Patents Assigned to For Global Technologies, LLC
  • Reclining rear seat system for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10471857
    Abstract: A reclining rear seat system is provided for a motor vehicle. That reclining rear seat system includes a front seat, a first actuator for displacing the front seat between a first position and a second position, a reclining rear seat and a second actuator for displacing the reclining rear seat between an upright position and fully reclined position. Further the system includes a controller configured to control the reclining rear seat system and a front seat occupant sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Bonghoon Lukas Chung, Moray Stuart Callum, Soo Young Kang-Morales
  • Thermoplastic vulcanizate with crosslinked olefin block copolymer
    Patent number: 10472512
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition comprising or obtained from a reaction mixture comprising a first propylene-based polymer, an olefin block copolymer, and a cure component. The cure component comprises (i) a second propylene/?-olefin copolymer, (ii) a scorch retardant, and (iii) a crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Shuwen Peng, Yabin Sun, Mahalia Soediono, Shih-Yaw Lai
  • Steering column including a protective cover
    Patent number: 10471982
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a steering spindle and a cover. The steering spindle may include an input shaft configured to rotate with a steering wheel, an output shaft rotatably mounted in a steering gear housing, and a swivel joint arranged between the shaft and the output shaft. A portion of the steering spindle within a footwell of the vehicle may be covered by the cover. The cover may include a fastening device and an opening on a side facing away from the footwell. The opening of the cover may extend across a portion of the output shaft, the swivel joint, and a portion of the input shaft. The cover may be fastened to a portion of the steering gear housing by the fastening device so the cover does not rotate with the steering spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kristian Tebbe, Dirk Sickert, Joachim Heidel, Jens Hohmann
  • Method and system for exhaust aftertreatment
    Patent number: 10473020
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing engine emissions using a branched exhaust system. In one example, a branched exhaust system may include a plurality of sub-branches each housing a distinct exhaust component, and an order of exhaust flow through each of the exhaust components may be adjusted based on engine operating conditions and temperature demand of the distinct components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Polymeric formulation with dirt pick-up resistance
    Patent number: 10472513
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition. In an embodiment, the composition includes A) an ethylene/acrylate interpolymer or an ethylene/acetate interpolymer; B) an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block copolymer; and C) a flame retardant. In an embodiment, the ethylene/acrylate interpolymer is a functionalized ethylene/acrylate interpolymer. The present composition exhibits improved dirt pick-up resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Varun Thakur, Stefan Ultsch, Jouko Vyoerykkae, Jozef J. Van Dun, Eva-Maria Kupsch
  • Training algorithm for collision avoidance
    Patent number: 10474964
    Abstract: A machine learning model is trained by defining a scenario including models of vehicles and a typical driving environment. A model of a subject vehicle is added to the scenario and sensor locations are defined on the subject vehicle. A perception of the scenario by sensors at the sensor locations is simulated. The scenario further includes a model of a lane-splitting vehicle. The location of the lane-splitting vehicle and the simulated outputs of the sensors perceiving the scenario are input to a machine learning algorithm that trains a model to detect the location of a lane-splitting vehicle based on the sensor outputs. A vehicle controller then incorporates the machine learning model and estimates the presence and/or location of a lane-splitting vehicle based on actual sensor outputs input to the machine learning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ashley Elizabeth Micks, Jinesh J Jain, Harpreetsingh Banvait, Kyu Jeong Han
  • Halogen-free flame retardant compositions with improved tensile properties
    Patent number: 10472506
    Abstract: A composition for use in jacketing or insulation materials that has from 42 to 54 percent by weight of a halogen-free flame retardant, from 26 to 46 percent by weight of an ethylene alkyl acrylate copolymer, such as ethylene ethyl acrylate, optionally from 0 to 15 percent by weight of an ethylene-based polymer, optionally from 0 to 12 percent by weight of a coupling agent, and optionally from 0 to 1 percent by weight of an antioxidant. A cable insulation layer, a cable protective outer jacket, a cable core sheath, and cable may include the jacketing material composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yichi Zhang, Marcio Teixeira Alves, Bharat I. Chaudhary
  • Hybrid transmission assembly
    Patent number: 10471819
    Abstract: In a hybrid transmission, a traction motor is mounted between a dry clutch module and a manual gearbox. A slave cylinder is mounted within the rotor of the traction motor to reduce axial length. The rotor is fixedly coupled to an engine crankshaft. The stator may be cooled by circulating engine coolant through the housing. The stator and the rotor may be cooled by spraying transmission fluid into a sealed motor cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Mark Thomas Weston, Kyle Mattinson, Stanley L. Bower, Keith A. Devereaux, Kevin Mackenzie
  • Method and system for control of motor vehicle longitudinal movement
    Patent number: 10471938
    Abstract: A method for the automated control of the longitudinal movement of a motor vehicle having an automated positive acceleration process in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and an automated deceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An acceleration variable is determined based on a jerk value and limited in terms of absolute value. And the jerk value is in turn determined in a driving mode in which, starting from a vehicle actual longitudinal speed and a vehicle actual longitudinal acceleration, the motor vehicle is adjusted to a predeterminable vehicle longitudinal speed taking into account a predeterminable maximum positive driving mode vehicle longitudinal acceleration, a predeterminable maximum driving mode vehicle longitudinal deceleration and at least one predeterminable driving operating mode jerk absolute value which limits the jerk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ashrit Das, Thomas Svensson
  • Methods and system for adjusting camshafts
    Patent number: 10472999
    Abstract: Systems and methods for correcting an engine intake camshaft position and an engine exhaust camshaft position for a variable valve timing engine are described. In one example, intake manifold pressure of an engine is sampled while a motor/generator rotates the engine at a predetermined speed without fuel being supplied to the engine. A camshaft angle where minimum intake manifold pressure is observed is a basis for correcting camshaft position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Pedro, Marcus William Fried
  • System and method for controlling vehicle components based on camera-obtained image information
    Patent number: 10471958
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for provide monitoring a vehicle's surroundings, predicting when a navigation route will pass through a closed road, preemptively modifying the navigation route to avoid the closed road, identifying changes in speed limit, and identifying dangerous debris in the roadway. One embodiment of the camera-based vehicle control system includes a camera configured to obtain image information and a processor configured to: analyze the image information; if a reroute condition is satisfied based on the image information, implement an alternate navigation route; if a threat condition is satisfied based on the image information, cause an output device to output a threat alert; and if a speed condition is satisfied based on the image information, modify a vehicle speed setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, John Shutko, Cynthia M Neubecker
  • System and method for variable sound dampening in an adjustable vehicle seat
    Patent number: 10471872
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a vehicle seat includes activating a pump at a selected speed from a number of selectable speeds to inflate a first bladder and adjusting an inner chamber within a sound dampening assembly that is fluidically coupled between the first bladder and the pump. The inner chamber is adjusted to cancel at least one primary frequency generated by the pump that varies with the selectable speeds thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeroen Lem, Brian Boland
  • Systems and methods for thermal battery control
    Patent number: 10471803
    Abstract: Methods and system for operating a thermal storage device of a vehicle system are provided. In one example, a method comprises estimating a temperature of a thermal battery after the battery and coolant included therein have reached thermal equilibrium, and determining a state of charge of the battery based on the estimated temperature and one or more chemical properties of two phase change materials included within the battery. Specifically, the thermal battery may include two phase change materials with different melting points for providing thermal energy to warm coolant in a vehicle coolant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, W. Cary Cole, Phillip Bonkoski, Sunil Katragadda, Michael Levin
  • Adaptive vehicle state-based hands-free phone noise reduction with learning capability
    Patent number: 10475466
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a system, apparatus, and method for achieving an adaptive vehicle state-based hands free noise reduction feature. A noise reduction tool is provided for adaptively applying a noise reduction strategy on a sound input that uses feedback speech quality measures and machine learning to develop future noise reduction strategies, where the noise reduction strategies include analyzing vehicle operational state information and external information that are predicted to contribute to cabin noise and selecting noise reducing pre-filter options based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francois Charette, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Paul J Joseph Nicastri, Yuksel Gur, Scott Andrew Amman, Gintaras Vincent Puskorius
  • Hybrid vehicle powertrain control during loss of motor speed feedback
    Patent number: 10471951
    Abstract: Propulsion for a vehicle is provided by a hybrid powertrain that includes a torque converter coupled to an electric machine and selectively coupled to an engine. The hybrid powertrain further includes a controller programmed to, responsive to a loss of speed feedback of the electric machine while the engine is disconnected from the torque converter and the torque converter is open, operate one or more of a gearbox, the electric machine, and the engine based on an impeller speed of the torque converter derived from a torque of the electric machine and a speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Gear driven diesel fuel injection pump of an engine
    Patent number: 10473071
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a gear driven diesel fuel injection pump of an engine. In one example, a front end of an engine includes an idler gear in meshing engagement with a first end of a crankshaft and a fuel pump drive gear in meshing engagement with the idler gear. The front end of the engine may further include a fuel pump, where an input shaft of the fuel pump is directly coupled to the fuel pump drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Nigel Turner, Kevin John Maile, Chris Michael Raines
  • Battery pack retention assembly and method
    Patent number: 10476059
    Abstract: An example battery pack retention system includes, among other things, a retention assembly that transitions from a disengaged to an engaged position in response to movement of a portion of a battery pack enclosure relative to a battery array housed within the battery pack enclosure. An example securing method includes, among other things, moving a portion of a battery pack enclosure relative to a battery array that is housed within the battery pack enclosure to transition a retention assembly from a disengaged to an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Shepherd, Patrick Daniel Maguire
  • Counterbalance gear with shot damper
    Patent number: 10473185
    Abstract: An engine system has a crankshaft gear coupled to an engine crankshaft and a balance gear coupled to a balance shaft. The balance gear is formed by a disc having first and second opposite sides and a series of teeth. A first sector of the disc has at least one aperture therethrough, and a second opposite sector of the disc defines a recess intersecting the first side. The balance gear has a damper formed by a cover plate connected to the first side to enclose the recess and contain a plurality of particles therein. A gear and a method of forming a gear is also provided, with the gear having a first sector defining at least one aperture therethrough and a second sector defining a recess intersecting the first side. A plurality of particles are positioned in the recess, and a cover plate encloses the recess to form a damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Abdelkrim Zouani
  • Acoustic and domain based speech recognition for vehicles
    Patent number: 10475447
    Abstract: A processor of a vehicle speech recognition system recognizes speech via domain-specific language and acoustic models. The processor further, in response to the acoustic model having a confidence score for recognized speech falling within a predetermined range defined relative to a confidence score for the domain-specific language model, recognizes speech via the acoustic model only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: An Ji, Scott Andrew Amman, Brigitte Frances Mora Richardson, John Edward Huber, Francois Charette, Ranjani Rangarajan, Gintaras Vincent Puskorius, Ali Hassani
  • Vehicle front lower bumper cover insert
    Patent number: D866414
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George Bucher, Craig S. Metros, Dean Carbis, Steven Gilmore, Shawn Sung Yu