Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Patent number: 9374135
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, such as a smartphone. A passive NFCD is located adjacent to a storage compartment within a vehicle. When the active NFCD-equipped item is placed in the compartment, communication is established between the active and passive NFCDs. A controller device is communicatively connected to the vehicle to detect a journey completion event and send a wireless message (via Bluetooth, for example) to the item. The message instructs the item to output an alert if the active and passive NFCDs are in communication with one another. Journey completion events may be turning off of a vehicle ignition, opening of a vehicle door, or a vehicle seat becoming unoccupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen David Fleming, Robert Spahl
  • Patent number: 9370811
    Abstract: A method and tool for calibrating an extruded tube for use in a manufacturing operation. According to the method, the tube is stretched while in a clamping tool by approximately 3%. The tool encloses the tube while a stretching mechanism is clamped to opposite longitudinal ends of the tube and applies a stretching force to opposite ends of the tube. The tool includes a clamping mechanism that clamps the tube into a cavity and a stretching mechanism with clamps that are attached to opposite longitudinal ends of the tube to calibrate the tube by longitudinally stretching the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S. George Luckey, Jr., Andrey M. Ilinich, John Joyce
  • Patent number: 9370735
    Abstract: A composition comprising a mesoporous silica having grafted therewith an ionic liquid to form a mesoporous silica composition offers desirable levels of functionality, sorption, specific surface functionalization, and selectivity for polar gas/non-polar gas and olefin/paraffin separations. One particular embodiment employs silylated 3,3?-(2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium)bis-((trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)amide as the ionic liquid. The mesoporous silica composition may be configured as, for example, a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Akolekar, Victor J. Sussman, M J. Yanjarappa, Phani Kiran Bollapragada, Scott T. Matteucci, Peter N. Nickias
  • Patent number: 9371066
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a transmission and a clutch. The slip of the clutch is adjusted to a predefined target where a sensed parameter of a shaft of the transmission corresponds to a specified noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) level in the powertrain. The sensed parameter of the transmission shaft may be one of acceleration, speed, and torque of the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft may be one of the input shaft and output shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9371875
    Abstract: A brake rotor for attachment to a wheel of a vehicle may include an outer friction member and an inner friction member. The brake rotor may further include a plurality of fin elements connecting the outer friction member to the inner friction member. Each fin element may include first and second pillars that are connected by a bridge portion to define an opening in the fin element. The opening is configured to allow air to pass through the fin element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Luis Manuel Noriega Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Martinez Laurent, Jorge Silvestre Guerra Meza, Francisco Alejandro Canales Monte, Joel Alcantar Garcia, Luis Ricardo Avila Magana
  • Patent number: 9371766
    Abstract: A method to control a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) having a compression ignition engine includes operating the engine based on an engine-on request and performing an exhaust aftertreatment procedure based on a completion time for the aftertreatment procedure compared to a predicted engine-on time determined using a driving pattern. An HEV is provided with a compression ignition engine with an aftertreatment system, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) operate the engine based on an engine-on request, and (ii) perform an exhaust aftertreatment procedure for the vehicle based on a completion time for the aftertreatment procedure compared to a predicted engine-on time determined using a driving pattern. A computer readable medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a controller to control a vehicle is provided with instructions for operating the engine based on an engine-on request, and instructions for performing an exhaust aftertreatment procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Hai Yu, Ryan Abraham McGee, Fling Tseng
  • Patent number: 9371783
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting purging of LP-EGR from an air intake system during conditions of decreasing engine load. During a tip-out, an EGR valve is closed while the engine is shifted to a VDE mode of operation to improve engine tolerance to EGR at lower engine loads and until the EGR is sufficiently purged. A non-VDE mode is resumed if higher engine loads are restored, else, a deceleration fuel shut-off mode is selected if the tip-out continues to zero load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 9371004
    Abstract: A nomadic device may connect to a vehicle computing system (VCS) and be configured to identify data element parameter information associated with a gauge to be displayed, capture, using a data bridge adapter connected to a vehicle network, an element of vehicle data according to the data element parameter information, and display, via the VCS, the gauge including the element of vehicle data formatted according to the data element parameter information. A VCS may be configured to receive filtered vehicle data from a telematics gateway configured to provide a subset of vehicle data provided over a vehicle network, receive vehicle data from a nomadic device in communication with a data bridge adapter configured to capture vehicle data provided over the vehicle network, and utilize the vehicle data to provide information via the VCS unavailable via the filtered vehicle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Wehrman, Julius Marchwicki, Steven Bandy, Mark Wilson
  • Patent number: 9371035
    Abstract: A lighted vehicle bin assembly that activates a light source based on motion and recalibrates a sensor is provided. The lighted vehicle bin assembly includes a vehicle storage bin, a light source arranged to illuminate the bin, and a proximity sensor for sensing an object in the bin based on a sensor signal relative to a threshold. The lighted vehicle bin assembly also includes a controller that activates the light source when the sensor signal exceeds a threshold and recalibrates the sensor when the sensor signal exceeds the threshold for a time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Carla Ann Gale, Hubert Szawarski
  • Patent number: 9371441
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a polyethylene blend-composition suitable for blown films, and films made therefrom. The polyethylene blend-composition suitable for blown films according to the present invention comprises the melt blending product of: (a) from 0.5 to 6 percent by weight of a bimodal linear low density polyethylene having a density in the range of from 0.935 to 0.970 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of from 0.3 to 5 g/10 minutes; (b) 90 percent or greater by weight of a monomodal linear low density polyethylene having a density in the range of from 0.910 to 0.950 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of from 0.1 to less than or equal to 5 g/10 minutes; (c) optionally from 0.5 to 4 percent by weight of a low density polyethylene having a density in the range of from 0.915 to 0.935 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of from greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jian Wang, Nilesh R. Savargaonkar, Mehmet Demirors, John W. Garnett, IV, Ayush A. Bafna
  • Patent number: 9371903
    Abstract: A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a shift-by-wire transmission, a pressure source configured to selectively provide hydraulic pressure in the absence of engine power, an internal combustion engine, and a controller. The shift-by-wire transmission includes a hydraulic actuator, and the electric pump is in fluid communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to, in response to a driver input and the engine being off, control the pressure source to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Deurloo, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Derek Kinch, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Todd Curtis Spaulding
  • Patent number: 9374562
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating a horizontal camera to target distance is provided. A camera on board a vehicle is configured to image a target on a trailer that is aligned with the vehicle. A controller is in communication with the camera and is supplied a user-obtained measurement. The controller is configured to calculate a first horizontal distance and a second horizontal distance, and to sum the first and second horizontal distances to calculate a horizontal camera to target distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Erick Michael Lavoie, Bradley G. Hockrein, Don Jacob Mattern
  • Patent number: 9371050
    Abstract: A sensing and injury mitigation system for a vehicle to identify an object in an impact event is disclosed. The system includes an impact sensing unit comprising an impact sensor and a pressure sensing unit. The impact sensor has fluid-filled first and second tube portions. The pressure sensing unit has a housing and first and second pressure sensors located within the housing. The first tube portion of the impact sensor is attached to the first pressure sensor and the second tube portion of the impact sensor is attached to the second pressure sensor. The pressure sensing unit senses changes in fluid pressure within the tubes. In one embodiment, the tube portions of the impact sensor define a loop. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the first tube portion and at least a portion of the second tube portion share a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Yellin Schondorf
  • Patent number: 9371043
    Abstract: A vehicle trim panel is provided including a body. The body has a storage compartment, a first access opening to the storage compartment biased in a first direction and a second access opening to the storage compartment biased in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kathleen M. Parlow, Anthony Michael Zingalie
  • Patent number: 9371790
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for controlling fuel injection to an engine. In one example, fuel injection timing of a cylinder of the engine is adjusted during a hot engine restart such that a fuel injector is open only when the cylinder pressure is greater than a threshold cylinder pressure. The threshold cylinder pressure may be adjusted responsive to a fuel rail pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Fred Howard Trinker
  • Patent number: 9371048
    Abstract: An energy absorbing member for a bumper assembly of a vehicle includes an open-celled foam. A magnetorheological fluid is disposed in the open-celled foam. A magnetic field source selectively controls a magnetic field in the open-celled foam. The open-celled foam includes cell walls and the magnetorheological fluid coats the cell walls and defines open cells unfilled by magnetorheological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 9373044
    Abstract: A lane departure warning system has a trailer detector for detecting that a trailer is attached to a vehicle, a lane boundary detector for detecting a position of a lane boundary on a roadway over which the vehicle is travelling, and an information processor including a calibrator for generating calibration parameters used in determining an unintended lane departure event with respect to the lane boundary. The information processor initiates a process for allowing an operator to provide trailer width information when the trailer detector indicates that the vehicle is towing a trailer. The lane departure warning system also includes a sensor for detecting a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer. A controller determines a lateral offset of the trailer relative to the vehicle based on the hitch angle and a length of the trailer for generating a warning signal when the lateral offset crosses the lane boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wallat, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Steven Yellin Schondorf, Brian Bennie, Timothy Prodin, Brian Wolski
  • Patent number: 9370759
    Abstract: Embodiments include a reactor and feed distribution assembly. The reactor and feed distribution assembly can include a reactor vessel, a gaseous feed conduit, a catalyst feed conduit, a catalyst feed conduit housing, and a catalyst backflow diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Pretz, Don F. Shaw, Richard E. Walter, Mark Stewart
  • Patent number: 9371033
    Abstract: A sunshade assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The sunshade assembly includes a housing and a light-producing assembly coupled to the housing. The housing includes a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to be excited by light emitted from the plurality of light sources such that at least a portion of the housing exhibits a luminescent appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Noah Barlow Mass
  • Patent number: 9371416
    Abstract: An epoxy terminated prepolymer formed as a reaction product of a cycloaliphatic epoxide resin and an amine terminated polymeric polyol, and a catalyst that promotes the reaction of the cycloaliphatic epoxide resin and the aminated polyol. The epoxy terminated prepolymer and an anhydride hardener react to form an epoxy elastomer composition having a microphase separated morphology of hard particles, formed with the anhydride hardener reacted with the epoxy terminated prepolymer, dispersed in a soft continuous phase formed from polymeric polyol in the epoxy terminated prepolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kwanho Chang, Harshad M Shah, Rajat Duggal