Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Exhaust gas sensor controls adaptation for asymmetric degradation responses
    Patent number: 9249751
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting an asymmetric degradation response of an exhaust gas sensor to a more symmetric degradation response. In one example, a method includes adjusting fuel injection responsive to a modified exhaust oxygen feedback signal from an exhaust gas sensor, the modified exhaust oxygen feedback signal modified by transforming an asymmetric response of the exhaust gas sensor to a more symmetric response. Further, the method may include adjusting one or more parameters of an anticipatory controller of the exhaust gas sensor based on the modified symmetric response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael James Uhrich, Michael Casedy
  • Method and apparatus for an OnBoard diagnostic interface tool
    Patent number: 9251628
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a plurality of on-board diagnostic (OBD) interfaces, in communication with the processor. The exemplary apparatus also includes a configurable housing, adapted to flexibly present an orientation of an OBD interface. The apparatus further includes persistent and non-persistent memory, in communication with the processor and a non-OBD I/O interface, in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to detect external device communication through a first OBD interface and function as a pass-through to a second OBD interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Henry Thomas Ubik, Darren Peter Shelcusky, Vijay Sankaran, William Jude Coughlin
  • Rear defrost control in stop/start vehicle
    Patent number: 9248824
    Abstract: A method for controlling a stop/start vehicle includes commanding an engine auto start in response to a calibratable time interval elapsing after receiving an electric defroster activation request when the engine is auto stopped. The method may further include activating a defroster after the engine has been auto started. The method may additionally include activating a defroster indicator when the electric defroster activation is received. The method may further include inhibiting an engine auto stop in response to an electric defroster activation request when the engine is running and further in response to a battery charge being insufficient to support a predicted current draw, and signaling an alert to a vehicle driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Michael Rademacher, Kirk Pebley, James Rollinson, Eric Gerd Schaefer
  • Method and apparatus for voice-based machine to machine communication
    Patent number: 9251788
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to communicate, via a voice call, with a remote server over a connection established through a wireless phone in communication with the processor. The processor is also configured to deliver and receive data and instructions over a voice channel, using spoken, human-language-based communication. The processor is further configured to utilize a standardized voice, to dynamically form, transmit and interpret commands and data, including both predefined system commands and dynamically user-input variables relating to one or more system commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, Joseph Carl Beiser
  • Panoramic roof module for a vehicle
    Patent number: 9248725
    Abstract: A panoramic vehicle sunroof system is provided. The panoramic sunroof system has a movable roof panel operable to define a sunroof opening extending generally from a front pillar to a rear pillar. A sunroof controller is configured to receive input indicative of vehicle speed and automatically control movement of the panel. The sunroof controller commands movement of the roof panel from a first open position to a second open position having an opening distance less than in the first position when speed exceeds a threshold. In the second position, wind noise is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Comfort, Bryan Underwood, Artem Poliakov
  • Ethylene-based polymer compositions and foams
    Patent number: 9249271
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising the following: A) a first polymer selected from the following: i) an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer; or ii) an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block interpolymer; B) a second polymer selected from the following: iii) an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer; iv) an ethylene/?-olefin/non-conjugated diene interpolymer; or v) an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block interpolymer; and wherein the first polymer has a density from 0.880 to 0.910 g/cc, and the second polymer has a density less than, or equal to, 0.867 g/cc, and wherein the weight ratio of the first polymer to the second polymer is from 0.5 to 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Bee Tin Low
  • Method and apparatus for remote racing
    Patent number: 9248378
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to communicate with a remote server to provide and obtain vehicle performance information, wherein the processor is further configured to receive and present a list of one or more available race opponents respond to the server with an opponent selection present a countdown timer and measure and report to the server one or more vehicle statistics relating to a race beginning at the end of the countdown timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Phillip Pierucci, Shawn Daniel Brozovich
  • Sun visor assembly incorporating a magnetic detention system
    Patent number: 9248721
    Abstract: A sun visor assembly is provided incorporating a magnetic detention system. That assembly includes a sun visor body, a ferromagnetic element held in that body and a permanent magnet in a headliner of the vehicle. The permanent magnet and the ferromagnetic element are aligned so that the body is attracted toward the headliner and positively held in a home position adjacent the headliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Alan Forgette, Neal Randolph Osstyn, Anna Miller Hill, John Andrew Stakoe
  • Method and apparatus for providing parking instructions to reduce environmental vehicle effects
    Patent number: 9248823
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive parking space environmental characteristics, from a vehicle parked in a parking space. The processor is also configured to download weather data for an area in which the parking space is located, covering a time duration for which the vehicle was parked. The processor is further configured to correlate the weather data to the received environmental characteristics to build a parking space environment profile for the duration of time and update a parking space model based on the environment profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Yimin Liu, Michael Edward Loftus
  • VEHICLE CANOPY
    Publication number: 20160023544
    Abstract: A vehicle canopy includes a vehicle body defining a roof opening. A roof is connected to the vehicle body across the roof opening. A headliner is supported by at least one of the vehicle body and the roof. A frame is supported by the vehicle body. A fabric partition is engaged with the frame and extends across the roof opening between the headliner and the roof. The fabric partition may assist in preventing occupant test dummies and/or other objects from moving through the roof opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edgar Edward Donabedian, Darrin Neil Wagner, Mark Keller, Bruno M. Barthelemy
  • Hydrocarbon storage canister
    Patent number: 9243594
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle is provided herein. The system includes a fuel vapor canister comprising a shell, a compression plate within the shell and an end cap. The end cap includes a double sided spring interface and a double sided shell sealing surface having double sided identical grooves, only one of which is sealed to the shell. The system further includes a spring coupled to the compression plate and only one spring interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Mark Edward Hipp
  • Methods for an exhaust fluid level sensor
    Patent number: 9243755
    Abstract: Various methods are provided for notifying a vehicle operator of various parameters based on an exhaust fluid level sensor of an exhaust fluid storage tank. In one example, the parameter is a consumption rate of the exhaust fluid. In another example, the parameter is an amount of fluid to be added to the exhaust fluid storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Don M. Lawrence, Scott Donald Cooper, Dwayne Pollitt, Jimmy Zhu, David T. Zultowski, Scott J. Szymusiak
  • Adduct
    Patent number: 9243088
    Abstract: An adduct of (a) at least one divinylarene dioxide, and (b) at least one end-functionalized polymer. For example, the adduct may be beneficially used as a toughening agent for toughening thermoset resins such as epoxy resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephanie L. Potisek, Mark B. Wilson
  • Turbocharger compressor inlet flow control
    Patent number: 9243550
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling compressor inlet flow in a turbocharger of an engine are described. In one example, a method for controlling a compressor inlet flow of an engine turbocharger system includes: directing air from a high pressure source to an inlet upstream of a compressor wheel via a conduit coupled to the inlet and the high pressure source, where the conduit is obliquely coupled to the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith D. Miazgowicz, Ahsanul Karim, Kevin Payne, Adam Michael Christian
  • Variable pressure gaseous fuel regulator
    Patent number: 9243588
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for varying fuel injection pressure in a gaseous-fueled vehicle. A mechanical pressure regulator may be modified to regulate the pressure of gaseous fuel to varying pressures based on electronic pressure feedback and engine operating conditions. In one example, a regulating pressure in a low pressure chamber of a pressure regulator may be varied by controllably flowing gaseous fuel into or out of a reference chamber of the pressure regulator, and the gaseous fuel exhausted from the reference chamber may be directed to the engine for combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • System and method for regenerative braking
    Patent number: 9246417
    Abstract: One exemplary aspect of this disclosure relates to a method including the step of controlling a level of regenerative torque to at least partially meet a braking request. The level of regenerative torque is gradually introduced at a controlled rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Francis Thomas Connolly, Bernard D Nefcy, Zhengyu Dai
  • Electronic parking brake system
    Patent number: 9242624
    Abstract: An electronic parking brake system having selectable modes and varying parking brake actuation dependent on the selected mode and amount of parking brake application being requested. The system provides for varying interfaces with varying programmed outputs to control a vehicle's parking brake. One such mode being a boat launch mode in which an electronic parking brake is initially actuated to 100%, the amount of parking brake application is displayed, and the driver is allowed to modulate the parking brake application through + and ? buttons in combination with the visual display to allow the vehicle to back down a boat ramp using gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Huennekens, Samuel Ellis, Gregory Foletta
  • Fuel system diagnostics
    Patent number: 9243591
    Abstract: Methods and system are provided for identifying unintended closing (or corking) of a mechanical valve coupled to a fuel tank. If tank vent valve corking is identified during a leak test, fuel tank pressure data collected during the leak test is disregarded and not used to determine a fuel system leak. Instead, a fuel system leak test is repeated to improve reliability of test results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Roy Jentz, Mark W. Peters, Michael Casedy, Aed M Dudar
  • Dual drive plate damper for hybrid electric vehicles
    Patent number: 9243672
    Abstract: An assembly includes an engine output concentric with an axis, an input, a starting gear, a first drive plate secured to the engine output, including a rim supporting the starting gear, and arms extending radially outward from the axis, and a second drive plate rotatably secured to the input, and secured to the first drive plate at a location spaced radially outward from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Brevick, Steven A. Frait, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Variable cam timing control during engine shut-down and start-up
    Patent number: 9243569
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric variable cam timing (VCT) actuator is disclosed. The method includes during engine shutdown, adjusting camshaft position with an electric VCT actuator to a target starting location, applying a first current to the electric VCT actuator to maintain the target starting location, and during engine startup before camshaft position feedback becomes available, applying a second current to the electric VCT actuator to maintain the target starting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yan Wang, James Douglas Ervin, Kim Hwe Ku