Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • IN-VEHICLE CONFIGURABLE SOFT SWITCHES
    Publication number: 20150193030
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method may include receiving input to a vehicle-associated computing system (VACS) touch-sensitive display, requesting adjustment to a powered state of an accessory device connected to a switch module; providing, responsive to the input, a command from a vehicle computing system to the switch module, running on the VACS, to adjust a controlled output of the switch module; and updating the user interface to reflect a result of the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joey Ray Grover
  • CONTENTS INVENTORY TRACKING SYSTEM AND PROTOCOL
    Publication number: 20150193996
    Abstract: A vehicle inventory system may include a passive entry system configured to authenticate a key fob and including at least one antenna and a controller operably arranged with the at least one antenna. The controller causes, during a tag challenge period, the at least one antenna to transmit at least one tag challenge. The tag challenge period is initiated based on an end of a key fob challenge period. The controller further receives a tag response to the challenge indicative of a tag in the vicinity of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert VAN WIEMEERSCH, Kevin Thomas HILLE
  • Deployable Upper Leg Stiffener for Pedestrian Protection
    Publication number: 20150191145
    Abstract: A pedestrian safety system for use with a motor vehicle includes a vehicle hood movable between a closed position and a raised position wherein a leading edge of the hood is raised relative to a front surface of the vehicle to form a gap, and a leg stiffener movable between a retracted position wherein it is beneath the hood when the hood is closed and a deployed position wherein the stiffener projects through the gap and is forward of the leading edge of the hood when the hood is raised. At least one actuator mounted beneath the hood moves the stiffener between the retracted and deployed positions. A remote sensing system detects an impending collision with a pedestrian and triggers the raising of the hood and extension of the actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque
  • CATALYSTS AND METHODS FOR ALCOHOL DEHYDRATION
    Publication number: 20150191638
    Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing a diaryl ether compound through the dehydration of an aromatic alcohol compound in the presence of a dehydration catalyst. The dehydration catalyst comprises a mixture of two or more of (a) an oxide of a light rare earth element, (b) an oxide of a medium rare earth element, (c) an oxide of a heavy rare earth element, or (d) an oxide of yttrium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: David G. Barton, Adam Chojecki, Paul R. Elowe, Beata A. Kilos
  • RADIO STATION GENRE CATEGORIZATION
    Publication number: 20150195054
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request from a user to locate a radio station similar to a radio station currently providing content in a predefined genre to a radio receiver; accessing stored genre information compiled from a radio station scan to locate a second radio station providing content in the genre; and tuning the radio receiver to the second radio station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Fischer, Joey Ray Grover
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXTENDING BATTERY LIFE
    Publication number: 20150191098
    Abstract: A method for extending the life cycle of a battery includes receiving a storage mode status signal at a battery controller and incrementally adjusting a state of charge window over a period of time in response to receiving the storage mode status signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Chang, Josephine S. Lee, Xu Wang, Chuan He
  • CATALYSTS AND METHODS FOR ALCOHOL DEHYDRATION
    Publication number: 20150190790
    Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing a diaryl ether compound through the dehydration of an aromatic alcohol compound in the presence of a dehydration catalyst. The dehydration catalyst is an oxide of a medium rare earth element, wherein the medium rare earth element is samarium, europium, gadolinium, or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David G. Barton, Adam Chojecki, Paul R. Elowe, Beata A. Kilos
  • VEHICLE HOOD FOLD INITIATOR FREE OF STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENT
    Publication number: 20150191205
    Abstract: A vehicle hood includes an outer hood member, an inner hood member attached to an under side of the outer hood member and defining at least one fold-initiating opening through the inner hood member and a plurality of structural reinforcements defined by the inner hood member, wherein the at least one fold-initiating opening is positioned distal from each of the plurality of structural reinforcements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Gardynik, Christopher Pope
  • INVENTORY TRACKING SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION STRATEGY
    Publication number: 20150193729
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a passive entry system that unlocks the vehicle upon authenticating a fob in a vicinity of the vehicle. The passive entry system further recognizes the vehicle is approaching a restrictive geographic location within which at least one proscribed item is prohibited, receives item data indicative of items located within the vehicle, and provides output indicating whether any of the items is a proscribed item for the restrictive geographic location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert VAN WIEMEERSCH, Michael HRECZNYJ, David Paul KAMINSKI, Robert Bruce KLEVE
  • EV BATTERY PACK WITH BATTERY COOLING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150194712
    Abstract: An electric vehicle battery pack includes an array of battery cells each cell having an upper cell surface and a lower cell surface, the lower cell surface having a positive and a negative terminal; and a thermal assembly in thermally-conductive contact with the upper cell surfaces of the array. A battery pack cooling method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chuan He, Xiaoguang Chang, Xu Wang
  • SLIDING DOOR FOR A STORAGE BIN IN A VEHICLE CENTER FLOOR CONSOLE
    Publication number: 20150191125
    Abstract: A motor vehicle console includes a housing having a pair of side panels that define a storage bin having an opening and an upper panel that extends between the pair of side panels adjacent to the storage bin opening. A rigid door is supported on the housing for movement between a closed position that prevents access to the bin and an opened position that permits access to the bin. The rigid door is flush with the panel when in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Francis Raymond Gillis, Steven Mousigian, Martin Drumb, Stephen Jacobsen
  • ONE COMPONENT SPRAY POLYURETHANE APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20150191577
    Abstract: Apply a one component spray polyurethane foam formulation through a dispensing accessory that has a removable nozzle by independently feeding the one component spray polyurethane foam formulation and a supplementary propellant into the dispensing accessory so that they combine in the removable nozzle and are expelled from the removable nozzle at a flow rate that is greater than 40 grams of foam formulation per 15 seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Srdjan Kisin, Ludovic Harelle
  • VEHICLE CONTENTS INVENTORY SYSTEM INTERFACE
    Publication number: 20150192423
    Abstract: A vehicle inventory interface system may include a user interface configured to present a plurality of vehicle icons each representing a vehicle in a fleet, present at least one list icon associated with each vehicle icon, receive a selection of one of the list icons, and display, in response to the selection, an inventory list associated with the selected list icon and indicating whether items specified by the inventory list are present within the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert VAN WIEMEERSCH, Thomas Joseph HERMANN, Robert Bruce KLEVE, Patrick Kevin HOLUB, Michael HRECZNYJ
  • VEHICLE CUP HOLDER ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150191116
    Abstract: A vehicle cup holder assembly is provided and includes a cup holder. A cup holder bezel is coupled to the cup holder and has an optical element that receives light and a reflective element that partially encloses the optical element and redirects light propagating inside the optical element, wherein light escapes through a light transmissive region of the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffery Forrest
  • Vehicle interior conversation mirror assembly
    Patent number: 9073494
    Abstract: An overhead console assembly for a vehicle comprising a sunglass bin is disclosed. The sunglass bin defines an outer perimeter configured to be disposed in an overhead console. The overhead console assembly also includes a mirror assembly configured within the outer perimeter of the sunglass bin. The mirror assembly includes an axial engagement assembly that connects the mirror assembly to the sunglass bin. The axial engagement assembly comprises a damper operable to maintain a position of a conversation mirror about a positioning axis relative to the sunglass bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Clark, Scott Simon, Michael Chan, Jeffrey Singer, Anthony Ligi
  • Method and system for engine unburned hydrocarbon control
    Patent number: 9074543
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting hydrocarbon ingestion into an engine based on the simultaneous monitoring of cylinder imbalance and an elevated exhaust exotherm. Crankshaft acceleration data is monitored during steady-state and transient engine conditions while exhaust temperatures are estimated during non-regeneration conditions. Engine speed and load is limited to reduce further hydrocarbon ingestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopal Krishna Chamarthi, John G. Fraser, Arnold Kromberg, Anil Shah, Thomas C. Erickson, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Scott Eeley
  • Non-intrusive exhaust gas sensor monitoring
    Patent number: 9074513
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on characteristics of a distribution of extreme values of a plurality of sets of lambda differentials collected during selected operating conditions. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored in a non-intrusive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, Pankaj Kumar, James Michael Kerns, Hassene Jammoussi
  • Autonomous vehicle with reconfigurable interior
    Patent number: 9073574
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering wheel located in a passenger compartment. The steering wheel is configured to be moved from an operational position to a stowed position. In the event of a collision, a first airbag is configured to deploy when the steering wheel is in the operational position and a second airbag is configured to deploy when the steering wheel is in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Christopher Attard, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Jialiang Le, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Matthew Y. Rupp, John Shutko, Roger Arnold Trombley, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Andrew Waldis
  • Vehicle immobilizer method and system
    Patent number: 9073504
    Abstract: A system and method of immobilizing a vehicle include receiving a driver presence signal and a transmission state signal and commanding a transmission tie-up in response to the driver presence signal and the transmission state signal. In one embodiment, controlling a transmission element to tie-up a transmission includes braking approximately simultaneously a combination of transmission elements to inhibit rotation of a transmission output and maintaining transmission line pressure to maintain the transmission tie-up when an engine is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Steven Gerald Thomas, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
  • Register vane air deflector and method
    Patent number: 9073408
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning register for use in an automotive vehicle has a hollow housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an inner housing wall. A plurality of pivotable vanes are disposed proximate the outlet, including an outermost vane disposed proximate the inner housing wall that is pivotable to an extreme position. A deflector is disposed between the inner housing wall and the outermost vane, such that the deflector substantially blocks airflow between the inner housing wall when the outermost vane is in the extreme position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Bryan Hoke, John Bratcher, Ronald Dickson