Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Corner node and assembly for pickup truck box
    Patent number: 9126630
    Abstract: A corner node for reinforcing a portion of a truck box of a pickup truck is provided. The corner node may be disposed within a cavity defined by a cross member and a corner box pillar of the truck box. The corner node may include a lateral portion and a pillar portion extending vertically from the lateral portion. The lateral portion may be secured within the cross member. The pillar portion may have a plurality of sidewalls secured to the pillar and may define a plurality of web supports spaced apart along a height of the pillar portion to reinforce a corner region of the truck box. The corner node may be five or six thousand series aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen William Gallagher, Jack Marchlewski
  • Fender step for pick-up trucks
    Patent number: 9126535
    Abstract: A dually pickup truck includes a rear axle having a dual-wheel assembly on an end of the axle and a fender positioned over a portion the dual-wheel assembly. A foot-step is in cooperation with the fender providing a user easier access to a cargo bed of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William K. Moore
  • WASHING MACHING INCLUDING INTEGRAL FILTER MODULE AND AERATOR
    Publication number: 20150246377
    Abstract: A washing machine and a corresponding method for cleaning ware or laundry items are provided. The machine comprises: a wash tub (12), a water inlet (14) and a waste water outlet (16) in fluid communication with the wash tub, a fluid pathway (18) extending from the waste water outlet to the water inlet, a pump (20) for moving water along the fluid pathway, a filter module (22) located along the fluid pathway, and an aerator (24) in fluid communication with the filter module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Patrick B. He, Chengfeng Wang, Bill Q. Cai, Tong Sun, Michael P. Gao
  • SEMI-AUTONOMOUS MODE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150246672
    Abstract: A first vehicle may receive at least one message from a second vehicle, the message including data provided by the second vehicle. A computing device in the first vehicle is configured to analyze the data of the at least one message to determine that the second vehicle can operate as a lead vehicle. The computing device in the first vehicle is further configured to implement at least one operation in the first vehicle according to the data from the lead vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matthew Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis
  • NOMADIC DEVICE SELF USER-IDENTIFICATION
    Publication number: 20150249741
    Abstract: A controller may send a user-identification request to connected nomadic devices requesting each of the devices to provide an interface to receive user input regarding which device is a driver nomadic device; determine a driver nomadic device based on at least one user-identification response received from the devices responsive to the input; and integrate the connected devices with the controller accounting for which device is the driver nomadic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: JOEL J. FISCHER
  • Torque Sensor Assembly for a Motor Vehicle and Method of Measuring Torque
    Publication number: 20150247768
    Abstract: A torque sensor assembly is used to measure torque in a powertrain of a motor vehicle, the powertrain including a power source and a transmission. A sensor is coupled to an oil seal housing, which is coupled to the engine. Each of the sensor and the oil seal housing has a mounting hole formed therein. The sensor is coupled to the oil seal housing, and the oil seal housing to the engine, by inserting one fastener into both mounting holes. The sensor measures an amount of torque exerted on a drive plate of the transmission. The drive plate includes a central disk, made of a magnetizable material, and an outer ring coupled to the central disk. The sensor is a magnetic torque sensor, which determines an amount of torque exerted on the central disk of the drive plate by sensing a magnetic flux passing through the drive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nimrod Kapas, Gregory Jack Overla, Joseph F. Kucharski, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yujii Fujii
  • VEHICLE OPERATOR MONITORING AND OPERATIONS ADJUSTMENTS
    Publication number: 20150246673
    Abstract: A vehicle computer is configured to perform one or more operations of the vehicle without occupant input. Data is stored relating to a baseline occupant state. Data is collected relating to a current occupant state. A comparison is performed of the baseline occupant state to the current occupant state. A parameter is modified governing performance of the one or more operations according to the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Hsin-hsiang Yang, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante
  • Polymerization processes with fresh ethylene distributions for preparation of low density ethylene-based polymers
    Patent number: 9120880
    Abstract: The invention provides a high pressure polymerization process to form an ethylene-based polymer, the process comprising at least the following steps: feeding ethylene to a first reaction zone and to one or more subsequent reaction zones, and wherein for each subsequent reaction zone that receives fresh ethylene, the ratio, Rn (n=reaction zone number, n>1), of “mass fraction of fresh ethylene fed to the first reaction zone (RZ1)” to “mass fraction of fresh ethylene fed to the nth reaction zone (RZn)” is (Rn=RZ1/RZn) greater than 1, or is from 0 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Werner Zschoch, Otto J. Berbee, Cornelis J. Hosman
  • User interface system and method based on calendar event
    Patent number: 9121710
    Abstract: A vehicle interface system and method is provided. The system and method includes an interface for communicating with a vehicle user. A controller is in communication with the interface and configured to retrieve a calendar event and verify the calendar event based on an input from the user via the interface. Trip information is generated based on the calendar event and vehicle data. Trip information, based on the calendar event and vehicle data, is communicated to the user via the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, David Allen Kowalski, Perry Robinson MacNeille
  • Internal combustion engine with compensation weight arranged on the crankshaft and serving as an imbalance, and method for production of the crankshaft
    Patent number: 9121472
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a cylinder and with a crank drive is described herein. The internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft in which the crankshaft mounted in a crankcase has an associated crankshaft throw for the cylinder. The internal combustion engine further includes a compensation weight serving as a counterbalance for mass compensation arranged on the crankshaft on the side opposite the crankshaft throw, where the compensation weight includes an outward-facing side and a distance from a peripheral surface of the outward-facing side to a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft is not constant along the length of the peripheral surface of the outward-facing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Lach, Joerg Bonse
  • Image system for automotive safety applications
    Patent number: 9123251
    Abstract: An improved vision-based system generates object detection corresponding to different viewing areas based on vehicle speed. At lower vehicle speeds, the system covers a wider field of view and a near zone while at higher vehicle speeds the system covers a normal or narrower field of view and a far zone. The system includes a lens package having a movable lens, an image sensor and an image transformer. The movable lens is movable between a first position representing a wide angle view and a second position representing a normal angle view. Each of these views generates an image such that a wide angle view generates a wide angle image and a normal angle view generates a normal angle image. The wide angle view is associated with the vehicle's passive safety systems while the normal angle view is associated with the vehicle's active safety systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Alex Maurice Miller
  • Traction battery discharge control
    Patent number: 9120382
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery to propel the vehicle. The traction battery includes a plurality of cells that are each selectively connected to a resistor. A controller or controllers are provided that are configured to control the charging and discharging of the cells. The controller or controllers command the battery or a selected group of cells of the battery to discharge in response to a fault or triggering condition. The discharge enables the battery or the group of cells to achieve a state of charge of approximately zero or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Paul Gibeau
  • Advanced exhaust-gas sampler for exhaust sensor
    Patent number: 9121328
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas sampler is adapted to couple into an exhaust conduit and to sample a constituent of an engine exhaust flowing therein. The sampler comprises an envelope having upstream and downstream surfaces joined by a curved side surface. The upstream and downstream surfaces are each tangent to a plane substantially normal to a central axis of the exhaust conduit. A series of inlets are formed in the upstream surface, and an outlet is formed in the curved side surface. A sensor responsive to a level of the constituent in the exhaust is coupled in the envelope, at the peripheral region of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Induction system including a passive-adsorption hydrocarbon trap
    Patent number: 9121373
    Abstract: An induction system in an engine is provided. The air induction system includes an induction conduit including an air flow passage in fluidic communication at least one combustion chamber in the engine and a passive-adsorption hydrocarbon trap positioned within the induction conduit, a portion of the passive-adsorption hydrocarbon trap defining a boundary of the air flow passage, the passive-adsorption hydrocarbon trap including a breathable layer coupled to a substrate layer coupled to the induction conduit, a hydrocarbon adsorption layer interposing the breathable layer and the substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David S. Moyer, Andrew George Bellis, Roger Khami, Michael G. Heim
  • Catalyst assembly for treating engine exhaust
    Patent number: 9120056
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a catalyst assembly is provided for treating an exhaust from an engine. In one embodiment, the catalyst assembly includes a first catalyst material catalytically active at a first temperature and loaded at a first catalyst material loading, the first catalyst material including a first base metal loading, and a second catalyst material catalytically active at a second temperature lower than the first temperature and loaded at a second catalyst material loading, the second catalyst material including a second base metal loading, wherein the second base metal loading is higher than the first base metal loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Hungwen Jen, James Robert Warner, James W. Girard, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Battery support assembly
    Patent number: 9120441
    Abstract: A battery support assembly adapted to be attached to a front rail of a pickup truck is provided which may include a first support, a second support, and a battery tray. The first support may define an outwardly facing first vertical attachment flange. The second support may define an outwardly facing second vertical attachment flange. The battery tray may secured to the supports and disposed rearward and inboard of the rail. The first and second vertical attachment flanges may be offset vertically, laterally, and longitudinally relative to one another. The first vertical attachment flange may define a first plane and the second vertical attachment flange may define a second plane. The first and second planes may be substantially parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dragan B. Stojkovic
  • Methods and apparatus for vehicle state control
    Patent number: 9125028
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a text message from a remote device including an instruction for a vehicle system. The processor is also configured to determine a specific vehicle associated with the remote device. Further, the processor is configured to send the instruction as a text message to a phone provided to the specific vehicle associated with the remote device. The processor is additionally configured to receive confirmation from the vehicle that the instruction was processed and send a confirmation text to the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Perner
  • Divided steering gear housing having an exposed tooth rack
    Patent number: 9120501
    Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering system and a method for producing the same including a pinion, a toothed rack, and a bearing point for the toothed rack, wherein the toothed rack includes a toothed first part and a non-toothed second part, wherein at least the first part and the pinion form a steering gear, and the steering gear is enclosed by a steering gear housing, and wherein the bearing point is enclosed by a bearing housing ensuring permanent lubrication. The second part of the toothed rack is exposed in at least one section between the steering gear housing and the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Janz, Paul Hein
  • Octane separation system and operating method
    Patent number: 9121355
    Abstract: An engine method, comprising delivering high octane fuel to a high octane fuel tank and delivering low octane fuel to a low octane fuel tank and injecting atmospheric air into an exhaust system for secondary air injection in response to delivering low octane fuel to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Hood latch and striker system for pedestrian protection
    Patent number: 9120461
    Abstract: A system for releasing and lifting an automobile hood includes a sensor located proximate a front location of an automobile that detects impact with an object. Also included is a hood having a striker pin operably connected to the hood for engaging a rotatable latch, wherein such engagement places the hood in the secured position. Further included is a releasing mechanism operably connected to one of the striker and the latch for lifting a front region of the hood in response to a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Srinivasan Sundararajan