Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • Integrated power module and capacitor module thermal and packaging design
    Patent number: 10765042
    Abstract: An integrated capacitor and power module include a power module, an intermediate cold plate, and a capacitor module. The intermediate cold plate has a first side attached to the power module and a second side opposite the first side. The capacitor module is attached to a second side of the intermediate cold plate. The capacitor module includes a plurality of metalized film capacitor cells supported by a metal plate and a base cold plate with a layer of thermal interface material between the metal plate and the base cold plate. A fluid circulation system is operatively connected to the intermediate cold plate to circulate a fluid through the cold plate. The capacitor module includes a housing, a plurality of capacitor cells and first and second busbars. Alternating cell arrays have a P-end and an N-end that are inverted relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Fan Wang, Lihua Chen, Joseph Sherman Kimmel
  • Vehicle escape
    Patent number: 10759433
    Abstract: A map, including potential obstacles, can be generated by a computing device in a vehicle. An estimated coefficient of friction between the vehicle wheels and a roadway surrounding a stuck vehicle can be generated based on sensor data. A path can be determined based on the map, and the stuck vehicle can be operated based on the path and a determined slip ratio based on the vehicle wheels to unstick the stuck vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Falconer, Zachary Konchan, Leonard Eber Carrier, Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Methods and system for reducing a possibility of spark plug fouling
    Patent number: 10760482
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine and an electric machine are described. In one example, operation of the engine may be adjusted to compensate for conditions when carbon deposits may build on one or more engine spark plugs. The engine adjustments may help to remove carbon deposits from the engine's spark plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Herhusky, Scott Steadmon Thompson, John Eric Rollinger, David Lew
  • Stowable steering wheel
    Patent number: 10759474
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions executable by the processor to determine that a steering wheel is one of engaged and disengaged with a steering based on a detected deflection of a steering torsion bar. The memory stores instructions to actuate the steering based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jens Christiansen
  • Using deep video frame prediction for training a controller of an autonomous vehicle
    Patent number: 10762399
    Abstract: An image predictor is trained to produce a predicted image based on N preceding images captured by a vehicle camera and vehicle controls. A discriminator is trained to distinguish between an image following P preceding images in an image stream and one that is not a subsequent image. A control generator generates estimated controls based on a set of N images and the estimated controls and set of N images are input to the image predictor. A predicted image and the set of N images are input to the image predictor which outputs a value indicating whether the predicted image is accurate. A loss function based on this value and a difference between the vehicle controls and the estimated controls for the set of N images is used as feedback for training the control generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Wagenmaker
  • Engine lubrication system
    Patent number: 10760456
    Abstract: A system for lubricating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the system includes an oil purging passage in fluidic communication with an oil gallery within an engine block. The system may provide for reduced engine degradation related to debris that may be found in engine oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary David Liimatta, Paul Shoemaker
  • Grooved alignment dowel and engine assembly
    Patent number: 10760458
    Abstract: An engine assembly is provided. The engine assembly comprises a first housing defining a first oil gallery, a second housing defining a second oil gallery, and an alignment dowel configured to be received within the first and second housings to provide an alignment feature for locating first and second housings of an engine assembly relative to one another, wherein the alignment dowel comprises a groove formed in an outer surface of the dowel configured to receive oil from the first oil gallery, and wherein the dowel is configured to provide a flow channel for the received oil to flow to the second oil gallery. An alignment dowel for use in the engine assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Leonard Clark
  • Vehicle light system
    Patent number: 10759339
    Abstract: A light system for a vehicle is provided herein. The light system includes a trim member defining an aperture. A light guide is disposed within the aperture. The light guide has a proximal portion operably coupled with a light source. A lens is integrally formed with the light guide and is disposed at a distal portion of the light guide. A deformable attachment mechanism is integrally formed on the light guide between the proximal and the distal portions of the light guide. The light guide is compressively retained within the aperture by a forward portion of the attachment mechanism and a rearward portion of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Ammar, Jason Robert Emrich, Fayez Alamat, Steven J. Antilla, Megan May Lovejoy
  • Ultrasonic signal triangulation
    Patent number: 10761183
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a trio of ultrasonic sensors, and a controller configured to, responsive to a location of an object identified from a distance between the ultrasonic sensors, a receive time at each of the ultrasonic sensors associated with a same ultrasonic pulse from a transmitter of the object, and an absence of data regarding a send time of the ultrasonic pulse, steer the vehicle to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Paul Gibeau, Mark J. Ferrel, Christopher W. Bell
  • Moisture control for sensor assembly
    Patent number: 10761190
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing, a blower fixed relative to the housing, an air tunnel, a filter, a first drain, and a second drain. The air tunnel includes an inlet, a first turn, a second turn, a first portion extending upward from the inlet to the first turn, a second portion extending downward from the first turn to the second turn, and a third portion extending from the second turn to the blower. The filter is positioned between the first portion and the first turn. The first drain extends through the first portion. The second drain extends through the third portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, VALEO NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Andre Sykula, Segundo Baldovino, Steven Marshall, Michael Whitney, Earl Buckman
  • Vehicle seat belt retractor
    Patent number: 10759381
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a core having an outer surface, a cover having an inner surface facing the outer surface. and a plurality of tubes between the cover and the core. The plurality of tubes is deformable relative to at least one of the core and the cover. Each tube has an outer periphery. The entire periphery of each tube is movable relative to the outer surface and the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Method and system for engine oil level sensing
    Patent number: 10760460
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine oil level sensing while a vehicle is moving. The output of a hot wire sensor partially immersed in an engine oil well is sampled during selected vehicle moving conditions when lateral and longitudinal acceleration is limited and the vehicle is driving in a straight line. A transfer function is used to correlate a rate of change in sensor output, sampled during the selected vehicle operating conditions, with engine oil level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Joshua Schumaker, Karen Willard, Allison Weir
  • Vehicle energy absorbing device
    Patent number: 10759370
    Abstract: An instrument panel assembly includes a support beam and an exterior panel. The instrument panel assembly includes an energy absorbing device between the support beam and the exterior panel and having a variable crush resistance based on a temperature of the energy absorbing device. The instrument panel assembly includes a heater operatively coupled to the energy absorbing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yali Li, Mohammad Omar Faruque, James Chih Cheng, Saeed David Barbat, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Centrifugal fluid separator
    Patent number: 10758843
    Abstract: A vehicle system is provided. The system may include a first coolant loop, including a radiator, a second coolant loop including a battery chiller, and a centrifugal coolant separator. The centrifugal coolant separator may include a frustoconical hollow body having a base defining a drain and a ceiling defining a spout, and a pair of coolant lines arranged orthogonal to and on opposite sides of the body such that coolant exiting the lines travels along the inner surface and collects at the base to separate gas from the coolant, wherein the spout vents the gas and the coolant exits the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Alberto Martinez Mendez, Robert Heebner, Todd Wenzel, Jacob Powers, Zun Wang, Yi Zhang
  • Input signal management for vehicle park-assist
    Patent number: 10759417
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is to designate a mobile device responsive to determining the remote parking is inactive and receiving an activation request from the mobile device. When the mobile device is designated, the controller also is to process remote parking signals of the mobile device, stop the remote parking when the sensor detects engagement of a door handle, and prevent processing of other nonemergency requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Ali Hassani, Alyssa Chatten, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Autonomous-vehicle climate-control system
    Patent number: 10759255
    Abstract: Controlling a vehicle includes determining that an occupancy status of the vehicle is unoccupied, estimating a remaining unoccupied time, and controlling a climate-control system according to climate-control parameters based on at least the occupancy status and the remaining unoccupied time. A climate-control parameter is a value or set of values for an attribute or attributes of vehicle climate control, such as a power status for the climate-control system as a whole, a target temperature for a passenger cabin, power statuses corresponding to individual climate zones of the passenger cabin, and target temperatures for the individual climate zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Thomas G. Leone, Christopher Alan Lear, Chris James Hocking
  • Controlling operation of electrified vehicle travelling on inductive roadway to influence electrical grid
    Patent number: 10759281
    Abstract: A method for balancing electrical grid production with electrical grid demand according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling an electrified vehicle prior to and during an inductive roadway event to either conserve a state of charge of a battery pack in response to a first grid condition of an electrical grid or deplete the state of charge of the battery pack in response to a second grid condition of the electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, Jimmy Kapadia
  • Water-assisted injection molded cross-car beam
    Patent number: 10759099
    Abstract: A method of forming a cross-car beam is provided. A composite is melted to form a viscous polymer. The polymer is injected into a mold. Pressurized fluid is injected into the mold to evacuate a portion of the viscous polymer from the mold and to form a channel therethrough. The remaining viscous polymer is cooled within the mold to form a cross-car beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Busuioc, Bernard Gerard Marchetti, Gary D. Mullen, Nicholas Andrew Mazzocchi
  • Vehicle component operation
    Patent number: 10759466
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to detect a service controller connected to a vehicle, upon authenticating the service controller, receive an operation mode for a vehicle component from the service controller, and actuate the vehicle component within operating limits based on the operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, Douglas Scott Rhode, Wassim Mahmoud Nahle, Michael Adel Awad Alla, Cheri Lyn Hansen
  • Vehicle air-extraction apparatus
    Patent number: 10759254
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a cabin portion, a bed portion, and an air extractor. The cabin portion defines a passenger cabin and includes a hollow pillar having an opening to the passenger cabin. The bed portion defines a bed and includes a hollow frame rail elongated from the pillar. The pillar and the frame rail define an airflow path from the opening. The air extractor is positioned in the frame rail and is in communication with the airflow path and an ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steve William Gallagher, Michael Murphy McElroy, Musheeruddin Syed, Eric R. Yerke, Mukdam Kena