Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Climate comfort seat assembly
    Patent number: 9168852
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat structure. A carrier is disposed on the seat structure and includes a matrix of fluid transfer lines. A spacer material is positioned over the carrier. A trim cover is disposed over the spacer material. A desiccant is made from a volcanic ash and is supported by the seat structure. The matrix of fluid transfer lines thermodynamically influences a relative temperature of the trim cover through both the carrier and the desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Paul Bryan Hoke, Clay Wesley Maranville, John W. Jaranson, Michael Kolich, Daniel Ferretti, Jeroen Lem
  • Compression limiting clip for a bracket assembly
    Patent number: 9169966
    Abstract: A bracket assembly includes a polymer bracket that has a first side, a second side, and an opening that extends between the first and second sides. A compression limiting clip includes a plate portion coupled with the second side. A member borders at least a portion of the opening and extends orthogonally from the plate portion through the opening for receiving compression from a fastener engaging the polymer bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Allen Schaffer, Dean Joseph DeAngelis
  • Valve cover with integrated sparkplug tube
    Patent number: 9169798
    Abstract: A valve cover for an engine and a method is provided. The valve cover may include a cover body, and a sparkplug tube formed integrally with the cover body. In this way, any distortion of the bottom end of the sparkplug tubes due to, for example removal and reinstallation may not provide a leakage path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Acierno Valencia, Paul Thomas Reinhart
  • Method for estimating grade and rolling direction
    Patent number: 9168925
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining vehicle rolling direction and road grade are disclosed. In one example, a vehicle rolling direction is determined from a correlation coefficient. The vehicle rolling direction is applied to a kinematic equation to determine road grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Emrah Adamey, Mathew Alan Boesch
  • Method and device for reducing the likelihood of theft at a gas station or a charging station for motor vehicles
    Patent number: 9169115
    Abstract: A method for preventing fuel theft at a gas station or a charging station for motor vehicles is provided. The method includes determining whether a refueling process or recharging process of a motor vehicle is taking place and activating an emergency operating mode of the motor vehicle until a payment for the refueling process or the recharging process has taken place, the emergency operating mode configured to limit vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Uwe Gussen, Christoph Arndt, Erik Alpman
  • Electronic device module comprising an ethylene multi-block copolymer
    Patent number: 9169340
    Abstract: An electronic device module comprises: A. At least one electronic device, e.g., a solar cell, and B. A polymeric material in intimate contact with at least one surface of the electronic device, the polymeric material comprising an ethylene multi-block copolymer. Typically, the polyolefin material is an ethylene multi-block copolymer with a density of less than about 0.90 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc). The polymeric material can fully encapsulate the electronic device, or it can be laminated to one face surface of the device. Optionally, the polymeric material can further comprise a scorch inhibitor, and the copolymer can remain uncrosslinked or it can be crosslinked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Rajen M. Patel, Shaofu Wu, Mark T. Bernius, Mohamed Esseghir, Robert L. McGee, Michael H. Mazor, John A. Naumovitz
  • Steering system clatter mitigation
    Patent number: 9168949
    Abstract: A steering system clatter mitigation apparatus and method. The clatter mitigation apparatus excites the steering system at a frequency within a range of an existing engine noise. The excitation of the steering system at a different frequency than the clatter sound greatly reduces the clatter sound. The sound produced by the excitation of the steering system is masked by the existing sound of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Mario D'Amato, Dimitar Petrov Filev
  • Method for controlling a variable charge air cooler
    Patent number: 9169809
    Abstract: Embodiments for a charge air cooler are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises during a first mode, decreasing a volume of a charge air cooler in response to a compressor operation upstream of the charge air cooler. In this way, compressor surge may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Andrew Wade, Jason Eugene Devries, Charles A. Cockerill, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • Closure device for a compartment
    Patent number: 9169675
    Abstract: A closure device for a compartment, in particular a glove compartment, which is able to be closed by a flap, in motor vehicles, wherein the flap is designed to be displaceable by a force in a reversible manner between a released position and a blocked position in the direction of the action of a force, wherein the flap has a pivoting mechanism with a lock, wherein the lock is designed to be movable into the blocked position due to the action of a force and then comes into engagement with the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Voigt, Simon Higgins
  • Hybrid electric vehicle and method for controlling a powertrain therein
    Patent number: 9168825
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid electric powertrain includes, in response to a request to increase a powertrain braking force on at least one of a plurality of traction wheels, (i) commanding at least one clutch to increase a gear ratio of a transmission, and (ii) during clutch stroke, commanding an electric machine to act as a generator such that the electric machine applies a braking force to at least one of the traction wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Daniel Scott Colvin, Marvin Paul Kraska
  • Utility seat assembly
    Patent number: 9168850
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided which includes a second row center seating unit including a seatback and a seat that includes a front and a rear. A slide assembly is coupled with the rear of the seat, and the seating unit is operable between a first position wherein a seat is proximate the slide assembly and a second position wherein the seat is slid forward and rotated upward such that the seatback is proximate the slide assembly. A support surface extends over the seat and is openable to expose a storage compartment when the seating unit is in the second position. A retaining feature is disposed in the front of the seat in order to secure items extending through the vehicle over the seating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Leonard Meszaros, David Thomas Patrick
  • Exhaust gas sensor diagnosis and controls adaptation
    Patent number: 9169795
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an anticipatory controller of an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust. In one embodiment, the method comprises adjusting fuel injection responsive to exhaust oxygen feedback from the anticipatory controller of the exhaust gas sensor and adjusting one or more parameters of the anticipatory controller responsive to a type of oxygen sensor degradation. In this way, the anticipatory controller may be adapted based on the type and magnitude of the degradation behavior to increase performance of the air-fuel control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Imad Hassan Makki, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Adam Nathan Banker, Michael James Uhrich, Michael Casedy
  • Engine-load management to reduce particulate emissions
    Patent number: 9169791
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine of a vehicle. During a warm-up period following a cold start of the vehicle, a cylinder of the engine is charged to a reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder. After the warm-up period, the cylinder is charged to a non-reduced air-charge pressure, greater for an equivalent driver demand than the reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan VanDerWege, Ken Jahr, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Todd Anthony Rumpsa
  • Wastegate valve position correction
    Patent number: 9169771
    Abstract: Various methods for compensating a deflected linkage in a wastegate arrangement are provided. In one example, current is applied to an actuator to move a wastegate valve coupled through a linkage to the actuator for diverting gasses from a turbocharger. The position of the actuator is indicated, and a correction to said indicated actuator position is applied compensating for deflection of the linkage based at least on said applied current. Said applied current is adjusted when said corrected actuator position reaches a position corresponding to a desired valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yan Wang, Gregory Patrick McConville, Katherine Lapham, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Hamza Derbas, Vladimir V. Kokotovic
  • VEHICLE ROOF RACK SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150298618
    Abstract: A vehicle roof rack system for use on a roof of a vehicle which may include a moonroof the roof rack system includes first and second side rail members adapted to be mounted to the roof of the vehicle, the first and second side rail members each including a first channel located proximal a bottom side, a second channel located proximal a top side, a third channel extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second channels, and a fourth channel extending substantially angularly between the first and second channels and a plurality of crossbows extending between the side rails and movable between a use position and a storage position at a plurality of locations along the side rails and also movable to channels in the rails located proximal the rear of the vehicle for storage of the rails and to provide an unobstructed view out the moonroof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J.L. Meszaros, David Thomas Patrick
  • CONTROLLING MAGNETIC FLUX IN AN AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRIC MACHINE
    Publication number: 20150303837
    Abstract: A method of compensating for magnetic flux resulting from variance from a first electric machine to a second electric machine. A magnetic flux change for the first machine is calculated as a function of a flux difference between the first machine and the second machine. Operation of the first machine is controlled using the magnetic flux change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: KYLE M. HANSON, EDWARD W. HARAN
  • Bidirectional DC Converter-based Battery Simulator
    Publication number: 20150301120
    Abstract: A battery simulator is configured to provide large energy pulses for hot plug testing while maintaining the ability to quickly respond during random order testing. A simulator can comprise a plurality of cell simulators “cellsims” coupled to a DC power supply. Each cellsim can include a bidirectional DC converter, a bulk capacitor on the primary side of the converter, and a switchable discharge capacitor on the secondary side of the converter. The bidirectional DC converter enables the simulator to cooperate with a battery control module (BCM) to perform active cell balancing. Energy received from the BCM can be stored at the bulk capacitor. The discharge capacitor can be coupled to an output link to provide a high energy pulse to the BCM to simulate hot plug conditions, and can be decoupled from the link during random order testing. Output link voltage and current can be monitored for fault detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tuyen Q. TRAN, Ben A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • MULTIPLE ZONED RADIATOR
    Publication number: 20150298538
    Abstract: A radiator according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first zone that includes a first fan coverage area and a second zone that includes a second fan coverage area that is different from the first fan coverage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Neil Robert Burrows, Bhaskara Boddakayala
  • COORDINATED ENGINE START IN HYBRID VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150298677
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain, where the powertrain includes a motor and an engine, includes providing a first motor torque in response to an engine start request. The first motor torque cranks the engine through a first compression event. The method additionally includes providing a second motor torque in response to the engine being cranked through the first compression event. The second motor torque is less than the first motor torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig REED, Jeffrey Allen DOERING, David OSHINSKY, Xiaoyong WANG, Felix NEDOREZOV, Mark Steven YAMAZAKI
  • METHOD TO ADJUST FUEL ECONOMY READINGS FOR STORED ENERGY
    Publication number: 20150302670
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for compensating an instantaneous fuel economy reading for stored energy. One method comprises, when a vehicle undergoes a sufficient change in one or more of square of vehicle speed and vehicle altitude, estimating a conversion factor for fuel due to stored vehicle energy and adjusting the instantaneous fuel economy reading by the estimated conversion factor. The adjusted instantaneous fuel economy reading may be displayed to an operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, William Charles Ruona