Abstract: A fascia assembly may include a fascia having an inner surface, a sensor assembly including a housing integrated with the inner surface, a sensor having a connector, and a lever rotatably attached to the sensor. The lever may be configured to selectively rotate between first and second positions when inserted into the housing, and may include a tab to prevent mating access to the connector when the lever is in the first position but not in the second position.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 6, 2014
Publication date:
August 6, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Erich KEMNITZ, Steven Yellin SCHONDORF, Jayagopal APPUKUTTY
Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is rotated to increase pressure within a fuel rail. The engine is rotated without combusting air and fuel within the engine.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 4, 2014
Publication date:
August 6, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Dennis Craig Reed, Jeffrey Allen Doering, David Oshinsky, Adam Nathan Banker
Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards using a carbon-Michael compound. As an example, a method of using a carbon-Michael compound to reduce heat transfer can include locating the carbon-Michael compound between a heat provider and a heat receptor, where the carbon-Michael compound is a reaction product of a multifunctional acrylate compound with a multifunctional Michael donor, and the heat provider has a temperature from 100 C to 290 C.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 26, 2013
Publication date:
August 6, 2015
Applicant:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Xin Jin, Dwight Latham, Steven Crain, Mark Sonnenschein
Abstract: A pouch-type battery cell includes a cell electrode having a cell side and a thermally conductive pouch contacting the cell side. The thermally conductive pouch includes a metal layer having a plurality of topographic features, and the features are configured to increase the effective surface area of the pouch. A cover arrangement is included to direct coolant over the pouch.
Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect push-to-start (PTS) button engagement. The processor is also configured to scan a finger positioned on a vehicle fingerprint scanner for a fingerprint. The processor is further configured to verify that the fingerprint corresponds to an authorized driver and engage a vehicle ignition when the fingerprint corresponds to an authorized driver.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 4, 2014
Publication date:
August 6, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Benjamin Lee, Scott Cutler, Venkatesh Krishnan, Pete Christ Korovesis
Abstract: An article of manufacture includes at least two solar active elements separated by a gap, with a flexible material provided to define the gap. The article provides for enhanced resilience and conformity to an installation surface.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 5, 2012
Publication date:
August 6, 2015
Applicant:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Onkareshwar V. Bijjargi, Siddharth Ram R. Athreya, Edoardo Nicoli, Hua Liu, Keith L. Kauffmann, Jie Feng, Leonardo C. Lopez, Rebekah K. Feist, Rahul Sharma
Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a vehicle-access-PIN generation request from a vehicle computing system (VCS). The processor is also configured to generate the vehicle-access-PIN. The processor is additionally configured to associate a vehicle with the vehicle-access-PIN. Further, the processor is configured to return the vehicle-access-PIN to the requesting VCS. Also, the processor is configured to receive a validation request, including a validation-PIN, from a non-vehicle computing system (NVCS). In addition, the processor is configured to validate the validation-PIN by comparison with stored vehicle-access-PINs to find a match and provide access credentials, for a vehicle associated with a stored vehicle-access-PIN that matches the validation-PIN, to the NVCS.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 4, 2014
Publication date:
August 6, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
William M. Frykman, Ritesh Pandya, Brian Petersen, Joseph Paul Rork, Kelly Lee Zechel
Abstract: A thermosiphon system in an engine is provided herein. The thermosiphon system includes a coolant channel traversing a bearing housing, the bearing housing included in a bearing coupled to a shaft mechanically coupled to a turbine and a compressor in a turbocharger, a ventilation vessel in fluidic communication with at least one coolant passage traversing at least one of a cylinder head and a cylinder block in the engine, the at least one coolant passage included in a cooling circuit, and a thermosiphon coolant line having an inlet in fluidic communication with an outlet of the coolant channel and an inlet of the ventilation vessel, the inlet positioned vertically below an interface between liquid and vapor coolant in the ventilation vessel.
Abstract: The invention provides methods for chromatography of a polyolefin polymer, comprising introducing a solution of the polyolefin polymer into a liquid flowing through a liquid chromatography stationary phase, the liquid chromatography stationary phase comprising graphitic carbon. The invention also provides an apparatus for polyolefin polymer chromatography, comprising a liquid chromatography stationary phase, the liquid chromatography stationary phase comprising graphitic carbon and at least one inert filler.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 2010
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
William L. Winniford, Rongjuan Cong, Theodore M. Stokich, Jr., Randy J. Pell, Matthew D. Miller, Abhishek Roy, Freddy Van Damme, Alexander W. Degroot, John W. Lyons, David M. Meunier
Abstract: An acoustic attenuator 20 for an engine booster such as a turbocharger 10 for an engine 4 is disclosed in which the acoustic attenuator 20 includes an attenuator chamber 28 in which is located at least one absorption media 140. The acoustic attenuator 20 is located adjacent an inlet port of the turbocharger 10 so as to attenuate any acoustic pressure waves by dissipative reaction with the absorption media 140 before they have chance to reach other components of a low pressure supply system 50 for the engine 4.
Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a traction motor. A clutch is configured to selectively mechanically couple the engine to the traction motor. A controller or controllers are provided that are configured to command a change in magnitude of an electric current supplied to the electric machine. The command is made in response to initiation of the clutch engaging the traction motor to the engine. The change in magnitude of the electric current ensures the speed of the traction motor remains generally constant during clutch engagement while a speed of the engine is less than that of the traction motor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 7, 2012
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Michael John Encelewski, Charles Chunlin Liu, Felix Nedorezov
Abstract: A tailgate hinge is part of a tailgate assembly and is attached to the rear sill of a pick-up truck bed. The tailgate hinge includes a stationary hinge bracket and a pivotal hinge bracket that are connected by a hinge pin. The pivotal hinge bracket includes a detachment slot. The hinge pin has a pair of flats that permit the hinge pin to pass through the detachment slot when the tailgate is at a predetermined angular orientation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2013
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Henry W. Hausler, Andrew Kammerzell, John Comiez, Daniel Clatterbuck
Abstract: A system for improving PCV flow of an engine is presented. The system can reduce engine oil consumption when an engine is exposed to lateral or centripetal force. In one example, the system includes a mechanically operated valve that acts to limit PCV flow in a conduit external to an engine.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 23, 2013
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Gary David Liimatta, Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment and at least one seat located in the passenger compartment. The seat can be moved from a front-facing position to a rear-facing position for when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode. The vehicle may further include autonomous driving sensors and an autonomous controller that receives signals generated by the autonomous driving sensors and controls at least one vehicle subsystems according to the signals received.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 20, 2013
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Jialiang Le
Abstract: A method or system that receives a product definition that includes a feature family having data defining one or more product features. The product definition including one or more corresponding rules defining one or more relationships between one or more product features. The method or system receiving input selecting one or more feature families of interest. The method or system identifying the one or more rules that provide a relationship connecting the one or more feature families to the selected feature families of interest. The method or system converting the identified rules to one or more positive logic rule groups. The method or system generating one or more global representations of the product definition by interacting the one or more positive logic rule groups to produce a result that defines the relationship between the interacted positive logic rule groups and storing the results that are determined as being valid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Jian Lin, Bryan Roger Goodman, James Beardslee, Veera V. M. L. Ganesh Babu Alla, Martin Pipoly, Ravindranatha Kundoor, Gintaras Vincent Puskorius, Yu-Ning Liu, Melinda Kaye Hunsaker, Yakov M. Fradkin, David Mark Newton
Abstract: Instructions are provided to a vehicle braking mechanism for autonomous operation of the braking mechanism. At least one first parameter is retrieved for governing control of the braking mechanism. The first parameter is applied to operation of the braking mechanism. Data is collected relating to operation of the vehicle. At least one second parameter is determined for governing control of the braking mechanism.
Abstract: A vehicle includes a navigation system and a processing device. The navigation system determines a route from a current location to a selected destination. The processing device applies a template to the route. The template represents driving trends associated with a geographic region. The processing device adjusts the route based on the template prior to the vehicle embarking on the route.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 17, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Manoharprasad K. Rao, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante
Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle downshifts a transmission in response to a driver tapping a brake pedal. A brake pedal tap is distinguished from brake pedal movement associated with normal braking by the peak pedal travel and the duration. Multiple step downshifts are triggered in response to closely spaced pedal taps or slightly longer pedal taps. A user interface allows the driver to adjust various parameters, such as upper and lower peak pedal travel and duration limits. Some parameters may be determined by sampling a series of driver brake taps.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Joseph F. Kucharski, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for flowing crankcase gases through an aspirator arranged in a PCV line. The aspirator regulates PCV flow, and may also generate vacuum depending on a position of a pintle extendable across a horizontal passage of the aspirator. When regulating PCV flow and not generating vacuum, the aspirator is fully closed and crankcase gases in the horizontal passage are metered through an orifice in the pintle. When generating vacuum, the aspirator is at least partially opened and PCV flow through the horizontal passage generates vacuum at a vacuum port of the aspirator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 13, 2012
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mansour Beshay, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
Abstract: A method of monitoring catalyst performance may comprise applying a set of parameter readings for a given sample to a support vector machine to generate a classification output, clustering the set of parameter readings to reduce a number of support vectors, computing a total fuel mass following a deceleration fuel shut-off event and an exhaust gas oxygen sensor switch and indicating catalyst degradation based on the total fuel mass.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 22, 2013
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Imad Hassan Makki, Pankaj Kumar, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Timothy Robert Gernant, Michael Casedy, Brent Edward Sealy