Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises operating the engine with an upstream exhaust sensor, intermediate exhaust sensor, and downstream exhaust sensor each indicating rich, adjusting engine operation to operate the engine with an upstream exhaust sensor, intermediate exhaust sensor, and downstream exhaust sensor each indicating lean, adjusting engine operation to operate the engine with the upstream exhaust sensor indicating rich and the intermediate and downstream exhaust sensors each indicating lean, and indicating degradation of an SCR catalyst based on when the intermediate and downstream exhaust sensors switch from lean to rich.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 27, 2012
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Giovanni Cavataio, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Robert Theis, Michael James Uhrich
Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain in a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a traction motor include commanding the engine to provide an engine torque corresponding with a desired performance characteristic at a current engine speed. The method additionally includes commanding the motor to provide a motor torque to compensate a difference between an operator torque request and the engine torque.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 17, 2014
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Rajit Johri, Wei Liang, Christopher Alan Lear, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Xiaoyong Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
Abstract: A valve system for providing closing force to one or more valves of an engine is provided. In one example, the system comprises a first tappet bore in fluid communication with a second tappet bore via a bidirectional oil passage. The system may provide valve closing forces to assist in the closing of valves coupled to the tappet bores, lowering required valve spring forces.
Abstract: An energy absorption system, comprises a vehicle bumper. An energy absorption member is attached to the bumper, the energy absorption member comprising a first piece and a second piece. A linear actuator connects the energy absorption member to the bumper. The actuator may be actuated based on the speed information from the onboard vehicle communication network.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 2014
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
James Chih Cheng, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Iskander Farooq, Sudip Sankar Bhattacharjee
Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear hatch opening and a segmented hatch that is moveably connected to the vehicle structure. A lid is moveably connected to the upper hatch for movement between open and closed positions relative to the upper hatch. A first pair of lockable gas struts prevent opening of the upper hatch when locked. A second pair of lockable gas struts prevent opening of the lid relative to the upper hatch when locked. The upper hatch and the lid include overlapping portions that define spaces therebetween when the lid is in a closed position relative to the upper hatch. The second pair of lockable gas struts are disposed in the spaces when the lid is in a closed position relative to the upper hatch.
Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to nine forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of three couplers in various combinations. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six couplers. Three of the couplers may be brakes. Three of the couplers may selectively couple planetary elements to the input shaft.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 3, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Steven Gerald Thomas, Reid Alan Baldwin
Abstract: An oil supply system for a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine is disclosed in which the supply of oil to piston cooling jets is controlled by pressure operated valves designed to open at a pre-defined valve opening pressure. The pressure of oil supplied by a pump is controlled to be below this pre-defined valve opening pressure during operation of the engine in which piston cooling is not required, and the pressure of oil is controlled to above the pre-defined valve opening pressure when piston cooling is required. The control of the pump is by an electronic control unit based upon a combination of engine speed and engine load.
Abstract: An illuminable beverage holder assembly is provided and includes at least one side wall coupled an illuminable base member to form a receptacle for receiving a beverage container. The illuminable base member includes a distal engagement member with an optical surface. A light source is operably coupled to the engagement member and configured to emit light through the optical surface to illuminate the illuminable portion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 4, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Steven J. Antilla, Inshirah Hillawi, Megan May Lovejoy
Abstract: A method of cleaning metal-containing deposits from a metal surface of a process chamber component includes immersing the metal surface in an electrochemical cleaning bath solution. A negative electrical bias is applied to the metal surface to electrochemically clean the metal-containing deposits from the metal surface. The cleaning method is capable of removing metal-containing deposits such as tantalum-containing deposits from the metal surface substantially without eroding the surface, and may be especially advantageous in the cleaning of components having textured surfaces.
Abstract: An engine includes a first turbine fluidically coupled to a first group of adjacent cylinders, and a second turbine fluidically coupled to a second group of adjacent cylinders. In this engine, the cylinders of the first and second groups are arranged along a line. The engine also includes a variable valve-lift system configured to admit at least air to the first group of cylinders during reduced engine-load conditions, but to stop admitting air to the second group of cylinders during the reduced engine-load conditions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 26, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Carsten Weber, Martin Wirth, Rainer Friedfeldt, Guenter Bartsch
Abstract: A composition comprising the following: A) a cure catalyst selected from Formula A: [NR1?R2?R3?R4?]+X???(Formula A), R1?, R2?, R3?, R4? are each independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl; X is a monovalent anion, and wherein at least one of R1?, R2?, R3? or R4? is a methyl; and B) a prepolymer formed from a first composition comprising: Ra comprises one or more multiple bonds, provided that, if Ra comprises more than one multiple bond, these multiple bonds are not in a conjugated configuration; R1, R2, R3 are described herein; Rb is selected from H or a saturated group comprising alkyl, alkylene, or alkylidene; R4, R5, R6 are described herein; Rc comprises more than one multiple bond, and these multiple bonds are in a conjugated configuration; R7, R8, R9 are described herein; and R10, R11, R12, R13 described herein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 5, 2012
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignees:
Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
Inventors:
Jessica P. Evans, Christopher P. Sullivan
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a branch communication valve in a twin turbocharger system. A branch communication valve may be positioned adjacent to a dividing wall separating a first scroll and a second scroll of the twin turbocharger. In an open position, the branch communication valve increases fluid communication between the first scroll and the second scroll and in a closed position, the branch communication valve decreases fluid communication between the first scroll and the second scroll.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Daniel Joseph Styles, Jack Adams, Keith Michael Plagens, Neal James Corey, David Born, Xiaogang Zhang
Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an engine and an electric machine, and a battery configured to power the electric machine. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to operate the powertrain according to a forecasted torque allocation between the engine and the electric machine. The controller generates forecasted torque allocation for each of a plurality of predetermined route segments based on predicted driver demand. The forecasted torque allocation is confirmed for each of the route segments based on a target battery state of charge corresponding to an endpoint of the route segment while an actual state of charge is within a threshold value of the target battery state of charge.
Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor configured to detect an impact and a restraint device configured to deploy in response to the impact. A processing device is configured to deploy the restraint device in accordance with a first timing if the impact includes a front impact and a second timing if the impact includes a side impact. The second timing includes the first timing delayed by a predetermined value.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 11, 2014
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Zhibing Deng, Senthilkumar Mahadevan, Joseph Edward Abramczyk, David James Bauch, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
Abstract: An intake system for an engine including a first air filter assembly in fluidic communication with an intake manifold and a second air filter assembly spaced away from the first air filter assembly and in fluidic communication with the intake manifold.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Roger Khami, Preet Kamal Virk, Robert Joseph Mohan, Joseph Matthew McCann, James William Ortman
Abstract: A process for producing a chlorohydrin, an ester of a chlorohydrin, or a mixture thereof including the steps of contacting, in a hydrochlorination reactor, a multihydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a multihydroxylated aliphatic hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof with a source of a hydrogen chloride, in the presence of a hydrophobic or extractable carboxylic acid catalyst is provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 19, 2011
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Tina L. Arrowood, William J. Kruper, Jr., John R. Briggs
Abstract: A turbocharger system includes a flexible duct having an elongated elastomeric body extending longitudinally between first and second ends configured to attach to respective turbocharger devices. A plurality of constricting rings are spaced longitudinally between the ends. Each constricting ring applies a radial compression force around a respective circumference of the duct. Each ring is comprised of a molded thermoplastic retained in a concentric shape by a clasp. The spacing of the constricting rings has a density sufficient to limit a volume increase of the duct under turbocharger operating pressure to less than 20%.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 19, 2013
Publication date:
June 25, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
RANDALL A. STEC, ROGER KHAMI, CHRISTOPHER B. BISHOP, ERIK H. HERMANN
Abstract: A battery assembly includes a cold plate and a plurality of battery cells arranged in an array. Each of the cells has a bottom in contact with the cold plate and is encased in a dielectric jacket. The dielectric jacket surrounds side portions and the bottom of the cell. The jacket has seams on the side portions of the cells but not on the bottom. The seamless bottom forms a continuous and uninterrupted panel over the bottom to provide a seamless interface between the bottom and cold plate. A method of installing the cell into the jacket is also disclosed.
Abstract: A system and method for controlling engine idle stop in a hybrid vehicle balance the extra electrical load imposed on the vehicle during engine stop with the electrical energy saved to achieve net fuel savings. Predictive information is used to determine potential vehicle stops and corresponding stop durations during a time window. To achieve net fuel savings, the engine stop duration time must be long enough for the electrical energy savings to cover electrical load added to the system. If the predicted stop duration time is long enough to yield net fuel savings, engine stop may be initiated. If not, engine stop may be inhibited.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 19, 2013
Publication date:
June 25, 2015
Applicant:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Yanan Zhao, Mathew Alan Boesch, Sangeetha Sangameswaran