Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed comprising a pre-charge circuit, including a resistor, that selectively connects a traction battery to an electrical impedance. A controller is programmed to inhibit pre-charging for an amount of time when a predetermined number of pre-charge cycles have occurred within a preceding predetermined period of time. The predetermined number of pre-charge cycles may be based on a voltage or current magnitude across the resistor during the previous pre-charge cycles. The predetermined number of times may be modified based on prior successful and failed pre-charge cycles. A method of limiting a temperature increase of a pre-charge resistor is disclosed comprising counting a number of prior pre-charge cycles and inhibiting pre-charging when the number of prior pre-charge cycles within the preceding period of time exceeds a threshold.
Abstract: Systems and methods for operating and hybrid driveline are presented. In one example, driver demand torque may be supplied to vehicle wheels via a hydraulic torque path and a friction torque path. Torque is distributed between the friction torque path and the hydraulic torque path in a way that ensures that driver demand torque is met and the friction torque path transfers torque up to its capacity.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 3, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Francis Thomas Connolly, Daniel Colvin, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
Abstract: Various approaches are described for air-fuel ratio control in an engine. In one example, a method include adjusting fuel injection from an anticipatory controller responsive to exhaust oxygen feedback of an exhaust gas sensor positioned upstream of an exhaust catalyst, the anticipatory controller including a first integral term and a second integral term, the second integral term correcting for past fuel disturbances. In this way, it is possible to provide fast responses to errors via the anticipatory controller, while corrected known past fueling errors, on average, via the second integral term.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 27, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Stephen William Magner, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a phase of gaseous fuel delivered to fuel injectors of a fuel delivery system. In one example, a method may include adjusting a fuel pressure in a fuel delivery system to deliver fuel in each of a liquid and a gaseous phase during different engine operating conditions. The fuel pressure may be based on a temperature, composition, and desired phase of the fuel.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 5, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Chris Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Warren Curtis, John Hedges, Mark Allen Dearth
Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a battery module with front and rear battery cell arrays arranged generally parallel to and spaced apart from one another. The battery module includes a cover having an inlet port proximate to the front battery cell array and arranged obliquely thereto. A blower unit is configured to draw air through the inlet port such that a first portion of the air travels into the front battery cell array. A tray cooperates with the front battery cell array to define a passageway configured to direct a second portion of the air underneath the front battery cell array. The tray also defines a ramp underneath, and extending substantially a length of, the rear battery cell array and is configured to direct the second portion of air into the rear array.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 30, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Saravanan Paramasivam, Patrick Daniel Maguire, James George Gebbie
Abstract: Systems and methods for operating and interfacing to a transmission of a vehicle are presented. In one example, a human machine interface allows a driver to assign gear ratios or simulated gear ratios to gear position slots of a shifter. The assignment of gear ratios to gear position slots of a shifter may allow a driver to experience the feeling of driving a manually shifted transmission without having to operate a clutch.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 28, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Yuji Fujii, Marvin Paul Kraska, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Joseph F. Kucharski, Gregory Michael Pietron, Eric Hongtei Tseng
Abstract: A method and system for operating vehicle accessories is described. The method and system allocate an available amount of engine torque between different accessories depending on boundary conditions and nominal vehicle operating conditions. In one example, the accessories may include an air conditioner compressor, an alternator, and various vehicle electrical loads that are in electrical communication with the alternator.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 5, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Kevin Macfarlane, Nicholas Dashwood Crisp, Robert Michael Grant, Hugh Hamilton, Brian Jay Fedoroff, Gregory Blin, Peter Robert Brooks
Abstract: A flex circuit system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a substrate, at least one bus bar mounted to the substrate and at least one voltage sense lead integrated with the substrate.
Abstract: A method, comprising: setting an engine intake airflow parameter based on an engine oil viscosity index. In this way, engine operating conditions that depend on engine friction and engine intake airflow, such as engine idling speed and engine friction torque, may be determined and implemented with an increased consistency. This in turn may decrease the possibility of engine stalls and improve engine performance, particularly at low temperatures.
Abstract: A method for an engine, comprising: during a first condition comprising a high engine temperature, injecting a first quantity of liquid petroleum gas into a first engine cylinder at a first timing during an intake stroke; and injecting a second quantity of liquid petroleum gas into the first engine cylinder at a second timing during a compression stroke following the intake stroke. In this way, combustion knock and cylinder pre-ignition may be mitigated without retarding spark ignition and/or limiting engine load, thereby allowing for maximum engine performance.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 5, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Chris Paul Glugla, Eric Warren Curtis, Gopichandra Surnilla, John Hedges, Mark Allen Dearth
Abstract: A collision countermeasure apparatus for a small offset rigid barrier test. The collision countermeasure apparatus includes a cable that is attached between an outrigger and a forward end of a frame rail assembly. The cable reduces the extent of intrusions into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 4, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Saeed David Barbat, Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Saied Nusier
Abstract: A pump system includes a pneumatic pump, a hose, a nozzle that can attach to a tire of a vehicle, and a processing device. The processing device receives a target tire pressure for the tire, receives a current tire pressure of the tire, and controls the operation of the pneumatic pump according to the target tire pressure and the current tire pressure. A method includes receiving a target tire pressure for a tire of a vehicle, receiving a current tire pressure of the tire, and controlling operation of a pneumatic pump according to the target tire pressure and the current tire pressure.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 27, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Steven Yellin Schondorf, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Robert Bruce Kleve, Greg Swadling, Dilip B. Patel
Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, detecting a battery fault of a battery of an electrified vehicle, activating a HVAC system ON, commanding the HVAC system to a fresh air mode, communicating fresh air into a passenger cabin, and expelling battery vent byproducts from the passenger cabin through at least one air extractor vent during key-on or key-off states.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 30, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Brandon M. Dawson, James J. Gibbons, Thomas M. Gwozdek, Edward Popyk, Rick Lagerstrom, Josephine S. Lee, Mark Polster
Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed comprising a battery and a controller. Projected battery impedance parameters are calculated based on predetermined parameter values and historical parameter values generated by a battery parameter estimation model. The values may be weighted according to time data associated with the historical impedance parameter values and a temperature of the battery. Recent historical impedance parameter values may affect the projected battery impedance parameter values more than older historical impedance parameter values. The model is initialized with projected parameter values at vehicle initialization. Battery power capability is calculated using the projected parameter values for a period of time following vehicle initialization. After the period of time following vehicle initialization, battery power capability is calculated using impedance parameters generated by the model. The period of time following vehicle initialization may end when the model output has converged to a stable solution.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 30, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Xu Wang, Yonghua Li, Richard Dyche Anderson, Kevin Vander Laan, Xiaoguang Chang
Abstract: A formulation for preparing a low density, full water blown polyurethane rigid foam includes an isocyanate component; an isocyanate-reactive component comprising from 30-50 wt % of a first polyether polyol having a functionality greater than 5 and an OH value from 350-550 mgKOH/g; from 5 to 25 wt % of a diol having an OH value from 100-300 mgKOH/g; and from 15 to 35 weight percent of a second polyether polyol having a functionality from 3 to 5; further including from 1.5 to 5 wt % of a catalyst selected from dimethylbenzylamine and/or 1,2-dimethyl-imidazole; from greater than 0 to 1 wt % of a trimerization catalyst selected from a glycine salt and/or tris(dimethyl aminomethyl) phenol; greater than 4.1 wt % water as a blowing agent; and any additional constituents selected such that the formulation, excluding the isocyanate component, totals 100 wt % and, the formulation absent the isocyanate component, has a dynamic viscosity from 540 to 864 mPa*s at 20° C.
Abstract: A condition of an operator of a vehicle is detected. It is determined that the condition is an impaired condition. At least one autonomous operation is performed based on the impaired condition.
Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided with an engine having a crankshaft and an electric machine coupled to the crankshaft. The hybrid vehicle also includes a pump and a controller. The pump is driven by rotation of the crankshaft and coupled to the engine by a fluid circuit. The controller is configured to control the electric machine in response to a wheel torque request to drive the crankshaft with the engine off to provide lubricant to the engine.
Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a battery pack with an exhaust port, an air extractor spaced away from the exhaust port, and other vehicle components. A cargo tub and one or more trim panels are arranged to define a duct spanning from the exhaust port, across the vehicle and to an air extractor spaced away from the exhaust port. Air flows along the duct en route to outside the vehicle via the air extractor. The vehicle may also include a cabin and an inlet to the cabin spaced away from the exhaust port. The cargo tub and one or more trim panels may also be arranged to define a recirculation path from the duct to the inlet such that a portion of the air exiting the exhaust port flows along the recirculation path to the cabin via the inlet.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 30, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, David Fabricatore
Abstract: An optical lens positioning system and method are provided that includes an illumination source, an optical lens, and a retaining mechanism having a plurality of alignment members that are displaceable in a first plane and resist being displaced in a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane, wherein the plurality of alignment members are coupled to the optical lens to retain the optical lens proximate to the illumination source.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 5, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
John Teodecki, Gary Edward Henige, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, Sleiman N. Abdelnour, Kevin William Kiedaisch
Abstract: An esterified cellulose ether comprises (i) aliphatic monovalent acyl groups or (ii) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA wherein R is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation or (iii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein the cellulose ether has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages and has methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, and optionally alkyl groups being different from methyl as substituents such that the esterified cellulose ether has an MS (hydroxyalkyl) of 0.05 to 1.00, and hydroxyl groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that [s23/s26?0.2*MS(hydroxyalkyl)] is 0.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 24, 2012
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Robert L. Schmitt, Robert L. Sammler, Meinolf Brackhagen, Oliver Petermann, Roland Adden, Nicholas S. Grasman, Steven J. Guillaudeu