Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Fuel cell and battery powered vehicle parking
    Patent number: 9422002
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a communication interface configured to receive parking information from an infrastructure device. The parking information identifies at least one open parking space and at least one characteristic associated with the parking space. The vehicle system further includes a processing device configured to select the at least one parking space based at least in part on the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yonghua Li, Milos Milacic
  • Pouch for fresh produce item and method
    Patent number: 9422098
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pouch for holding a fresh produce item and a method. The pouch includes (A) a body composed of at least one flexible multilayer film having a haze value less than 20%. The body further includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a gusset panel that form a closed chamber. (B) The gusset panel includes a rim. (C) A fresh produce item is located in the closed chamber. (D) The pouch has a chamber-to-rim ratio (mm) from 6:1 to 200:1. At least a portion of at least one wall is transparent permitting a person to see the fresh produce item in the pouch. The method includes displaying the fresh produce item through at least one of the front wall or the rear wall at a chamber-to-rim ratio from 6:1 to 200:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jill M. Martin, Haley Lowry, James F. Warner, Jihoon Kim, Thomas A. Herbert
  • Remote control seatbelt height adjuster
    Patent number: 9421944
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a vehicle restraint is provided herein having a track and a restraint support configured to slide along the track. A positioner is coupled to the restraint support and a motor, coupled to the positioner, is operable to adjust a position of the restraint support. A switch is in communication with the motor and the motor is operable to adjust the position of the restraint support in response an input to the switch. An apparatus for identifying the occupant and automatically positioning of a vehicle restraint is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao
  • System and method for closing a tank valve
    Patent number: 9422900
    Abstract: A method for closing a storage tank valve in response to leaks in a fuel line or fuel rail and emptying the tank of a vehicle when no leaks are detected is described. The method includes comparing a tank pressure to a fuel line or fuel rail pressure in order to detect leaks therein and further includes using a dedicated tank pressure sensor to measure the gaseous pressure of the storage tank, and thereby the amount of fuel remaining. In response to leaks in the fuel system, a controller may close an electronic solenoid valve, which reinforces a mechanical excess flow valve, to block the flow of fuel and prevent fuel loss from the gaseous storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Torsion beam axle for a vehicle, and bearing arrangement for a torsion beam axle
    Patent number: 9421844
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a torsion beam axle for a vehicle. The torsion beam axle comprises two longitudinal swing arms connected by a torsion profile and two bearing arrangements. Each bearing arrangement is configured to attach a respective longitudinal swing arm to a body of the vehicle. Each bearing arrangement has a rotational axis, and the rotational axes of the bearing arrangements run in parallel to or are aligned with one another. Each of the bearing arrangements has a bearing core, which is connected to one of the longitudinal swing arms, and at least one bearing arm which is coupled to the bearing core. The bearing arm comprises a supporting section, which is coupled to the bearing core, and an elastic bending section with a connecting region, via which the bearing arm can be at least indirectly attached to the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Carlitz, Eric Leonard Branger, Gunter Wuersig, Thomas Schmitz
  • Folding seat assembly with internal storage compartment
    Patent number: 9421915
    Abstract: A folding seat assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. The folding seat assembly includes a seat back, a seat base and an internal storage compartment. The seat base includes first and second sections that are independently pivotally displaceable between a raised position and a home position. The internal storage compartment is defined between the two sections of the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Nicholas Kalergis, Frank Victor Bonello
  • Apparatus and method for starting an engine
    Patent number: 9422906
    Abstract: An apparatus for starting an engine of a mild hybrid vehicle is disclosed having low and high voltage starting devices and controlled by an electronic controller. The electronic controller is operable to use the high voltage starting device as a motor to crank the engine whenever possible so as to partially discharge a high voltage battery and facilitate the increased use of automatic stopping and starting of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donatus Andreas Josephine Kees, Anthemios Philemon Petridis
  • Vehicle battery pack cooling system
    Patent number: 9425628
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle battery pack cooling system, including: a housing; a fan attached to the housing; a first section of the housing including a battery module selectively in fluid communication with the fan; a second section of the housing including a battery support device selectively in fluid communication with the fan; and a baffler assembly configured to control fluid communication between the fan and the first and second sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thanh D. Pham, Jesus Cardoso, David Hayes, Jason C. Marcath, Darko Acevski, Karin Lovett, Hsiao-An Hsieh
  • Exchangeable wheel stud
    Patent number: 9422967
    Abstract: A wheel stud includes a fixing segment, which has a first external thread, and a receiving segment, which has a second external thread. Here, the first external thread runs opposite in direction to the second external thread. More particularly, the wheel stud is configured to be connected to a wheel hub through the fixing segment, where the wheel hub includes at least one receiver bore having an internal thread corresponding to the first external thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Paul-Uwe Koenig, Gerd Bruessler, Michael Bartel, Hubertus von Chappuis
  • METHOD FOR MAKING ANION EXCHANGE AND CHELANT RESINS INCLUDING ALIPHATIC AMINO FUNCTIONAL GROUPS
    Publication number: 20160236187
    Abstract: A method for making an anion exchange or chelant resin comprising a vinyl aromatic polymer including a repeating unit comprising an aromatic ring substituted with an aliphatic amino group, wherein the method comprises the step of reacting a vinyl aromatic polymer with a nitro compound comprising from 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the a carbon includes at least one hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicants: ANGUS CHEMICAL COMPANY, ROHM AND HAAS COMPANY, DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: George D. Green, John C. Rohanna, Alfred K. Schultz
  • STYRENE-CARBOXYLIC ACID COPOLYMER FOAM
    Publication number: 20160237233
    Abstract: Prepare a polymer foam by expanding a foamable polymer composition of a copolymer component and a blowing agent where the copolymer component accounts for more than 50 weight-percent of the total polymer weight in the foamable polymer composition and is one or more than one styrene-carboxylic acid copolymer having an acid number of 20 or higher while the blowing agent comprises a fluorinated blowing agent, less than 70 weight-percent of which is 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane and less than five weight-percent is carbon dioxide and C3-C5 hydrocarbons make up less than 30 mole-percent of the blowing agent; expand the foamable polymer composition into a polymer foam having an average cell size of less than 0.5 millimeters where the copolymer composition is a continuous phase in the polymer foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicants: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Hood, Stéphane Costeux, Scott T. Matteucci
  • STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLERS AND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20160236659
    Abstract: A trailer brake controller for a motor vehicle may include a control unit configured to be mounted behind a spoke of a steering wheel of the vehicle, and a brake lever coupled to the control unit and extending along the control unit such that, when the control unit is mounted behind the spoke of the steering wheel, the brake lever extends above and/or below the spoke in a direction substantially perpendicular to the spoke. The brake lever may be configured to transmit a force applied to the lever by the driver to the control unit. The control unit may be configured to generate a manual trailer brake control signal based on the force applied to the lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Cary Ochen DIEHL, Russell Allan SIMS
  • NONIONIC SURFACTANTS FOR ENHANCED CRUDE OIL RECOVERY
    Publication number: 20160237798
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of using a nonionic surfactant for enhanced oil recovery, where the nonionic surfactant is prepared with a double metal cyanide catalyst. The present disclosure also provides for an emulsion that includes carbon dioxide, a diluent and the nonionic surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Aaron W. Sanders, Sayeed Abbas, Shawn Maynard, Matthew Miller
  • NITROGEN CONTAINING POLYMERS AS LEVELERS
    Publication number: 20160237579
    Abstract: Polymers of reaction products of polyamines and nitrogen containing cyclic compounds are included in metal electroplating compositions to provide level metal deposits on substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicants: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC, Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Lingli Duan, Zuhra I. Niazimbetova, Chen Chen, Tong Sun, Maria Rzeznik
  • Non-intrusive exhaust gas sensor monitoring
    Patent number: 9416714
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust are provided. In one example approach, a method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a downstream exhaust gas sensor responding before the upstream exhaust gas sensor during a commanded change in air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Adam Nathan Banker, James Michael Kerns, Imad Hassan Makki, Hassene Jammoussi
  • Console armrest assembly with dampening strut and integrated inertial lock
    Patent number: 9415710
    Abstract: A console armrest assembly includes a support, a displaceable cover and a hinge pivotally attaching that cover to the support. A dampening strut is connected between the hinge and the support. Further, a detent mechanism is carried on the strut and a support for holding the cover in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Simon, Christopher Emery Fesenmyer
  • Multi-staged wastegate
    Patent number: 9416724
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling boost pressure are provided. In one example, a method of controlling a turbocharger of an engine via a multi-staged wastegate comprises during a first condition, actuating a first stage of the wastegate based on boost pressure generated by the turbocharger, and actuating a second stage of the wastegate based on a temperature of a catalyst downstream of the turbocharger. In this way, catalyst heating and boost control may be provided by a common wastegate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
  • Engine operation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9415762
    Abstract: A method, comprising propelling a vehicle with an engine and a motor starting the engine if energy stored in an energy storage device is greater than an upper threshold level when a contaminant amount in the engine oil is greater than a threshold amount. In this way, it is possible to harmonize fuel degradation along with oil degradation, while still providing efficient vehicle and engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William David Treharne, Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Ted Haladyna
  • Frangible member for vehicle body structure
    Patent number: 9415744
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a cowl top and a cowl inner. A bracket assembly is connected between the cowl top and the cowl inner, and includes a frangible member having a fracture portion. The fraction portion has a reduced cross-sectional area, and is configured to shear in response to a drive-cycle impact to the cowl top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Dragan B. Stojkovic
  • Vehicle roof structure including a cast node
    Patent number: 9415810
    Abstract: The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a vehicle roof structure which includes a cast node including a pillar portion for receiving a pillar and a roof-rail portion for receiving a roof rail, the roof-rail portion having first and second ends, which may have a closed first cross-section and a closed second cross-section, respectively. The closed first cross-section may be different from the closed second cross-section such that the first and second ends are to receive two individual roof rails of different dimensions. The closed first cross-section may be larger in opening dimension than the closed second cross-section, when the first end is positioned closer to a front of the vehicle than the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Fubang Wu, Jacob Wesley Zindel, Mei Li, Yijung Chen