Abstract: Embodiments may provide an oil separator that may include a reservoir attached to a bottom of the oil separator to collect oil that passes from the oil separator. An outlet may be located on the reservoir and may be positioned to allow oil at or above the outlet to overflow from the reservoir and to flow, or drip, toward an engine cylinder head. The oil separator may also include a tube located at least partially inside the reservoir formed within the bottom to pass the oil into the reservoir.
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coordinating adjustments to a compressor recirculation valve with adjustments to a binary flow turbine scroll valve to reduce surge. The scroll valve is closed to increase turbine energy while the compressor recirculation valve is opened to increase compressor flow. Concurrent adjustments to a wastegate may be used to provide boost pressure control.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Gregory Patrick McConville, Julia Helen Buckland, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Brad Alan Boyer, Jeffrey Allen Doering
Abstract: Halogen-free, thermoplastic polyurethane-based compositions having good mechanical and flame-retardant properties are provided. The compositions include flame-retardant aromatic organic phosphate compounds that do not exhibit migration in molded products, such as cable and wire jacketing and insulation. The compositions include a continuous resin phase comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, at least one aromatic organic phosphate flame retardant having a melting point of at least 50.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2011
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Journey Lu Zhu, Bin Li, Lan Lu, Given Jing Chen, Qin Deng, Hong Fei David Guo
Abstract: A vehicle door swing governor is positioned between a door and a body of a vehicle. The door swing governor includes a motor and a controller for controlling the mechanical resistance applied by the motor to the door so as to control velocity of the door swing. The mechanical resistance applied to the door is a function of the velocity of the swing of the door.
Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a non-selectable-gear transmission having an electric machine mechanically coupled to the engine. The vehicle may have one or more controllers programmed to, in response to a request for passive neutral mode, pull-down the engine and inhibit engine pull-up while disabling the electric machine such that the vehicle coasts with minimal rotational inertia and electrical losses. The one or more controllers may be further programmed to, in response to a subsequent request for drive mode during the passive neutral mode, permit engine pull-up while enabling the electric machine such that the vehicle resumes drive.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 30, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Thomas Joseph Cusumano, Stefan Paul Pototschnik, Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Paul Stephen Bryan
Abstract: A motor vehicle luggage retention system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. A foldable seat back separates the occupant compartment from the trunk and has an upright position and a folded position that allows pass-through accessibility from the trunk into the occupant compartment. A pivotable bar assembly in the trunk has a lowered position and a raised position. Pivoting the pivotable bar assembly to the lowered position moves the foldable seat back to the upright position and creates a structural safety barrier against objects in the trunk impacting a rear surface of the seat back. Pivoting the pivotable bar assembly to the raised position moves the seat back to the folded position to provide uninterrupted access to the occupant compartment from the trunk. A latch assembly latches the pivotable bar assembly in at least the lowered position. A movable parcel shelf and collapsible storage bin are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Johnathan Andrew Line, Adam Sachs, Carl L. Gray, Jr.
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a boosted engine having a split exhaust system. One method includes reducing knock by flowing a combination of exhaust from towards the end of an exhaust stroke and blowthrough air to the intake of a compressor via a compressor inlet valve.
Abstract: A method and system are described for extending an operating range of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having a first mode of operation and an economy mode of operation. A vehicle range may be estimated based on a vehicle fuel level and the first mode of operation. A distance to a fuel location may also be estimated. The economy mode of vehicle operation may be automatically entered a predetermined period of time after the estimated vehicle range based on the vehicle fuel level and the first operating mode decreases to within a predetermined threshold of the estimated distance to a fuel location.
Abstract: The present invention includes a process and apparatus for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) isomer mixtures with a low 2,2?-MDI isomer content and a high 2,4?-MDI isomer content. The resulting mixtures have an increased reactivity and are acceptable in food grade application due to the reduction in primary aromatic amines formed during the curing process. The process and apparatus also include controlling the amount of 4,4?-MDI, which is the most reactive isomer in the mixture allowing use in a wide variety of applications.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 19, 2012
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Andrei S. Merenov, Gerard I. Jansma, Paul A. Gillis
Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided comprising an electrolyte including an organic solvent and a solution-treated polyolefin separator. A contact angle of the electrolyte including the organic solvent upon the separator may be from 0 to 15 degrees. In one embodiment, the solution-treated polyolefin layer has an increased concentration of ionic functional groups at its surface compared to an untreated polyolefin layer. In another embodiment, the solution-treated polyolefin separator has been treated with a treatment solution having a pH of either at most 2 or at least 12. The separator may be treated with an acid or base solution for at least 30 seconds. The solution-treated separator may exhibit improved wetting with an electrolyte compared to an untreated separator.
Abstract: A deployable hanger for a vehicle comprises a handle operable between deploying and non-deploying positions, two extension members disposed at least partially within the handle and tab members that are free of engagement with the extension members when the handle is in the deploying position, wherein the extension members are oppositely biased toward an extended position, and wherein the tab members selectively engage the extension members when the handle is in the non-deploying position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Brian Douglas Ross, Jennifer Ann Prescott
Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining that an infotainment system has been activated. The method further includes accessing a vehicle network containing at least a unique vehicle identifier. The method additionally includes comparing the unique vehicle identifier to a stored vehicle identifier. The method further includes permitting access to the infotainment system only if the unique vehicle identifier matches the stored vehicle identifier.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 5, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Michael Raymond Westra, Chad Evert Esselink, Uwe Zank, Simon John Hurr
Abstract: Energy consumption of a vehicle is optimized while traveling a route assembled of road segments between a first position and a destination. A speed profile generator is located at least partially off of the vehicle and uses an energy consumption model of the vehicle together with road grade data corresponding to the route to calculate an optimal speed profile. The speed profile specifies target speeds for respective locations on the route for traversing the route with an optimized energy consumption. The speed profile generator compares energy consumption for a plurality of feasible speed profile trajectories between a maximum trajectory and a minimum trajectory in order to identify the optimal speed profile. A speed updater is responsive to a current position of the vehicle and the optimal speed profile to initiate the target speed for the current position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 13, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Dimitar P. Filev, John O. Michelini, Steven J. Szwabowski, Perry R. McNeille, Stefano Di Cairano
Abstract: A vehicle includes a power source, such as an engine, an electric machine, or combination thereof. A torque converter is selectively coupled to the power source such that torque is altered before being distributed into a transmission of the vehicle. A torque converter bypass clutch enables torque from the power source to selectively transmit torque directly to the transmission with little or no torque altering provided by the torque converter. At least one controller in the vehicle is in communication with a remote facility in a vehicle-to-cloud (V2C) system. The controller sends road condition data to the remote facility regarding a road segment. During a subsequent drive to or over the road segment, the controller receives the road condition data and enables the torque converter bypass clutch to slip to dampen driveline disturbances when the vehicle passes over the road segment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Bernard D. Nefcy, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Marvin Paul Kraska, Daniel Scott Colvin
Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling operation of exhaust of an engine including a particulate filter are provided. One example method includes generating vacuum during engine operation, and storing the vacuum. The method further includes, during or after engine shutdown, drawing ambient air through the particulate filter via the vacuum.
Abstract: The instant invention provides crosslinkable compositions, and method of producing the same. The non-aqueous single phase crosslinkable composition comprises: (a) a polyol having an average of 2 or more hydroxyl functional groups; (b) polyaldehyde, or acetal or hemiacetal thereof; and (c) an acid catalyst having pK of less than 6; and (d) optionally one or more organic solvents.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 13, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignees:
Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
Inventors:
John N. Argyropoulos, Paul Foley, Eric Greyson, Jeff R. Anderson, Gary E. Spilman, Caroline Slone, Nahrain E. Kamber
Abstract: A vehicle suspension apparatus includes various elements, such as a self-pumping air spring and damper unit operating with compressed air for height adjustment of a vehicle body relative to a wheel suspension of a vehicle. The apparatus further includes at least one spring space filled with compressed air, which is at least partially bounded by at least one movable wall and a damper cylinder, which can be connected to the spring space for fluid transmission by at least one connecting valve. The damper cylinder includes a working space divided by a piston, which moves inside the working space, and fluidly connected by a throttle valve. The connecting valve and the throttle valve are each switchable valves, and one of the working spaces of the damper cylinder can be vented to the surrounding atmosphere via at least one switchable vent valve.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 17, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Matthias Dehmel, Michael Johannes Frantzen, Michael Seemann, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
Abstract: A system and method for supplying fuel to an engine is disclosed. In one example, a first controller supplies injector commands to a second controller via an asynchronous serial communication bus. The system may reduce the complexity of supplying two or more fuels to an engine.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 20, 2011
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Samuel James Guido, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ed Badillo, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
Abstract: A computer in a first vehicle is programmed to receive a first set of data from at least one sensor in the first vehicle and to receive a second set of data from at least one second vehicle. The second set of data is from at least one sensor in the at least one second vehicle. The computer is further programmed to use both the first set of data and the second set of data to identify at least one feature of a road being traversed by the first vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 14, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Matt Y. Rupp, Gerald H. Engelman, Alex Maurice Miller, Timothy D. Zwicky, Levasseur Tellis, Richard Lee Stephenson
Abstract: A combined storage and docking unit for attachment to the instrument panel of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which a portable electronic device such as an MP3 player or GPS navigation device can be held in a display position by clamping it between lid and storage box parts of the combined storage and docking unit. The storage box includes a trough shaped portion in which the portable electronic device can be stowed if it is not required to be used. The combined storage and docking unit is of a simple construction and allows portable electronic devices of differing size and shape to be accommodated.