Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Vehicle suspension mounting system
    Patent number: 9073401
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension subsystem is provided having a leafspring that is mounted to a vehicle frame with a clevis type mounting bracket. An end of the leafspring includes an eyelet which receives a bushing, the bushing in turn receiving a pivot. The clevis type mounting bracket is mounted to the vehicle frame and consists of a metal plate fastened to an L-shaped casted bracket. The metal plate and L-shaped casted bracket have aligned apertures which define a pivot axis. With the pivot being located in the bushing and the bushing located in the eyelet of the leafspring, one end of the pivot is disposed in the aperture of the metal plate and the other end is disposed in the aperture of the L-shaped casted bracket, allowing the leafspring to rotate about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Edward LeMerise, Blake Frost
  • Vehicle and method of controlling an engine auto-stop and restart
    Patent number: 9074571
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a manual transmission having a clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to receiving a signal indicative of a deceleration event initiated by the controller when the vehicle is operating with the clutch engaged, command the engine to shut down before an engine stall threshold to prevent a stall. A method of controlling a vehicle having an engine and a manual transmission with a clutch includes, in response to receiving a signal indicative of a deceleration event above a threshold value when the vehicle is operating with the clutch engaged, shutting down the engine before an engine stall threshold to prevent a stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Douglas Malone, William Najib Mansur, Tuan Ahn Be
  • Flexible heat accumulator for engine coolant
    Patent number: 9074826
    Abstract: A heat accumulator for a vehicle engine, comprising storing coolant in a flexible storage container with an inner body and an outer body, with an insulation device arranged between the bodies, and an inflow and an outflow for the coolant wherein the storage container can expand and deflate in response to the amount of coolant stored. The flexible storage container allows for the heat accumulator to conform to various under hood space constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Volker Haupts
  • Method for continuously producing low equivalent weight polyols using double metal cyanide catalysts
    Patent number: 9074044
    Abstract: Polyether polyols having equivalent weights of up to 500 are continuously prepared in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst. A first step of the reaction is performed at a temperature of at least 150° C., while controlling the hydroxyl content and unreacted alkylene oxide content of the reaction mixture to within certain ranges. A portion of that reaction mixture is withdrawn and permitted to react non-isothermally to consume the unreacted alkylene oxide. This process is highly efficient, does not result in catalyst deactivation, as is commonly seen in previous processes, and does not produce a significant ultra high molecular weight tail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John W. Weston, Carlos M. Villa, Jean-Paul Masy, Kevin C. Seavey
  • Positive crankcase ventilation system and method for operation
    Patent number: 9074502
    Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system is provided. The PCV system includes an oil return line coupled to a PCV oil separator and extending through a crankcase housing and a PCV bypass valve positioned in a wall of the oil return line, the PCV bypass valve opening when a pressure in the crankcase exceeds a threshold value and closing when a pressure in the crankcase falls below a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Autonomous vehicle with reconfigurable interior
    Patent number: 9073574
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering wheel located in a passenger compartment. The steering wheel is configured to be moved from an operational position to a stowed position. In the event of a collision, a first airbag is configured to deploy when the steering wheel is in the operational position and a second airbag is configured to deploy when the steering wheel is in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Christopher Attard, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Matthew Y. Rupp, John Shutko, Roger Arnold Trombley, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Andrew Waldis
  • Enhanced conversion of syngas to propylene
    Patent number: 9073804
    Abstract: Conversion of synthesis gas to propylene is enhanced via a stepped process wherein a Fischer-Tropsch reaction is first carried out, followed by recovery of propylene produced thereby and then use of product ethylene and unreacted syngas in a hydroformylation reaction to produce propanol, which is then dehydrated to form additional propylene. The process enables significant enhancement of propylene yield that is efficient and makes use of ethylene that is a byproduct of Fischer-Tropsch processes that are employed primarily for production of higher olefins, such as hexene and octene. Thus, it can be carried out in conjunction with already on-line Fischer-Tropsch facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Peter E. Groenendijk, Cornelis Hovingh
  • Non-intrusive exhaust gas sensor monitoring
    Patent number: 9074513
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on characteristics of a distribution of extreme values of a plurality of sets of lambda differentials collected during selected operating conditions. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored in a non-intrusive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, Pankaj Kumar, James Michael Kerns, Hassene Jammoussi
  • Deploy and extend step pad
    Patent number: 9073486
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a step pad assembly that includes a first step pad, a second step pad, and a telescoping extension. The second step pad is rotatably attached to the first step pad. The telescoping extension is disposed within the second step pad and is configured to extend from the second step pad to an extended position outboard relative to a rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Leonard Meszaros, David Thomas Patrick
  • Engine system having a condensate bypass duct
    Patent number: 9074563
    Abstract: An engine system is provided. The engine system includes an intake conduit positioned upstream of an engine cylinder and also includes a PCV outlet opening into the intake conduit. The engine system further includes a condensate bypass duct in parallel fluidic communication with and vertically below the intake conduit, the condensate bypass duct including a duct inlet opening into the intake conduit and a duct outlet opening into the intake conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott M. Rollins, Christopher B. Bishop
  • Sensor packaging at output side of front wheel drive (FWD) transmissions
    Patent number: 9074953
    Abstract: Various packaging designs for placement of a magnetic torque sensor at the output shaft of a front wheel drive transmission are provided. One design provides for mounting a sensor on a chain drive sprocket or integrating a sensor into a modified sprocket bearing mount. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at the grounded ring gear of a final planetary drive. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at the differential housing. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at the output planetary carrier hub/park gear. Another design provides for mounting a sensor at a multi-piece transfer gear face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Nimrod Kapas, Yuji Fujii, Joseph F. Kucharski, Gregory Daniel Goleski, Jeffrey Edward Maurer
  • Method and system for engine unburned hydrocarbon control
    Patent number: 9074543
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting hydrocarbon ingestion into an engine based on the simultaneous monitoring of cylinder imbalance and an elevated exhaust exotherm. Crankshaft acceleration data is monitored during steady-state and transient engine conditions while exhaust temperatures are estimated during non-regeneration conditions. Engine speed and load is limited to reduce further hydrocarbon ingestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopal Krishna Chamarthi, John G. Fraser, Arnold Kromberg, Anil Shah, Thomas C. Erickson, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Scott Eeley
  • Turbocharger system having a shared bypass conduit and wastegate
    Patent number: 9074521
    Abstract: A turbocharger system is provided. The turbocharger system may include a first turbocharger including a first turbine in fluidic communication with a first cylinder, a second turbocharger including a second turbine in fluidic communication with a second cylinder, and a shared bypass conduit having a wastegate coupled thereto, the shared bypass conduit is in fluidic communication with an inlet of the first turbine and an inlet of the second turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen George Russ
  • Driver airbag to steering wheel gap reduction
    Patent number: 9073508
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel has an airbag module received and mounted within a recess having an opening of a predetermined shape. A cover having an outer surface and inner surface is disposed over and proximate the airbag module and substantially occludes the opening of the recess. The cover has a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the opening of the recess and an outer edge corresponding to an inner edge of the recess. The outer edge of the cover comprises a flexible loop proximate the inner edge of the recess about the outer edge of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Robert Chascsa, II, Ishak Zaman
  • Register vane air deflector and method
    Patent number: 9073408
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning register for use in an automotive vehicle has a hollow housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an inner housing wall. A plurality of pivotable vanes are disposed proximate the outlet, including an outermost vane disposed proximate the inner housing wall that is pivotable to an extreme position. A deflector is disposed between the inner housing wall and the outermost vane, such that the deflector substantially blocks airflow between the inner housing wall when the outermost vane is in the extreme position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Bryan Hoke, John Bratcher, Ronald Dickson
  • Method and system for humidity sensor diagnostics
    Patent number: 9074548
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael James Uhrich, Timothy Joseph Clark, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Method and apparatus for application data transport handling
    Patent number: 9078238
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive communication requests from a plurality of applications executing on a remote device, requesting communication with a vehicle computing system (VCS). The processor is also configured to save an identifier for each requesting application. The processor is further configured to establish a single communication channel to handle the communication requests. Also, the processor is configured to order the communication requests for delivery and relay data requests from the applications to the VCS over the identified transport format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joey Ray Grover, Philip Joseph Danne
  • Vehicle seat bracket assembly
    Patent number: 9073468
    Abstract: A recliner bracket for a vehicle includes a web defining a recliner heart receiving aperture. The recliner heart receiving apertures is operably connected with side supports of a seating assembly and include forward and rearward seat support connection tabs. A deformation notch is disposed on a rear portion of the web and is adapted to collapse under a predetermined loading from a rear collision event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Anthony Dixon, Majid Arefi, Robert J. Sack, David Beyhon Tung
  • Vehicle immobilizer method and system
    Patent number: 9073504
    Abstract: A system and method of immobilizing a vehicle include receiving a driver presence signal and a transmission state signal and commanding a transmission tie-up in response to the driver presence signal and the transmission state signal. In one embodiment, controlling a transmission element to tie-up a transmission includes braking approximately simultaneously a combination of transmission elements to inhibit rotation of a transmission output and maintaining transmission line pressure to maintain the transmission tie-up when an engine is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Steven Gerald Thomas, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HEATING A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150183296
    Abstract: Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater provides heat to a passenger cabin and an engine via heating engine coolant. Additionally, a heat pump may supply heat to the passenger cabin via heating the engine coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Franco Ragazzi