Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
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Publication number: 20150105933Abstract: A monitoring device receives an aerial image, data relating to a vehicle and a request for an image of the vehicle. The vehicle is located in the image. A portion of the aerial image that includes the vehicle and/or information based thereon is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas R. Martin, Kenneth J. Miller
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Publication number: 20150105960Abstract: An event is detected arising during autonomous operation of a vehicle. An index in media content associated with the event is identified. At least one instruction is provided to a media module to pause or modify play of the media content based on the event.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matthew Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew T. Waldis
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Publication number: 20150104680Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a battery pack supplying power to propel a vehicle are disclosed. One example method comprises, determining a difference between an estimated battery pack temperature and a sensed battery pack temperature as a basis for adjusting battery pack output power. The method also includes adjusting a speed of a cooling fan based on the difference between estimated battery pack temperature and sensed battery pack temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xu Wang, Chuan He, Xiaoguang Chang
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Publication number: 20150101327Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Matthew John Gerhart, Daniel Joseph Styles
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Publication number: 20150101170Abstract: A clinch punch including a core and an sleeve that includes a plurality of teeth for forming an enhanced clinch joint. The core includes a first cam surface that engages cam surfaces on the teeth that drive the teeth into the sides of the clinch joint. In an alternative embodiment, the core acts upon jaws that are driven into engagement with the sides of the clinch joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Amanda Kay Freis
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Publication number: 20150104633Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a molding method for producing a molded article is provided. The method may include introducing polymer and fiber separately into an extruder in a first ratio to produce a first extruded material having a first fiber content and in a second ratio to produce a second extruded material having a second fiber content different from the first fiber content. The method may further include filling a first region of a mold with the first extruded material and a second region of the mold with the second extruded material. The extruded material may be formed as blanks for use in compression molding or may be introduced into an injection chamber for use in injection molding. The method may be used to form molded articles having a plurality of regions having different fiber contents.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Patrick James Blanchard, Jeffrey Scott Dahl
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Publication number: 20150101704Abstract: A fuel tank system, comprising: a fuel tank configured to store a liquid fuel and a pressurized gaseous fuel capable of partially dissolving in the liquid fuel; a refueling conduit coupled to the fuel tank via a tank access valve; a first high pressure refueling port coupled to the refueling conduit; a low pressure refueling port coupled to the refueling conduit via a check valve. In this way, pressurized gaseous fuel or a pre-pressurized mix of fuels may be added to the fuel tank without active control any time the fuel pressure in the fuel tank is below a maximum allowable pressure, and liquid fuel may be added to the fuel tank with active control whenever the fuel pressure and liquid fuel level in the fuel tank are below threshold levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
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Publication number: 20150102615Abstract: An impact absorption assembly includes a bumper that is attached to a crush-can. The crush-can is assembled within a frame rail or other chassis frame member. A load path for a low speed impact is provided from the bumper through the crush-can and to the frame rail. An outer body structure defines an opening through which the crush-can is assembled to avoid damage to the outer body structure that may include a back-light support panel, a lift-gate and a rear tail light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bhimaraddi Vankaraddi Alavandi, Sankar Krishnamoorthy, Kevin Gustafson, John Michael McGuckin, Erika Kristin Low
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Publication number: 20150105951Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes at least one wheel, a friction brake, a motor, and at least one controller. The friction brake is coupled to the wheel and configured to provide friction brake torque, and the motor is coupled to the wheel and configured to provide regenerative brake torque. The controller is configured to command the motor to provide a regenerative brake torque to satisfy a low frequency torque component or a high frequency torque component of a required antilock wheel brake torque during an antilock braking event.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hai Yu, Kerem Bayar, Dale Scott Crombez
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Publication number: 20150102650Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a plurality of horizontal members, a plurality of vertical members, and a plurality of corner members, which define a seat frame. The plurality of corner members are configured to snap-fit into the plurality of horizontal and vertical members. A seatback is disposed behind the seat frame. A low-pressure compression mold is disposed over the seat frame and defines at least one open section. A subassembly is disposed over the compression mold, defining a center seat and including at least one cushion attachment support disposed adjacent to the at least one open section. A seat cushion insert is operably coupled to the at least one cushion attachment support and is disposed over the at least one open section and defining a side seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christian J. Hosbach, Adam Sachs, Johnathan Andrew Line, Kevin VanNieulande
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Publication number: 20150105947Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a battery pack supplying power to propel a vehicle are disclosed. One example method comprises, adjusting a battery pack state of charge window in response to vehicle mass. Adjusting the battery pack state of charge window in response to vehicle mass may allow the battery pack to provide an increased amount of energy to a motor so that the motor may provide torque to a driveline for a longer period of time and/or absorb more vehicle generator produced power during vehicle operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaoguang Chang, Chuan He, Xu Wang
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Publication number: 20150106001Abstract: An estimated fuel consumption may be determined for a route for a vehicle. At least in part on the estimated fuel consumption, it may be determined that an amount of fuel in the vehicle is insufficient for the vehicle to traverse the route and/or one or more waypoints may be identified within a predetermined distance of the route, e.g., waypoints for refueling the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Benjamin F. Lee, Scott J. Cutler, Peter Christ Korovesis, Venkatesh Krishnan
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Publication number: 20150101566Abstract: A method for an engine, comprising: responsive to a pressure in a fuel tank being below a pressure threshold, injecting only a liquid fuel into an engine cylinder, the fuel tank storing the liquid fuel and a pressurized gaseous fuel partially dissolved in the liquid fuel. In this way, the pressurized gaseous fuel may be conserved, thus maintaining a pressure gradient within the fuel system and allowing for judicious use of the pressurized gaseous fuel, for example during cold start conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Karl Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Publication number: 20150101718Abstract: A method of age hardening a 7xxx series aluminum alloy is provided that includes heat treating the alloy at a first temperature for a first exposure time and heat treating the alloy at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature for a second exposure time. The age hardening process may be used to form an alloy having a yield strength of at least 490 MPa and the total age hardening time may be 8 hours or less. In one example, the first heat treatment is performed at 100° C. to 150° C. for 0.2 to 3 hours and the second heat treatment is be performed at 150° C. to 185° C. for 0.5 to 5 hours.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nia R. Harrison, S. George Luckey, JR.
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Publication number: 20150104071Abstract: An aerial image relates to a geographic area. The aerial image is analyzed to identify at least one traffic signal in the geographic area. Based at least in part on analyzing the aerial image, a timing prediction is determined for the at least one traffic signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas R. Martin, Kenneth J. Miller
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Publication number: 20150105949Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine includes automatically stopping the engine in response to vehicle power demand dropping below currently available electrical power, and automatically starting the engine when vehicle power demand is at a first offset below currently available electrical power to reduce a time delay for starting the engine and increase a currently available vehicle power to move the vehicle up a grade in response to receiving a signal indicating a positive grade. A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to control starting/stopping of the engine in response to a first driver demand when receiving a signal indicative of a road grade angle exceeding a corresponding threshold and in response to a second driver demand otherwise.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Wright, Jeffrey Allen Doering
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Publication number: 20150105213Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine includes automatically stopping the engine in response to vehicle power demand dropping below currently available electrical power while trailering, and automatically starting the engine when vehicle power demand is at a first offset below currently available electrical power. A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a trailer hitch, and a controller configured to, in response to the vehicle trailering, command the engine to start at a torque offset below an unladen vehicle engine torque pull up schedule, where the torque offset is based on vehicle loading. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having a trailer hitch includes detecting the trailer hitch being in use, commanding an engine to stop, and commanding the engine to start in response to a torque to accelerate being within a predetermined offset below an unladen vehicle torque pull up schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Wright, Bernard D. Nefcy, Jeffrey Allen Doering
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Publication number: 20150105995Abstract: Various methods for inferring oil viscosity and/or oil viscosity index in an internal combustion engine are provided. In one aspect, a new control method comprises: after engine shutdown, learning engine oil viscosity based on time to drain the oil back into an engine sump and oil temperature during the draining, and correcting an engine operating parameter based on the learned oil viscosity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas G. Leone
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Publication number: 20150105941Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive remote vehicle identification information and a user-confirmable vehicle variable value from a remote vehicle computing system. The processor is also configured to receive vehicle identification information and user-confirmable variable value user-input, input in conjunction with a remote process remote access request. Further, the processor is configured to compare the user-input variable value to the remotely received variable value. The processor is additionally configured to provide access to the remote process upon a correspondence between the user-input variable value and the remotely received variable value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ritesh Pandya, Brian Petersen
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Publication number: 20150102635Abstract: A front end assembly including a stepped deflector assembly. The stepped deflector assembly includes a first step attached to one end of a bumper. The first step includes an inner front leg and an intermediate leg. The second step includes an outer front leg and a rear leg. The intermediate leg and rear leg have ends that are disposed adjacent a frame rail, but that are not attached to the frame rail. In a collision, the first and second inner ends of the first and second step, respectively, are driven laterally into the frame rail to reduce intrusions into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Saeed David Barbat, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Jamel E. Belwafa, Rahul Arora