Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • WASTEGATE VALVE SEAT POSITION DETERMINATION
    Publication number: 20150240707
    Abstract: Various methods for compensating variation in the geometry and position of linkages and valve seats in wastegate assemblies are provided. In one example, a method of operating a wastegate in an internal combustion engine comprises, at engine startup, placing a wastegate valve at a seat, recording a position of the seat and associating the seat position with one or more operating parameters, and modifying a position of a wastegate actuator based on the seat position throughout engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yan Wang, Vladimir V. Kokotovic, Amey Y. Karnik, Eric Luehrsen, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERIZING A PORT FUEL INJECTOR
    Publication number: 20150240739
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for calibrating a port injector of a common fuel, dual injector per cylinder engine which includes first and second fuel rails and first and second fuel pumps. In one example, after pressurizing both fuel rails and suspending operation of the two pumps simultaneously, a single cylinder is fueled by a port injector while the remaining cylinders are fueled via their respective direct injectors. Fuel rail pressure drops are measured in the rail coupled to the port injector and correlated to port injector performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Dusa
  • METHODS FOR CORRECTING SPILL VALVE TIMING ERROR OF A HIGH PRESSURE PUMP
    Publication number: 20150240769
    Abstract: Methods are provided for correct spill valve timing of a high pressure pump coupled to the direct injection system of an internal combustion engine. A method is needed to monitor and adjust spill valve timing on-board the vehicle, where spill valve timing error may result from sensors error and/or time between command signal and actuation response of the spill valve. To self-correct spill valve timing error on-board a vehicle, methods are proposed that involve monitoring and recording fuel rail pressures, high pressure pump duty cycles, and fractional liquid volume pumped values in order to find zero flow relationships.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hao Zhang, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mark Meinhart, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph F. Basmaji
  • SYSTEM, METHOD AND TOOLING FOR FLEXIBLE ASSEMBLY OF CYLINDER-HEAD VALVE TRAINS
    Publication number: 20150240744
    Abstract: An assembly method is provided by orienting a cylinder-head at a first orientation. A first plurality of spring caps and a first plurality of retainer keys are installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a first robot. A first plurality of valves is installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a second robot, into engagement with the first plurality of retainer keys. An end effector is provided with an actuator supported upon an adapter plate. A shaft extends from the actuator with a mating surface to engage a spring cap. Porting is provided through the shaft to convey pressurized air upon a plurality of retainer keys within the spring cap. A plurality of gripper fingers extend from the distal end of the shaft to grip a valve spring while retaining a spring cap between the valve spring and the mating surface of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicants: ABB Technology AG, Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Marrocco, Harry Kekedjian, Isaac Zolotarev, Arnold Bell, Michael Manuszak
  • PYROTECHNIC FASTENER SEAT ARRANGEMENT FOR UNBELTED OCCUPANT PROTECTION
    Publication number: 20150239373
    Abstract: A seat assembly including a seat pan that drops vertically in the event of a frontal impact event to help safeguard against the head of an unbelted seat occupant striking the headliner, windshield or other components of the vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat pan attached to a seat track. The seat track further includes an attachment bracket. A swing linkage movably connects the seat pan with the seat track by a movable fastener. A slot is formed in the bracket through which at least a part of the movable fastener passes. A pyrotechnic fastener also attaches the swing linkage to the bracket. In a frontal impact event the pyrotechnic fastener is caused to explode thus separating the pyrotechnic fastener into two parts and allowing the swing linkage and its attached seat pan to drop vertically relative to the seat track, thereby lowering the unbelted occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tzu-Chen Weng, Erika Kristin Low, Djamal Eddine Midoun, Se Kyoon Shin
  • AUTONOMOUS DRIVING SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150241878
    Abstract: A computer in a vehicle is configured to operate the vehicle in at least one of an autonomous and a semi-autonomous mode. The computer is further configured to detect at least one condition of a roadway being traveled by the vehicle, the condition comprising at least one of a restricted lane, a restricted zone, a construction zone, and accident area, an incline, a hazardous road surface. The computer is further configured to determine at least one autonomous action based on the condition, the at least one autonomous action including at least one of altering a speed of the vehicle, controlling vehicle steering, controlling vehicle lighting, transitioning the vehicle to manual control, and controlling a distance of the vehicle from an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matt Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis, Peter Francis Worrel, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • DISAMBIGUATION OF DYNAMIC COMMANDS
    Publication number: 20150243283
    Abstract: A first computing device registers a first grammar that is stored in a persistent memory of the first computing device and that is a system grammar of the first computing device. The first computing device further registers at least one second grammar associated with an application stored in at least one second computing device. Input including may be received. The first grammar is selected for the command upon a determination that the input is specified as a command in each of the first grammar and the second grammar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Elizabeth Halash, Stefan Bankowski, Louis Vincent Bellanca
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PURGING VEHICLE FUEL VAPORS
    Publication number: 20150240756
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving fuel vapor purging for a vehicle are presented. In one example, a fuel vapor storage canister vent valve is housed in a fuel vapor storage canister for the purposes of heating contents of the fuel vapor storage canister and venting the fuel vapor storage canister to atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL PLATE MANIFOLD
    Publication number: 20150244044
    Abstract: A traction battery system for a vehicle is provided. The system may include a plurality of battery cells, a thermal plate, and an inlet manifold. The thermal plate may support the battery cells and includes a heat exchange region and two lateral sides defining two planes. The inlet manifold may be positioned downstream of an inlet port and upstream of the heat exchange region. The inlet manifold may define distribution channels throughout the inlet manifold and includes an outlet to the heat exchange region having a cross-sectional area defining a third plane. The two planes and third plane define a region normal to the cross sectional area and the inlet manifold may be positioned such that the inlet port is located outside the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bhaskara Boddakayala, Neil Robert Burrows, Saravanan Paramasivam
  • Expanding Die for Clinching and Riveting Operations
    Publication number: 20150239077
    Abstract: A die for use with a cold-formed joint tool such as a clinching tool or clinch punch or self-piercing rivet punch. A split die made of a plurality of partial cup-shaped segments is disposed within a collar that defines a recess. The recess includes a forming area in which the cold-formed joint is formed and a relieved area in which the partial cup-shaped segments are shifted radially outwardly after forming to permit removal of the cold-formed joint tool from the cold-formed joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Amanda Kay Freis
  • INFORMATIONAL BASED ENGINE STOP/START SENSITIVITY CONTROL FOR MICRO-HEV
    Publication number: 20150239450
    Abstract: A controller may be configured to adjust a brake apply and release detection calibration based on a detection sensitivity associated with a predicted driver start/stop intention for a vehicle and an associated confidence level indicative of a likelihood of the predicted driver intention; and perform at least one of engine startup and engine shutdown according to the adjusted brake pedal detection calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: HAI YU, JOHANNES GEIR KRISTINSSON, RYAN ABRAHAM MCGEE, MATHEW ALAN BOESCH
  • ALKOXYLATE COMPOSITIONS AND THEIR USE AS AGRICULTURAL ADJUVANTS
    Publication number: 20150237852
    Abstract: Provided is a surfactant blend and its use as an adjuvant in agricultural compositions. The surfactant blend comprises: (a) an alkoxylate of formula I: R1O-(AO)x-(EO)y—H (I); and (b) an alkoxylate of formula II: R2O-(EO)r—(PO)p-(EO)q—H (II) wherein R1, R2, x, y, r, p, and q are as defined herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ling Zhong, Jeff J. Mu
  • METHODS FOR DETERMINING FUEL BULK MODULUS IN A HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP
    Publication number: 20150240771
    Abstract: Methods are provided for finding the bulk modulus of a fuel used in the direct injection system of an internal combustion engine. A method is needed to continuously monitor and reliably calculate the fuel's bulk modulus during engine operation on-board the vehicle, where the fuel's bulk modulus may be used to infer the ratio of fuels in a fuel mixture or determine the density of supercritical propane when propane is used as the injected fuel. To find the fuel's bulk modulus on-board a vehicle, methods are proposed that involve monitoring and recording fuel rail pressures, high pressure pump duty cycles, and fractional liquid volume pumped values in order to find zero flow relationships.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Hao Zhang, Mark Meinhart, Joseph F. Basmaji
  • METHOD FOR TRIGGERING A VEHICLE SYSTEM MONITOR
    Publication number: 20150243109
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the frequency of attempting and successfully completing one or more on-board diagnostic routines. Engine operating conditions are predicted based on a vehicle operator's driving pattern and routines are initiated if the predicted conditions match the conditions required for performing the routine. If the conditions do not match, entry and/or execution conditions of the routine are adjusted to better match the predicted conditions, so as to enable the routine to be attempted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed M. Dudar, Dimitar Petrov Filev, John Ottavio Michelini
  • INTERNATIONAL KEYBOARD FOR IN-CAR COMMUNICATION AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150242392
    Abstract: An in-car communication and entertainment system including an international keyboard having a key (e.g., an ABC key) located on a display/screen (e.g., touch screen) enabling a user to toggle through multiple pages of characters, for example accented or special characters associated with a particular language. The key also includes jewels/indicators representing the amount of pages of characters associated with a particular keyboard wherein each jewel or indicator is lit or highlighted to indicate the specific page. Additionally, another key (e.g., a Globe key) enables the user to change the typing language without changing the system language. In this manner, the international keyboard enables users to interface and communicate with the system in a number of different languages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean Thomas Wisniewski, Ivette Hernandez, Richard Englert, Jason Bernard Johnson
  • METHOD FOR ESTIMATING CHARGE AIR COOLER CONDENSATION STORAGE WITH AN INTAKE OXYGEN SENSOR WHILE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION IS FLOWING
    Publication number: 20150240730
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, an amount of water accumulating in the CAC may be based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC, ambient humidity, and EGR flow while EGR is flowing. Additionally, engine actuators may be adjusted to purge condensate from the CAC and/or reduce condensate formation based on the amount of water inside the CAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch
  • AUTONOMOUS DRIVING SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150241226
    Abstract: First and second sets of data are collected in a vehicle from respective data sources. Each of the first and second sets of data are provided for determinations respectively selected from first and second categories of autonomous vehicle operations. A determination is made to take an autonomous action selected from the first category of autonomous vehicle operations. Data is used from each of the first and second data sets relating respectively to the first and second categories of autonomous vehicle operations to determine the autonomous action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Richard Lee Stephenson, Levasseur Tellis, Timothy D. Zwicky
  • SNORKEL INTAKE DIRT INERTIAL SEPARATOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20150240760
    Abstract: An integrated snorkel intake inertial separator is provided to removes dust and dirt contaminants from the engine intake system prior to reaching the air cleaner. The snorkel initiates a cyclonic motion at the snorkel inlet that propagates downstream in a downpipe towards the air cleaner. The cyclonic motion is initiated by radial stators mounted in one embodiment in the snorkel inlet cap or, alternatively, further down the throat of the downpipe. The contaminants in the intake flow are transported radially outwards by the cyclonic motion and are then expelled via a series of extraction ducts formed in the snorkel downpipe. The extraction vents are perpendicular to the cyclonic flow allowing dirt, dust and water particles to be extracted by means of cyclonic motion and gravity. The exit slots are located in regions of low pressure generated by the external aerodynamic airflow around the snorkel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Paul Lewington, Rodrigo Mendes Oliveira
  • TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL PLATE WITH TRANSVERSE CHANNEL CONFIGURATION
    Publication number: 20150244039
    Abstract: A traction battery assembly for a vehicle is provided. The traction battery assembly may include a battery cell array having a plurality of battery cells. A thermal plate may be positioned beneath the battery cells and be configured for thermal communication therewith. The thermal plate may define a plurality of channel configurations within the thermal plate. Each of the channel configurations may correspond to one of the battery cells and include an inlet and outlet on a same side portion of the thermal plate. An inlet plenum may be in communication with the inlets and an outlet plenum may be in communication with the outlets. The channel configurations and plenums may be arranged such that fluid exiting the inlet plenum enters the channel configurations via the outlets and fluid exiting the outlets enters the outlet plenum and not into the inlet of another one of the channel configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Amir Jairazbhoy, George Albert Garfinkel, Neil Robert Burrows
  • METHOD FOR FUEL INJECTION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150240737
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling fuel injection in an engine equipped with a dual injector system including a port injector and a direct injector. A ratio of port injected fuel to direct injected fuel is adjusted based at least on intake valve temperature. The proportion of fuel port injected into a cylinder is increased as the intake valve temperature for the given cylinder increases to improve fuel vaporization in the intake port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Krengel, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Michael Howard Shelby