Abstract: A radiator assembly in a vehicle comprises a first coolant tank; a second coolant tank spaced apart from the first coolant tank; a plurality of moveable blades; a linkage coupled to the plurality of blades; and an actuator coupled to the linkage to adjust positions of the blades. Each of the plurality of blades has a first end pivotally coupled to the first coolant tank, a second end pivotally coupled to the second coolant tank and has a hollow body portion extending between the first end and the second end, and each of the blades is fluidly communicated with the first and second coolant tanks to form a coolant passage.
Abstract: A pickup truck that includes a bed having a side wall with an electric panel; and a lockbox having walls secured to, extending laterally from the side wall and surrounding the electric panel, and a security panel pivotally mounted on the walls to enclose the electric panel within the lockbox. The lockbox may also include a divider pivotally mounted to the walls inboard of the security panel and movable between a closed position extending longitudinally adjacent to the security panel and an open position extending laterally into the bed. A lock may secure the divider to the walls.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 27, 2019
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Joshua R. Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Robert Reiners, Jeffrey Gray
Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a controller. The controller pre-heats a coolant in a power electronics loop via heat transfer between the coolant and an electronic component in response to an ambient temperature being less than a threshold and a coolant temperature being less than a battery temperature. The controller also pumps the coolant through a battery loop in response to the coolant temperature exceeding the battery temperature.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Angel Fernando Porras, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Kenneth J. Jackson, Randy Lee Mallari
Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure defining a front trunk having a front opening. A grille coves the front opening in a closed position and is pivotable about a vertical hinge, or a horizontal hinge along a top edge, secured to the body structure to provide access to the front opening. The grille may include a bin mounted on an inner surface of the grille and pivotable with the grille, a heating/cooling duct or a video display.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 2, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
David Brian Glickman, Stuart C. Salter, Mark A. Wisneski, Paul Kenneth Dellock
Abstract: A plurality of transducers positioned at respective specified locations in a vehicle are actuated to generate a plurality of respective tones. A plurality of respective time differences are determined between times that each respective tone is generated by the respective transducer and the tone is detected by a portable device. A location of the portable device is determined based at least in part on the time differences.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 16, 2015
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Patrick Kevin Holub, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, Brad Alan Ignaczak
Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a battery cell, a busbar, and a thermal spray is provided. The battery cell may include a terminal having an angled taper upper portion extending therefrom. The busbar may define a through-hole having a taper defining an angle substantially opposite of the angled taper upper portion such that a cavity is defined therebetween when the terminal extends through the through-hole. The thermal spray may be deposited within the cavity to secure the busbar to the terminal. The thermal spray may be formed from a metallic powder selected to include particles that deform and connect when accelerated to a speed of approximately 500 mph or more to join the particles and form a bond securing the terminal to the busbar. The particles of the metallic powder may be iron, copper, aluminum, nickel, iron, or magnesium.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 23, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Brian Joseph Robert, Thomas P. Brackett, James Maurice Boileau
Abstract: A method of operating an auto-braking system of a vehicle in coordination with operation of a speed limiting system (SLS) of the vehicle to prevent undesired loss of auto-braking functionality. If: a) a driver input of an engine power control parameter (such as throttle setting) exceeds an activation threshold of the SLS so that the SLS is therefore limiting vehicle speed to a set-speed corresponding to the activation threshold; and b) the driver input of the power control parameter is below a SLS override threshold; and c) the SLS override threshold exceeds an auto-braking override threshold for the power control parameter; then the auto-braking override threshold is increased to at least equal the SLS override threshold. The speed limiter activation threshold may be determined from speed limit information supplied by a vehicle navigation system of by an image evaluating unit from images obtained by a camera of the vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Gregor Allexi, Daniel Blickheuser, Florian Schweter
Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for vehicle connectors for monitoring connection with trailer connectors. An example connector of a vehicle for coupling a trailer to the vehicle includes a wall defining a cavity to receive a trailer connector, a seal to engage the trailer connector when the cavity receives the trailer connector, and a first trailer-connection sensor disposed in the seal to monitor engagement of the trailer connector with the seal to identify a secure connection with the trailer connector.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 2, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Joel Allen Pittenger, Aed M. Dudar, Swadad A. Carremm
Abstract: A device for fastening a headrest to a backrest of a vehicle seat comprises first and second guide units for receiving first and second headrest columns. First and second receiving units fixed on the backrest receive sleeve-like portions of the first and second guide units. The second guide unit comprises a locking mechanism for locking various vertical positions of the second headrest column relative to the second guide unit. At least one rib is arranged on an outer lateral surface of each sleeve-like portion. At least one recess, in which the rib of the respective guide unit engages in a positive locking manner, is arranged on each receiving unit. A width of the rib of the first guide unit is greater than a width of the recess of the second receiving unit.
Abstract: A vehicle seating arrangement includes first and second seating assemblies that are each equipped with a seat and a seatback. A surface of the seat of the first seating assembly is vertically above a surface of the seat of the second seating assembly. A forward extreme of the first seating assembly is displaced rearward of a forward extreme of the second seating assembly.
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing vehicle maneuverability when operating on sand, snow, or rocky terrain, as well as while performing cornering and sliding maneuvers. Boost path actuators are held in positions that enable manifold pressure to be held above barometric pressure as torque demand changes, including when torque demand drops. Engine torque is reduced or raised via adjustments to one or more of fuel delivery, spark timing, and intake throttle opening.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Baitao Xiao, Adam Nathan Banker, John Erik Mikael Hellstrom
Abstract: A motor vehicle seating system is provided. The seating system comprises two or more seats and a guide track extending between three or more spaced apart seating positions within an interior of the motor vehicle, wherein each of the seats is movably coupled to the guide track, such that the seats are movable between the seating positions. A seat, suitable for use in the motor vehicle seating system is also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 8, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Ian Guy, Marcus Hoggarth, Ben Carroll, Matthew Graeme Leck, Kyle Loughlin
Abstract: Systems and methods include a vehicle monitoring for trigger events each corresponding to a defined vehicle activity. Responsive to identifying an occurrence of one of the trigger events, the vehicle captures, via a vehicle camera, video showing an area outside the vehicle for a set capture time. Responsive to the vehicle identifying that the vehicle is rendered inoperative from the identified trigger event, the vehicle transmits the captured video to a remote server.
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a source of degradation in an exhaust system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include actuating an electric turbocharger to rotate in a first direction to evaluate integrity of an exhaust pipe of the exhaust system and rotation the turbocharger in a second direction to assess an exhaust manifold of the exhaust system, after an engine of the vehicle is turned off. Pressures generated in the exhaust system are compared to thresholds based on barometric pressure and/or turbocharger speed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 16, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Douglas Martin, Benjamin Rocci, Tyler Kelly
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a hybrid vehicle during operating conditions where vehicle braking is requested. In one example, regenerative braking is allocated to vehicle axles responsive to wheel torques of respective vehicle axles in response to an anti-lock braking system being activated. Additionally, friction braking torque is allocated to vehicle axles responsive to the anti-lock braking system being activated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 13, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Dale Scott Crombez, David John Messih, Yanan Zhao, Ming Lang Kuang, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Joseph Jay Torres, Stanley L. Bower, Jr.
Abstract: A system, comprising a computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate a first actuator movingly connected to the camera cover and the light to move the calibration pattern and the light to cover a lens window of a camera. The processor can further execute instructions to actuate a second actuator movingly connected to the calibration pattern and the light to move the calibration pattern and the light along an optical axis of the camera.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 4, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
David Michael Herman, Venkatesh Krishnan, Sunil Patil, Ashwin Arunmozhi
Abstract: A system for delivering and/or picking up items comprising a container, which is closable via an openable/closable door and has access protection, and a standardized coupling mechanism for the option of fastening on a delivery vehicle, a mobile mini-vehicle or a stationary upright, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a receiving means on the holder and comprises an engagement means, which is for engagement in the receiving means and is arranged on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle and on the stationary upright such that the container is securable in a releasable manner optionally on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle or on the stationary upright, and a corresponding method.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 10, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Detlef Kuck, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Mark Gijbels, Tobias Ricke, Alexandra Holz
Abstract: A sidemarker light assembly includes a support bracket, a light blade carried on the support bracket and a light source in communication with the first end of the light blade. Light from that light source is then transmitted through the light blade and emitted from a second end of the light blade to provide a sidemarker indication. A motor vehicle light assembly incorporating the sidemarker light assembly is also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 6, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Bruce Preston Williams, Gary Edward Henige, Nicholas James Nowicki, Timothy Scott Vladu
Abstract: An electromechanical integrated machine (EIM) according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an internal rotor coupled to a vehicle wheel and an external rotor coupled to a flywheel. An electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first EIM associated with a first wheel, a second EIM associated with a second wheel, a battery having energy to power the first and second wheels, and a flywheel to receive energy from the first and second EIMs during braking. Each EIM includes an internal rotor coupled to the respective first or second wheel and an external rotor coupled to the flywheel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 4, 2016
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Alejandro Ayala, Francisco Javier Quintero Perez, Ruben Ochoa
Abstract: A power distribution system for a vehicle includes a switching circuit configured to selectively enable power flow between a first bus and a second bus operable within a common voltage range. The power distribution system further includes a controller programmed to, in response to power flow being inactive and a current flowing through the first bus exceeding a current threshold, operate the switching circuit to enable power flow from the second bus to the first bus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 16, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Andrew Hudson, Hamed Babazadehrokni, John Anthony Demarco, Farouq Mozip, David Celinske, David Jeffeory Berels