Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Self-draining keyed cylinder integrated into door trim
    Patent number: 9482036
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes an outer panel and an inner frame defining a cavity, wherein a portion of the outer panel defines a generally downward outer surface. A trim member is attached to the outer surface, wherein the trim member and the outer surface define a cylinder receptacle in communication with the cavity. A keyed cylinder is disposed within the cylinder receptacle, wherein a longitudinal axis of the keyed cylinder is substantially normal to the outer surface, and the keyed cylinder slopes downward toward an outward surface of the trim member. The vehicle door also includes an internal locking mechanism and a key aperture of the keyed cylinder, wherein the internal locking mechanism includes a drain channel that slopes toward the key aperture and the cylinder receptacle, and wherein the drain channel is positioned parallel with the longitudinal axis of the keyed cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Jerry P. Bonnici, James Edward Wooten, Rajesh K. Patel
  • Acetylated polyglycerine fatty acid ester and a PVC insulator plasticised therewith
    Patent number: 9481633
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to acetylated polyglyceride fatty acid ester and compositions containing the same. The acetylated polyglyceride fatty acid ester may be blended with an epoxidized fatty acid ester. The present acetylated polyglyceride fatty acid ester and blends find advantageous application as a plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Bharat I. Chaudhary, Beate Sczekalla, Klaus Schiller, Michael Meerbote
  • Vehicle seat item retention system
    Patent number: 9481309
    Abstract: A vehicle seat retention system includes a vehicle seating assembly having a seat, which includes a seating surface and a seatback having seatback surface. A continuous peripheral rim is disposed on a first side, a second side, and a front of the vehicle seat, below the seating surface of the vehicle seating assembly. A first telescoping extension is disposed at a forward corner defined between the first side and the front of the vehicle seat. A second telescoping extension is disposed at a forward corner defined between the second side and the front of the vehicle seat. A deployable net is disposed between the seat and the peripheral rim. The deployable net is configured to be concealed within a seat base disposed below the seating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Artur Sakarian, Annette Lynn Huebner, Ryan Welch, Kristin Ann Hellman
  • Controlling an internal combustion engine through modeling compensation of PCV fuel flow due to oil dilution
    Patent number: 9482174
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine based on the amount of un-burned fuel dissolved in the engine oil, and returned into the manifold through the PCV valve as the engine oil temperature rises via adjusting fuel injection into a cylinder from a fuel injector, in a fuel delivery system. The fuel dilution in engine oil and the amount of fuel entering the intake manifold through the PCV valve can be determined based on one or more of oil volume, fuel composition (e.g., ethanol content), oil temperature, engine temperature, engine speed, engine load, engine run time, injected fuel mass, and exhaust gas composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Michael DeAngelis, Michael Ryan Scannell, Gregory Blin, Rama Sanghvi, Joseph Lyle Thomas
  • Adjustable headrest
    Patent number: 9481277
    Abstract: A headrest assembly includes a centrally disposed headrest bun having an upper portion and an adjustable lower portion. The adjustable lower portion is configured to move between extended and retracted positions relative to the upper portion. First and second side supports are operably coupled to the headrest bun on opposite sides of the headrest bun. The first and second side supports are operable between upright and deployed positions relative to the headrest bun. The adjustable components of the headrest assembly make for a headrest assembly that is operable between neutral and surround configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eduardo Arturo Aguilar Ruelas
  • Multi-stroke variable displacement engine
    Patent number: 9482152
    Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system and method of operation are presented. As one example, cylinder deactivation and transitioning from four to two strokes is coordinated with transmission shifting to improve vehicle response. Additionally, it is possible to reduce transitions in operating modes to improve drive feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, John Ottavio Michelini
  • Emergency vehicle maneuver communications
    Patent number: 9481295
    Abstract: Improved vehicle emergency lighting control may be implemented in a vehicle computer. Data may be collected related to a pursuit of a second vehicle. The collected data can be used to determine at least one of an action of the first vehicle and an action of the second vehicle. An emergency light in the first vehicle can be controlled based on the at least one determined action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Bennie, Brad Alan Ignaczak, Randy Michael Freiburger, Thomas Lee Miller
  • Method for producing a transverse member
    Patent number: 9481220
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for producing a transverse member having a securable ball joint receiving member from a transverse member having an integral ball joint receiving member. The transverse member is the kind used for connecting a vehicle wheel to a vehicle structure. The method comprises providing a transverse member having an integral ball joint receiving member, separating the integral ball joint receiving member from the transverse member, and connecting a securable ball joint receiving member to the transverse member to replace the removed integral ball joint receiving member. This method may be performed to correct the position and orientation of a ball joint as provided by the integral ball joint receiving member or to further utilize a production tool that already produces a transverse member with an integral ball joint receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Meier, Theo Kueppers
  • Cooling system for a vehicle solar panel
    Patent number: 9481241
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a vehicle body panel, a photovoltaic unit attached to the vehicle body panel, and a cooling arrangement. The cooling arrangement includes a heat exchanger and a first cooling loop configured to accept heat from the engine and reject heat through the heat exchanger. The cooling arrangement also includes a second cooling loop configured to accept heat from the photovoltaic unit and reject heat through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Jackson
  • VEHICLE AIRBAG WITH ACTIVE VENT
    Publication number: 20160311394
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a main body substantially enclosing an interior volume. The main body is elastically expandable to an inflated configuration. The apparatus further includes a vent aperture in the main body and a vent cover at least partially overlapping the vent aperture. The vent aperture and the vent cover define a passage from the interior volume to outside of the main body. In the inflated configuration of the main body and within a pressure threshold of the interior volume, the vent cover constricts the passage proportionately to a pressure increase in the interior volume of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raj S. Roychoudhury, John A. Young
  • VEHICLE SAFETY POWER MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20160311385
    Abstract: A vehicle system with a processing device programmed to determine an ignition state and determine a vehicle speed and then send a control signal to enable power for at least one vehicle subsystem if the ignition state is off and the vehicle speed is above a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Karl William Wojcik, James Michael Weinfurther, David James Tippy, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Aaron Acuna
  • FAILURE TOLERANT VEHICLE SPEED
    Publication number: 20160311419
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control sub-system includes first and second brake control modules that are communicatively and electrically connected to one another and a plurality of wheel-speed sensors communicatively connected to the first brake control module. The first module is programmed to receive wheel-speed data from the wheel-speed sensors. The second module is programmed to process the wheel-speed data in the event of a failure in the first module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Joyce, Scott J. Lauffer, Peter Francis Worrel
  • DEPTH MAPPING CAMERA FOR DOOR INSIDE
    Publication number: 20160314362
    Abstract: A vehicle door has a swing radius, a light_field camera, and a controller. The light-field camera is configured to detect the presence of an object within the swing radius of the door. The controller is programmed to prevent the door from transitioning between an opened position and a closed position in response to the light-field camera detecting the presence of an object in the swing radius of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John W. Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
  • TRAFFIC COMPLEXITY ESTIMATION
    Publication number: 20160314690
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one environmental sensor and a processing device. The environmental sensor is programmed to collect traffic information. The processing device is programmed to receive the traffic information, generate a traffic complexity index based at least in part on the traffic information, compare the traffic complexity index to a predetermined threshold, and generate a traffic alert signal if the traffic complexity index exceeds the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hsin-hsiang Yang, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Fling Finn Tseng, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • AIRBAG FOR OBLIQUE VEHICLE IMPACTS
    Publication number: 20160311392
    Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle includes an inflator and an airbag defining an inflation chamber in communication with the inflator. The airbag includes a first extension and a second extension spaced from each other and each in communication with the inflation chamber. The first extension and the second extension are each selectively inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A controller is programmed to provide instructions to release one or both of the first and second extensions to the deployed position in response at least to a detected direction of an impact of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pardeep Kumar Jindal, Djamal Eddine Midoun
  • IDENTIFICATION OF A BROADBAND CONNECTION
    Publication number: 20160316499
    Abstract: A computer in a vehicle communication head unit is configured to operate a communication network. The computer further configured to broadcast a connection type or responds with this information upon request. The computer may also use Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) message over Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) and receive a communication network connection type message from a wireless device. The computer will access a vehicle communication head unit profile, including a communication network connection type to an external network and notify the wireless device the communication network connection type. The computer then receives a notification message from the wireless device that the communication network connection type meets a criteria of the wireless device and engage in a wireless data communication session with the wireless device and the vehicle communication head unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Hanan Ahmed
  • SEAT BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20160311399
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a seat belt height adjuster and a sensor configured to determine eye location of a driver of the vehicle. A control module is in communication with the sensor and the seat belt height adjuster. The control module is programmed to adjust a position of the seat belt height adjuster based at least on the eye location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, William Paul Perkins
  • VEHICLE SAFETY POWER MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20160311384
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a processing device programmed to determine an ignition state and a vehicle speed. The processing device powers at least one vehicle subsystem if the ignition state is off and the vehicle speed is above a predetermined threshold. The processing device may disable the vehicle subsystem when the vehicle speed falls below the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Acuna, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Karl William Wojcik, James Michael Weinfurther, David James Tippy, Barb LeMaigre
  • ADHESIVE COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING MODIFIED ETHYLENE-BASED POLYMERS AND COMPATIBLE TACKIFIERS
    Publication number: 20160312088
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising the following components: A) an anhydride and/or carboxylic acid functionalized ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer having the following properties: i) a melt viscosity (177 C) less than, or equal to, 50,000 cP, ii) a density from 0.855 to 0.900 g/cc; B) a tackifier selected from the following: a) a hydrocarbon tackifier that has a cloud point (DACP) temperature greater than, or equal to, 20 C, b) a rosin ester tackifier with an acid number of less than 25, c) a terpene tackifier, or d) a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicants: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kate R. Brown, Selim Yalvac, Colin LiPiShan
  • Internal combustion engine having a plurality of exhaust ports per cylinder and charge exchange method for such an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 9476364
    Abstract: A method for controlling valve actuation in an engine is provided. The method includes initiating combustion operation in a first cylinder, opening, via a first cam, a first exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a first opening duration. The method further includes opening, via a second cam, a second exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a second opening duration not equivalent to the first opening duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Hans Ruhland, Jens Dunstheimer, Albert Breuer, Shuya Shark Yamada