Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Publication number: 20160229248
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system having a twist beam axle including a crossbeam and two trailing arms connected thereto. The rear ends of each trailing arm, in the motor vehicle longitudinal direction, having with a wheel mount for fastening a motor vehicle wheel. The front ends of each trailing arm connected via a bearing to the motor vehicle body. Each bearing associated with a MEMS designed as an actuator wherein movements of the bearings and therefore the twist beam axle about the vertical motor vehicle axis can be caused or unfavorable movements of the twist beam axle can be counteracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt Dr habil, Uwe Gussen
  • Patent number: 9412277
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a first sensor configured to output a first signal and a second sensor configured to output a second signal. The first and second signals represent movement of a potential cut-in vehicle. The vehicle system further includes a processing device programmed to compare the movement of the potential cut-in vehicle to at least one threshold. The processing device selects the potential cut-in vehicle as an in-path vehicle if the movement exceeds the at least one threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nitendra Nath, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 9409566
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating modes and is controlled to simulate a discrete ratio transmission in other operating modes. The disclosure specifies the method of controlling the engine speed and the combined output torque of the engine and at least one traction motor in each of the operating modes. Transitions among operating modes occur in response to driver movement of a shift lever, driver operation of shift selectors, and changes in vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Philip Joseph Wiethe, Jeffrey Randolph Holmes, Ryan Abraham McGee, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Patent number: 9409515
    Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle headrest is provided herein. The lighting system includes a support attached to a headrest on a first end and removably coupled to a seatback on the opposing end. A light source is disposed on the headrest. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed within the system and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source. The light source may comprise a plurality of printed LEDs employing a thin configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Patent number: 9409504
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure. An upper component and a lower component are provided, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members. A passenger support includes a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members. An external peripheral gap is defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper, Kevin VanNieulande
  • Patent number: 9409563
    Abstract: A driving pattern based plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) energy consumption preplanning process enables a PHEV trip-oriented energy management control (TEMC) to utilize scalable levels of available trip foreknowledge in order to optimize the onboard energy (fuel and electricity) usage. The preplanning process generates an optimal battery state-of-charge (SOC) depletion profile for a given trip to be traveled by a PHEV. The preplanning process may generate the battery SOC profile using a driving pattern based dynamic programming (DP) algorithm. The TEMC controls the onboard energy usage in accordance with the battery SOC profile, which is optimized for the trip. The preplanning process makes use of spatial domain normalized drive power demand (SNDP) (or S-NDP) distributions in which each set of distributions is indicative of a respective driving pattern. The trip foreknowledge is used to select the driving pattern best representative of the driving process for the trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Qing Wang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Patent number: 9410467
    Abstract: Various methods and system are described for determining ambient humidity via an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust system of an engine. In one example, a reference voltage of the sensor is modulated between a first and second voltage during non-fueling conditions of the engine. The ambient humidity is determined based on an average change in pumping current while the voltage is modulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Timothy Schram, Timothy Joseph Clark, Evangelos Skoures
  • Patent number: 9410475
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle system is described herein. The method includes indicating a variable geometry turbine degradation based on a comparison of a modeled set of turbine pressure values and a sensed set of turbine pressure values, each set of turbine pressure values including a pressure value upstream of the turbine and a pressure value downstream of the turbine and the variable geometry turbine positioned downstream of an engine cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Morelli, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Thomas Kostrzewski, Jason Ronald Smith, Kyle Pohlkamp
  • Patent number: 9409524
    Abstract: A sliding storage compartment assembly for a motor vehicle includes a storage bin including parallel side rails defined on opposed sides thereof and a pair of outboard guides each defining a channel for slidably receiving a bin side rail therein. A housing slidably receives the bin. The housing includes parallel slots defined in opposed sidewalls thereof, with each slot being configured to receive a parallel channel defined in an outboard guide. Each sidewall of the housing includes a plurality of locator pins. Each outboard guide includes at least one cooperating two-way locator slot and at least one cooperating four-way locator aperture for aligning the outboard guide and the housing sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Francis Raymond Gillis
  • Patent number: 9409644
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 9409549
    Abstract: At least one datum is received relating to a condition of a window in the vehicle. A determination is made to change a parameter based on the at least one datum, the parameter governing clearing the window. An instruction is provided to initiate or change operation of a vehicle component based on the change of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Mark Allan Lippman
  • Patent number: 9410466
    Abstract: Embodiments for adjusting engine operating parameters based on output from an exhaust humidity sensor are provided. One example method for an engine comprises based on a dew point of exhaust gas, adjusting an exhaust gas sensor heater configured to heat an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine, the dew point based on output from a humidity sensor disposed in the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Jacobus Hendrik Visser, Stephen B. Smith, Timothy Clark
  • Patent number: 9410453
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Paul A. Pietrzyk, Ed Badillo, Jamie Charles Hanshaw
  • Patent number: 9409544
    Abstract: An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic front wall deploys in a deployment direction toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic expandable bladder member is joined along an outer perimeter with the front wall by a weld seam to form a bladder. The weld seam has a nominal separation pressure. An inflator couples an inflation gas to inflate the bladder in response to a crash event. The bladder member includes a plurality of vent openings configured to regulate an inflation pressure of the inflation gas during an impact according to a passenger restraint profile. The bladder member further includes at least one stress relief vent comprising a frangible tear seam partially cut into the bladder member configured to tear open at a predetermined pressure between the passenger restraint profile and the nominal separation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kaitlin M. Cischke, Stacey H. Raines, Nicholas A. Mazzocchi
  • Patent number: 9409561
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain, where the powertrain includes a motor and an engine, includes providing a first motor torque in response to an engine start request. The first motor torque cranks the engine through a first compression event. The method additionally includes providing a second motor torque in response to the engine being cranked through the first compression event. The second motor torque is less than the first motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Jeffrey Allen Doering, David Oshinsky, Xiaoyong Wang, Felix Nedorezov, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9413047
    Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly is provided which may include a support structure, a thermal interface component, and a pressure plate. The support structure may include a center bar arrangement and may be configured to support a thermal plate and battery cell array. The thermal interface component may be disposed between the array and plate. The pressure plate may be on an upper face of the array. The assembly may be configured to exert a force against the pressure plate to compress the thermal interface component between the thermal plate and array. The center bar arrangement may include a center bar extending along the array and may be shaped to define a passageway between the upper face and the center bar. The pressure plate may be at least partially disposed within the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Moschet, Rajaram Subramanian, Sai K. Perumalla, Saravanan Paramasivam, Brian Utley
  • Patent number: 9408389
    Abstract: A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing lenacil and flurochloridone is provided. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the growth of or controlling the growth of microorganisms in a building material by adding such a synergistic antimicrobial composition. Also provided is a coating composition containing such a synergistic antimicrobial composition, and a dry film made from such a coating composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Donnelly, Pierre Marie Lenoir, Lukas L. Villiger
  • Patent number: 9410100
    Abstract: A compound having formula (Ph3C)mAr(GR)n, wherein Ph represents a phenyl group, Ar is an aromatic ring system having from six to twenty carbon atoms; G is O, S, SO or SO2; R is: (a) C1-C18 alkyl substituted by at least one of OH, SH, C1-C18 alkoxy and cyano; or (b) C4-C18 heteroalkyl; m is one or two; and n is an integer from one to four.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: George David Green, Raymond Swedo
  • Patent number: 9410717
    Abstract: An air extractor assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a diaphragm seat attached to a panel of the vehicle's interior, a diaphragm movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the diaphragm seat, and a position controller that regulates movement of the diaphragm. The position controller may be any one of a variety of linear movers and may be selected from the group consisting of a solenoid, a motor, a vacuum, and a plunger. The diaphragm includes a resilient member so that when the diaphragm is in its closed position, a tight seal is formed between the diaphragm seat and the diaphragm. The position controller is by any one of a variety of several regulating mechanisms operating alone or in combination. The regulating mechanism may include but is not limited to the vehicle HVAC system, an oxygen sensor, door latches, and a humidity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Antime Marleau, Alexander Petniunas, Todd William Dishman, Kenneth Michael Reo
  • Patent number: 9411004
    Abstract: A leakage detection circuit with integrated robustness check provides leakage detection and continuous robustness check capability. A circuit can include a first voltage divider coupled to a chassis ground and a positive terminal of a traction energy storage device (ESD). A second voltage divider, connected in series to the first voltage divider, can be coupled to the chassis ground and a negative terminal of the ESD. A third voltage divider can be coupled to both the positive and negative ESD terminals. A checkproduct based on a voltage detected at the third voltage divider can be compared to a sum VS of voltages detected at first and second voltage dividers to check for a circuit fault. Voltages detected at the first and second voltage dividers, and SOC values, can be used to detect leakage faults, including balanced leakage faults, and a fault response can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush