Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Symmetric steer linkage
    Patent number: 9278710
    Abstract: An assembly is provided comprising a twin I-beam front suspension system and a parallelogram steering linkage operatively coupled to the suspension system. A vehicle incorporating the assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vijay Bokil, Bruce C. Arnold, Geoffrey Lawrence Gordon, Jeremy A. Rawlings
  • Step pad cargo system
    Patent number: 9278650
    Abstract: A cargo step pad comprising a container having a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls defining an opening and a lid coupled to the container and operable between a closed position, wherein the lid extends laterally beyond the opening, and an opened position, wherein at least a portion of a back wall of the container is positioned within a volume defined by the inner surface of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Leonard Meszaros, David Thomas Patrick
  • Methods and systems for a four wheel drive vehicle driveline
    Patent number: 9278692
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operation may be adjusted in response to operating the hybrid vehicle in a four wheel drivel low gear range. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum, Yuji Fujii
  • Non-isocyanate rigid polymer foams by carbon-Michael addition and foaming process
    Patent number: 9279040
    Abstract: Polymer foam is made from a two-component foam system. The foam system includes an A-side component which contains a multifunctional Michael acceptor and a blowing agent that has a boiling temperature in the range ?40° C. to +100° C. The system also includes a B-side component that contains a multifunctional carbon-Michael donor, a surfactant and a blowing agent that has a boiling temperature in the range ?40° C. to +100° C. The viscosities of each of the components are 2,500 cPs or lower. Foam is made by separately pressurizing the components, then separately depressurizing them so they each at least partially expand. The partially expanded materials are then combined in the presence of a carbon-Michael reaction catalyst to form a reaction mixture which is cured to form the polymer foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xin Jin, Steven P. Crain, Deborah A. Schutter, Kshitish A. Patankar, Mark F. Sonnenschein
  • Vapor purging octane separation system
    Patent number: 9279373
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine supplied with multiple fuels in which the vapor purge flow into the engine from multiple vapor storage devices each coupled to a respective, but equal number of multiple fuel tanks controlled to have the same proportion of total vapors purged as a proportion of liquid fuel delivered to the engine from said respective one of the said multiple fuel tanks. The method includes increasing the delivery of fuel from one of the multiple fuel tanks containing fuel with the highest-octane rating of all the fuel tanks when the vapor storage canister coupled to the fuel tank with the highest-octane fuel is not being purged of its fuel vapors. Additionally, the method further comprises a feedback control responsive to an exhaust gas oxygen sensor to adjust said fuel delivered from said multiple fuel tanks to the engine to maintain engine air-fuel ratio around stoichiometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, James Eric Anderson
  • Batteries prepared by spinning
    Patent number: 9281514
    Abstract: A method of forming a lithium-ion battery by spinning and a battery formed thereby are disclosed. The spinning may include electrospinning A first anode layer may be spun, followed by a first separator layer, a first cathode layer, and a second separator layer. Each layer may be spun directly onto the previously spun layer to provide a battery that does not include metal current collectors. The anode and/or cathode layers may include polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. To render the anode and cathode layers conductive, they may be carbonized using a heat source (e.g., a laser). The disclosed method may allow for the incorporation of high capacity materials, such as sulfur and/or silicon, in the electrode active materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin James Rhodes, James A. Adams
  • Bumper component with embedded sensor
    Patent number: 9278659
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of making a bumper component are disclosed, along with exemplary bumper assemblies and vehicles. An exemplary method may include providing a first mold portion defining at least in part a front surface, and positioning at least one sensor in the first mold portion. Exemplary methods may further include enclosing the at least one sensor within the first mold portion with a second mold portion. The second mold portion may define at least in part a rear surface. The method may further include forming a body within the first and second mold portions, thereby embedding the at least one sensor between the front and rear surfaces, the body extending between the front and rear surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Yellin Schondorf, Abraham G. Philip, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Markus Hagen, Thomas Arndt
  • Devices and methods for exhaust gas recirculation operation of an engine
    Patent number: 9279393
    Abstract: An engine is provided that includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conduit in fluidic communication with a first exhaust valve in a cylinder and an intake system, an exhaust conduit in fluidic communication with a second exhaust valve in the cylinder and an emission control device. During operation with the first valve active and the second valve deactivated, a fixed EGR level can be provided. However, during operation with the first valve deactivated and the second valve active, increased engine output can be achieved with reduced EGR without requiring additional exhaust throttling or switching valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Eric Warren Curtis, Kim Hwe Ku, Gregory Patrick McConville, James Douglas Ervin, Daniel Joseph Styles, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Pickup box with reinforced tie-down locations
    Patent number: 9278717
    Abstract: One of more cross members of a pickup bed structure include a hole in a flange in a location that is advantageous for installation of aftermarket accessories. The hole does not extend through the floorpan itself. When customers install aftermarket accessories that require holes through the floorpan, the customers are encouraged to align the new holes with the holes in the cross members. Consequently, loads applied by the aftermarket accessories are efficiently transferred to the frame rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruno M. Barthelemy, Mark Joseph Courtright, Vincent Chimento, Mark Keller
  • Deformable busbar assembly and bus bar installation method
    Patent number: 9281673
    Abstract: A bus bar assembly includes a deformable bus bar including a bus bar positive terminal flange, a bus bar negative terminal flange spaced-apart from the bus bar positive terminal flange and a flange connecting portion connecting the bus bar positive terminal flange and the bus bar negative terminal flange. A deformable bus bar frame includes a bus bar frame positive terminal flange carried by the bus bar positive terminal flange of the deformable bus bar and a bus bar frame negative terminal flange carried by the bus bar negative terminal flange of the deformable bus bar. A method of installing a deformable bus bar on positive and negative terminals of a battery cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve F. Chorian, Debbi Callicoat, David J. Chesney, David Wardzala, Yongcai Wang, Yunan Guo
  • Testing methods and pass/fail criteria for electric joints
    Patent number: 9279755
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of evaluating a battery module includes: applying a tension load to a test coupon, the test coupon including a segment of a battery terminal connected to a segment of an interconnector busbar; and measuring electrical resistance across the segments of the test coupon. In certain instances, the method further includes applying a different, second tension load to the segments of the test coupon and repeating the measuring of electrical resistance. In certain other instances, the method further includes forming a plot between various values of electrical resistance as a function of various tension loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Humi Widhalm
  • Sensor for contactless electrocardiographic measurement
    Patent number: 9277882
    Abstract: A sensor for contactless electrocardiographic measurement on a person includes a carrier for mounting to a seat, an electrode for registering a measurement signal, a pressure sensor supporting the electrode on the carrier, and moisture and temperature sensors mounted to the carrier to detect conditions adjacent to the electrode and the subject person. The moisture sensor and the temperature sensor may be adjacent to at least one opening in the electrode. A processing unit receives information generated by the pressure sensor, the moisture sensor, and the temperature sensor, and filters the measurement signal based on the information. An acceleration sensor may also be mounted to the carrier and/or electrode and send signals to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Eilebrecht, Jeroen Lem, Marcel Mathissen, Achim Lindner, Rainer Vogt, Marian Walter, Steffen Leonhardt
  • Engine air intake duct with molded-in hydrocarbon vapor trap
    Patent number: 9278475
    Abstract: An engine intake duct is formed by securing a hydrocarbon-adsorbing element to a frame to form an insert, positioning the insert in registry with a blow-molding core, placing a molten plastic parison and mold around the insert and core, and blow-molding the parison to form a shell engaging the frame to retain the insert with a surface of the insert exposed to a hollow interior of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Khami, Jacqueline L. Tomlin, David S. Moyer, Timothy Dorweiler, James William Ortman, Ha To Chung, Jeffrey Pittel, Alexander King
  • Encapsulation of personal care actives
    Patent number: 9278055
    Abstract: Described are methods for encapsulating a personal care active, comprising preparing an aqueous phase, comprising partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol and a cosmetically acceptable non-ionic surfactant, preparing an oil phase, comprising the personal care active and isocyanate or polyisocyanate, homogenizing the aqueous phase and oil phase to form an emulsion with particles less than one micron, and forming a dispersion of polyurea core-shell particles containing the personal care active by contacting the emulsion with an aqueous amine solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Chemicals LLC
    Inventors: Fanwen Zeng, Charles Jones, Diane Routzahn, Stephen L. Wilson
  • Air trap variable manifold runners
    Patent number: 9279399
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the flow of air to an intake port of an engine is described that includes a flexible intake manifold runner comprised of helically wound braids. In one example, the length and cross-sectional area are mechanically interlinked. In this way, the flexible intake manifold runner can be tuned over a wider operating band while maintaining a lower cost design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Fabros
  • Anti-theft device for tailgates
    Patent number: 9278718
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly of a truck includes an anchor on the truck and a cable attachable between the tailgate and the anchor. A clip of the cable defines an opening for receiving the anchor. A finger secures the clip to the anchor and is deflectable to allow disconnection of the clip and the anchor. A lock is disposed on the clip and is slidable between a blocking position that prevents deflection of the finger and a releasable position that allows deflection of the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey John Cooper, Hossein Jacob Sadri
  • System and method for improving vehicle performance on grade
    Patent number: 9278693
    Abstract: A system and method for improving vehicle performance on a grade comprises an engine, an acceleration sensor, a global positioning system, a controller and a torque transfer device. The controller determines the grade from information obtained from the global positioning system and the acceleration sensor. The controller calculates a dynamic weight shift of the vehicle from a first wheel to a second wheel due to acceleration and a static weight shift of the vehicle from the first wheel to the second wheel due to gravity and the grade. The controller then determines the maximum amount of torque that can be transmitted to the first wheel before the first wheel slips and avoids slipping by preemptively diverting torque from the first wheel to the second wheel before the first wheel slips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William Paul Perkins
  • Vehicle anti-pinch moonroof control system and method
    Patent number: 9278610
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a vehicle roof closure that can prevent pinching of obstructions within a roof opening. Example vehicles include a roof having an opening, a panel disposed adjacent to the opening and moveable by a first motor, a shade disposed below the panel and moveable by a second motor having a lower output than the first motor, and a controller configured to close the shade before closing the panel during a close panel operation, and stop the shade if an obstruction is detected within the opening. Example methods include upon receiving a command to close a panel over an opening, causing a shade motor to start closing a shade disposed below the panel by unrolling the shade; stopping the shade motor upon detection of an obstruction within the opening; and causing a panel motor to start closing the panel upon receiving a shade closed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Adrian Nania
  • Tire pressure adjustment system and method
    Patent number: 9278588
    Abstract: An example method includes decreasing the pressure within at least one tire of a vehicle when the vehicle is moving. The decreasing is in response to a condition change. An example assembly includes a sensor and a tire pressure controller that causes a decrease in a pressure within at least one tire of a vehicle in response to a first condition detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • System and method for controlling an engine that includes low pressure EGR
    Patent number: 9279375
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes a low pressure EGR passage and a selective reduction catalyst are disclosed. In one example, an actuator is adjusted in response to a NOx mass flow rate in the low pressure EGR passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Waheed Alashe