Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Lightweight vehicle beam
    Patent number: 9126628
    Abstract: Several different cross sections of beam having more than four sides are disclosed that may form a central portion of a beam having end portions that have four sides. The end portions of the beams may be received by frame rails. The central portion of the beam between the frame rails may be formed with more than four sides. The additional sides may be recessed beads or protruding ribs. Beams having arcuate recesses or arcuate ribs may be provided on the central portion of the beam. The end portions of the beams may extend outboard of the frame rails. The ribs or beads on the central portion of the beam may provide equivalent performance to four-sided beams having considerably thicker walls. Weight reduction is achieved because the central portion is made of a thinner material while retaining strength by forming beads or ribs in the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tau Tyan, Yu-Kan Hu, Leonard Anthony Shaner, Saeed David Barbat
  • Control of hydraulic brake system and method
    Patent number: 9126570
    Abstract: A hybrid or electric vehicle includes a hydraulic brake system having an active vacuum booster with an active boost control valve actuated by at least one controller. An isolation valve is disposed in a fluid circuit that fluidly connects a master cylinder to hydraulic brakes. A brake pedal is capable of moving in an initial deadband displacement range when initially depressed by an operator of the vehicle. While in the initial deadband displacement range, the controller selectively activates the isolation valve to inhibit fluid flow from at least a portion of the fluid circuit to the master cylinder based at least upon an operating state of the active boost control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Joyce, Dale Scott Crombez, Daniel A. Gabor, John Phillip McCormick
  • Control strategy for an electric machine in a vehicle
    Patent number: 9130487
    Abstract: A hybrid-electric vehicle and method of controlling a hybrid-vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a traction battery, at least one electric-machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to alter a voltage between the battery and the electric-machine based on a measured voltage of the battery or the high voltage bus. In response to an indication that the measured voltage is faulty during a drive cycle, the controller instead alters the voltage between the battery and the electric machine based on a substituted battery voltage signal such that the electric-machine remains operable for the drive cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Rimma Isayeva, David Crist Gabriel, Michael W. Degner, Yuqing Tang, Hongjie Wu
  • Multi-pane window assembly with two-sided frame and sliding pane
    Patent number: 9126474
    Abstract: A window assembly includes fixed panes, a sliding pane, and a vehicle mounting frame. The mounting frame includes a unitary, substantially full-circumference frame member. The frame member includes a show surface that may extend above or below a window opening opened and closed by the sliding pane. A reinforcement is at least partially embedded in the frame member and has a portion located behind the show surface. Interior surfaces of the fixed panes may be molded to the frame member, and the exterior surface of the fixed panes may free of the frame. A laterally outboard portion of the peripheral edge of each fixed pane may be covered by the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert John Cicala
  • Automated camera wash for vehicles
    Patent number: 9126534
    Abstract: A system to remove debris from a vehicle camera lens using washer fluid from the vehicle's washer system is disclosed. The system analyzes a captured image and determines if the image is obstructed by debris. If the image is determined to be obstructed, the system automatically sprays the camera lens with fluid to remove the debris. The system includes a method of determining obstruction by comparing an image with a reference image. The system includes a method of determining obstruction by analyzing relative movement within a reference area of the image. The system also prevents the draining of the washer fluid due to a false obstruction reading or debris that does not come off after a few sprayings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shane Snider
  • Grommet assembly for vehicle body panel
    Patent number: 9130298
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body panel defining a pass-through, a grommet sealed against the body panel, an electrical connector having a surface defining a sleeve and a tab, and a walled retainer in the grommet and seated within the pass-through. The walled retainer has a prong formed thereon. The prong is configured to slidably receive the sleeve orienting the electrical connector within the pass-through. The prong further defines a channel terminating a ledge. The channel, ledge, and tab are arranged such that the channel and ledge cooperate to retain the tab to prevent movement of the connector relative to the walled retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mohammed Michael Baydoun
  • Process for manufacturing phosphate esters from phosphoryl chloride and monoalkyl ethers of glycols or polyglycols
    Patent number: 9130239
    Abstract: Phosphate ester compounds are prepared by reacting phosphoryl chloride with at least one mono(alkylene glycol) monoether or poly(alkylene glycol) monoether, or a mixture at least one mono(alkylene glycol) monoether or poly(alkylene glycol) monoether and at least one alkylene glycol or polyalkylene glycol, in the presence of at least three moles per mole of phosphoryl chloride of a pyridinyl compound that is devoid of aliphatic nitrogen atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Nicole L. Wagner
  • Fluid conduit with variable flow resistance
    Patent number: 9127799
    Abstract: A fluid-carrying conduit achieves variable resistance to flow. An elongate, hollow body casing has at least one chamber containing either a dilatant fluid or an electroactive polymer. In the case of the dilatant fluid, a reduction in an effective flow cross section of the fluid line occurs in reaction to an increase in the shear rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid line. In the case of the electroactive polymer, a reduction in an effective flow cross section of the fluid line occurs in reaction to an electric current being applied to the body casing. The conduit may be configured for use as a degassing line in a cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The conduit may have a reinforcement encircling the electroactive polymer. The conduit may have an electrically conductive connecting surface adjacent to the electroactive polymer. The electroactive polymer may be an ionic electroactive polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Brinkmann, Harald Kaufeld
  • Method for purging condensate from a charge air cooler
    Patent number: 9127607
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cleaning out condensate stored at a charge air cooler. In response to increased condensate accumulation at a charge air cooler, airflow through the engine is increased to purge the condensate while an engine actuator is adjusted to maintain engine torque. Combustion stability issues of engine cylinders are addressed by adjusting fueling of each cylinder individually during condensate ingestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Kristofor Robert Norman, Shuya Shark Yamada, James Matthew Kindree, Claire Steele
  • Flexible optical impact detection sensor for front rail mounted airbag
    Patent number: 9127968
    Abstract: A flexible optical impact detection sensor is mounted on an outboard portion of the front bumper for signaling an offset rigid barrier impact event to a forward corner of a motor vehicle and deployment of a small offset rigid barrier airbag mounted on the front rail. The airbag is attached proximate a distal end of a front rail. The flexible optical impact detection sensor, attached to a rear surface of an outboard portion of the front bumper, generates a signal upon a corner impact event, whereby a controller processes the signal generated by the impact detection sensor and electrically actuates an inflator upon a predetermined impact severity. The airbag in the inflated condition acts against the offset rigid barrier to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Jialiang Le
  • Tailgate hinge assembly
    Patent number: 9126642
    Abstract: A vehicle having a tailgate attached by hinge assemblies. The hinge assemblies have a pair of first hinge halves secured to a rear sill with a hinge leaf extending rearwardly, and a pair of second hinge halves, each secured to the tailgate with a pair of double hinge plates extending therefrom. Each of the second hinge halves include a hinge pin mounted thereto that is selectively slidable between a removal position, a locked position where each of the hinge pins extends into hinge pin holes in the second hinge halves and hinge pin holes of the first hinge halves to pivotally secure the tailgate to the vehicle, and an install position where a tapered end of each of the hinge pins is located in a gap. A latch secures the tailgate in a closed position and releases the tailgate for pivoting about the hinge pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Henry W. Hausler, Andrew Kammerzell
  • Hybrid vehicle drive control system and method for providing motor torque boost compensating for engine delay and torque exceeding maximum engine torque
    Patent number: 9126587
    Abstract: A vehicle control system including a combustion engine and an electric motor selectively provided torque to a transmission separately or in combination to meet driver torque demand. The engine has a maximum torque output value and a torque increase delay response function spanning a predetermined time period. A motor torque boost signal requests an increase in torque provided from an electric motor if the engine torque request signal exceeds the maximum torque output of the engine or the torque increase delay response function of the engine. The motor torque boost signal is time limited and a second level of motor torque boost may be provided for a second limited time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Francis Thomas Connolly
  • Ductless cooling system for a vehicle power storage unit
    Patent number: 9126477
    Abstract: A battery of a vehicle is cooled by air from a cabin of the vehicle. The air from the cabin flows underneath a rear seat of the vehicle and to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Zhu, Sarav Paramasivam, David Patel, Patrick Maguire, Kanghua Chen
  • Selective gas transport films that contain brominated styrene-butadiene copolymers
    Patent number: 9126153
    Abstract: Brominated styrene-butadiene copolymers are useful gas transport films. The gas transport films are made by brominating a starting styrene-butadiene copolymer, and then forming the brominated styrene-butadiene copolymer into a film. The film may contain a blend of the brominated styrene-butadiene copolymer with one or more other polymers. The films have excellent selectivities between certain pairs of gasses, and exhibit high gas transport rates for various gasses such as carbon dioxide and water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Scott T. Matteucci, Mark W. Beach, Michal E. Matteucci, Shari L. Kram, William G. Stobby, Ted A. Morgan, Inken Beulich
  • Functional silane-compatibilized epoxy compositions for insulation applications
    Patent number: 9127116
    Abstract: Described is an epoxy composition containing: (a) an epoxy resin containing at least one epoxy group, (b) an anhydride hardener, (c) a hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane, and (d) a functional silane having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an epoxy-reactive group, an anhydride-reactive group, and an epoxy- and anhydride-reactive group. Also describing a crosslinked epoxy composition and a method for preparing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Tong Ping T. Xiu, Yong-jiang Li, Hongyu Chen, Yi Zhang, Ming L. Ji
  • Crankcase integrity breach detection
    Patent number: 9127578
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring crankcase ventilation system integrity are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises indicating a crankcase ventilation system degradation based on a lower vacuum than expected downstream of a PCV breather tube. For example, indicating a crankcase ventilation system degradation based on a lower vacuum than expected downstream of a PCV breather tube may include indicating a crankcase ventilation system degradation based on an absolute pressure sensor measurement relative to a gauge pressure sensor measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, John Eric Rollinger
  • Integrated thin flex composite headrest assembly
    Patent number: 9126504
    Abstract: A vehicle headrest assembly includes a head restraint operably coupled to a vehicle seatback and having a head support surface. A flexible member includes a top portion operably coupled to the head restraint. The flexible member includes an intermediate portion adjacent the head support surface, a lower portion, and an upper back support disposed on the vehicle seatback and defining an elongated slot through which the flexible member extends. An actuation system is operably coupled to the lower portion of the flexible member. The actuation system operates to move the flexible member through the slot between a deployed position and a non-deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper
  • Fender step for pick-up trucks
    Patent number: 9126535
    Abstract: A dually pickup truck includes a rear axle having a dual-wheel assembly on an end of the axle and a fender positioned over a portion the dual-wheel assembly. A foot-step is in cooperation with the fender providing a user easier access to a cargo bed of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William K. Moore
  • Sliding deflector assembly
    Patent number: 9126550
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly is provided comprising a main rail. The vehicle frame assembly also includes a deflector assembly which has a front member having an inboard end pivotally coupled to the main rail and an outboard end. Moreover, the deflector assembly includes a rear member having an inboard end slidably coupled to the main rail and an outboard end pivotally coupled to the outboard end of the front member. Additionally, a tension member is disposed between the inboard ends of the front member and the rear member. The deflector assembly is operable between a normal use position wherein the tension member is slack and a collision position wherein the tension member is taut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Saeed David Barbat, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Fluid heating apparatus and method
    Patent number: 9127663
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a fluid such as engine oil includes an auxiliary pump, a conduit connected to the auxiliary pump and provides fluid communication from the auxiliary pump and an aperture in the conduit. In use the auxiliary pump contains the fluid. A first portion of the fluid is pumped into the conduit by the auxiliary pump and a second portion of the fluid remains in the auxiliary pump. The aperture restricts the flow of the first portion of the fluid in the conduit. The second portion of the fluid is heated due to friction between the second portion of the fluid and the pump. There is also described a method of heating a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Graham Pegg, Roland Paul Stark