehicle having at least a partial electric power source usable for vehicle locomotion. The method also includes determining a maximum remaining range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the level of charge. The method further includes displaying a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, including at least an indicator at the center of the range indicating a current location of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ryan Skaff, Derek Hartl, Paul Aldighieri, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, David L. Watson, Dale Gilman, Craig Sandvig, Leslie Bodnar, Leann Kridner, Angela L. Watson
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Publication number: 20120179313Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying a plurality of power consuming and producing vehicle components. The method also includes determining what components are currently consuming power and what components are currently delivering power, and to what magnitude the power is flowing between components. The method additionally includes displaying one or more arrows showing a powerflow from at least one power producing component to at least one power consuming or producing component. The method further includes displaying an indicia indicating the magnitude of the powerflow associated with the one or more arrows. Also, the method includes, for at least one power consuming component, displaying a gauge relating to a level of power being consumed by the at least one power consuming component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Derek Hartl, Ryan Skaff, Angela L. Watson
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Patent number: 8207841Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes an information display for displaying a plurality of selectable information display levels according to an information display hierarchy. Each selectable information display level may include one or more visual gauges for conveying vehicle information. Each successive selectable information display level may include additional and/or alternative vehicle information when compared to the preceding selectable information display level. The information display system further includes a controller configured to display the plurality of selectable information display levels according to an at least one driver input. In this way, the information display can display a particular selectable information display level best suited to a driver's individual preferences or understanding of the vehicle's operations.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Watson, Angela L. Watson, Sohel Merchant, Craig Sandvig, Ivette Hernández, Steven Bishop, Engin Erdogan, Altay Jun Wakui Sendil, Susanne Stage, Ryan J. Skaff, Derek Hartl, James Belloli, Jeffrey Greenberg, Michael Blommer
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Patent number: 8120478Abstract: An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system determines which engine on reasons are true and applies a prioritization strategy to determine which engine on reasons are displayed to an operator via an information display.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ryan J. Skaff, Derek Hartl, Angela L. Watson, David Watson, Paul Stephen Bryan, John Shutko
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Publication number: 20110276205Abstract: A total power demand including a wheel power demand may be observed. The wheel power demand may be modified to determine a modified total power demand including a modified wheel power demand if the total power demand falls within a target range of power values defined by upper and lower threshold power values such that the modified total power demand is generally equal to the lower threshold power value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Derek Hartl, Linda K. Ringlein, Ryan J. Skaff, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, William Paul Perkins
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Publication number: 20110251782Abstract: A method for determining and comparing vehicle fuel economy for several different preselected vehicles. The method includes selecting a plurality of vehicles to compare. The user inputs a driving route and a driving style through a user interface into the system. The system utilizes predetermined vehicle fuel economy information along with the driving route and driving style to calculate fuel economy values for each of the selected vehicle models. The system then displays the fuel economy values for each of the selected vehicles to provide a comparison between the selected vehicles over the predetermined driving route using the selected driving style.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William Paul Perkins, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Derek Hartl, Matthew Fleming