Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • METHOD FOR ESTIMATING GRADE AND ROLLING DIRECTION
    Publication number: 20150183434
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining vehicle rolling direction and road grade are disclosed. In one example, a vehicle rolling direction is determined from a correlation coefficient. The vehicle rolling direction is applied to a kinematic equation to determine road grade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Emrah Adamey, Mathew Alan Boesch
  • VEHICLE ROOF STRUCTURE INCLUDING A CAST NODE
    Publication number: 20150183471
    Abstract: The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a vehicle roof structure which includes a cast node including a pillar portion for receiving a pillar and a roof-rail portion for receiving a roof rail, the roof-rail portion having first and second ends, which may have a closed first cross-section and a closed second cross-section, respectively. The closed first cross-section may be different from the closed second cross-section such that the first and second ends are to receive two individual roof rails of different dimensions. The closed first cross-section may be larger in opening dimension than the closed second cross-section, when the first end is positioned closer to a front of the vehicle than the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Fubang Wu, Jacob Wesley Zindel, Mei Li, Yijung Chen
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR INFERRING THROTTLE INLET PRESSURE
    Publication number: 20150184583
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling boost pressure in a turbocharged engine are provided. In one embodiment, a method for an engine having a throttle comprises, if an inferred throttle inlet pressure (TIP) value is different than a measured TIP value, adjusting a wastegate of a turbocharger based on the inferred TIP value and not based on the measured TIP value, the inferred TIP value based on air flow through the throttle, throttle angle, and manifold absolute pressure (MAP). In this way, boost pressure control may be provided by the inferred TIP value under some conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rommel Racelis, John Eric Rollinger, David Bell
  • Electrochemical removal of tantalum-containing materials
    Patent number: 9068273
    Abstract: A method of cleaning metal-containing deposits from a metal surface of a process chamber component includes immersing the metal surface in an electrochemical cleaning bath solution. A negative electrical bias is applied to the metal surface to electrochemically clean the metal-containing deposits from the metal surface. The cleaning method is capable of removing metal-containing deposits such as tantalum-containing deposits from the metal surface substantially without eroding the surface, and may be especially advantageous in the cleaning of components having textured surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Quantum Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Hong Wang, Kenneth Tsai
  • System for cooling an engine block cylinder bore bridge
    Patent number: 9068496
    Abstract: An engine is provided with an open deck cylinder block having an open water jacket that surrounds a plurality of cylinders that are joined together in a Siamese design by a cylinder bore bridge. The engine also includes a cylinder head gasket, and a cylinder head. For the purpose of removing excess heat from the cylinder bore bridge, cooling channels are provided that allow coolant to flow from the engine block water jacket, across the cylinder bore bridge, and into a cylinder head coolant passageway. In addition, coolant is prevented from flowing from the water jacket on one side of the cylinders, across the bore bridge, and into the water jacket on the other side of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Michael Beyer, Jody Michael Slike, Mathew Hintzen
  • Branch communication valve for a twin scroll turbocharger
    Patent number: 9068501
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a branch communication valve in a twin turbocharger system. A branch communication valve may be positioned adjacent to a dividing wall separating a first scroll and a second scroll of the twin turbocharger. In an open position, the branch communication valve increases fluid communication between the first scroll and the second scroll and in a closed position, the branch communication valve decreases fluid communication between the first scroll and the second scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Jack Adams, Keith Michael Plagens, Neal James Corey, David Born, Xiaogang Zhang
  • Illuminable vehicle beverage holder assembly
    Patent number: 9068708
    Abstract: An illuminable beverage holder assembly is provided and includes at least one side wall coupled an illuminable base member to form a receptacle for receiving a beverage container. The illuminable base member includes a distal engagement member with an optical surface. A light source is operably coupled to the engagement member and configured to emit light through the optical surface to illuminate the illuminable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Antilla, Inshirah Hillawi, Megan May Lovejoy
  • Methods for utilizing stop sign and traffic light detections to enhance fuel economy and safety
    Patent number: 9069653
    Abstract: Methods for operating a vehicle as the vehicle approaches an intersection with a traffic control device are provided herein. One example method includes detecting a traffic control device at an intersection the vehicle is approaching, and releasing and applying a disconnect clutch arranged in a driveline of the vehicle intermediate an engine and a starter/generator based on a type of the detected traffic control device. Because releasing the disconnect clutch disconnects the engine from the vehicle driveline, the engine may be turned off to increase fuel efficiency while the disconnect clutch is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tuan Anh Be, William Najib Mansur, Mark Douglas Malone, Leonid Tikh
  • SCR catalyst diagnostics
    Patent number: 9068491
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises operating the engine with an upstream exhaust sensor, intermediate exhaust sensor, and downstream exhaust sensor each indicating rich, adjusting engine operation to operate the engine with an upstream exhaust sensor, intermediate exhaust sensor, and downstream exhaust sensor each indicating lean, adjusting engine operation to operate the engine with the upstream exhaust sensor indicating rich and the intermediate and downstream exhaust sensors each indicating lean, and indicating degradation of an SCR catalyst based on when the intermediate and downstream exhaust sensors switch from lean to rich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Robert Theis, Michael James Uhrich
  • Side impact vehicle restraint deployment
    Patent number: 9067555
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor configured to detect an impact and a restraint device configured to deploy in response to the impact. A processing device is configured to deploy the restraint device in accordance with a first timing if the impact includes a front impact and a second timing if the impact includes a side impact. The second timing includes the first timing delayed by a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhibing Deng, Senthilkumar Mahadevan, Joseph Edward Abramczyk, David James Bauch, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Reconfigurable vehicle model
    Patent number: 9070298
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle model is disclosed. The vehicle model includes a main vehicle module including a primary base and a number of components. The number of main vehicle module components is moveably mounted to the main vehicle module primary base. The vehicle model also includes a secondary vehicle module including a number of components. The main vehicle module and secondary vehicle modules are relatively positionable relative to one another to obtain a first and second vehicle configuration. The first and second vehicle configurations are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vijitha Senaka Kiridena, Ksenia Kozak, Nanxin Wang, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, Gary Steven Strumolo
  • Intake system including remotely located filter assemblies and method for operation of an intake system
    Patent number: 9068537
    Abstract: An intake system for an engine including a first air filter assembly in fluidic communication with an intake manifold and a second air filter assembly spaced away from the first air filter assembly and in fluidic communication with the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Khami, Preet Kamal Virk, Robert Joseph Mohan, Joseph Matthew McCann, James William Ortman
  • Adaptive energy absorber for a vehicle
    Patent number: 9067552
    Abstract: An energy absorption system, comprises a vehicle bumper. An energy absorption member is attached to the bumper, the energy absorption member comprising a first piece and a second piece. A linear actuator connects the energy absorption member to the bumper. The actuator may be actuated based on the speed information from the onboard vehicle communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Chih Cheng, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Iskander Farooq, Sudip Sankar Bhattacharjee
  • Vehicle fascia integrated pushers
    Patent number: 9067553
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a fascia, a bumper beam, and a sensor including a pressure chamber disposed between and along the fascia and bumper beam. The vehicle further includes a plurality of pusher blocks disposed between and along the fascia and bumper beam. The pusher blocks impinge upon the pressure chamber during fascia impact. Contact areas defined by the pusher blocks decrease toward a center of the pressure chamber and increase toward ends of the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Yeruva Satya Reddy, Abraham G. Philip, Steven Yellin Schondorf
  • Compressed natural gas pressure regulator protective bracket
    Patent number: 9068534
    Abstract: A protective bracket for a compressed natural gas pressure regulator mounted in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The compressed natural gas pressure regulator is disposed between a natural gas pressurized tank and an intake system for an internal combustion engine within the engine compartment, and the protective bracket comprises a main body disposed essentially about the entire external volume of the compressed natural gas pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Mario Alberto Mendez, Michael Shawn Watterworth, Jose Luis Luis Trejo Chavez, Ulises T Herrera Esquibel
  • Tube-side sequentially pulsable-flow shell-and-tube heat exchanger appratus, system, and method
    Patent number: 9068782
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tube-side sequentially pulsable-flow, shell-and-tube heat exchanger apparatus and a chemical processing system comprising and methods of heat exchange employing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kishore K. Kar, Richard F. Cope, Quan Yuan, Madan Somasi, Brian M. Morgan
  • Vehicle with segmented rear hatch
    Patent number: 9067626
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear hatch opening and a segmented hatch that is moveably connected to the vehicle structure. A lid is moveably connected to the upper hatch for movement between open and closed positions relative to the upper hatch. A first pair of lockable gas struts prevent opening of the upper hatch when locked. A second pair of lockable gas struts prevent opening of the lid relative to the upper hatch when locked. The upper hatch and the lid include overlapping portions that define spaces therebetween when the lid is in a closed position relative to the upper hatch. The second pair of lockable gas struts are disposed in the spaces when the lid is in a closed position relative to the upper hatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Anderson
  • Method and apparatus for detecting a left-behind phone
    Patent number: 9070276
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle computing processor. The processor is configured to, through wireless communication with a phone, and after determining that a vehicle engine is not running, request and receive motion sensor data from the phone. The processor is further configured to determine if a phone is moving with a driver based on the motion sensor data. Also, the processor is configured to alert the driver if the phone is not moving with the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante
  • Device and method for traffic sign recognition
    Patent number: 9070293
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether to alert a driver of a vehicle to the presence of a traffic sign in the vehicle's driving environment. An optical system on-board the vehicle detects the traffic sign and determine information related to the sign. Driving maneuvers carried out by the vehicle are monitored to determine driving situation information. The driving situation information and the traffic sign information are used to determine a probability that the sign is pertinent for the vehicle under the current driving conditions. If the probability is above a threshold, the driver is alerted to the traffic sign. The probability of the pertinence of the traffic sign may be further determined on the basis of lane-specific information such as vehicle position relative to a freeway exit ramp start or end, or performance of a lane change by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Roeber, Dirk Gunia, Torsten Wey, Gerald Doerne
  • Crankcase integrity breach detection
    Patent number: 9068486
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a crankcase vent tube pressure or flow sensor for diagnosing a location and nature of crankcase system integrity breach. The same sensor can also be used for diagnosing air filter plugging and PCV valve degradation. Use of an existing sensor to diagnose multiple engine components provides cost reduction and sensor compaction benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Ross Dykstra Pursifull