Patents by Inventor Mark G. Smith

Mark G. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20190111761
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle climate system when an ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature is provided. In response to an ambient temperature being less than a threshold temperature, a controller is adapted to operate a blower motor at a voltage that depends on whether the vehicle is in charge sustain mode or charge deplete mode. In response to an ambient temperature being greater than a threshold temperature, the controller is adapted to operate the blower motor at a voltage that does not depend on whether in the charge sustain or charge deplete modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Jasbir JAGLAN, William Stewart JOHNSTON, Alan Douglas WALLINGTON, Curtis Mark JONES, Chris George OEHRING, Mark G. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20190072024
    Abstract: A control system for minimizing the flow rate and energy consumption of a water pump in a vehicle. The control system and method correlate a climate thermal load value with the temperature of the coolant in a climate control cooling circuit. A correlation is performed by mapping the inputs to a desired pump flow rate that is determined to be necessary at a minimum to provide adequate cooling for the engine and for air conditioning or heating the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, Kenneth J. Jackson, Scott James Thompson, Osama A. Abihana
  • Publication number: 20180354339
    Abstract: A traction battery thermal management system is provided. The thermal management system includes a battery loop for regulating the traction battery temperature. A motor loop is provided for regulating a motor temperature. The thermal management system also includes a radiator. A radiator valve selectively controls fluid flow through the radiator. A battery valve selectively couples the battery loop and the motor loops. The battery loop, the motor loop are in fluid communication and arranged in parallel to be cooled by the radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, William Samuel Schwartz, Kenneth J. Jackson, David Fabricatore
  • Patent number: 10131205
    Abstract: A climate control system having a coolant subsystem, a heat pump subsystem, and an intermediate heat exchanger. The intermediate heat exchanger may transfer thermal energy from the heat pump subsystem to the coolant to increase the temperature of the coolant when the climate control system is in a heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, James George Gebbie, Franco Ragazzi, Clay Wesley Maranville
  • Publication number: 20180319249
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle climate control system includes steps of determining that a first predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system airflow into a passenger cabin will exceed a predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold and, if so, automatically implementing a first climate control system operating condition at least reducing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. On determining that a second predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin will satisfy the predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold, the method includes a step of automatically implementing a second climate control system operating condition increasing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. Climate control systems for implementing the described methods are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: David Alan Wong, Debasish Dhar, Alan Gutowski, Alan Douglas Wallington, Manfred Koberstein, Mark G. Smith, Angel Fernando Porras
  • Patent number: 10069180
    Abstract: An exemplary electrified vehicle assembly includes a first coolant loop extending from a battery pack to a radiator, and a second coolant loop extending from the battery pack to a thermoelectric device. At least one valve is configured to permit flow through the first coolant loop to cool the battery pack under a first operating condition, and configured to permit flow within the second coolant loop to cool the battery under a second operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark G. Smith
  • Patent number: 10046617
    Abstract: A traction battery thermal management system is provided. The thermal management system includes a battery loop for regulating the traction battery temperature. A motor loop is provided for regulating a motor temperature. The thermal management system also includes a radiator. A radiator valve selectively controls fluid flow through the radiator. A battery valve selectively couples the battery loop and the motor loops. The battery loop, the motor loop are in fluid communication and arranged in parallel to be cooled by the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, William Samuel Schwartz, Kenneth J. Jackson, David Fabricatore
  • Patent number: 9950638
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, a traction battery configured to receive wall power from a charging station, a coolant circuit, a heat pump and a controller. The coolant circuit includes the battery, a heater core, a heat exchanger, and valving. The heat pump is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to heat the battery and the cabin, and a time to next planned usage of the vehicle being less than a first threshold time, actuate the valving to circulate coolant to the heater core and not the battery when wall power is available, and energize the heat pump to supply heat to the coolant circuit via the heat exchanger when an ambient air temperature exceeds a threshold temperature. The disclosure also includes a method for preconditioning a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Mark G. Smith
  • Patent number: 9914336
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a passenger cabin, an HVAC system adjustable between a fresh air mode and a recirculate mode, a compartment containing a heat-producing electrical component, and a non-passenger compartment that is ventilated to outside of the vehicle. A duct has an inlet end adjacent the compartment and an outlet end adjacent an air intake of the HVAC system. A valve controls whether cooling air exiting the compartment is directed into the duct or into the non-passenger compartment. The valve is operated to direct a majority of the cooling air into the duct when the HVAC system is in the recirculate mode, and into the non-passenger compartment when the HVAC system is in the fresh air mode. Air from the non-passenger compartment may be vented out of the vehicle through an air extractor vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark G. Smith
  • Patent number: 9827846
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a cooling system. The cooling system has a chiller, a radiator, and conduit and valving arranged to form a thermal circuit configured to selectively transport heat via coolant from the traction battery to the radiator. The vehicle also includes a grille shutter assembly having an opening and shutters movable to alter an effective cross-sectional area of the opening. A controller is programed to operate the shutters to change the effective cross-sectional area of the opening to increase or decrease air flow over the radiator based on a temperature of the coolant and an ambient air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Mark G. Smith, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Kenneth J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9819063
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a refrigerant system having an intermediary heat exchanger, an exterior heat exchanger, and an expansion device disposed therebetween. The vehicle also includes a coolant circuit having a pump configured to circulate coolant through the intermediary heat exchanger and an engine. A controller is programmed to, in response to air conditioning being requested and the coolant temperature exceeding a threshold temperature, open the expansion device and de-energize the pump to condense refrigerant in the exterior heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Noah Blatchley, Mark G. Smith, Angel Fernando Porras
  • Publication number: 20170313158
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for a traction battery of an electrified motor vehicle. That cooling system includes a cooling circuit, a refrigerant circuit, a plurality of flow control valves and a control system. That control system includes a controller configured to (a) control operation of the plurality of flow control valves and (b) prioritize cabin cooling over traction battery cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Mark G. Smith, Brett Allen Dunn
  • Publication number: 20170282674
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a climate control system, a cabin, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to the climate control system supplying heat to a vehicle cabin and receiving a request for an economy mode, decrease an engine coolant temperature engine start threshold. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the engine coolant temperature becoming less than the threshold, start the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventor: Mark G. SMITH
  • Patent number: 9776469
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a climate control system, a cabin, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to the climate control system supplying heat to a vehicle cabin and receiving a request for an economy mode, decrease an engine coolant temperature engine start threshold. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the engine coolant temperature becoming less than the threshold, start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark G. Smith
  • Patent number: 9780422
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery arrangement, a chiller, a coolant circuit configured to direct coolant through the chiller and battery arrangement, a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, valve, and evaporator, and a controller. The controller is programmed to alter a speed of the compressor and a position of the valve based on a pressure and temperature of refrigerant output from the chiller to alter a temperature of the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Allen Dunn, Angel Fernando Porras, Mark G. Smith, Timothy Noah Blatchley
  • Patent number: 9764618
    Abstract: A system for providing efficient climate control in a vehicle. The system has an HVAC system configured to receive a user-defined temperature. The HVAC system has a cabin temperature sensor. The system has a controller coupled to the HVAC system and coupleable to a mobile device. The controller is programmed to (i) receive an estimated travel time of the vehicle from the mobile device and (ii) modify output of the HVAC system based on the travel time being below a time threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, John Curtis Hickey, Mark G. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170110775
    Abstract: An exemplary electrified vehicle assembly includes a first coolant loop extending from a battery pack to a radiator, and a second coolant loop extending from the battery pack to a thermoelectric device. At least one valve is configured to permit flow through the first coolant loop to cool the battery pack under a first operating condition, and configured to permit flow within the second coolant loop to cool the battery under a second operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventor: Mark G. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170054188
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a refrigerant system having an intermediary heat exchanger, an exterior heat exchanger, and an expansion device disposed therebetween. The vehicle also includes a coolant circuit having a pump configured to circulate coolant through the intermediary heat exchanger and an engine. A controller is programmed to, in response to air conditioning being requested and the coolant temperature exceeding a threshold temperature, open the expansion device and de-energize the pump to condense refrigerant in the exterior heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy Noah BLATCHLEY, Mark G. SMITH, Angel Fernando PORRAS
  • Publication number: 20170021700
    Abstract: A method of preventing damage to a compressor in a vehicle is provided. The method broadly includes the steps of: (a) sensing a temperature (TD) of a compressor discharge fluid; (b) identifying a time (ta) when the sensed temperature (TD) is greater than a first threshold temperature (T1); (c) initiating a first action at a time (t1) if the sensed temperature (TD) remains greater than the first threshold temperature (T1); (d) initiating a second action at a time (t2) if the sensed temperature (TD) remains greater than the first threshold temperature (T1); (e) initiating a third action at a time (t3) if the sensed temperature (TD) remains greater than the first threshold temperature (T1); and (f) initiating a fourth action at a time (t4) if the sensed temperature (TD) remains greater than the first threshold temperature (T1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, Timothy Noah Blatchley
  • Publication number: 20170008375
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, a cabin, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to heat both the battery and the cabin, and a time to next planned usage of the vehicle exceeding a first threshold time, heat the battery and delay heating the cabin at least until the time to next planned usage is less than the first threshold time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy Noah BLATCHLEY, Angel Fernando PORRAS, Mark G. SMITH