Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Method and system for adjusting port throttles
    Patent number: 9016260
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, two engine cylinder port throttles are adjusted differently during engine starting. The system and method may improve engine torque control during an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Thomas G. Leone, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Engine ignition-transmission shift interlock
    Patent number: 9017216
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission and engine includes automatically engaging a brake, locking the transmission in neutral and starting the engine, in response to a signal whose origin is remote from the vehicle representing a desired engine start; and automatically engaging a brake and locking the transmission in neutral in response to a second signal indicating that the driver has exited the vehicle while the engine is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick K. Holub, David M. Pariseau
  • Polycarbonate polyols and polyurethanes made therefrom
    Patent number: 9018334
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for a polycarbonate polyol including the reaction product of at least one polyol composition and a carbonate. The polycarbonate is one of an amorphous liquid and an amorphous solid at room temperature. The polyol composition includes at least one of a mixture of 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol in a weight ratio from about 60:40 to about 5:95 and a polyol derived from a natural oil fatty acid or natural oil fatty acid methyl ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven Montgomery, Shawn Brown, Mark F. Sonnenschein, Paul Foley, Phillip S. Athey, Juan Carlos Medina, John N. Argyropoulos, Benjamin L. Wendt, Cecile Boyer
  • Polymerization process for olefin-based polymers
    Patent number: 9018328
    Abstract: The invention provides a solution polymerization process comprising: A) polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a solvent that comprises a heavy hydrocarbon solvent and a light hydrocarbon solvent, to form a polymer solution; B) transferring the polymer solution to a Liquid-Liquid Separator, without adding heat to the solution, and wherein the pressure of the polymer solution is actively reduced in a controlled manner prior to, or within, the Liquid-Liquid Separator, to induce at least two liquid phases, a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase, and wherein the concentration of polymer in the polymer-rich phase is higher than that in the polymer solution transferred to the Liquid-Liquid Separator; and C) removing the solvent-rich phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Prasanna K. Jog, Robert D. Swindoll, Nile A. Mead, Pradeep Jain, Alec Y. Wang, Job D. Guzman
  • Inflatable/deflatable seat with stowable collapsing frame
    Patent number: 9016778
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a base having an upper rim and a receptacle below the rim, a seatback having upper and lower sections operable at an intermediate hinge between opened and closed positions and frame members operably coupling the base with the seatback, and operable between a use position, wherein the seatback is above the base, and a stowed position, wherein the seatback is in front of and below the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kristin Ann Hellman, Ryan Welch, Christopher Harold Stone, Jeffrey M. Nowak, Artur Sakarian, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • Transmission having selectable power transfer shaft
    Patent number: 9016150
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a transaxle configured to drive front wheels and a power take-off unit configured to drive rear wheels through a driveshaft. The power take-off unit includes a disconnect clutch such that the power flow path to the rear wheels can be disconnected to reduce fuel consumption and reconnected when needed for traction enhancement. Although the disconnect clutch is physically located within the power take-off unit, it is actuated by fluid from the transaxle valve body. The disconnect clutch actuator includes a piston that slides within a chamber in a housing and a solenoid controlled valve that fluidly connects the chamber either to a pressure source or to the transaxle sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas E. Perakes, Matthew David Hammond, Laurence Andrew Deutsch, Steven Anatole Frait
  • Duct to influence air cooling distribution to battery module and DC/DC module
    Patent number: 9016412
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a battery module, a DC/DC converter module portioned from the battery module, a duct, one blower, and a jumper duct. The battery module includes inlet and outlet ports. The DC/DC converter module includes inlet and outlet ports. A duct is arranged to direct cooling air into each of the inlet ports. The blower is arranged to draw cooling air from the duct, through the modules, and out the outlet ports. The jumper duct is arranged up stream of the blower with the converter outlet port, and configured to reduce an effective cross sectional area of the converter outlet port to define a flow rate of the cooling air into the battery inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, LeeAnn Wang, James George Gebbie
  • Methods and apparatus for predicting a driver destination
    Patent number: 9020743
    Abstract: A computer implemented trip-planning method includes accessing one or more destination elements of a matrix of driver information, the accessing based at least in part on a trip start time and day of week. Each accessed element has a probability associated therewith, indicating the likelihood of the element being the destination at which a vehicle trip will end, based at least the start time and day of week. The method also includes selecting, from the one or more elements, a destination having the highest probability of being the destination at which the vehicle trip will end. Further, the method includes utilizing the selected destination as an end destination for the purposes of trip planning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar Petrov Filev, Ryan Abraham McGee, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, Payam Naghshtabrizi, Fling Tseng
  • Hybrid electric vehicle and method for smooth engine operation with fixed throttle position
    Patent number: 9020670
    Abstract: A torque management strategy for an HEV having an engine operating with a fixed throttle position to better manage NVH while the vehicle is stationary or decelerating and the engine is generating more torque than a requested torque uses excess engine torque to charge the battery until the requested torque is below a torque loss threshold. Partial fuel injector cut off is avoided to reduce or eliminate associated NVH by adjusting a misfire torque limit to the expected or estimated engine torque produced during operation at the fixed throttle position until the requested torque results in complete fuel cut off to all cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Osama A. Abihana, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Collapsible rear seat storage assembly
    Patent number: 9016749
    Abstract: An underseat storage assembly for a vehicle seat includes a recess disposed on a floor below the vehicle seat. A front panel has an edge pivotally coupled with the floor and first and second side panels are pivotally coupled with opposing ends of the front panel. The front panel is movable between a stored position within the recess and a deployed position and has the first and second side panels vertically arranged and orthogonal to the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter T. Mueller, Richard J. Soyka, Jr.
  • Processes for producing terephthalic acid and terephthalic esters
    Patent number: 9018408
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a condensed process for producing terephthalic acid and terephthalic esters from a dialkyl cyclohexane-2,5-dione-1,4-dicarboxylate; a chemoselective process for preparing a substantially bicyclic-lactone-free dialkyl cyclohexane-2,5-diol-1,4-dicarboxylate; and compositions of matter prepared thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William Kruper, Jr., Cynthia L. Rand, David C. Molzahn
  • THIGH SUPPORT FOR CUSTOMER ACCOMMODATION SEAT
    Publication number: 20150108816
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A seat base includes a first thigh support and a second thigh support. A self-locking cam system is operably coupled with the first thigh support and the second thigh support, including a torque tube. A plurality of cams are disposed along the torque tube and are operably coupled with a plurality of spring guides. The self-locking cam system is configured to move the first thigh support and the second thigh support from a lowered position to a raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Gunnar Groesbeck, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • FOAM WALL INSULATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150111001
    Abstract: A wall insulation system includes a thermoplastic polymer foam board, ribs of melt barrier material extending horizontally across the width of the thermoplastic polymer foam board and a metallic facing bonded to the outside surface of the thermoplastic polymer foam board and covering the outside primary surface of the thermoplastic polymer foam board and any ribs exposed along the outside primary surface of the thermoplastic polymer foam board. A rib of melt barrier material extends across the width of the thermoplastic polymer foam board in any 50 centimeter distance along the height of the foam board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Alain Sagnard, Lars Massueger
  • HYBRID VEHICLE ENGINE STARTS
    Publication number: 20150112524
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong WANG, Wei LIANG, Rajit JOHRI, Mark Steven YAMAZAKI, Ming Lang KUANG, Ryan Abraham McGEE
  • ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY THERMOCOUPLE
    Publication number: 20150110155
    Abstract: An example electric vehicle battery thermocouple includes a temperature sense lead of a first material, and an electric vehicle battery component of a second material different than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Turgeon, Masahiro Kimoto
  • LITHIUM BATTERY WITH REFERENCE ELECTRODE
    Publication number: 20150111077
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reference electrode for a lithium ion battery comprises charging the battery to a threshold state-of-charge, wherein the battery includes a neutral metal can and a negative electrode, and plating a reference electrode on an interior surface of the neutral metal can by electrically connecting the neutral metal can to the negative electrode, a neutral metal can potential being greater than a negative electrode potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chi Paik, Feng Li
  • ELECTRIC VEHICLE THERMAL BARRIER
    Publication number: 20150107805
    Abstract: An electric vehicle powertrain according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a thermal barrier secured relative to an engine, a transaxle, or both to retain thermal energy generated during operation of an electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Quazi Hussain, William Samual Schwartz, Mark John Jennings, David Richens Brigham
  • Color Harmony Verification System
    Publication number: 20150109443
    Abstract: A system for non-contact color harmony analysis is provided. The system may include an image acquisition system and an image analysis system. One or more cameras may take images of two regions of an object (e.g., a vehicle). The images may be transferred to the image analysis system, which may compare color values from each region and determine a color value difference. The color value difference may be compared to a predetermined threshold value to identify a possible color mismatch. The system may be used to analyze color harmony of adjacent vehicle components, for example, a front fascia and a fender or a rear fascia and a quarter panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Edward NICHOLS, Kevin Richard John ELLWOOD, Christopher Michael SEUBERT, Tony MISOVSKI
  • Deep Draw Manufacturing Process
    Publication number: 20150107321
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a drawn panel and a die set. The method includes clamping a blank between a binder and a die that defines a cavity. A first draw punch contacts the blank in advance of a second punch that subsequently engages the blank. A central area of the blank is drawn by the first draw punch that clamps a central area of the blank against a lower die. Side areas of the blank are drawn into the cavity by the side punches while the central punch clamps the blank again the lower die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sergey Fedorovich Golovashchenko, John Joseph Francis Bonnen, Scott Alwyn Dawson, Rodrigue Narainen, Alexander Mamutov, Andrew DiVeto
  • INTAKE SYSTEM HAVING A SILENCER DEVICE
    Publication number: 20150107935
    Abstract: An intake silencer device is described herein. The intake silencer device includes an outer housing and a plurality of sequential arranged expansion chambers separated by walls. The intake silencer device further includes an inner tube positioned in each of the sequential chambers, each of the inner tubes including an opening providing fluidic communication between an interior of the tube and the corresponding expansion chamber, a size of the openings increasing in size sequentially in a downstream direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Victor Dobrin, Aamir Asgharali Marvi, Darrell Dwight Huddleston, Lloyd Anthony Bozzi