Abstract: A vehicle door includes a handle having an angled or inclined ramp surface. A bellcrank is rotatably connected to the door structure for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The bellcrank includes a follower that engages the inclined ramp surface such that movement of the exterior handle from the rest position to the opened position causes the bellcrank to rotate and shift linkage that unlatches a the latch mechanism.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 4, 2014
Publication date:
December 10, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Kosta Papanikolaou, Livianu Dorin Puscas, Rajesh K. Patel
Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a battery and a controller programmed to calculate a battery voltage characteristic from previously measured charge and discharge data. The battery voltage characteristic is based on differences between the previously measured values when state of charge falls in a range in which the differences are approximately equal. Outside of the range, the charge and discharge voltage data are corrected based on a square root of time to obtain the battery voltage characteristic. The characterization may be performed with a high-rate continuous charge and discharge cycle. Also disclosed is an apparatus for generating the battery characteristic that includes a bi-directional power supply. The battery voltage characteristic is obtained based on the differences of the charge and discharge voltage data and corrected data based on the square root of time. A method is also disclosed based on the same.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 23, 2013
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Dawn Bernardi, Thomas J. Coupar, William T. Moore, Josephine S. Lee, Robert Taenaka
Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a battery pack having one or more cells and a controller configured to continuously update battery model parameter values based on generalized linear regression analysis. The analysis updates the parameters using a dataset of independent variable vectors and a dependent variable vector constructed from a series of input currents to the battery pack and corresponding voltage responses of the battery pack that fall within a moving window.
Abstract: The invention relates to a cementitious composition that can effectively reduce the adsorption of water, which comprises a) at least one polymer that is the polymerization product of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, in the form of their polymer dispersions and water-redispersible polymer powders; and b) at least one alkyl and/or alkenyl substituted dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides.
Abstract: A method and a system for balancing cells of a vehicle battery includes discharging charge from a highest charged cell for a discharge time period dependent on a charge difference between the highest charged cell and a lowest charged cell at a given time. The cells may be charged with the discharge charge during a charge time period.
Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain, includes: sensing a vehicle velocity; selecting at least two of a plurality of control strategies; activating the at least two control strategies, said two control strategies including: (i) operating the vehicle in a stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is below a first threshold; and (ii) operating the vehicle in a rolling stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is above a second threshold.
Abstract: Regulating a speed of a motor vehicle during an automated parking operation comprises measuring a speed of the motor vehicle during the automated parking operation, comparing the measured speed with a predefined speed value, reducing an engine power of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle and increasing a brake pressure of a brake of the motor vehicle if the measured speed is higher than predefined by the predefined speed value, and increasing the engine power and reducing the brake pressure if the measured speed is lower than predefined by the predefined speed value.
Abstract: An outer bumper and an inner bumper have disposed therebetween a plastic bolster. At least one inflator is communicatively coupled to a controller and arranged to inflate the plastic bolster. The bolster is formed of a plastic having sufficient rigidity to fold. In one example, the bolster includes accordion folds in an undeployed state.
Abstract: A passenger protection device includes a panel trim that is fittable to a vehicle instrument panel and a flexible sheet attached to each of at least a portion of the panel trim and at least a portion of an edge of the instrument panel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 16, 2014
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2015
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
James Chih Cheng, Parakrama V. Weerappuli, Raed Essa El-Jawahri, Mohammed Omar Faruque
Abstract: A pedestrian safety system for use with a motor vehicle includes a vehicle hood movable between a closed position and a raised position wherein a leading edge of the hood is raised relative to a front surface of the vehicle to form a gap, and a leg stiffener movable between a retracted position wherein it is beneath the hood when the hood is closed and a deployed position wherein the stiffener projects through the gap and is forward of the leading edge of the hood when the hood is raised. At least one actuator mounted beneath the hood moves the stiffener between the retracted and deployed positions. A remote sensing system detects an impending collision with a pedestrian and triggers the raising of the hood and extension of the actuators.
Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain, includes: sensing a vehicle speed; selecting a plurality of control strategies; activating one of the plurality of control strategies, the control strategy including: (i) operating the vehicle in a stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is below a first threshold; and (ii) operating the vehicle in a rolling stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is above the first threshold but below a second threshold.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 27, 2012
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Ingo Lenz, Chris Connelly, Chris Edward Pedlar, Rainer Busch, Urs Christen, Baekhyun (“Harry”) Cho
Abstract: A multilayer film is disclosed, having at least two layers. A first layer includes a first interpolymer of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin. The first interpolymer has a density of less than 0.925 g/cm3, and an average Mv and a valley temperature between the interpolymer and high crystalline fraction, The, such that the average Mv for a fraction above The from ATREF divided by average Mv of the whole polymer from ATREF (Mhc/Mhp) is less than about 1.95 and the first interpolymer has a CDBI of less than 60%. At least one other second layer includes a second inter-polymer of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin, the second interpolymer having a density from 0.925 to 0.965 g/cm3. The interpolymer of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin can have a high density fraction and an overall density such that % HD fraction <0.0168x2?29.636x+13036 where x=density in g/cm3.
Abstract: A method comprising; a) assembling a plurality of ceramic filters, into an array wherein two or more of the outer surfaces of each filter are located adjacent to outer surfaces of other ceramic filters with removable spacers located between the adjacent surfaces of ceramic filters such that the spaces between, the adjacent surfaces are uniform m a work surface; b) removing sequentially one or more of the ceramic filters or horizontal rows of the ceramic filters and removing the spacers between adjacent surfaces until a single ceramic fitter or horizontal row remains; c) applying a cement layer to the outer surface of the single ceramic filter or horizontal row on the work surface; d) replacing the next adjacent ceramic filter or horizontal row of ceramic filters in the location the ceramic filler or horizontal row of ceramic filters were removed from; e) sequentially applying layers of cement to the outer surface of a ceramic filter or outer surfaces of a horizontal row of ceramic filters and replacing the ne
Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods and system for enabling an authorized vehicle driveaway. A vehicle driveaway authorization code for authorizing a vehicle to be driven and a user authorization code that corresponds to the vehicle driveaway authorization code may be generated. The codes may be generated by, for example, at least one server configured to generate the authorization codes. The at least one server may be communicating with a nomadic device and a vehicle driveaway authorization system. A vehicle driveaway request signal may be received. In response to a receipt of the vehicle driveaway request signal, the vehicle driveaway authorization code may be transmitted to the vehicle driveaway authorization system and the user authorization code may be transmitted to the nomadic device for input to the vehicle driveaway authorization system in order to enable the vehicle to be driven.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2012
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Robert Bruce Kleve, Kevin Thomas Hille
Abstract: Fiber bundles (10) comprise loose fibers (11) encased within a fiber/resin composite (12). The bundles are useful as strength members for fiber optic cables. In one embodiment the bundles are prepared by a method comprising the steps of (A) bundling fibers together such that a portion of the fibers form an interior part of the bundle and a portion of the fibers form an exterior part of the bundle, and (B) impregnating the exterior part of the bundle with a resin such that (1) the fibers that form the exterior part of the bundle and the resin form a fiber/resin composite that encases the fibers that for the interior part of the bundle, and (2) the fibers that form the interior part of the bundle are not impregnated with the resin.
Abstract: In one embodiment, a metal oxygen battery is provided. The metal oxygen battery includes a battery housing including a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment includes a first electrode and an oxygen storage material in communication with the first electrode. The second compartment includes a second electrode and the second electrode includes a metal material (M). In another embodiment, the oxygen storage material is configured as a number of particles disposed within the first electrode. In certain instances, at least a portion of the number of particles are each contained within a selective transport member. In certain other instances, the selective transport member is oxygen permeable and electrolyte impermeable.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 1, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Andrew Robert Drews, Andrea Pulskamp, Jun Yang, Shinichi Hirano, Michael Alan Tamor
Abstract: An engine system and method for operating an engine including a central throttle and a port throttle is disclosed. In one example, the central throttle and port throttle are adjusted to improve air flow distribution to engine cylinders. The system and method may be particularly beneficial for turbocharged engines.
Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes registering at least one medical condition associated with a vehicle occupant. The method also includes monitoring environmental conditions for the onset of a trigger likely to cause complications with regards to the medical condition. The method further includes warning the vehicle occupant about the onset of the trigger. The method also includes adjusting a vehicle component or system, via the VCS, in response to the onset of the trigger.
Abstract: A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing zoxamide and zinc pyrithione is provided. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the growth of or controlling the growth of microorganisms in a building material by adding such a synergistic antimicrobial composition. Also provided is a coating composition containing such a synergistic antimicrobial composition, and a dry film made from such a coating composition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 29, 2013
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2015
Assignees:
Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
Inventors:
Kenneth M. Donnelly, Pierre Marie Alain Lenoir, Lukas Thomas Johannes Villiger
Abstract: An airbag module includes a base and an airbag supported by the base. The airbag is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position and presents an impact surface spaced from the base in the inflated position. The airbag includes an extension having a perimeter surface extending transversely from the impact surface around a perimeter of the extension. A tether extends from the base to the extension in the uninflated position. The extension catches the head of the test dummy if the test dummy slides along the impact surface during a vehicle oblique impact to slow and/or stop movement of the head of the test dummy toward a driver side door and/or A-pillar of the vehicle.