Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Tuttle
  • HCCI heavy mixing mode
    Patent number: 8136504
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-stroke homogeneous charge compression ignition engine is described. The method includes late intake valve opening (LIVO) and also cycling air and fuel charge from the cylinder back into the intake manifold during a compression stroke to mix the air and fuel charge for later reintroduction and combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent J. Winstead
  • Detection and control of power induced hop during traction control in a vehicle
    Patent number: 8140238
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle with wheels during a traction control event is provided. The method comprises adjusting wheel torque in response to an amplitude of a band-pass filtered driven wheel speed and a direction of acceleration of driven wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Luehrsen, Michael Glenn Fodor, Don Perlick, Daniel Dunn
  • Scaffolding support for learning application programs in a computerized learning environment
    Patent number: 8137112
    Abstract: A computerized learning system is provided. The computerized learning system may include a learning application program executable on a computing device. The learning application program may have a user interface configured to present a challenge to a user and receive a user response to the challenge. The user interface may feature a support system configured to present support to aid the user in responding to the challenge. To adjust the support provided to the skill level of the user, a scaffolding engine may be provided to determine a scaffolding level of the user for a skill, and the support system may be configured to adjust the support in response to the scaffolding level. In this manner, support for the user may be more appropriately tailored to the user's ability and change dynamically in accordance with the user's progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Susan D. Woolf, Mythreyee Ganapathy, Patrick O'Kelley, Neema Moraveji
  • Sensing the amount of liquid in a vessel
    Patent number: 8136690
    Abstract: A vessel comprising a fluid-confining surface, a basal surface disposed below the fluid-confining surface, and a light guide. The light guide includes a first window partly defining the basal surface and a second window partly defining the fluid-confining surface, where the second window is disposed above a lowest region of the fluid-confining surface. In other embodiments, an isolating structure is provided that substantially surrounds the light guide between the first and second windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yun Fang, David Michael Morelock, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Method for controlling spark for particulate filter regenerating
    Patent number: 8136505
    Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine spark is controlled such that soot held by a particulate filter may be oxidized even during low engine loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Hans Ruhland, Moritz Klaus Springer, Thomas Lorenz, Georg Louven
  • Sealing element for a ball and socket joint
    Patent number: 8137021
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle is provided with a ball pivot (1), which is accommodated rotatably and pivotably in a one-part or multipart bearing shell (4) fixed by a closing ring (2) in a housing (3). A metallic deformation element (5), which assumes a sealing function in the assembled state of the ball and socket joint, is arranged between the closing ring (2) and the housing (3). The deformation element (5) is elastically deformed during the assembly of the ball and socket joint and is arranged at the housing (3) and/or at the closing ring (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Manfred Heidemann, Hans Prins
  • Reduced impact keyboard with cushioned keys
    Patent number: 8132976
    Abstract: A keyboard for use with a computing device and a method of manufacturing a keyboard key are provided. One disclosed keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each key having a key cap including a perimeter wall and a void positioned within the perimeter wall and opening to a top of the key cap. Each key further includes a cushion having a top portion configured to be contacted by a digit of a user and a bottom portion configured to be fitted within the void in the key cap. The cushion being may be configured to absorb an impact force directed against the key during a keystroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Odell, Krishna Darbha, Richard E. Compton, Glen C. Larsen, Kurt Allen Jenkins
  • Ammonia vapor storage and purge system and method
    Patent number: 8132404
    Abstract: A method is provided for managing vapor generation in a reductant storage and delivery system. In one example, urea vapors generated from liquid in a storage device are temporarily stored and later purged to the exhaust system of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, Willilam Ruona
  • Bidirectional adsorbent-canister purging
    Patent number: 8132560
    Abstract: A method for combusting a vapor of a fuel accumulated in an adsorbent canister in a vehicle, the vehicle having an engine and a fuel tank coupled to the adsorbent canister. The method comprises, during a first operating condition including a higher availability of compressed air, metering the compressed air from a first air source, and flowing the metered, compressed air through the adsorbent canister along a first flow path. The method further comprises, during a second operating condition including a lower availability of compressed air, flowing air from a second air source through the adsorbent canister, and, during the first and second operating conditions, venting the fuel tank to an intake of the engine and flowing effluent enriched in the vapor from the adsorbent canister to the intake of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Modeling catalyst exotherm due to blowthrough
    Patent number: 8135535
    Abstract: Modeling catalyst exotherm due to blowthrough is provided. The method of advantageously utilizes catalyst temperature based on an amount of blowthrough air and a combustion air-fuel ratio generating a catalyst exotherm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Amey Y. Karnik, Michael John Cullen
  • Wireless fuel level sensor for a vehicle fuel tank
    Patent number: 8134469
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel tank is provided. The vehicle fuel tank includes a housing defining an interior region, a fuel level sensor coupled to the interior region, the fuel level sensor responsive to a fuel pressure, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) device electronically coupled to the fuel level sensor configured to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of a fuel level in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Bucciero
  • Transmission scheduling for multi-stroke engine
    Patent number: 8133153
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine is described. As one example, the engine may be transitioned between a two stroke mode and a four stroke mode in coordination with a transmission shift by adjusting a number of strokes performed by the engine per combustion cycle while shifting the transmission between different gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, David Karl Bidner
  • Controlled air-fuel ratio modulation during catalyst warm up based on universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor input
    Patent number: 8132400
    Abstract: An emissions control system for a vehicle configured to travel on a road is provided. In one example, a forced modulation of a UEGO is provided when output of a HEGO sensor is unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Storhok, James Kerns, Imad Makki, Ed Schoenberg
  • Control strategy for multi-stroke engine system
    Patent number: 8132546
    Abstract: An engine system and a method of operation are described. The engine may be operating in two-stroke and four-stroke modes while still maintaining a target exhaust air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Device to transform rectilinear alternating motion into intermittent rotary motion
    Patent number: 8132485
    Abstract: A device for transforming alternating rectilinear motion into intermittent rotary motion, in particular for the command of indexed rotary tables. The device includes at least one fixed base element (11) with cam guide elements (14), a moving slide element (12) associated with the fixed element, equipped with mechanical locator elements (15) following the cam guide elements (14) and susceptible to alternating movements on and with respect to the fixed base element commanded by an actuator, and an index plate (13) rotatably associated with the fixed element, interacting mechanically with the moving slide element (12) and susceptible to angular rotation pitch in answer to the alternating movements of the moving slide element. The index plate is connected to an indexed rotary table to be commanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • System and method to reduce stall during deceleration fuel shut off
    Patent number: 8133157
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising of deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and reactivating the fuel injector when a rate of change of a powertrain shaft deceleration is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, David Bidner, Shane Elwart
  • Engine valve control system and method
    Patent number: 8132548
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine including at least a cylinder and a valve controlled by an electric valve actuator is disclosed. In one example, a valve holding current is determined during movement of the valve. The method may be useful for determining individual holding currents for specific valve actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Ervin, Yan Wang, Thomas Megli
  • Event based engine control system and method
    Patent number: 8132555
    Abstract: A system for starting an engine is described. In one example, the engine is supplied two fuels via two injectors. The method may improve engine starting and reduce engine emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Allan J. Lippa, John D. Russell
  • Reusable bottle
    Patent number: D655571
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Tuttle
  • Ring
    Patent number: D655638
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Delaneau SA
    Inventor: Cristina Thevenaz