Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • ADJUSTABLE STRIKER FOR A VEHICLE CLOSURE
    Publication number: 20150247348
    Abstract: An adjustable striker assembly for a vehicle closure. The striker assembly employs at least one threaded connector that when rotated moves a striker relative the vehicle in an axial direction of the threaded connector. A latch in combination with the striker define a gap between the closure and vehicle part proximate the two. Adjustment of the striker via the threaded connector allows for changing the distance of the gap between the closure and vehicle part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Livianu Dorin Puscas, Bhupendra A. Patel
  • Torque Sensor Assembly for a Motor Vehicle and Method of Measuring Torque
    Publication number: 20150247768
    Abstract: A torque sensor assembly is used to measure torque in a powertrain of a motor vehicle, the powertrain including a power source and a transmission. A sensor is coupled to an oil seal housing, which is coupled to the engine. Each of the sensor and the oil seal housing has a mounting hole formed therein. The sensor is coupled to the oil seal housing, and the oil seal housing to the engine, by inserting one fastener into both mounting holes. The sensor measures an amount of torque exerted on a drive plate of the transmission. The drive plate includes a central disk, made of a magnetizable material, and an outer ring coupled to the central disk. The sensor is a magnetic torque sensor, which determines an amount of torque exerted on the central disk of the drive plate by sensing a magnetic flux passing through the drive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nimrod Kapas, Gregory Jack Overla, Joseph F. Kucharski, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yujii Fujii
  • CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL WHILE TOWING
    Publication number: 20150246674
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a control system for reducing oversteer by controlling an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD). The eLSD has one or more clutches configured to selectively distribute a controlled and varied amount of drive torque between a pair of wheels during a turn. At least one controller is programmed to operate the eLSD in (i) a tow-mode in response to the vehicle towing an object and (ii) a non-tow-mode in response to the vehicle not towing an object. When operated in the tow-mode, the eLSD is controlled by the controller to actively reduce a difference in speed between the wheels compared to when the eLSD is operating in the non-tow-mode or is not operated in the tow-mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Keith WESTON, James Gerard CULLEN
  • WASHING MACHING INCLUDING INTEGRAL FILTER MODULE AND AERATOR
    Publication number: 20150246377
    Abstract: A washing machine and a corresponding method for cleaning ware or laundry items are provided. The machine comprises: a wash tub (12), a water inlet (14) and a waste water outlet (16) in fluid communication with the wash tub, a fluid pathway (18) extending from the waste water outlet to the water inlet, a pump (20) for moving water along the fluid pathway, a filter module (22) located along the fluid pathway, and an aerator (24) in fluid communication with the filter module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Patrick B. He, Chengfeng Wang, Bill Q. Cai, Tong Sun, Michael P. Gao
  • SEMI-AUTONOMOUS MODE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150246672
    Abstract: A first vehicle may receive at least one message from a second vehicle, the message including data provided by the second vehicle. A computing device in the first vehicle is configured to analyze the data of the at least one message to determine that the second vehicle can operate as a lead vehicle. The computing device in the first vehicle is further configured to implement at least one operation in the first vehicle according to the data from the lead vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Matthew Y. Rupp, Roger Arnold Trombley, Andrew Waldis
  • VEHICLE OPERATOR MONITORING AND OPERATIONS ADJUSTMENTS
    Publication number: 20150246673
    Abstract: A vehicle computer is configured to perform one or more operations of the vehicle without occupant input. Data is stored relating to a baseline occupant state. Data is collected relating to a current occupant state. A comparison is performed of the baseline occupant state to the current occupant state. A parameter is modified governing performance of the one or more operations according to the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Hsin-hsiang Yang, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante
  • NOMADIC DEVICE SELF USER-IDENTIFICATION
    Publication number: 20150249741
    Abstract: A controller may send a user-identification request to connected nomadic devices requesting each of the devices to provide an interface to receive user input regarding which device is a driver nomadic device; determine a driver nomadic device based on at least one user-identification response received from the devices responsive to the input; and integrate the connected devices with the controller accounting for which device is the driver nomadic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: JOEL J. FISCHER
  • Automatic temperature override pattern recognition system
    Patent number: 9120365
    Abstract: Each vehicle in a fleet comprises a climate controller having an auto mode. The auto mode controls climate actuators in response to a model relating sensed climate conditions to respective settings for the actuators. The vehicle has a buffer memory periodically storing sample vectors comprised of actuator/operation settings and sensed climate conditions. A user interface in the vehicle is responsive to a user override commands to modify respective operation settings while in auto mode. Each vehicle has a wireless communication system for sending data packages to a remote server when the user generates the override.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Herr-Rathke, Paul B. Hoke, James R. Hurd, Steven D. Errick, Alan D. Wallington
  • System for orienting front wheel of vehicle during offset frontal impact
    Patent number: 9120507
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting platform for being fixed relative to a frame of the vehicle. A bumper beam is coupled to the mounting platform. An arm is fixed to the mounting platform at a pivot point and is pivotable about the pivot point to a deflected position for turning a wheel of the vehicle inboard during a small offset frontal impact of the vehicle. The arm orients the wheel with the front portion of the wheel being positioned inboard during the small offset frontal impact. This orientation of the wheel minimizes the magnitude of load transferred to a backup structure of the vehicle and minimizes the possibility of intrusion of the wheel into the floor or dash of the vehicle. In this orientation, the wheel can detach from the vehicle to minimize the possibility of intrusion of the wheel into the floor or dash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jamil M. Alwan, Jonatan LeffYaffe, Djamal Eddine Midoun
  • Image system for automotive safety applications
    Patent number: 9123251
    Abstract: An improved vision-based system generates object detection corresponding to different viewing areas based on vehicle speed. At lower vehicle speeds, the system covers a wider field of view and a near zone while at higher vehicle speeds the system covers a normal or narrower field of view and a far zone. The system includes a lens package having a movable lens, an image sensor and an image transformer. The movable lens is movable between a first position representing a wide angle view and a second position representing a normal angle view. Each of these views generates an image such that a wide angle view generates a wide angle image and a normal angle view generates a normal angle image. The wide angle view is associated with the vehicle's passive safety systems while the normal angle view is associated with the vehicle's active safety systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Alex Maurice Miller
  • System and method for an engine comprising a liquid cooling system and oil supply
    Patent number: 9121335
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes an oil circuit and a pump in fluidic communication with a supply line and at least one lubricant receiving component and a liquid cooling system including a coolant circuit having an oil pressure actuated coolant valve and a coolant valve control line in fluidic communication with the pump and having a first configuration in which coolant may flow therethrough and a second configuration in which coolant is inhibited from flowing therethrough, the first and second configurations triggered in response to a change in oil pressure in the coolant valve control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Quiring, Michael Tobergte, Hans Guenter Quix, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Bernd Steiner, Jan Mehring
  • Divided steering gear housing having an exposed tooth rack
    Patent number: 9120501
    Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering system and a method for producing the same including a pinion, a toothed rack, and a bearing point for the toothed rack, wherein the toothed rack includes a toothed first part and a non-toothed second part, wherein at least the first part and the pinion form a steering gear, and the steering gear is enclosed by a steering gear housing, and wherein the bearing point is enclosed by a bearing housing ensuring permanent lubrication. The second part of the toothed rack is exposed in at least one section between the steering gear housing and the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Janz, Paul Hein
  • Road trip vehicle to vehicle communication system
    Patent number: 9125020
    Abstract: A method of coordinating a plurality of road vehicles includes obtaining information related to a first vehicle that is relevant to a road trip with which the first vehicle and at least a second vehicle are involved, uploading the information to a server wirelessly, and downloading the information from the server wirelessly to at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence Banasky Jr., Thomas Joseph Hermann, Mark Wisnewski
  • System and method for reducing interference during wireless charging
    Patent number: 9124124
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing interference in an inductive charging system within a vehicle. The method includes inductively charging a device with an inductive charger. The method also includes detecting at least one mode of operation of a potential interfering device in proximity to the inductive charger. The method further includes adjusting at least one of a frequency band employed by the charger and an amount of power provided to the device by the charger based on at least one detected mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Michael Hrecznyj
  • User interface system and method
    Patent number: 9122567
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electric-vehicle is provided. The system and method calculates a likelihood of arriving at a destination based on vehicle data and a current route. The likelihood is compared to least a first threshold and a second threshold. A first action is implemented when the likelihood is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold. A second action being different from the first action is implemented when the likelihood is less than the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Michael Edward Loftus, John Proietty
  • Medical data acquisition and provision
    Patent number: 9122775
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining a user account associated with a vehicle occupant. The method also includes detecting the presence of at least one active monitoring device. The method further includes determining an association between the active monitoring device and the user account and periodically downloading device information from the active monitoring device to a vehicle computing system. Finally, the method includes storing downloaded device information in association with the user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Schunder, Krishnaswamy Venkatesh Prasad
  • Induction system including a passive-adsorption hydrocarbon trap
    Patent number: 9121373
    Abstract: An induction system in an engine is provided. The air induction system includes an induction conduit including an air flow passage in fluidic communication at least one combustion chamber in the engine and a passive-adsorption hydrocarbon trap positioned within the induction conduit, a portion of the passive-adsorption hydrocarbon trap defining a boundary of the air flow passage, the passive-adsorption hydrocarbon trap including a breathable layer coupled to a substrate layer coupled to the induction conduit, a hydrocarbon adsorption layer interposing the breathable layer and the substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David S. Moyer, Andrew George Bellis, Roger Khami, Michael G. Heim
  • Crosslinked compositions and articles prepared therefrom
    Patent number: 9120887
    Abstract: The invention provides a crosslinked composition formed by thermally treating a composition comprising at least the following: A) an ethylene-based polymer that has a density less than, or equal to, 0.910 g/cc; B) an olefin-based polymer that has a melt viscosity less than, or equal to, 20,000 cP, at 350° F.; and C) a crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Peter R. Voorheis, Brian W. Walther, Selim Yalvac
  • Advanced exhaust-gas sampler for exhaust sensor
    Patent number: 9121328
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas sampler is adapted to couple into an exhaust conduit and to sample a constituent of an engine exhaust flowing therein. The sampler comprises an envelope having upstream and downstream surfaces joined by a curved side surface. The upstream and downstream surfaces are each tangent to a plane substantially normal to a central axis of the exhaust conduit. A series of inlets are formed in the upstream surface, and an outlet is formed in the curved side surface. A sensor responsive to a level of the constituent in the exhaust is coupled in the envelope, at the peripheral region of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Trip partitioning based on driving pattern energy consumption
    Patent number: 9121722
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine configured to propel the vehicle using battery power. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to operate the electric machine along a predetermined route based on a superposition of a plurality of partitionings of the route. Each of the partitionings is based on a different force characteristic associated with the route and defines at least one segment transition, where each segment transitions defines an end of a previous segment and a beginning of a subsequent segment. The predetermined route segments are such that no two adjacent segments of the superposition are defined by a same force characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Fling Tseng, Qing Wang