Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Method and apparatus for vehicle tracking
    Patent number: 9057614
    Abstract: A computer-implemented tracking method includes receiving a tracking request at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS). The method also includes authenticating the tracking request and determining a vehicle location via a GPS in communication with the VACS. The method further includes transmitting the vehicle location from the VACS to a tracking request associated computing system (TRACS). The method also includes monitoring the vehicle for at least one delay-event. The method additionally includes transmitting data corresponding to the delay event to the TRACS, contingent on the occurrence of at least one delay-event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Giuli, Joseph N. Ross, Mark Schunder, Thomas Richard Alexander, Joseph Paul Rork
  • Estimation and Compensation of Battery Measurement and Asynchronization Biases
    Publication number: 20150158395
    Abstract: A hybrid or electric vehicle includes a traction battery to store and provide energy for the vehicle. The traction battery includes a number of battery cells. For effective operation of the traction battery, operating parameters, such as state of charge and battery power limits, may need to be known. The operating parameters may be a function of battery cell voltage and impedance parameters. A parameter estimation scheme may use measured cell voltages and a measured traction battery current as inputs. A current measurement bias may be modeled that incorporates measurement bias caused by asynchronous current and voltage measurements. The current measurement bias may be estimated for each cell and the value may differ between cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yonghua Li, Richard Dyche Anderson
  • BIDIRECTIONAL VALVED ASPIRATOR FOR SURGE CONTROL AND VACUUM GENERATION
    Publication number: 20150159601
    Abstract: An aspirator coupled between an inlet of a compressor and an engine intake manifold may include sonic/supersonic expansion curves for both forward and reverse flow through the aspirator. Suction flow may enter a first entraining port coupling an ambient side of the aspirator with a vacuum source during reverse flow through the aspirator, whereas suction flow may enter a second entraining port coupling a manifold side of the aspirator with the vacuum source, the first entraining port counter sunk relative to a nominal slope of the aspirator to reduce flow disruption caused by the port during forward flow through the aspirator. A radial-flow aspirator shut-off valve arranged in series with the aspirator may be controlled to enable or disable motive flow through the aspirator, and motive flow may enter the valve in a direction perpendicular to a motive flow axis of the aspirator when the valve is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Luehrsen, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Advanced Engagement Small Overlap Deflector
    Publication number: 20150158441
    Abstract: A deflector is provided for a vehicle having a bumper that is connected to a frame rail through a crush-can. The deflector includes an engagement portion that extends laterally outward and forward of the frame rail. The engagement portion is attached by an attaching portion to the frame rail at a front location behind the crush-can. A small overlap collision support portion extends from the engagement portion toward a collision loading location on the frame rail behind the front location. The deflector has a front leg that is connected through an intermediate leg to a rear leg. The front leg is attached to the frame rail and the rear leg is unattached to the frame rail, but disposed to apply a lateral load to the side of the frame rail in a small overlap rigid barrier test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saied NUSIER, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche
  • Method and Apparatus for Virtual Key Delivery
    Publication number: 20150161832
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request for temporary vehicle usage. The processor is also configured to associate a requesting user with an available vehicle and generate a temporary vehicle access code and start code, usable during a predetermined time period. The processor is further configured to send the access code and start code to both the user and the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Evert Esselink, David Randolph Roberts, Christian Krozal, Thomas Woloszyn, Robert Bruce Kleve, Julius Marchwicki, David Chase Mitchell
  • ENGINE HAVING COMPOSITE CYLINDER BLOCK
    Publication number: 20150159581
    Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a thermo-molded composite cylinder block including a front engine cover attachment interface and a transmission attachment interface. The engine further includes a cylinder liner comprising a different material than a composite cylinder block and integrally molded with the composite cylinder block, the cylinder liner defining a portion of a boundary of a cylinder and including a top deck at least partially extending across a water jacket cavity surrounding the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford E. Maki, Rick L. Williams
  • MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20150159737
    Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. Each arrangement includes a two state shift element. In a first state, the shift element passively holds a shaft against rotation in one direction while permitting rotation in the opposite direction. In a second state, the shift element holds the shaft against rotation in both directions. The shift element may be implemented as a combination of a one-way-brake and a dog clutch. Each arrangement also includes a gearing arrangement that produces three speed relationships between an input and an intermediate shaft, including an underdrive relationship, a reverse speed relationship, and holding the intermediate shaft against rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Daniel Goleski
  • Moveable Vehicle Armrest Assembly
    Publication number: 20150158402
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an armrest and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly supports the armrest and is rotatable between extended and collapsed positions. The hinge assembly includes a pin configured to move between locked and released positions. When the pin is in the locked position, the hinge assembly is locked in the extended position. When the pin is in the released position, the pin is configured to permit rotation of the hinge assembly toward the collapsed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar FARUQUE, Dean M. JARADI
  • METHOD TO ENSURE RELIABLE RECEPTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE ASSOCIATION MESSAGES
    Publication number: 20150158394
    Abstract: A vehicle controller of a vehicle may set a message acceptance type and a time window for response according to a type of association procedure message received from a requester, provide the association procedure message to electric vehicle supply equipment, and return a received response message to the requester when the response message is of the acceptance type and received within the time window, and otherwise reject the response message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fengzhuo Hu, Michael Edward Loftus, Alan Scarantino
  • Driveline Components for a Motor Vehicle and Method of Assembly
    Publication number: 20150159699
    Abstract: While assembling driveline components for a motor vehicle, one driveline component is rotated relative to another driveline component until the driveline components are properly aligned. This rotation is accomplished through the use of a fastener, which also helps secure the driveline components to one another. The fastener is preferably a lock nut, and, more specifically, a prevailing torque nut. In one embodiment, the fastener requires at least 20 Nm of force in order to be run down on one of the driveline components. Running down and tightening the fastener occurs during the final assembly step of the driveline components relative to one another. The alignment of the driveline components preferably takes place between splines of one driveline component and splines of the other driveline component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Damien Baldwin, Jeff Dumler
  • INSULATING COMPOSITES FOR POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
    Publication number: 20150162110
    Abstract: An insulating composite for powder transmission and distribution containing a continuous reinforcing fiber embedded in a thermoset resin, wherein the thermoset resin is a reaction product of a curable epoxy resin composition comprising (a) at least one bisphenol A-type epoxy resin, (b) at least one oxazolidone ring containing epoxy resin, and (c) at least one anhydride hardener and wherein the curable epoxy resin composition has a viscosity of 6,000 millipascals·second or less at 25° C.; and a process for preparing the insulating composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yong Jiang Li, Wei Du, Yi Zhang
  • ENGINE HAVING COMPOSITE CYLINDER BLOCK
    Publication number: 20150159582
    Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a thermal set composite cylinder block including a front engine cover attachment interface and a transmission attachment interface and a cylinder liner integrally molded with the composite cylinder block, the cylinder liner defining a portion of a boundary of a cylinder. The engine further includes a bulkhead insert extending through the thermal set composite cylinder block and is directly coupled to a cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies. LLC
    Inventors: Rick L. Williams, Clifford E. Maki, Robert Gordon Rentschler
  • Method and System for Calibrating Current Sensor of Electric Vehicle Battery Electronics
    Publication number: 20150160298
    Abstract: An electric vehicle battery arrangement includes a current sensor. The current sensor has a core and a magnetic field detector. An N-turn coil is wrapped around the core. A controller is configured to adjust an output of the detector indicative of current according to a comparison between a magnetic field caused by a given current in the coil as detected by the detector and a magnetic field expected to be caused by the given current in the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • BATTERY DISCHARGE DEVICE WITH SELF-ADJUSTING RESISTANCE
    Publication number: 20150162761
    Abstract: A battery discharge device according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sensor configured to sense a parameter of a high voltage source, a controller in communication with the sensor and a discharge circuit that discharges energy stored on the high voltage source in response to a command signal from the controller. The discharge circuit includes a plurality of resistors connected in parallel to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Ray STANLEY, Philip Michael GONZALES
  • Method and Apparatus for Predicting Electric Vehicle Energy Consumption
    Publication number: 20150158397
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to receive a route and receive power-usage-affecting variables. The processor(s) are further configured to break the route into a number of segments. For each segment, the processors are configured to lookup a predetermined power usage estimate, based on the received variables. Also, the processors are configured to present total estimated power usage over the route based on accumulated power usage estimates for each segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ciro Angel Soto, Sujith Rapolu, Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, Perry Robinson MacNeille, David Richens Brigham, Poyu Tsou, Mark John Jennings, Yan Meng
  • METHOD FOR ADJUSTING FAN AND COMPRESSOR POWER FOR A VEHICLE CABIN HEATING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150158369
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a heater for a passenger cabin of a vehicle. In one example, fan speed of an evaporator cooling fan is adjusted to improve heating efficiency. In particular, fan speed is incrementally increased and maintained at the higher speed if output power of a compressor is reduced by more than an amount of power used to incrementally increase the fan speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Greiner, Michael Steven Wallis
  • ADAPTIVE LEARNING OF DUTY CYCLE FOR A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP
    Publication number: 20150159576
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for closed loop operation of a high pressure fuel pump connected to the direct injectors of an internal combustion engine. During operation of the high pressure pump a dead zone may exist where a substantial change in the pump duty cycle does not correspond to a substantial change in the fuel rail pressure. To operate outside the dead zone, a relationship between the pump duty cycle and fuel rail pressure is learned upon completion of several pump and engine conditions, thereby improving high pressure pump operation and reducing pump degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Mark Meinhart, Joseph F. Basmaji, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Hao Zhang
  • ENGINE OFF TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20150159615
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a vehicle engine and a remote engine controller system configured to compare the measured engine temperature to a predetermined threshold. The engine controller selectively activates the engine based on the measured engine temperature relative to the predetermined threshold to prioritize the heating of the engine block over heating of the vehicle cabin. In some implementations, the remote engine controller system selectively activates the engine when the measured temperature is below a minimum temperature and deactivates the engine when the measured temperature is equal to or greater than a target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Patrick Kevin Holub
  • VACUUM SCAVENGING IN HYBRID VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20150158477
    Abstract: A method for a hybrid-electric vehicle may comprise, while the hybrid-electric vehicle is moving and in an absence of fuel being directed to an engine, directing engine intake air through an ejector to supply vacuum to a brake booster independent of a brake booster vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Luehrsen
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING BLEED EMISSIONS IN PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20150158377
    Abstract: A method for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, comprising: during a first condition, including an engine-off condition and the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle coupled to an external power source, cooling a vapor canister based on an ambient temperature. In this way, bleed emissions may be reduced in PHEVs during conditions when the vehicle is parked and recharging at a high ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce