Patents Assigned to Ford Motor Company
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A VEHICLE LOCATION IN A MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT
    Publication number: 20230005177
    Abstract: A method for determining a location of a vehicle including one or more image sensors in a manufacturing environment includes determining, when a key cycle transition condition of the vehicle and a vehicle gear transition condition of the vehicle are satisfied, a location parameter of the vehicle based on an image including a location tag and a previous image obtained from the one or more image sensors. The method includes determining a vehicle time period based on the image and the previous image. The method includes validating a manufacturing routine of the vehicle when the location parameter satisfies a location condition and the vehicle time period satisfies a time condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Joseph Stanek, Allen R. Murray, Fahad Liaqat, Daniel Robert Taylor, Sikder Imam, Charles Robert Maxwell Zine
  • METHOD TO CHASE WELD LINES BY TIMING AND POSITIONING OF GATES
    Publication number: 20220371238
    Abstract: A mold apparatus for forming a molded part includes a mold body, a mold cavity formed in said mold body, a plurality of valve gates associated with said mold body, and a controller in communication with said plurality of valve gates. The controller is programmed to time opening of each valve gate based on a selected flow rate required to eliminate weld lines in the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Junko Pauken, Haoliang Michael Sun
  • Tooling assembly with internal coolant passages for machines
    Patent number: 11491594
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a tooling assembly for a machine having an automatic tool changing system. The tooling assembly includes a holder, a tool body, and an internal passage defined within and extending through the holder and the tool body. The holder includes a machine interface configured to engage with a spindle of the machine. The internal passage is operable to have a coolant fluid flow within, and has a stem channel and a curved channel extending from the stem channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David Stephenson, Timothy G. Beyer, Michael A. Kopmanis, David Ozog, William E. Dowling, Jr.
  • COMPOSITE ULTRASONIC MATERIAL APPLICATORS WITH EMBEDDED SHAPING GAS MICRO-APPLICATORS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20220347710
    Abstract: A method of controlling application of at least one material onto a substrate includes configuring a material applicator having an array plate with an applicator array. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators with a first subset of micro-applicators and a second subset of micro-applicators. Each of the plurality of micro-applicators has a plurality of apertures through which fluid is ejected. The first subset of micro-applicators and the second subset of micro-applicators are individually addressable, and a liquid flows through the first subset of micro-applicators and a shaping gas, e.g., air, flows through the second subset of micro-applicators. The flow of shaping gas shapes the flow of the liquid from the first subset of micro-applicators to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Wanjiao Liu, Aaron M. Fiala
  • REVERSIBLE NOZZLE IN ULTRASONIC ATOMIZER FOR CLOG PREVENTION
    Publication number: 20220314263
    Abstract: A nozzle for an atomizer includes a plate, a piezoelectric actuator, a body, and a connector. The plate defines an aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate the plate. The body supports the plate. The connector is configured to reversibly mount the body to the atomizer in a first orientation and in a second orientation. In the first orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along a first axial direction through the aperture. In the second orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along an opposite axial direction through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
  • Method of machining an opening in a plurality of blanks
    Patent number: 11458526
    Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for making an article of manufacture from a blank defining an internal opening. A stack of blanks are aligned and the internal openings of the blanks in the stack of blanks are machined by a rotary cutting tool to a finished dimension. The blanks are clamped together before machining in a numerically controlled machine tool. The blanks are subsequently formed individually in a sheet metal forming operation in which the inner perimeter of the internal openings is expanded as the blank is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Laurent Bernard Chappuis, S. George Luckey, Jr., Andrey M Ilinich, Keith Zobay
  • Method for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a fuel cell with catalyst-free edge to the frame; membrane assembly and fuel cell with membrane assembly
    Patent number: 11456475
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a fuel cell, which membrane assembly includes a membrane with a catalyst layer and a frame arranged on the same side of the membrane and a gap between the catalyst layer and the frame. To allow an easy and cost-effective way for manufacturing such a membrane assembly, the manufacturing method may include the following steps: positioning a first decal layer, which is made of the same material as the first catalyst layer, on the first side of the membrane in a way that the first decal layer overlaps the frame, positioning a second decal layer, which is made of the same material as the second catalyst layer, on the second side of the membrane, pressing the first decal layer and the second decal layer against each other with the membrane and the frame positioned in-between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Owen Thomas, Keping Wang, Carmen Chuy, Yunsong Yang
  • Apparatus and methods for queueing transportation providers and passengers
    Patent number: 11455699
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for queueing transportation providers and passengers are described. A method includes queuing in a first queue, first broadcast messages received from passenger mobile devices and queuing in a second queue, second broadcast messages received from transportation provider mobile devices. The method also includes comparing, via a processor, each of the first broadcast messages in the first queue to the second broadcast messages in the second queue to identify a match between one of the first broadcast messages and one of the second broadcast messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James Stewart Rankin
  • Method to chase weld lines by timing and positioning of gates
    Patent number: 11433580
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for eliminating mold lines when molding a part having ferromagnetic pigments is provided. A mold assembly having a mold with a cavity and valve gates is formed. Pucks are fitted at the gates to collect residual cold plastic. The calculation of a specific sequence and timing of the opening of the valve gates is determined based on a calculation of the total number of valve gates needed to fill a part while maintaining acceptable injection molding pressure. Once calculated, the gates are positioned around the mold cavity to balance flow length ratio. A primary gate is chosen for initial injection. The time for the material to flow from the first to the second gate is established. The second gate is opened after the flow front reaches the second gate. This pattern continues until all valve gates are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Junko Pauken, Haoliang Michael Sun
  • ULTRASONIC ATOMIZER WITH ACOUSTIC FOCUSING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20220274127
    Abstract: An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
  • FLANGE FORMING DEVICE AND METHOD OF FORMING A FLANGE ON A SHEET METAL PART TO REDUCE SURFACE DISTORTION
    Publication number: 20220258224
    Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle panel includes deforming a sheet metal workpiece between stamping tools to form a first and second edges that converge at a corner of the workpiece's main surface. The first edge is defined by a junction of the main surface and a first flange. The second edge is defined the main surface and a second flange. Forming the first and second edges includes deforming the workpiece so that the second flange has a first region bent to a first angle relative to the main surface and an unwinding region bent to an angle that unwinds from the first region as the second flange approaches the corner. The method includes deforming the workpiece between a second set of stamping tools that deform the first flange and the unwinding region of the second flange until the first and second flanges are bent greater than 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christian Richard Genereux, Robert Vaughn Degenhardt, Philip Trinh
  • Composite ultrasonic material applicators with embedded shaping gas micro-applicators and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 11413643
    Abstract: A method of controlling application of at least one material onto a substrate includes configuring a material applicator having an array plate with an applicator array. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators with a first subset of micro-applicators and a second subset of micro-applicators. Each of the plurality of micro-applicators has a plurality of apertures through which fluid is ejected. The first subset of micro-applicators and the second subset of micro-applicators are individually addressable, and a liquid flows through the first subset of micro-applicators and a shaping gas, e.g., air, flows through the second subset of micro-applicators. The flow of shaping gas shapes the flow of the liquid from the first subset of micro-applicators to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Seubert, Mark Edward Nichols, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Wanjiao Liu, Aaron Fiala
  • Method for detecting and lessening fuel starvation in fuel cell systems
    Patent number: 11411235
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for detecting and lessening fuel starvation conditions in an operating fuel cell system. The fuel cell systems comprise a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a regulating apparatus for regulating the pressure of fuel supplied to the anode inlet of the fuel cell, in which the outlet pressure from the regulating apparatus oscillates during operation. The methods involve monitoring an electrical output of the fuel cell during operation, determining the amplitude of oscillation in the electrical output, and then, if the determined amplitude of oscillation in the electrical output exceeds a predetermined amount thereby indicating a fuel starvation condition, taking a remedial action to lessen the fuel starvation condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Richard Fellows
  • Reversible nozzle in ultrasonic atomizer for clog prevention
    Patent number: 11400477
    Abstract: A nozzle for an atomizer includes a plate, a piezoelectric actuator, a body, and a connector. The plate defines an aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate the plate. The body supports the plate. The connector is configured to reversibly mount the body to the atomizer in a first orientation and in a second orientation. In the first orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along a first axial direction through the aperture. In the second orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along an opposite axial direction through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
  • DUAL TORQUE AND INJECTION MOLDING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20220234267
    Abstract: A tool for driving a threaded fastener includes a driver head, a motor, and an injector. The driver head includes a spindle rotatable about an axis. A distal end of the spindle defines a plurality of drive surfaces configured to engage mating drive surfaces on the fastener to rotate the fastener about the axis. The driver head defines a fluid passage having an outlet proximate to the distal end of the spindle. The motor is drivingly coupled to the spindle to rotate the spindle about the axis. The injector is coupled to an inlet of the fluid passage and configured to feed a liquid insulator through the fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christopher William Coyne, Samuel Jeffrey Tomlinson
  • Applicator and method for applying a lubricant/sealer
    Patent number: 11383452
    Abstract: A lubricant/sealer dispenser is disclosed for a component press-in system that includes a pressurized lubricant/sealer reservoir filled with lubricant/sealer. A nozzle is supplied with lubricant/sealer from the reservoir and includes an offset tip formed of PTFE that is enclosed in a steel tube. A controller controls a motor that rotates the nozzle within an opening in a part at a selected depth. The motor rotates the nozzle about a fixed axis and follows an inner surface of the opening as the part is moved by a robot relative to the nozzle in a selected pattern. The nozzle applies the lubricant/sealer by applying the lubricant/sealer onto the inner surface of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Alexander Marrocco, Hossein Firoozgan, Joosok Jinn, Isaac Zolotarev, Arnold Bell
  • Autonomous vehicle computer
    Patent number: 11373462
    Abstract: A computer in a vehicle is programmed to receive sensor data about a vehicle occupant, select a category of behavior of the occupant based on the sensor data, and navigate to a predetermined location based on the selected category. The vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle that can be operated by the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Reibling, Steven Michael Cyr, Ray C. Siciak
  • Ultrasonic atomizer with acoustic focusing device
    Patent number: 11364516
    Abstract: An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
  • Vehicle assistance
    Patent number: 11360486
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to store a first vehicle location at which a user device is connected to a first network. The computer is further programmed to store a route of a host vehicle from the first vehicle location to a second vehicle location at which the user device cannot connect to the network. The computer is further programmed to move the host vehicle to the first vehicle location in response to the user device not connecting to a second network at a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Oswaldo Perez Barrera, Alvaro Jimenez Hernandez
  • Flange forming device and method of forming a flange on a sheet metal part to reduce surface distortion
    Patent number: 11358204
    Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle panel includes deforming a sheet metal workpiece between stamping tools to form a first and second edges that converge at a corner of the workpiece's main surface. The first edge is defined by a junction of the main surface and a first flange. The second edge is defined the main surface and a second flange. Forming the first and second edges includes deforming the workpiece so that the second flange has a first region bent to a first angle relative to the main surface and an unwinding region bent to an angle that unwinds from the first region as the second flange approaches the corner. The method includes deforming the workpiece between a second set of stamping tools that deform the first flange and the unwinding region of the second flange until the first and second flanges are bent greater than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christian Genereux, Robert V. Degenhardt, Philip Trinh