Abstract: The rate of change of transmission output torque is computed based on the differential speeds of the axles and of the transmission output shaft adjusting for final drive ratio. The speed of the axle is measured by an anti-lock braking system and communicated to the transmission controller over a communications bus. To compensate for the delay introduced by the communications bus, a shift register delays the signal from the transmission output shaft speed sensor. The resulting estimate of rate of change of transmission output torque may be used directly to control the torque capacity of one or more transmission clutches. Additionally, the resulting estimate may be combined with an independent output torque estimate to yield a more accurate output torque estimate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 31, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Michael Glenn Fodor, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Bradley Dean Riedle, Davorin David Hrovat
Abstract: An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 6, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mohammed Omar Faruque, Kevin Pline, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Duncan Whipps, Darrin Neil Wagner
Abstract: A polyalkylene glycol comprising: a random copolymer comprising units derived from EO and units derived from PO initiated with polytetrahydrofuran; wherein the polyalkylene glycol has a pour point of less than or equal to ?30° C. as measured using ASTM D97 and a traction value of less than 0.0165 at a contact pressure of 1.25 GPa, speed=2 m/s, SRR of 100% and temperature of 80° C. is provided. Also provided are lubricant compositions containing such polyalkylene glycol.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 8, 2012
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Martin R. Greaves, Ronald Van Voorst, Cynthia L. Rand, Marinus Meertens, Daniele Vinci
Abstract: Air is supplied from a passenger cabin of a vehicle to an intake passage between the passenger cabin and a battery of the vehicle. The vehicle may be an electric vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a battery-only electric vehicle (BEV). A signal indicating a blockage of air flow through the battery is generated in response to a difference in temperature exceeding a predetermined magnitude. The difference in temperature is between (i) the intake passage and (ii) the passenger cabin.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 3, 2012
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Jesus Cardoso, Hsiao-An Hsieh, David Hayes, Beth Ann Dalrymple, Jason C. Marcath, Michael Schamber
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust emissions by adjusting an injection profile for fuel injected into an engine cylinder from a plurality of fuel injectors during engine start and crank. By splitting injection of fuel during start so that a portion of fuel is port injected and a remaining portion is direct injected as one or multiple injections, the soot load of the engine can be reduced and fuel economy can be improved. The injections are adjusted based on the alcohol content of the injected fuel to take advantage of the charge cooling properties of the fuel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 1, 2013
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Gopichandra Surnilla, Steven Schwochert, Peter C. Moilanen, Eric Krengel
Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a first member extending obliquely beneath an outer surface of an underbody component, and a second member extending at an acute angle to the first member. The second member is arranged to form an apex near an end of the first member. The vehicle structure also includes an interconnecting member connected to both the first and second members at locations offset from the apex. The first member, the second member, and the interconnecting member cooperate to enclose a portion of the underbody component.
Abstract: The systems and method described above in the present disclosure allow for regeneration of a diesel particulate filter while a vehicle is in stationary power take-off mode. Described is a method of: during select power take-off conditions, reducing an EGR rate responsive to an indication to regenerate a diesel particulate filter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 8, 2013
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Jeff Reich, Frank M. Korpics, Dean Pennala, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, David Wynn Philion, James Campbell, Timothy Webb
Abstract: Arylcyclobutene polymers having improved toughness are provided. Compositions and methods for coating arylcyclobutene polymers having improved toughness are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 10, 2015
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignees:
Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
Inventors:
Zhifeng Bai, Michael K. Gallagher, Zidong Wang, Christopher J. Tucker, Matthew T. Bishop, Elissei Lagodkine, Mark S. Oliver
Abstract: A composition comprising: a) one or more isocyanate functional prepolymers; and b) one or more compounds containing one or more hydroperoxide groups; wherein components a) and b) are kept separate until cure is desired. The composition can be used in the form of a two part adhesive.
Abstract: A control system and method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain supplies battery power boost torque to vehicle traction wheels to modify shift points for a multiple ratio transmission in the powertrain. A shift schedule is adjusted to avoid a downshift for small changes in torque demand, thus reducing shift frequency due to small transient changes in torque demand.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 26, 2010
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Walter Joseph Ortmann, Daniel Scott Colvin, Brian Thomas Soo
Abstract: Vehicle state estimation methods include measuring torque, using the measured torque to formulate a vehicle state estimation for vehicle control and applying the vehicle state estimation to control the vehicle.
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying leaks on each of a fuel tank and a canister side of a fuel system using a single leak check module. A position of a switching valve coupled in the vapor line of the fuel system is adjusted to selectively couple the leak check module to either the fuel tank or the canister. Leak is detected based on a change in pressure at a reference orifice of the leak check module following applying of vacuum from a vacuum pump.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 23, 2013
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
Abstract: A method of riveting two metal parts through a hole with an electro-hydraulic riveting tool. The electro-hydraulic riveting tool includes a tube that is inserted in the hole and an electrode that is inserted within the tube. A liquid is contained within the tube and the electrode is immersed in the liquid. A stored charge is discharged through the electrode to create a shockwave within the fluid that forms the tube into a rivet structure and creates solid state weld between the rivet flanges and the parts that are joined.
Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect that a vehicle module update has been performed. The processor is further configured to create an identifier associated with a module that indicates an updated status and for each module having an identifier indicating an updated status associated therewith, requesting subscription to a topic, corresponding to the updated module, and specific to an individual vehicle, from a remote server.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Ritesh Pandya, Brian Petersen, Joseph Paul Rork, Praveen Yalavarty
Abstract: Methods are provided for performing diagnostic routines in a hybrid vehicle. In one example approach, a method for operating a hybrid vehicle comprises inhibiting engine shutdown and enabling deceleration fuel shut off to perform a monitoring test while a vehicle speed is above a threshold speed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Douglas Raymond Martin, Richard Paul Taylor, Matthew D. Smith
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for extending an engine-off period of a hybrid vehicle while reducing engine cold-start emissions. During an engine pull-up to meet operator demand, the engine is held at a higher power for a longer duration to aggressively heat the exhaust catalyst. Subsequently, the engine is pulled up to a lower power and held at the lower power for shorter bursts of time to activate the exhaust catalyst.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 20, 2015
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Douglas Raymond Martin, Ted Haladyna, Kenneth James Miller, Scott James Thompson
Abstract: A motor vehicle airbag system comprises a dual chambered combined head, torso, and knee airbag having a head and torso chamber and a lower extremities chamber in fluid communication with the head and torso chamber. A multidirectional inflator substantially simultaneously inflates both of the head and torso chamber and the lower extremities chamber. The head and torso chamber in the inflated condition acts against a head and a torso of the motor vehicle occupant to generate a restraining force against the occupant to mitigate contact of the occupant head and torso with the upper portion of the instrument panel during the impact event. The lower extremities chamber in the inflated condition acts against the pair of knees of the occupant to mitigate contact of the knees of the occupant with the lower portion of the panel during the impact event.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 3, 2013
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Roger Chen, Tzu-Chen Weng, Kirk David Arthurs
Abstract: A processor of a server may receive, from a plurality of vehicles, fleet alerts indicative of vehicle locations and status of aftermarket equipment installed to the vehicles, identify fleet alerts associated with vehicles of a fleet, and generate, based on the fleet alerts, fleet data providing the vehicle locations and status of the aftermarket equipment of the vehicles of the fleet. A processor of a vehicle may receive vehicle data including vehicle location and aftermarket data including a status of aftermarket equipment installed to the vehicle, determine a condition of an alert rule indicative of a status of aftermarket equipment installed to the vehicles is satisfied, and send an fleet alert to a remote service indicative of the status of the aftermarket equipment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 8, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
David Chronowski, Kevin Michael Bullister, Randy Michael Freiburger
Abstract: Various systems and methods for controlling dual wastegates via a single wastegate actuator are provided. In one example, a system comprises a first wastegate comprising a first wastegate valve, a second wastegate comprising a second wastegate valve, and a wastegate actuator coupled to each of the first and second wastegate valves to vary openings of the first wastegate valve and the second wastegate valve according to desired boost.
Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes implementing regenerative braking of the vehicle using discounted regeneration energy based on physical route conditions and base regenerative braking parameters for the vehicle.