Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Laser ignition system based diagnostics
    Patent number: 9212970
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling engine diagnostics, including visual inspections of an engine cylinder, using existing hardware from a laser ignition system. Light pulses from a laser ignition device are received at a photodetector during non-combusting conditions and used to generate images of an inside of the cylinder that can be assessed by a service technician. An electric motor of the vehicle system can be used during a service mode of the vehicle to rotate the engine to, and hold the engine at, specified engine positions that enable the technician to perform selected diagnostic tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Diesel engine water in fuel separator and reservoir automatic drain system and control strategy
    Patent number: 9212627
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for draining water separated from diesel fuel into an EGR system. In response to the water volume in the fuel system and EGR flow at pre-determined levels, water may be introduced into the EGR system. EGR flow may also be controlled in response to introducing water into the EGR system and engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Carlos Armesto, Larry Castleberry, Brad Allen Brown, Armando Chacon
  • Photoluminescent dynamic lighting
    Patent number: 9212809
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a circuit configured to be disposed in a panel defining a cavity forming an opening. The circuit comprises a light source in communication with a controller and configured to emit a first emission. A photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate the light source and is configured to convert at least a portion of the first emission to a second emission. The second emission is output from the cavity to provide ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Electro-hydraulic trimming of a part perimeter with multiple discrete pulses
    Patent number: 9211598
    Abstract: A trim tool for trimming a part having a complex shape. The trim tool defines a plurality of electro-hydraulic cavities that are separated by walls in a lower die of the trim tool. Electrodes are discharged in the electro-hydraulic cavities to drive the panel into engagement with a trim steel edge. The discharge of the electrode severs the panel above the cavity and also across a portion of a wall separating adjacent cavities. Discharging an electrode in an adjacent cavity completes the trim operation above the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alan John Gillard
  • Flexible pouch and dock system
    Patent number: 9211987
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible pouch for bottom-dispensing a liquid. A dock for holding the flexible pouch is also provided. Further disclosed herein is a system for dispensing a liquid. The system includes the pouch for placement in the dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Timothy James, Haley A. Lowry, Jill M. Martin
  • Anti-pinch system for vehicle seating
    Patent number: 9211821
    Abstract: An anti-pinch system for vehicle seating includes a front seat that has an actuator configured to automatically slide the front seat between the driving position and entry/exit position. A rear seat is fixed rearward from the front seat and has a seatbelt that releasably engages a clasp. A memory module prevents the front seat from automatically moving rearward to the entry/exit position when the seatbelt is engaged to the clasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Alan Kreder
  • Rear sub-frame sleeve for protecting a fuel tank
    Patent number: 9211917
    Abstract: A sleeve is attached to a tubular longitudinal bar that extends around a control arm for the rear suspension of a vehicle. The tubular longitudinal bar is generally U-shaped with a first leg attached to a frame rail in front of the control arm and a second leg connected to the frame rail behind the control arm. The first and second legs are joined by a middle portion. A bend is formed between the first leg and the middle portion. The tubular sleeve is attached to the tubular longitudinal bar at the bend and extends partially along the first leg and the middle portion. The tubular sleeve is disposed between the control arm and a fuel tank of a vehicle that is located between the rear wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Sino Johan Van Dyk, Saied Nusier
  • Adjustable firmness vehicle seat
    Patent number: 9211824
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back and a seat for supporting an occupant. A cushion is coupled to the seat and has at least one inflatable upper bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. The seat further includes an inflatable lower bladder positioned beneath the upper bladder. The seat is configured such that a vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Paul Arant, Jeroen Lem, Steve Michell
  • Coolant jackets for an internal combustion engine and method of control
    Patent number: 9212620
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block having a cooling jacket and a cylinder head having two cooling jackets. In one example, the internal combustion engine may be operated so as to reduce engine friction and emissions during cold engine starts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Berkemeier, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Martin Lutz, Jan Mehring, Richard Fritsche
  • DEFROSTER NOZZLE WITH NET OVER OUTLET
    Publication number: 20150353052
    Abstract: A defroster nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body defining a conduit and an outlet in communication with the conduit and having a length and a width. A net of a polymeric material extends over the length and width of the outlet and is bonded directly to a portion of the nozzle body adjacent the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fernando Cesar Salinas, Robert Steven Sawyer
  • CEMENTING COMPOSITION COMPRISING NONIONIC HYDROPHOBICALLY-MODIFIED CELLULOSE ETHERS AND ITS USE
    Publication number: 20150353810
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and a method for cementing a casing in a borehole of a well using an aqueous cementing composition comprising (a) water, (b) a cementing composition comprising (i) a hydraulic cement, (ii) a hydrophobically modified polymer, (iii) a dispersant, and optionally (iv) one or more other additives conventionally added to aqueous cementing compositions useful in cementing casings in the borehole of wells. Preferably the hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose has an ethylene oxide molar substitution of from 0.5 to 3.5, a hydrophobe degree of substitution of from 0.001 to 0.025, and a weight-average molecular weight of from 500,000 to 4,000,000 Daltons and the dispersant is sulfonated polymer, melamine formaldehyde condensate, a naphthalene formaldehyde condensate, a branched or non-branched polycarboxylate polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Roger L. Kuhlman, Cole A. Witham, Michael K. Poindexter, Raymond M. Jones, Nathan Kyle Combs, Jeffrey T. Watters, Larry T. Watters
  • EPOXY RESIN HARDENER COMPOSITIONS AND EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SUCH HARDENER COMPOSITIONS
    Publication number: 20150353674
    Abstract: An epoxy resin hardener composition including a reaction product of (i) a compound having at least one vicinal epoxy group, and (ii) an amino alcohol; an epoxy resin composition including the epoxy resin hardener composition and a compound having at least one vicinal epoxy group; and a powder coating composition including particles of the epoxy resin hardener composition and particles of a compound having at least one vicinal epoxy group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Gan, Carola Rosenthal, Matthieu M. Eckert, Bernhard Kainz, Emile C. Trottier
  • LOW EFFORT OUTSIDE RELEASE HANDLE
    Publication number: 20150354253
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a handle having an angled or inclined ramp surface. A bellcrank is rotatably connected to the door structure for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The bellcrank includes a follower that engages the inclined ramp surface such that movement of the exterior handle from the rest position to the opened position causes the bellcrank to rotate and shift linkage that unlatches a the latch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Livianu Dorin Puscas, Rajesh K. Patel
  • Receding horizon regression analysis for battery impedance parameter estimation
    Patent number: 9205755
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a battery pack having one or more cells and a controller configured to continuously update battery model parameter values based on generalized linear regression analysis. The analysis updates the parameters using a dataset of independent variable vectors and a dependent variable vector constructed from a series of input currents to the battery pack and corresponding voltage responses of the battery pack that fall within a moving window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tae-Kyung Lee
  • Powder coated proppant and method of making the same
    Patent number: 9206349
    Abstract: A process for producing a proppant particulate substrate having a coating layer thereon including the step of blending a proppant particulate substrate with a powder coating composition at a temperature sufficient to cause the powder coating composition to coat the proppant particulate substrate with a powder coating; and a proppant particulate substrate coated by such a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh Turakhia, Jeffery L. Reynolds, George Jacob
  • Method for operating a vehicle powertrain
    Patent number: 9206893
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain, includes: sensing a vehicle velocity; selecting at least two of a plurality of control strategies; activating the at least two control strategies, said two control strategies including: (i) operating the vehicle in a stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is below a first threshold; and (ii) operating the vehicle in a rolling stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is above a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Lenz, Leonhard Bartsch
  • Partially impregnated, fiber reinforced thermoplastic strength member
    Patent number: 9207418
    Abstract: Fiber bundles (10) comprise loose fibers (11) encased within a fiber/resin composite (12). The bundles are useful as strength members for fiber optic cables. In one embodiment the bundles are prepared by a method comprising the steps of (A) bundling fibers together such that a portion of the fibers form an interior part of the bundle and a portion of the fibers form an exterior part of the bundle, and (B) impregnating the exterior part of the bundle with a resin such that (1) the fibers that form the exterior part of the bundle and the resin form a fiber/resin composite that encases the fibers that for the interior part of the bundle, and (2) the fibers that form the interior part of the bundle are not impregnated with the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Buo Chen, Jeroen Van Poucke
  • Method and system for adjusting engine throttles
    Patent number: 9206747
    Abstract: An engine system and method for operating an engine including a central throttle and a port throttle is disclosed. In one example, the central throttle and port throttle are adjusted to improve air flow distribution to engine cylinders. The system and method may be particularly beneficial for turbocharged engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • High voltage access prevention
    Patent number: 9209440
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembling a high voltage battery without exposing an operator to contacts having a voltage greater than a predetermined maximum are presented. A bus bar module has standard compartments equipped with integrated bus bars separated by break compartments without bus bars. The bus bar module can be coupled to a plurality of electrochemical cells to connect the cells in groups having a voltage less than a predetermined maximum Vmax. Compartment lids can be closed to prevent contact with connected posts. A separate non-integrated bus bar can be provided to a break compartment to connect a first group of cells with a second group of cells to form a series of connected cells that can provide a voltage greater than Vmax, to achieve a desired battery voltage. The bus bar module and methods of the invention can protect an operator during battery assembly or service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Debbi Callicoat, Philip Michael Gonzales
  • Film made from heterogenous ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer
    Patent number: 9206303
    Abstract: A multilayer film is disclosed, having at least two layers. A first layer includes a first interpolymer of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin. The first interpolymer has a density of less than 0.925 g/cm3, and an average Mv and a valley temperature between the interpolymer and high crystalline fraction, The, such that the average Mv for a fraction above The from ATREF divided by average Mv of the whole polymer from ATREF (Mhc/Mhp) is less than about 1.95 and the first interpolymer has a CDBI of less than 60%. At least one other second layer includes a second inter-polymer of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin, the second interpolymer having a density from 0.925 to 0.965 g/cm3. The interpolymer of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin can have a high density fraction and an overall density such that % HD fraction <0.0168x2?29.636x+13036 where x=density in g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xiao Bing Yun, Risdianti Wastiani, Hwee Lun Goh, Chang Wu, Mehmet Demirors