Abstract: A linerless label or tape comprises a substantially biodegradable, natural or synthetic, woven or non-woven substrate impregnated with a formulation including at least 90 weight percent of a polyester amide segmented block copolymer. This label or tape may be conveniently prepared above the melt temperature of the copolymer and is printable. It offers the advantage of being able to be prepared such that it is substantially non-tacky at room or storage temperatures, and yet may be easily affixed to a substrate when heated to a temperature above the melt temperature of the impregnant, preferably ranging from 60° C. to 150° C. “Linerless” is defined as not requiring a separable, wastable layer, and a release coating to facilitate rolling or stacking is also not required.
Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an assembly is provided comprising a first member including a 6xxx series aluminum alloy heat treated to have a yield strength of at least 200 MPa and an r/t (bendability) ratio of up to 0.4. One or more members may be secured to the first member with a rivet (e.g., a self-piercing rivet). The heat treated alloy may have a yield strength of at least 260 MPa and may have a bendability ratio of up to 0.3. A method of forming an assembly is also provided, including heat treating a 6xxx series aluminum alloy to produce an alloy having a yield strength of at least 200 MPa and an r/t (bendability) ratio of up to 0.4 and riveting a member including the heat treated alloy to one or more additional members.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 25, 2014
Publication date:
May 7, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
NIA R. HARRISON, S. GEORGE LUCKEY, JR., JAMES MAURICE BOILEAU, AINDREA McKELVEY CAMPBELL, AMANDA KAY FREIS
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) flow based on outputs of an intake manifold oxygen sensor. For example, during engine operation when exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and fuel canister purge are disabled, PCV flow may be estimated based on a difference between a first output of the sensor with boost enabled and a second output of the sensor with boost disabled. Then, during subsequent operation wherein EGR is enabled, PCV flow is enabled, and purge is disabled, a third output of the sensor may be adjusted based on the estimated PCV flow.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 6, 2013
Publication date:
May 7, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Matthew John Gerhart, Lynn Aimee Chesney, Stephen B. Smith
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve of a fuel system. In one example, a method may include adjusting the fuel tank isolation valve via electrical pulses and tracking a position of the FTIV by counting each of the electrical pulses. When a vacuum is created in the fuel system, the method may include verifying the position of the FTIV based on resulting fuel system pressures.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 6, 2013
Publication date:
May 7, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Bryan Bolger, Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Mark W. Peters
Abstract: A method for treating liquefied hydrocarbons including acid gases to remove the acid gases while minimizing loss of amine species, the method comprising the step of contacting the liquefied hydrocarbons with an absorbent aqueous solution of a first amine compound, the first amine compound having the structure wherein R1 is hydrogen, propane-2,3-diol, and mixtures thereof and R2 is propane-2,3-diol.
Abstract: A dispersion having from one to sixty percent by weight of total dispersion of a solids component dispersed in an organic continuous phase is useful as a coating for substrates. The solids component contains 40-95 weight-percent of a polyolefin containing only carbon and hydrogen and that has a number average molecular weight that is greater than 400 gram per mole, 5-40 weight-percent of an amine salt of a functionalized polyolefin; and 0-20 weight-percent of optional additives, wherein weight-percent is based on total weight of solids and wherein the dispersed particles have an average particle size of less than 35 micrometers and the organic phase is a dispersion support medium for the polyolefin and amine salt of a functionalized polyolefin.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 7, 2013
Publication date:
May 7, 2015
Applicant:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Houxiang Tang, Bernhard Kainz, Liang Hong, Richard A. Lundgard
Abstract: Embodiments for heating a vehicle cabin are disclosed. In one example, a method for an engine comprises pumping coolant from a coolant reservoir to an exhaust component and then to a heater core, the coolant heated by the exhaust component, and during engine warm-up conditions, adjusting a flow rate of coolant into a heater core to maximize heat transfer to a vehicle cabin.
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a volume control valve attached to a branch of a split exhaust manifold in a boosted engine system. Volume control valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. One example method includes closing the volume in response to a tip-in when increased boost is needed for exhaust turbine spool-up.
Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric machine connected to the engine by an upstream clutch, a transmission gearbox connected to the electric machine by a downstream clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a commanded upshift of the gearbox, modulate a pressure of the upstream clutch. A method for controlling a vehicle includes, in response to a commanded upshift of a gearbox, controlling an upstream clutch to a first nonzero speed differential corresponding to a first inertia connected to and upstream of the gearbox to reduce inertia torque during the upshift. A method for controlling a vehicle includes, in response to a commanded upshift of a gearbox when the vehicle is beyond an electrical limit and a fast path torque reduction limit, slipping an upstream clutch and reducing torque outputs of an engine and an electric machine.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 6, 2013
Publication date:
May 7, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Wei Liang, Xiaoyong Wang, Ryan Abraham McGee, Ming Lang Kuang
Abstract: Embodiments for detecting fuel events are presented. In an embodiment, a method comprises performing an action responsive to a fuel event indicated based on output from a hydrocarbon sensor positioned between a fuel tank and a fuel vapor canister. In this way, the hydrocarbon sensor may be used to detect fuel events and engine operation may be adjusted accordingly.
Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request to enable a privacy screen. The processor is further configured to receive a privacy screen engage trigger. Also, the processor is configured to change a current radio station to a predefined station, upon receipt of the engage trigger when a privacy screen is enabled.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 5, 2013
Publication date:
May 7, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Robert Bruce Kleve
Abstract: A signal assembly is provided that includes a chamber defined by isotropically luminant back and side surfaces, and a front surface having a lens and a diffuser. The signal assembly also includes LED light sources having a beam angle ?70° coupled to the back surface. The back and front surfaces are separated by a depth, and each source is located at a spacing from the other sources ?the depth divided by a predetermined factor. The predetermined factor may be set to approximately 2.5 or 2.0 when the divergence angle of the diffuser is ?20° or ?30°, respectively. The signal assembly and its components can be configured to operate as a vehicular signal lamp.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 12, 2013
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Arun Kumar, Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Martin David Witte, Richard Joseph Michaels, III
Abstract: A method of controlling a start-stop vehicle transmission pump, includes: assessing how long an engine has been turned off; and when the engine has been turned off for longer than a predetermined threshold and the vehicle is on, priming the transmission pump.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 17, 2013
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Daniel T. Lin, Eric F. Banners, Stephen M. Cicala, Tim J. Kropf, Bradley D. Riedle
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing each of a plurality of engine cooling system components including various valves and grill shutters. Each valve may be individually closed and opened for a specified duration, and corresponding changes in coolant temperature may be monitored. If all the components are functional, the various valves may be adjusted to stagnate coolant at the engine and expedite engine warm-up during a cold-start.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 30, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Robert Roy Jentz, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, John Smiley, John Eric Rollinger
Abstract: A High Voltage Interlock Strategy (HVIS) uses feedback current to detect cable connectivity status for a high-voltage cable configured to connect a power conversion circuit with a remote permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM). One or more feedback factors are calculated based on detected feedback current. Various algorithms for calculating a feedback factor, and for determining connectivity status based on calculated feedback factors, can be practiced, according to the PMSM operational mode. Fault detection action can be performed in response to detecting a cable disconnect. The HVIS can be implemented by software, making it a safe, economical solution for cable connectivity detection.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 7, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Joe Youqing Xiang, Venkateswa Anand Sankaran, Michael W. Degner
Abstract: A transmission includes gearsets each including rotating members, a support held against rotation, brake servos located in the support, brakes each actuated by one of the brake servos for producing a connection between the support and a respective gearset member, a housing, clutch servos located in the housing, and clutches each actuated by one of the clutch servos for producing a drive connection between the housing and a respective gearset member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 23, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Gregory D. Goleski, Steven G. Thomas, Jeffrey E. Maurer
Abstract: A process for reductive amination of aliphatic cyanoaldehydes to aliphatic diamines comprising (1) providing a mixture of 1,3-cyanocyclohexane carboxaldehyde and/or 1,4-cyanocyclohexane carboxaldehyde; (2) contacting said mixture with a metal carbonate based solid bed or a weak base anion exchange resin bed at a temperature from 15 to 40 ° C. for a period of at least 1 minute; (3) thereby treating said mixture, wherein said treated mixture has a pH in the range of 6 to 9; (4) feeding said treated mixture, hydrogen, and ammonia into a continuous reductive amination reactor system; (6) contacting said treated mixture, hydrogen, and ammonia with each other in the presence of one or more heterogeneous metal based catalyst systems at a temperature from 80 ° C. to 160 ° C. and a pressure from 700 to 3500 psig; (7) thereby producing one or more cycloaliphatic diamines is provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 30, 2010
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2015
Assignee:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Erich J. Molitor, Daniel A. Hickman, Shawn D. Feist, David C. Molzahn, Stacie Santhany, Abraham D. Schuitman
Abstract: Embodiments for a supercharged engine are presented. In one example, a supercharged engine includes a cylinder head having at least two cylinders, each cylinder having at least one outlet opening for discharging exhaust gases and each outlet opening being adjoined by an exhaust line, with exhaust lines of at least two cylinders merging to form an overall exhaust line within the cylinder head so as to form an integrated exhaust manifold, at least two turbines arranged in series, the two turbines being of different size and arranged downstream of the exhaust manifold in the overall exhaust line, a distributor housing in which the overall exhaust line downstream of the manifold enters into and leads through to a small turbine of the two turbines, and a first turbine housing which accommodates the small turbine including at least one coolant jacket in order to form a liquid cooling arrangement.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 2, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Norbert Andreas Schorn, Carsten Weber
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a vehicle-off fuel system leak test. A vehicle controller may be woken up after a vehicle has been in a key-off condition for a sufficient amount of time to monitor a fuel tank for pressure and temperature stabilization. If the pressure and temperature of the fuel tank is stable, a fuel pump may be operated to raise a fuel tank vapor pressure, and fuel system leaks are identified based on a rate of pressure decay from the fuel tank.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 12, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Scott A. Bohr, Niels Christopher Kragh
Abstract: A phase control apparatus in a variable cam timing (VCT) system of an engine is described herein. The phase control apparatus includes a locking pin coupled to a vane, the locking pin extending into a locking pin recess in a cover plate in a locked configuration, the locking pin and locking pin recess having a backlash and a housing at least partially enclosing the vane and spaced away from the vane forming a gap in the locked configuration.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 5, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mohammad Ali Moetakef, Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Wesley Kridner, Georg Festag, Steve Poe