Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
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Patent number: 9085232Abstract: A vehicle grille assembly is provided with a grille and a close-out assembly. The close-out assembly is adapted to at least partially block an airflow opening in the vehicle grille is moveable to translate and rotate with respect to the airflow opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gordon M. Platto, David Michael Lechkun, Dong Park, Brad Alan Richards, Jonathan Fontaine
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Patent number: 9086040Abstract: Embodiments for monitoring fuel system degradation are provided. In one example, a method for a vehicle comprises evacuating fuel from a first fuel tank to a second fuel tank, and indicating fuel system degradation in response to a change in fuel system pressure following the evacuation of fuel. In this way, fuel system degradation may be indicated without use of a separate pressure building device.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Roy Jentz, Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce, Aed M Dudar
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Patent number: 9085594Abstract: A method of purifying crude organometallic compounds using a plurality of distillation columns is provided. This method effectively removes both relatively more volatile impurities and relatively less volatile impurities as compared to the organometallic compound.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Curtis D. Modtland, Chet D. Davidson
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Patent number: 9086001Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having an exhaust gas heat exchanger includes measuring air mass flow, engine coolant temperature (ECT), exhaust gas temperature (EGT), heat exchanger coolant temperature (HECT), and engine speed; and operating a valve to selectively provide exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger based on air mass flow, ECT, EGT, HECT, and engine speed. A vehicle has an engine and an exhaust heat recovery system with an exhaust gas heat exchanger and a valve configured to control exhaust gas flow. A controller for the vehicle is configured to (i) measure air mass flow, ECT, EGT, HECT, and engine speed, and (ii) operate the valve to selectively provide exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger based on air mass flow, ECT, EGT, HECT, and engine speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Douglas Raymond Martin
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Patent number: 9086045Abstract: A vehicle includes a starter motor, an engine having an output mechanically coupled to the starter motor, a transmission having an input, and an electric machine mechanically coupled to the transmission input. The vehicle further includes a clutch configured to mechanically couple the electric machine and the output of the engine, and at least one controller. The at least one controller is programmed to initiate an engine start based on driver demand. The controller is further configured to enable pressure to the clutch for the engine start if driver demand is less than a calibratable torque value or enable the starter motor for the engine start if the driver demand is greater than a calibratable torque value. The controller may lock the clutch to the output of the engine in response to the speed of the engine being approximately equal to the speed of the electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
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Patent number: 9086147Abstract: A piston 10 for an engine has a number of elongate pockets 21, 22, 23, 24 each of which is arranged at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis HP2 of a contact zone 15 on the thrust and anti-thrust sides of the piston 10. The pockets 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged in two columns C1, C2 one on each longitudinal side of a central portion 20 of the contact zone 15 to form partial barriers to reduce the loss of oil from the central portion 20 during use of the piston 10. The pockets 21, 22, 23, 24 are oriented differently above and below a transverse axis HP1 of the contact zone 15 so as to reduce the loss of oil irrespective of the direction of motion of the piston 10.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Ian Graham Pegg
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Patent number: 9086031Abstract: Various bulkhead inserts having a cracked cap are provided. In one example, a cylinder block includes a plurality of cylinder bores, a crankcase disposed below the cylinder block in a vertical direction, and a plurality of inserts, where each adjacent pair of inserts of the plurality of inserts partitions each cylinder bore of the plurality of cylinder bores. Each insert of the plurality of inserts has an upper portion and a cap disposed below the upper portion, the cap cracked from the upper portion and rejoined to the upper portion by one or more fastening devices, the upper having one or more upper bosses, each upper boss having a surface with extruded, circumferentially-extending serrations.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rick L. Williams, Cliff Maki, Jeffrey Allen Mullins
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Publication number: 20150198300Abstract: A center high mounted stop light assembly for use in a vehicle includes a stop light housing movable in a passage located center high on a rear end of the vehicle between a first closed position and a second extended position in which utility lights coupled to the stop light housing are deployable and operable to illuminate an area near the rear end of the vehicle. A position sensor detects and signals the position of the stop light housing within the passage. The stop light housing may be manually operated between the open and closed position or may use an automated device for push button operation including of the utility lights.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Annette Lynn Huebner, Artur Sakarian, Kristin Ann Hellman, Ryan Welch, Gerald Douglas Neely, Josh Greiner
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Publication number: 20150197234Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction motor coupled to a driveline. An engine and a generator are coupled to the driveline through a planetary gearset. A controller commands the traction motor torque based on a difference between a driver torque demand and an estimated powertrain torque. The estimated powertrain torque is based on an error between actual and estimated engine speed and an error between actual and estimated generator speed. The estimated powertrain torque may be further based on commanded or estimated engine torque and generator torque. The estimated powertrain torque may utilize a state estimator to calculate internal states based on the errors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Wei Liang, Thomas Chrostowski, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Ming Lang Kuang
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Publication number: 20150198122Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a fuel canister purge flow based on outputs of an intake manifold oxygen sensor. For example, during boosted engine operation when exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is flowing below a threshold and purge is enabled, purge flow may be estimated based on changes in the sensor output while modulating a canister purge valve between an open and closed position. Then, during subsequent operation wherein EGR and purge flow are enabled, the output of the sensor may be adjusted based on the estimated purge flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Julia Helen Buckland
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Publication number: 20150198459Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery, an interface, and at least one processor configured to present, via the interface, a message including a charge-vehicle recommendation for at least one charge station within the drive range, in response to (i) a selected destination for the vehicle lacking a charge facility for the battery and being within a drive range of the vehicle and (ii) a charge station being within the drive range.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, David Allen Kowalski
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Publication number: 20150197181Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a trim portion affixed to a surface comprising a first photoluminescent portion and at least one light source. The light source may be configured to emit a first emission at a first wavelength. The first emission may be configured to excite the first photoluminescent portion in a back-lit configuration. The trim portion is configured to mask the first photoluminescent portion from external light sources to prevent excitation of the first photoluminescent portion in the presence of external light sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Paul Kenneth Dellock
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Publication number: 20150198136Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to perform a visual inspection of an engine and diagnose various cylinder components and conditions based on engine positional measurements. Laser pulses may be emitted at a lower power level during an intake and/or exhaust stroke to illuminate a cylinder interior while a photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior. Additionally, laser pulses may be emitted at a higher power level to initiate cylinder combustion while the photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior using the light generated during cylinder combustion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
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Publication number: 20150198115Abstract: A gasket for use with in an internal combustion engine having lubricating oil drainback passageways and an integrated exhaust manifold formed in the cylinder head is disclosed. The gasket includes at least one drainback passageway opening to fit substantially around the drainback passageways formed in the cylinder block. A loose component-capturing constraint feature is integrally formed with the gasket and effectively provides a bridge over the drainback passageway opening of the gasket. The constraint feature does not restrict the flow of lubricating oil and may be of any of several designs including, for example, a rib. The cylinder head gasket is preferably of a multi-layer construction and is preferably steel. The constraint feature may be a single gasket layer. The cylinder head gasket includes both active and non-active areas. The constraint feature may be either or both an active and a non-active area of the gasket.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Mark Brenkus
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Publication number: 20150198134Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to perform a visual inspection of an engine and diagnose various cylinder components and conditions based on engine positional measurements. Laser pulses may be emitted at a lower power level during an intake and/or exhaust stroke to illuminate a cylinder interior while a photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior. Additionally, laser pulses may be emitted at a higher power level to initiate cylinder combustion while the photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior using the light generated during cylinder combustion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
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Publication number: 20150197046Abstract: The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a method of forming a polymeric skin of a vehicle interior part such as an instrument panel, the method including the steps of heating a molding cavity having a shape of the vehicle interior part, injecting a polymer into the molding cavity to form the polymeric skin, and cooling the molding cavity. The heating may be carried out prior to the injecting. The heating may overlap in time with the injecting. The cooling may be carried out subsequent to the injecting. The cooling may overlap in time with the injecting. The polymeric skin may then positioned next to a cushion layer which is in turn positioned next to a substrate layer to form the vehicle interior part.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Paul Yizze, Bari Brown, Charles Alan Rocco
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Publication number: 20150197173Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a seat base and seat back each including a spring structure, planar electro-active polymer actuators, each having a first state and coupled to one of the spring structures, a control in communication with the actuators and configured to deliver a predetermined electrical input to one or more of the actuators, wherein the predetermined electrical input deforms at least one of the actuators to a second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Hulway
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Publication number: 20150197200Abstract: A vehicle seat retention system includes a vehicle seating assembly having a seat, which includes a seating surface and a seatback having seatback surface. A continuous peripheral rim is disposed on a first side, a second side, and a front of the vehicle seat, below the seating surface of the vehicle seating assembly. A first telescoping extension is disposed at a forward corner defined between the first side and the front of the vehicle seat. A second telescoping extension is disposed at a forward corner defined between the second side and the front of the vehicle seat. A deployable net is disposed between the seat and the peripheral rim. The deployable net is configured to be concealed within a seat base disposed below the seating surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Artur Sakarian, Annette Lynn Huebner, Ryan Welch, Kristin Ann Hellman
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Publication number: 20150197242Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a powertrain including a battery-powered electric motor, an internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a powertrain controller. The controller is programmed to permit an upshift of a transmission gear ratio while a powertrain torque demand is less than a forecasted available powertrain torque sustainable over a predetermined upcoming duration of time. The controller is also programmed to inhibit an upshift while the torque demand exceeds the forecasted available powertrain torque to reduce successive gear shifts. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to battery a state of charge being less than a threshold, reduce the forecasted available powertrain torque by an amount sufficient to provide a recharge to a battery. The controller may be further still programmed to reduce the forecasted available powertrain torque by an amount sufficient to restart the engine while the powertrain is operating in an engine-off traction mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Steven YAMAZAKI, Zhengyu DAI, Felix NEDOREZOV, Rajit JOHRI, Bernard D. NEFCY, Wei LIANG, Xiaoyong WANG
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Publication number: 20150198103Abstract: A method, comprising: indicating a leak of a first diameter on a canister side of a fuel system following applying a vacuum to the fuel system with a fuel tank isolation valve closed; and indicating a leak of a second diameter on a fuel tank side of the fuel system, based on a vacuum decay in an isolated fuel tank following applying a vacuum to the fuel system with the fuel tank isolation valve open. In this way, an evaporative leak check module with a single reference orifice may be used to determine leaks of multiple sizes in multiple sectors of a fuel system. This may allow current production models to meet more stringent emissions regulations in the future.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce