Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of evaluating electric joints includes: partially separating a terminal portion from a busbar portion of a joint formed between a battery cell terminal and an interconnector busbar; and measuring electric resistance between the terminal portion and the busbar portion. In another embodiment, the step of measuring includes connecting the terminal portion of the joint to a first clip of a first polarity and connecting the busbar portion of the joint to a second clip of an opposing polarity.
Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline may selectively enter a sailing mode to provide quick driveline torque response with reduced impact on fuel economy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 25, 2013
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
Abstract: An airbag system mitigates intrusion in the event of an offset rigid barrier impact to a forward corner of a motor vehicle. An airbag is attached proximate a distal end of a front rail. When in the inflated condition, the airbag has an angular leading edge. An impact detection sensor generates a signal upon a corner impact event, whereby a controller processes the signal generated by the detection sensor and electrically actuates an inflator upon a predetermined impact severity. The angular leading edge of the airbag in the inflated condition acts against the offset rigid barrier to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 18, 2013
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Ping Chen, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Jialiang Le, James Chih Cheng
Abstract: A curable resin composition for composites and electrical laminates including (I) at least one thermoset resin composition; (II) at least one hardener; and (III) at least one reinforcing material; wherein the composite or electrical laminate has a balance of properties including a combination of (a) a Tg of at least about 150° C.; and (b) a water uptake of less than about 2.5 wt %.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 10, 2010
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2015
Assignee:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Guillaume Metral, Bernd Hoevel, Joseph Gan, Michael J. Mullins
Abstract: Methods and systems for regenerating an after treatment device are disclosed. In one example, the possibility of introducing fuel to oil during after treatment device regeneration is reduced. The methods and systems may reduce engine degradation and improve engine emissions.
Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for an engine system with an exhaust gas treatment system including a particulate filter. In one example method, accumulated hydrocarbons are removed from the exhaust gas treatment system by increasing an exhaust gas temperature to a first temperature responsive to a particulate filter regeneration request during extended cold idle operation. After a predetermined duration, the exhaust gas temperature is increased to a second, higher temperature to regenerate the particulate filter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 5, 2013
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Shikui Kevin Chen, Kirk Andrew Parrish, Joseph Goode, Jeffrey Malcolm Travis, Norman Hiam Opolsky
Abstract: Embodiments for indicating fuel rail temperature sensor degradation are provided. In one embodiment, an engine method comprises delivering gaseous fuel to a cylinder based on feedback from a fuel rail temperature sensor, and during select conditions, indicating fuel rail temperature sensor degradation based on a difference between measured fuel rail temperature and an expected temperature. In this way, measured fuel rail temperature may be correlated with other engine temperatures to detect sensor degradation.
Abstract: A flow control assembly for an automatic transmission includes a valve for opening and closing communication with a source of pressurized fluid and a rotatable cam secured to a member, contact between the cam and a plunger of the valve causing said communication to open, absence of contact between the cam and the plunger causing said communication to close.
Abstract: A composition is described containing a branched nonionic surfactant of Formula (I): (I) wherein x is a real number from 1 to 11, y is a real number from 1 to 20, R 1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R 2 is an alkyl group having 4 to 6 carbon atoms, and a primary 5 alcohol ethoxylate.
Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a compressed gaseous fuel storage pellet is provided comprising a gas adsorbent material and a thermally conductive material extending substantially an entire dimension of the pellet and having a thermal conductivity of at least 75 W/mK. The pellet may include at least two layers of gas adsorbent material spaced apart along a compression direction of the pellet and a substantially continuous layer of the thermally conductive material disposed between the at least two layers of gas adsorbent material. The pellet may further include thermally conductive projections which intersect the layer(s) of thermally conductive material.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 13, 2013
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Rachel Blaser, Michael J. Veenstra, Chunchuan Xu
Abstract: A gas sensor assembly for sensing a pressure of a gas including a housing, a carrier, an electronic chip, a cap and a biasing apparatus. The housing has a wall defining cavity with a port open to the gas. The carrier is mounted to the wall in the cavity. The electronic chip is secured to the carrier on an opposed side from the port and includes a diaphragm portion exposed to the port. The cap is mounted to the chip on an opposed side from the carrier. The biasing apparatus is located between the cap and the wall of the housing, with the biasing apparatus being configured to bias the cap toward the chip whereby gas pressure acting against the diaphragm is opposed by the biasing apparatus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 9, 2012
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Freeman C. Gates, Fadi M. Naddaf, William R. Goodwin
Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a motor vehicle door includes at least one sensor that detects a distance from the vehicle to an object near the vehicle. The sensor is also configured to provide input to an automatic parallel parking system of the vehicle. The system may include at least one ultrasonic sensor on each side of the vehicle to detect the distances to objects on opposite sides of a vehicle. The system utilizes a plurality of detected distances and vehicle positions or velocities to determine a location of the detected object relative to the vehicle. The system selectively actuates the door brake to prevent the vehicle door from contacting the detected object as the door is opened.
Abstract: A movable bulkhead 10, 110 for a motor vehicle such as a van 1 is disclosed comprising a number of panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113 hingedly connected together to permit the bulkhead 10 to be moved or transformed between forward and rear positions by rotation of the panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113. The bulkhead 10 is U-shaped defining a concavity that faces forward when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the forward position and rearwardly when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the rear position so as to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the van 10.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 28, 2013
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
Inventors:
Torsten Gerhardt, Steve David Fleming, John K. Harding
Abstract: Thermoset elastomer compositions are disclosed. Such elastomers are the reaction product of (a) an ambient temperature liquid epoxy-terminated prepolymer formed by reacting a polyoxyalkyleneamine having a molecular weight of from 3000 to 20,000 with an excess of epoxide, wherein the polyoxyalkyleneamine has at least 3 active hydrogen atoms and (b) a curing agent comprising at least one amine or polyamine having an equivalent weight of less than 200 and having 2 to 5 active hydrogen atoms. Such elastomers can be used in applications such as for sealants, adhesives, coatings, gaskets, jointing and cast elastomers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2011
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2015
Assignee:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Nathan Wilmot, Rajat Duggal, Juan Carlos Medina, Harshad M. Shah, Alan K. Schrock
Abstract: A compound having formula (I) wherein G represents at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of C1-C12 alkyl and C1-C12 alkoxy.
Abstract: A method of setting a gap or margin between an edge of a decklid and a vehicle surface includes providing a powered cinching latch assembly including a powered actuator that moves a striker member between a presented position and a fully cinched position. The cinched position of the striker is adjusted to provide an acceptable gap or margin between an edge of the decklid and an adjacent vehicle surface.
Abstract: A method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon or a liquid biologically derived fuel by adding at least one compound having formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 independently represent hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl groups, and G represents hydrogen or at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of C1-C18 alkyl and C1-C18 alkoxy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 19, 2012
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2015
Assignees:
Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
Inventors:
George D. Green, Raymond J. Swedo, Robert Butterick, III
Abstract: Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles connect to Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to recharge a traction battery. Existing standards define the signal interface between the vehicle and EVSE including control pilot and proximity detect signals. The vehicle may use the status of these signals to detect when a connection is established with EVSE. The vehicle may indicate a connection when the signals provide conflicting statuses. The vehicle may prevent driving off and permit charging in the event of a proximity detect signal indicating a state of engagement other than connected as long as a valid control pilot signal is present. The status of the control pilot signal may be utilized to prevent drive-off and permit charging.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 9, 2013
Publication date:
April 9, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Matthew Roger DeDona, Arthur M. Rutyna, Mark J. Ferrel, Bo Wu, Hilde Anne Heremans, Christopher W. Bell
Abstract: A roof bow for a vehicle is provided that has a “bow-tie” shape including a central portion flanked by two triangular portions. The triangular portions are joined to right and left roof brackets that are, in turn, joined to right and left roof rails. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled from extruded tubular parts. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled in a clamshell structure including an upper shell and a lower shell that are joined together by welding. The roof bow may be formed in one piece as a sheet metal stamping having side portions that are wider than the central portion.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 9, 2013
Publication date:
April 9, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mohammed Omar Faruque, Fubang Wu, Michael M. Azzouz, Yijung Chen, David Anthony Wagner, James Chih Cheng
Abstract: Instructions are provided to a vehicle braking mechanism for autonomous operation of the braking mechanism. At least one first parameter is retrieved for governing control of the braking mechanism. The first parameter is applied to operation of the braking mechanism. Data is collected relating to operation of the vehicle. At least one second parameter is determined for governing control of the braking mechanism.