Patents Assigned to Ford Motor Company
  • VEHICLE MOUNTING AND ALIGNMENT BRACKET
    Publication number: 20080179900
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching and aligning a forward-looking radar (FLR) having a front face is disclosed according to one embodiment. The bracket includes a bracket frame having an attachment feature for attaching the FLR to the bracket frame. The bracket also includes a first mounting feature extending from the bracket frame for coupling the bracket face and the first mounting surface of the conveyance to define a first mounting surface angle. The bracket also includes a bracket member extending from the bracket frame. The bracket member includes an end portion disposed proximate to the bracket face and a distal end portion, which includes a second mounting feature for coupling the bracket member and the second mounting surface thereby defining a second mounting surface angle and aligning the FLR front face to an alignment angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Hartley, Paul Schmitt, John V. Bond, John Wuerth, Michael Czarnecki, Joseph Ciaravino, John Juronoc, Aaron Mills, Kurt Peterson, Paul L. Stanko, John Wilds, Harish Dutt
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING OPERATION OF A PRESS ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20080178676
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring operation of a press assembly includes establishing a baseline vibration level for a first location on the press assembly. The baseline vibration level defines a boundary for vibrations beyond which one or more press elements have a reduced life expectancy. Vibrations are measured at the first location and also at a second location during operation of the press. The vibrations measured at the first location are correlated with the vibrations measured at the second location, and a relationship between the vibrations at the first and second locations is established. Vibrations measured at the second location can then be adjusted and compared to the baseline vibration level to determine if adjustments to the press operation need to be made, or if certain press elements will need to be replaced prior to their expected life span.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Evangelos Liasi, Chandra Sekhar Jalluri, Prashanth Magadi, Gary Farquhar
  • SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE FOR DEVELOPING IN-VEHICLE SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20080177554
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a software architecture encoded on a computer readable medium is disclosed. The software architecture can be utilized for developing in-vehicle software applications for installation and execution on an in-vehicle computer system. The software architecture includes a number of vehicle application program interfaces (APIs) for accessing vehicles systems or data and for developing in-vehicle software applications; and a number of policy restrictions underlying the vehicle APIs for restricting the level of access to vehicle systems and data while the in-vehicle software application is being developed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Hari Srinivasan, David Leslie Watson, Matthew Whitaker, Emily Reyna
  • VEHICLE BODY ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20080169680
    Abstract: A vehicle body assembly having a set of castings. Each member of the set of castings interlocks with another member of the set of castings to create a vehicle body structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE HAVING A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BODY STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080169679
    Abstract: A vehicle having a body structure that defines a front portion of a passenger compartment. The vehicle includes first and second closure frame structures and a roof structure that interlocks with the first and second closure frame structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE HAVING A CLOSURE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20080169671
    Abstract: A vehicle having a closure system that includes a closure structure, a body structure component, and a hinge pin. The closure structure is configured to pivot with respect to the body structure component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20080168644
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle. The method includes assembling a set of body panels to a vehicle body structure by interlocking a body panel mating feature with a body mating feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE HAVING AN INTERLOCKING FLOOR ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20080169681
    Abstract: A vehicle having an interlocking floor assembly including a first floor structure having a first set of mating features and a second floor structure having a second set of mating features. The first and second sets of mating features interlock to couple the first and second floor structures together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE BODY COMPONENT AND MATING FEATURE
    Publication number: 20080169685
    Abstract: A vehicle body component having a body portion and male and female dovetail portions. The male and female dovetail portions have substantially trapezoidal cross sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE HAVING A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BODY STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080169665
    Abstract: A vehicle having a body structure for at least a portion of a passenger compartment of the vehicle disposed adjacent to a front portion of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • INNER FENDER STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080169684
    Abstract: An inner fender structure having a set of pockets. Each member of the set of pockets has an opening. The openings of the adjacent pockets are disposed along different sides of the inner fender structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • Trailer Sway Control With Trailer Brake Intervention
    Publication number: 20080172163
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a speed sensor that generates a vehicle speed signal. A sway detection sensor generates an oscillation signal. A brake control is coupled to a vehicle brake and is associated with a trailer brake. A controller is coupled to a stability control system and brakes one or more of the vehicle brake and the trailer brake and in response to the oscillation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kirk Englert, Doug Marsden, Erik Chubb, David Messih, Paul Schmitt
  • TUNABLE INNER FENDER STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080169660
    Abstract: A tunable inner fender structure including a body having a set of apertures and a tunable member that extends through the set of apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE BODY STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080169677
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure having a closure frame structure and an inner fender structure. The closure frame structure has a tenon. The inner fender structure has a mortise that receives the tenon. A fastener extends through the mortise and the tenon to secure the inner fender structure to the closure frame structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE HAVING A BODY PANEL
    Publication number: 20080169666
    Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle body component and a body panel. The vehicle body component has a body mating feature. The body panel has a body panel mating feature that engages the body mating feature to secure the body panel to the vehicle body component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE HAVING AN ENGINE SUPPORT STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080169686
    Abstract: A vehicle having an engine support structure. A cradle for supporting an engine is provided that has first and second apertures that are spaced apart from each other and receive a frame rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE HAVING A REAR END BODY STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080169682
    Abstract: A vehicle having a rear end body structure that includes first and second rear side castings. The first and second rear side castings interlock with at least one structure that at least partially defines a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • VEHICLE HAVING A FRONT END BODY STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20080169683
    Abstract: A vehicle having a front end body structure. The vehicle includes first and second inner fender castings having first and second mating portions, respectively, and a front end casting that interlocks with the first and second mating portions free of welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • Moving coil electronic locking differential
    Patent number: 7399248
    Abstract: A differential mechanism for transmitting power from an input to an output includes a case containing a side gear, a locking member rotatably secured to the case and axially displaceable relative to the case. The locking member alternately engages the side gear to limit rotation of the side gear relative to the case, and disengages the side gear to permit rotation of the side gear relative to the case. An electromagnetic coil assembly is supported on the case for movement toward and away from the locking member. A first actuator including an electromagnetic coil is supported on the case for moving the locking member toward engagement with the side gear in response to energizing the coil. A second actuator urges the locking member away from engagement with the side gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Aaron Kleinhans, Xiaohong Duan, Zhesheng Li, Clive McKenzie, Brian Andonian
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TESTING ELECTROMAGNETICALLY ACTUATED FUEL INJECTORS
    Publication number: 20080148831
    Abstract: Current based methods and systems for testing an electromagnetically actuated fuel injector of an engine are provided. In at least one embodiment, an injector is commanded to actuate, data about a current associated with the command is collected, and a determination is made regarding whether the injector is functioning properly based on the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Harry Kekedjian, Roderick Simpson, Alexander Marrocco