Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Bicycle wheel axle
    Patent number: 9340251
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical and hollow main body having an open end and a closed end and a bayonet component extending therein. The bayonet component has a shaft at least partially enclosed within the main body and a pair of opposing protrusions extending radially outside of the main body proximate to a first end of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a lever rotatably coupled to the main body proximate to the open end thereof, and the lever includes a locking recess selectively aligned with the open end of the main body. The apparatus also includes a resilient member enclosed within the main body between the closed end thereof and the first end of the shaft of the bayonet component, and the resilient member biases the bayonet component toward the lever. The bayonet component engages the locking recess to inhibit rotation of the lever relative to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
  • Seat cushion assembly
    Patent number: 9340162
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly having a seat back including a polymeric body portion defining a support frame having a plurality of forwardly extending connection pins disposed about a periphery of a forward surface of the support frame. A flexible comfort carrier is disposed over a front surface of the polymeric body portion and includes a multitude of openings defining a support matrix configured to support the weight of a passenger. The body portion includes a plurality of slots configured to receive and engage the plurality of forwardly extending connection pins. A cushion layer extends over the flexible comfort carrier. A head restraint extends upwardly from the forward support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Jay Osterhoff, Raghavan Setlur, Robert Damerow, Majid Arefi, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Brandon Guinn
  • Conformal transverse muffler
    Patent number: 9341102
    Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a muffler comprising an enclosure. The enclosure, in one example, may include a relatively thin volume fittable under a preselected feature of a vehicle, and at least one relatively thick volume fittable alongside the preselected feature. The enclosure may also include an exhaust gas entry port and a tailpipe exit port. In one example, partitions may be within the thin volume forming an expansion chamber at the entry port and a tailpipe extension at the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Ross, Joel John Beltramo, Erich James Nowka, Kerry Timothy Havener
  • Multivariable low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation control
    Patent number: 9341127
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a LP-EGR valve and an LP intake throttle to provide a desired LP-EGR flow rate while maintaining a minimum differential pressure. In one example, a method for a turbocharged engine method comprises: responsive to a differential between intake and exhaust pressure below a threshold, adjusting a LP-EGR valve while adjusting a LP intake throttle to regulate a LP-EGR flow rate and the differential to respective setpoints; and responsive to the differential above the threshold, saturating the LP-EGR valve to minimize the differential while actuating the throttle to regulate the flow rate to its setpoint. In this way, control of the LP-EGR system may be more robust to disturbances at very low differential pressures, require less actuator movement, and increase fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Ultrathin platinum films
    Patent number: 9343749
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method of forming a platinum thin film is provided, including performing a first atomic layer deposition (ALD) process on a substrate using a first platinum organometallic precursor in a first step and an oxidizing precursor in a second step to form an at least partially coated substrate. A second ALD process is then performed on the at least partially coated substrate using a second platinum organometallic precursor in a first step and a reducing precursor in a second step to form a thin film of platinum on the substrate. The first ALD process may be performed for 5 to 150 cycles to nucleate platinum on the substrate surface and the second ALD process may be performed thereafter to grow the thin film and remove surface oxides. A conformal platinum thin film having a thickness of 1 to 10 monolayers may be deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Pietrasz, Jun Yang
  • Wheel suspension system for a vehicle
    Patent number: 9340085
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system of the type including a wheel support. A resilient connecting element connects the wheel support to a vehicle frame element. The resilient connecting element having a wheel support side and a frame element side. At least one joint element connects the wheel support side of the resilient element to the wheel support and at least two rotary joints connect the frame element side of the resilient element to the frame element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • Head restraint with a multi-cell bladder assembly
    Patent number: 9340131
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a pump and a headrest. The headrest has a support base, a flexible foam layer coupled with the support base, a flexible substrate overlying the foam layer and defining an outer surface, and an inflatable bladder assembly positioned between the base and the foam layer. The bladder assembly has a plurality of cells corresponding to respective regions of the outer surface that are independently operable between inflated and deflated conditions by the pump. The seating assembly further includes a control operably coupled to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kolich, Amber LaVerne Hall, Sean David Fannin, Keith Allen Godin
  • Engine having composite cylinder block
    Patent number: 9341136
    Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a thermal set composite cylinder block including a front engine cover attachment interface and a transmission attachment interface and a cylinder liner integrally molded with the composite cylinder block, the cylinder liner defining a portion of a boundary of a cylinder. The engine further includes a bulkhead insert extending through the thermal set composite cylinder block and is directly coupled to a cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rick L. Williams, Clifford E. Maki, Robert Gordon Rentschler
  • PROCESS FOR REDUCING THE TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON IN WASTEWATER
    Publication number: 20160130160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the total organic carbon (TOC) in an aqueous mixture M1 obtained as wastewater from a process for the preparation of an olefin oxide, the process for reducing the TOC comprising: (a) contacting the mixture M1 which contains at least one oxygenate having from 1 to 16 carbon atoms with an adsorbing agent and adsorbing at least a portion of an oxygenate at the adsorbing agent; (b) separating an aqueous mixture M2 from the adsorbing agent, the mixture M2 being depleted of the oxygenate adsorbed in (a); and (c) separating an oxygenate from the mixture M2 obtained in (b) by subjecting the mixture M2 to reverse osmosis in at least one reverse osmosis unit containing a reverse osmosis membrane obtaining an aqueous mixture M3 being depleted of this oxygenate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicants: BASF SE, Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Holger BAER, Harlan R. GOLTZ, Joerg LINDNER, Astrid LENZ
  • SEAT BELT PRESENTER FAULT INDICATION
    Publication number: 20160129880
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a seat belt buckle configured to receive a seat belt. The seat belt buckle is moveable between a first position and a second position. A timer is configured to determine an amount of time that the seat belt buckle is in the second position. If the seat belt buckle is in the second position for longer than a predetermined amount of time, the timer outputs an alert signal representing a potential fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Brian Robert Spahn, Edward Joseph DeSmet, Benjamin Yilma
  • FLEXIBLE ELECTRO-RESISTIVE IMPACT DETECTION SENSOR FOR FRONT RAIL MOUNTED AIRBAG
    Publication number: 20160129869
    Abstract: A sensing device for actuating an airbag system in a motor vehicle comprises an airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition, an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas, an impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an offset impact event, and a controller for processing the signal generated by the sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to a forward corner of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle further comprises a front bumper beam attached proximate a distal end of a front rail and the sensor comprises a flexible electro-resistive sensor mounted to a rear side of an outboard portion of the front bumper beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark A. Cuddihy
  • MULTIPLE TRANSCEIVER AND ANTENNA VERIFICATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160134383
    Abstract: A system includes a control unit and multiple transceivers connected by a communication bus. The transceivers are respectively connected to antennas. The control unit tests the operation of the transceivers by transmitting a test signal from a first transceiver to a second transceiver, receiving a return signal based on the test signal from the second transceiver, and determining if the strength of the return signal is within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Banasky, JR.
  • PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF LIGHTLY-BRANCHED HYDROPHOBES AND THE CORRESPONDING SURFACTANTS AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF
    Publication number: 20160130206
    Abstract: Processes to prepare lightly branched surfactant products comprise combining at least one olefin and a coordination-insertion catalyst under conditions such that at least one oligomer product is formed. The surfactant products comprise a main carbon chain containing an average of between 0.5 and 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. ELOWE, Wanglin YU, Brad C. BAILEY, Michael L. TULCHINSKY, Andre B. ARGENTON, Daniel J. ARRIOLA, Jerzy J. KLOSIN
  • BUCKLE GUIDE
    Publication number: 20160129877
    Abstract: A guide mechanism may be provided in a buckle assembly including an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The guide mechanism in one example includes notches in the outer sleeve mateable to notches in a tongue piece. In another example, the guide mechanism includes ribs formed on an interior of the outer sleeve, that together with a wall of an outer button included in the outer sleeve, form a slot for receiving a tongue piece. In yet another example, the guide mechanism includes a pair of leaf springs having openings therein forming a slot for receiving a tongue piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Robert Spahn, Benjamin Yilma
  • VEHICLE CORNERING MODES
    Publication number: 20160129912
    Abstract: A curve length, a curve size, and a curve heading angle change of a roadway being traveled by a vehicle are determined. Each of the curve length, the curve size, and the curve heading angle are compared with one or more threshold values to obtain a driving mode request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Szwabowski, David Starr, Fling Tseng, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Jianbo Lu
  • Bicycle including frame with inflatable segments
    Patent number: 9334007
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame, a front steering assembly rotatably coupled to the frame, a front wheel rotatably coupled to the front steering assembly, and a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the frame. The frame includes an inflatable segment and a valve in communication with the inflatable segment for selectively inflating and deflating the inflatable segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Huennekens, Lauri Mikael Ohra-aho, Samuel Ellis, Greg Foletta
  • System and method for reducing vehicle generated carbon dioxide emissions
    Patent number: 9333996
    Abstract: A system is disclosed having a primary vehicle and a secondary vehicle that is carried by the primary vehicle when not in use. The system further includes at least one of an immobilizing device to immobilize the primary vehicle if the secondary vehicle is removed from the primary vehicle, a data storage device for storing information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, a user interface device for displaying information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, and a user prompt for providing information regarding potential opportunities for use of the secondary vehicle to encourage usage of the secondary vehicle and lower CO2 emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Marcus Hurst, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
  • Polyolefin polymerization process, semi-crystalline ethylene-based polymer made therefrom, and articles made from the polymer
    Patent number: 9334349
    Abstract: A polymerization process comprising (A) polymerizing ethylene in the presence of a catalyst to form a semi-crystalline ethylene-based polymer in at least one reactor; the catalyst comprising an organometallic catalyst thereby forming an ethylene-based polymer composition in the at least one reactor, wherein the catalyst is a metal complex of a polyvalent aryloxyether corresponding to the formula: wherein step (A) is conducted in the presence of from 5 to 20 mmol/m3 triethylaluminum; and wherein step (A) is conducted in the presence of one or both of the following conditions: (i) from greater than 0:1 to 65:1 molar ratio of triethylaluminum to the catalyst; and (ii) from 0.1:0 to 5:1 molar ratio of triethylaluminum to modified methylalumoxane is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ludovicus J C Sluijts, Armanda Van Putten, Ian M. Munro
  • Trailer length estimation in hitch angle applications
    Patent number: 9335162
    Abstract: A vehicle system for estimating a trailer length is disclosed. The system incorporates at least one sensor configured to measure a wheel steer angle and a trailer angle in communication with a processor. The processor is operable to determine a first length by a first computation method and determine a second length by a second computation method. The processor is further operable to validate an estimated trailer length based on the first length and the second length and perform a back-up function for the trailer based on the estimated trailer length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christos Kyrtsos, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Alex Maurice Miller, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Folding bicycle
    Patent number: D756264
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Thompson, Paul J Wraith