Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BOOST CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150047341
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for varying a proportion of compressed air recirculated to a compressor inlet from a location downstream of the compressor and upstream of a charge air cooler and a location downstream of the charge air cooler. A temperature-controlled compressor recirculation flow is used to reduce condensation from EGR being ingested into the compressor. The temperature-controlled compressor recirculation flow is also used to address compressor surge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Julia Helen Buckland, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SURGE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150047343
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving a margin to surge. A compressor recirculation valve is held at a semi-open position during steady-state boosted engine operation and operation in a soft surge region. The valve is fully opened to reduce hard surge, or fully closed to meet a transient increase in boost demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Julia Helen Buckland
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EGR CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150047317
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using compressor recirculation flow via a venturi to enhance low pressure EGR flow. The opening of a compressor recirculation valve can be adjusted based on EGR flow demand to recirculate cooled compressed air through a venturi while generating vacuum for drawing EGR. The approach allows for concurrent EGR control and surge control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gregory Patrick McConville, Daniel Joseph Styles, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Michael Howard Shelby
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONDENSATION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150047374
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing condensate accumulation at a charge air cooler (CAC) during cold ambient conditions. During defrosting conditions, an air conditioner may be operated to dehumidify a cabin space while heat is rejected into a cooling circuit. Warm coolant may be directed to a CAC bypassing a radiator to expedite CAC heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ravi Gopal, Sunil Katragadda
  • GEOPOLYMER PRECURSOR-AEROGEL COMPOSITIONS
    Publication number: 20150050486
    Abstract: Geopolymer precursor-aerogel compositions. As an example, a geopolymer precursor-aerogel composition can include an aluminosilicate reactant, an alkaline activator, an aerogel additive, and a continuous medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Dongkyu Kim, Robert C. Cieslinski, Giuseppe Vairo, Scott T. Matteucci, Chan Han, Luigi Bertucelli
  • VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150051816
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinders during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combsution stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • ENHANCED NAVIGATION
    Publication number: 20150051830
    Abstract: A computer receives input to generate a route. The route is generated according to the input. Custom route data is received indicating a first portion of the route, the first portion of the route being a portion of the route for which audio navigational assistance is to be provided. Navigational instructions as a route is traversed, wherein audio navigational assistance is provided for the first portion of the route but not for a second portion of the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Salman Nazir Shami
  • VEHICLE FRAME COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20150048650
    Abstract: A vehicle frame component for limiting the movement of the wheel of the vehicle toward the cab of a cab on frame vehicle including a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending outwardly and located proximal the wheel structure. In one embodiment the vehicle frame component is located forward of the wheel and includes a tire puncture device to deflate the tire during an offset front impact and in a second embodiment the vehicle frame component is located rearward of the wheel. The vehicle frame component has particular utility during an offset front impact where the offset is less than approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of the width of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ajay Kumar Gupta, Narayana Venugopal, John Charles Caris, Mark Wlotkowski, Charles Ko, Leonard Anthony Shaner
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TORQUE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150051762
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving surge control. When surge conditions are approached, a reference governor reduces engine airflow at a slower rate and to a higher level than the engine airflow required to meet the reduced torque demand. The excess torque resulting from the extra airflow is offset by applying a negative torque on the driveshaft via an electric machine coupled to the engine or via alternate engine actuator adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Julia Helen Buckland, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Uros Vojko Kalabic, Matthew John Gerhart, Tobias John Pallett, Ilya Kolmanovsky, Suzanne Kay Wait
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SURGE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150047605
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for recirculating compressed air across a compressor through a high flow and a low flow compressor recirculation path. Flow through the recirculation paths is controlled via respective valves and valve opening is adjusted based on a throttle mass flow so as to maintain a compressor flow rate at or above a surge constrained flow rate. By maintaining a sufficiently high compressor flow rate during steady state and transient conditions, the compressor state can be maintained outside a surge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Robert Andrew Wade, Gregory Patrick McConville, Kevin Payne, Joseph Ulrey
  • Engine control system
    Patent number: 8958933
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the operation of an electric coolant pump in a hybrid vehicle system. During vehicle compression braking conditions, a motor propels the vehicle while the engine spins un-fueled to absorb torque. During such conditions, the coolant pump is operated based on the absorbed torque to maintain an engine temperature within a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Osama A Abihana
  • Internal multi-axis G sensing used to align an automotive forward radar to the vehicle's thrust axis
    Patent number: 8957807
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a vehicle floor, a tilt sensor attached to the vehicle floor and having an output, and a forward looking radar module attached to the vehicle. The radar module includes a radar, an accelerometer; and an output from the accelerometer, and a controller that averages the tilt sensor output and the accelerometer output and determines a difference between the output averages, the controller reporting when the differences changes more than a predetermined amount. A method of calibrating the forward looking radar module, when attached to a vehicle, comprises placing the vehicle on a flat surface to determine the accelerometer pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, Scott Howard Gaboury
  • System and method for managing a powertrain in a vehicle
    Patent number: 8958965
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first disconnect disposed between a prime mover of the vehicle and a certain one of the vehicle drive wheels. The first disconnect is operable to connect and disconnect the prime mover to and from the certain one of the drive wheels. A second disconnect is disposed between the powertrain and the certain one of the drive wheels, and is operable to connect and disconnect the certain one of the drive wheels to and from the powertrain when the first disconnect is engaged. A control system and method are configured to control operation of at least the first and second disconnects. Through selective control of the disconnects, the system can be automatically placed in a four-wheel-drive mode based on predetermined criteria, or the desirability of the four-wheel-drive mode can be indicated to the vehicle operator in a passive version of the control system and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William Paul Perkins, Scott Howard Gaboury, Steven A. Daleiden
  • Thermoelectric device for oil temperature control
    Patent number: 8955314
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods to increase the speed of engine warm up by heating oil with a thermoelectric device and also to generate electricity using the same thermoelectric device, exploiting a temperature gradient between engine oil and exhaust gases. The disclosure describes a vehicle engine, comprising: an engine oil reservoir; an exhaust gas system; and a thermoelectric device having a hot side and a cold side and connected to a battery, wherein, the thermoelectric device is configured such that the hot side is thermally coupled to the exhaust gas system and the cold side is thermally coupled to the engine oil reservoir. A diverter valve and duct are provided in the exhaust gas system to selectively convey exhaust gases to the thermoelectric device located in or adjacent to the engine oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Graham Pegg, Robert Helle-Lorentzen
  • Power supply structure
    Patent number: 8956750
    Abstract: A retaining structure for a power supply may include top and bottom rails connected by columns, which carry loads that would otherwise be applied to the power supply. End plates may be attached to the rails to inhibit movement of the cells in directions parallel to the top and bottom rails. The rails may have a cross section configured to carry at least some of the loads applied to the battery pack. For example, at least a portion of the cross section may be configured in a shape that acts as a spring and deflects upon loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saravanan Paramasivam, Daniel Miller, Brian Utley, Patrick Daniel Maguire
  • Method for increasing vacuum production for a vehicle
    Patent number: 8958964
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing vacuum to a vehicle are described. In one example, a method adjusts an application force of a transmission clutch in response to a request for additional vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Method and device for operating a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine in a coasting operating mode
    Patent number: 8958969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine in a coasting operating mode in which the motor vehicle rolls essentially in a propulsionless fashion and essentially without a perceptible engine drag torque on an essentially level road if there is no propulsion request or braking request from a driver of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the coasting operating mode is not brought about by automatically opening the drivetrain but rather is simulated with the clutch closed in that so much air/fuel mixture is fed to the internal combustion engine that the engine drag torque is largely but not completely compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Urs Christen, Andreas R. Schamel, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner, Uwe Gussen
  • Non-intrusive exhaust gas sensor monitoring
    Patent number: 8958974
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. The method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a difference between a first set of estimated parameters of a rich operation model and a second set of estimated parameters of a lean operation model, the estimated parameters based on commanded lambda and determined lambda values collected during selected operating conditions. In this way, sensor degradation may be indicated with data collected in a non-intrusive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Michael Casedy, Hassene Jammoussi
  • Strategy for engine cold start emission reduction
    Patent number: 8955473
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine having a cylinder head, comprising: following light-off of an exhaust catalyst from a cold-start condition, circulating liquid coolant through a cooling jacket of the cylinder head, and at a subsequent engine-off condition, draining at least some of the liquid coolant from the cooling jacket. In this way, at a cold start condition, the cooling jacket of the cylinder head may be filled with air, thus decreasing the amount of time needed for the exhaust catalyst to reach a light-off temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Process for making ethers from alkoxide anions or precursors of alkoxide anions
    Patent number: 8957256
    Abstract: Improved methods for making ethers. In particular, an alkoxide can be more effectively converted into an ether by reaction with a hydrocarbyl halide in the presence of a substantial excess of a hygroscopic base such as NaOH. When present in such an unconventional excess, the base serves multiple functions. As a consequence, the alkoxide is extensively converted to the desired ether rapidly at excellent yields. The reaction environment also aids later product isolation. The use of the NaOH rather than Na metal allows the ether product to be separated from water soluble impurities such as salt products, left over base, left over hydrocarbyl halide, formates, etc. by liquid-liquid extraction among aqueous and organic phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen W. King, Richard R. Mitford, Jeffrey G. Hippler