Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Systems and methods for scheduling driver interface tasks based on driver workload
    Patent number: 9141584
    Abstract: A vehicle's dynamic handling state, driver inputs to the vehicle, etc. may be examined to determine one or more measures of driver workload. Driver interface tasks may then be delayed and/or prevented from executing based on the driver workload so as to not increase the driver workload. Alternatively, driver interface tasks may be scheduled for execution based on the driver workload and caused to execute according to the schedule, for example, to minimize the impact the executing driver interface tasks have on driver workload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar Petrov Filev, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Finn Tseng, Jianbo Lu
  • Method and apparatus for automatically generating a test script for a graphical user interface
    Patent number: 9141521
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of automatic testing of a graphical user interface in the technical field of software testing. Embodiments of the invention provide a method for automatically generating a test script for a graphical user interface. This method comprises defining information of each component in a tested graphical user interface, writing a test case file, and generating a file of combined values of components, and adding an operation type to each component in each file of combined values. The method further comprises determining a sequence of operations in each of the files of combined values, and generating a test script. This method reduces the tester's workload when manually programming test scripts and facilitates maintenance of test scripts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Yun Zhang, Jing Luo, Yuanji Wang
  • Methods and devices for positioning a traction battery on a hybrid or electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9139074
    Abstract: Vehicles incorporating various methods and devices for mounting a fraction battery include securing the traction battery to a structural member of the vehicle in a manner that releases the traction battery from the structural member of the vehicle in response to an external load applied to the fraction battery that exceeds a threshold. A mounting member includes a slot for guiding movement of the battery away from the external load to reduce or eliminate compressive loading of the battery. Fasteners include a guide portion that cooperates with the slot and a shear portion that secures the battery in a first position but separates from the guide portion in response to the external load to allow the battery to move to a second position away from the external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Corey John Jarocki
  • Flexible tow hook
    Patent number: 9139058
    Abstract: A flexible tow hook assembly for a vehicle. That assembly generally includes a front rail enclosing an inner region, a through-bolt assembly, and a cable. The through-bolt passes through and secured to the front rail section, and a support structure provides structural support to the front rail at an area where the through bolt is secured to the same. The cable is substantially flexible and a tie area is attached to the cable to form a figure-eight. The cable has a smaller loop, extending around the through-bolt, and a larger loop extending from the end of the front rail. The through-bolt may extend through the front rail vertically or horizontally. The support structure may be provided by an overlap area where rail members overlap, or by mounting plates secured to the surface of the front rail at the position where the through bolt extends through the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Georgetta Livingstone, Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily, John Martin Knittel, Douglas Lee Howe
  • Engine system having a backflow valve and method for operation thereof
    Patent number: 9140153
    Abstract: An engine system is described. The engine system includes an oil drain passage in fluidic communication with an oil separator. The engine system further includes a backflow valve positioned at an outlet of the oil drain line, the backflow valve having a first configuration where the valve provides a predetermined amount of oil backflow into the oil drain passage and a second configuration where the valve inhibits oil backflow into the oil drain passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Bonded and rotatable vehicle sensor assembly
    Patent number: 9139148
    Abstract: A fascia assembly including a bumper beam, a bumper cover, and a sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly may include a bracket and a sensor. The sensor assembly is disposed between the beam and cover. The bracket may define a base bonded to a surface of the cover and a key hole. The sensor may include a connector, clip, and key for the hole. The sensor may be configured to rotate between first and second positions such that the clip prevents connector access in the first but not the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jayagopal Appukutty, Steven Yellin Schondorf, Erich Kemnitz
  • Battery cell capacity balancing system and method
    Patent number: 9139103
    Abstract: A power system for a vehicle may include at least one controller and a battery having a plurality of cells. The at least one controller may, for each of the cells, determine a capacity of the cell, determine a duration of time to supply cell load current to reduce the determined capacity of the cell to a value approximately equal to a minimum of the determined capacities, and cause the cell to supply cell load current for the determined duration of time to balance the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Allan Roy Gale, Larry Dean Elie
  • Methods of and formulations for reducing and inhibiting the growth of the concentration of microbes in water-based fluids and systems used with them
    Patent number: 9139796
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and formulations for reducing or inhibiting increase in the concentration of microbes in a water-based fluid. The methods and formulations of the present invention use an oxazolidine compound and a hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salts, C1-C3 alkyl- and alkenyltris(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salts and tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine. The methods and formulations of the present invention can be useful in treating water contaminated with aerobic or anaerobic bacteria in oilfield and other industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Bei Yin, Jingjun Yang, Pierre Marie Lenoir
  • Vehicle frame rail and pillar connection
    Patent number: 9139235
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes an outside rail section having an upper flange, a lower flange, and an inward facing cavity between the upper and lower flanges. An inside rail section is coupled along the upper and lower flanges of the outside rail section and has an outward facing cavity that aligns with the inward facing cavity to enclose an interior volume. A pair of hydroform tubes extending vertically through apertures at spaced longitudinal locations in the upper flange and engage a bottom surface of the inward cavity to define a pillar for supporting a vehicle roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Craig, Jason Scott Balzer, Kumar Mahadevan, Zhenyan Gao, Yuan Zhou
  • Method and system for supervising information communication based on occupant and vehicle environment
    Patent number: 9141583
    Abstract: A vehicle computer system includes one or more processors configured to receive context data representative of a vehicle's environment from one or more modules. The one or more processors are programmed and configured to receive the context data from one or more modules, determine an attention demand value utilizing the context data and a workload value corresponding to the context data, and output an indicator to activate or adjust a do not disturb feature based on the attention demand value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Doron M. Elliott, Gary Steven Strumolo
  • Method for preparation of 2-alkyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-ones
    Patent number: 9139540
    Abstract: A method for preparation of 2-alkyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-ones from 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one by contacting 1,2-benzisothiazolm-3-one with a dialkyl carbonate in the presence of a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Mark V. M. Emonds, Daniel R. Henton, Randall W. Stephens
  • Method for detecting water-in-fuel after refueling event
    Patent number: 9140680
    Abstract: A method, comprising generating a water-in-fuel indication responsive to a water-in-fuel content increasing more than a threshold amount within a threshold time of a refueling event is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Castleberry, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Carlos Armesto
  • System and method for hybrid vehicle control during wheel slip events to limit generator speed
    Patent number: 9139088
    Abstract: A system an method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having a transmission coupled to vehicle wheels, an internal combustion engine, a planetary gearset coupled to the engine and to a differential output shaft to drive the vehicle wheels, a traction motor coupled through gearing to the differential output shaft and the planetary gearset, a generator coupled to the planetary gearset and electrically coupled to the fraction motor, a traction battery coupled to the generator and the traction motor, and at least one controller in communication with the engine, the traction motor, and the generator include limiting engine speed in response to a wheel slip event to an engine speed limit based on motor speed and generator speed to prevent the generator speed from exceeding a corresponding threshold when the wheel slip event terminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shunsuke Okubo, Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar
  • Methods and systems for driveline sailing mode entry
    Patent number: 9139197
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, entry conditions for entering a driveline sailing mode are described. Driveline sailing mode may improve driveline torque response and vehicle drivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Cooling fan assisted engine-off natural vacuum test
    Patent number: 9140627
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle fuel system, comprising: during an engine-off condition, including an ambient temperature within a threshold range, operating a cooling fan to increase a fuel tank vacuum; and indicating leaks in the vehicle fuel system based on the increased vacuum. In this way, an EONV test may be run at mild ambient temperatures which would not otherwise result in the development of adequate fuel tank vacuum to pass the EONV test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Process for making hybrid polyester-polyether polyols
    Patent number: 9139506
    Abstract: Hybrid polyester-polyether polyols are prepared by polymerizing an alkylene oxide in the presence of a carboxylate initiator. The polymerization is catalyzed with a mixture of double metal cyanide catalyst complex and certain magnesium, group 3-group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compounds. The presence of the magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal (MG3-15LA) compound makes for consistently rapid activation of the double metal cyanide catalyst complex, even in the presence of carboxylate initiator compounds. This leads to greater productivity and reduced manufacturing costs due to shorter cycle times and less waste of raw materials due to the failure of the catalyst to become activated. Once the catalyst is activated, it often polymerizes the alkylene oxide at a faster rate that the DMC catalyst by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Pavel L. Shutov, David S. Laitar, David A. Babb
  • Side curtain airbag for vehicle having inflatable extension
    Patent number: 9139154
    Abstract: A curtain airbag system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a curtain module substantially embedded in the roof rail in its normal, non-inflated state. The module includes an inflatable curtain attached to an inflator. The inflatable curtain has a forward portion. An elongated and inflatable extension is attached to the forward portion of the curtain. When the curtain is inflated in an impact event, the elongated and inflatable extension extends from the curtain and at least partially overlaps the A-pillar and at least part of the grab handle. The elongated and inflatable extension is a first extension that extends from the forward portion of said curtain. The inflatable curtain may include a second, triangular-shaped extension extendable from the forward portion of the curtain when the curtain is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Abramoski, Sean Timothy Ryan, Pardeep Kumar Jindal, Rahul Makwana
  • Coolant circuit with head and block coolant jackets connected in series
    Patent number: 9140176
    Abstract: A method to operate a split coolant circuit of a combustion engine wherein a cylinder head coolant jacket and an engine block coolant jacket are provided in series with a pump delivering coolant to an inlet of the cylinder head coolant jacket without being directly connected to an inlet of the engine block coolant jacket. This allows for 100% of the pump flow rate to be delivered to the cylinder head coolant jacket before division of coolant flow occurs for various engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Steiner, Jan Mehring, Martin Wirth, Bernd Brinkmann
  • Floor load structure for vehicle body to frame mount
    Patent number: 9139237
    Abstract: A vehicle floor structure includes a cross member having a substantially constant cross section shape. A spacing member is disposed beneath the cross member for securing to a chassis frame. The spacing member is positioned relative to the cross member to define an enclosed cavity between the spacing member and the cross member. The floor structure also includes a first collar affixed within the enclosed cavity. A fastener extends through the spacing member and the cross member, and compresses the first collar when the floor structure is secured to the chassis frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Satish Ganti, John Edward Huber, Michael M. Azzouz, Srinath Vijayakumar
  • Electric vehicle battery pack voltage monitoring
    Patent number: 9140759
    Abstract: Total voltage output by a multi-cell battery pack in an electric vehicle is monitored. A main microcontroller having a chassis ground is digitally isolated from positive and negative busses of the battery pack. A battery monitoring IC having a plurality of auxiliary/thermistor A/D inputs measures respective voltages of the battery cells. A voltage divider is selectably coupled to the positive bus by an evaluation switch under control of the main microprocessor with an auxiliary output terminal of the IC. A divided voltage is coupled to one of the auxiliary/thermistor A/D inputs. The battery monitoring IC transmits a digital value representative of the divided voltage output to the main microprocessor via the serial data link, and the main microprocessor determines the main battery voltage in response to the digital value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Bolduc