Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENGINE IDLE STOP CONTROL WITH STARTER MOTOR PROTECTION
    Publication number: 20150175150
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling engine idle stop in a hybrid vehicle that uses predictive information to schedule engine stops with relatively longer stop duration time to gain more fuel savings and extend life of starter motor. More specifically, predictive information may be used to determine potential vehicle stop events, along with corresponding stop duration times, within a time window. An engine stop scheduler and/or controller may be configured to schedule stops of longer duration for optimal total engine stop time. Similarly, taking into account constraints imposed by the thermal limits of the motor, engine stop may be inhibited for predicted short events to allow engine stop at later longer stop events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Mathew Alan Boesch
  • Methods of Forming Patterns
    Publication number: 20150179467
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns. A first mask is formed over a material. The first mask has features extending therein and defines a first pattern. The first pattern has a first level of uniformity across a distribution of the features. A brush layer is formed across the first mask and within the features to narrow the features and create a second mask from the first mask. The second mask has a second level of uniformity across the narrowed features which is greater than the first level of uniformity. A pattern is transferred from the second mask into the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicants: Micron Technology, Inc., Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC, Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William R. Brown, Adam Olson, Kaveri Jain, Ho Seop Eom, Xue Gloria Chen, Nik Mirin, Dan Millward, Peter Trefonas, III, Phillip Dene Hustad, Jong Keun Park, Christopher Nam Lee
  • MODULAR HYBRID TRANSMISSION WITH TORQUE CONVERTER BAFFLE
    Publication number: 20150175154
    Abstract: An assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a front module housing an electric machine and an engine disconnect clutch, a transmission aft of the front module, a torque converter axially between the front module and the transmission, and a baffle radially between the torque converter and the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole FRAIT, John Edward BREVICK
  • AFFECTIVE USER INTERFACE IN AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150175070
    Abstract: Data may be collected relating to autonomous operation of a vehicle. A first confidence assessment concerning whether the vehicle should operate autonomously may then be generated, and it may be determined whether the first confidence assessment meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. An alert may be provided via a user interface in the vehicle relating to ending autonomous operation of the vehicle if the first confidence assessment meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Doug Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Hongtei Eric Tseng
  • MOBILE GUNSHOT DETECTION
    Publication number: 20150177363
    Abstract: A first computer is configured to receive, from at least one second computer in a first vehicle, data relating to a gunshot. The computer is configured to then determine a location of the gunshot from the data, and to transmit a message, including the gunshot location, to at least one third computer in a second vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Hermann, Robert Bruce Kleve, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Patrick Kevin Holub, Michael Hrecznyj
  • BATTERY ARRAY RAIL ASSEMBLY WITH TIE BRACKET
    Publication number: 20150174995
    Abstract: A battery array according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rail that supports a battery cell and a tie bracket connected to the rail and configured to limit travel of the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yongcai WANG, Rajaram SUBRAMANIAN, Saravanan PARAMASIVAM
  • Battery Degradation Accumulation Methods
    Publication number: 20150180090
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery subject to alternating cycling and storage modes and a controller. The controller is programmed to calculate an accumulated degradation for the traction battery based on a degradation profile for the traction battery. The degradation profile defines degradation accumulated over time and may differ based on the mode and temperature. The initial degradation value includes the accumulated degradation for the present mode and at least a portion of the accumulated degradation for the other mode. Degradation is then accumulated according to the degradation profile starting from the initial degradation value. The amount of accumulated degradation from the other mode that is included may vary based on the mode and the accumulated degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaohong Nina Duan
  • ARMREST RETRACTABLE UPON AN ADVERSE EVENT AND SEAT ASSEMBLY EMPLOYING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20150175039
    Abstract: The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a seat assembly of a vehicle, including a seat base, a seat back communicating with the seat base, an armrest communicating with at least one of the seat back and the seat base, and a pretension unit connected to the armrest such that the armrest is retractable upon an activation of the pretension unit. The pretension unit may include a pretensioner, a pulley, and a cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jarardi, Mohammed Omar Faruque
  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ENGINE AIR PATH CONDENSATION MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20150176478
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either an air intake system or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, condensate is routed to a first position along the engine air intake system in a first mode of operation, and a second position upstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a second mode of operation, and a third position downstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a third mode of operation. When substantially no contaminates are detected, the condensate may be routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst in order to cool the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin
  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ENGINE AIR PATH CONDENSATION MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20150176480
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either a combustion chamber of an engine or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, the method includes accumulating a portion of compressed air in an accumulator, and when an engine output is below a predetermined amount, coupling a part of the accumulated air with the condensate through a passage into the combustion chamber. Thereby, the methods described may be used to distribute condensate formed in the heat exchanger even at low engine loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin, Christopher Donald Wicks
  • ANTENNA BLOCKAGE DETECTION
    Publication number: 20150177303
    Abstract: A system includes an antenna having a substrate and a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the substrate. A processing device is configured to measure an aperture function across an aperture of the antenna and determine whether at least one of the antenna elements is blocked based at least in part on the measured aperture function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Paul Ebling
  • UTILITY SEAT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150175040
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided which includes a second row center seating unit including a seatback and a seat that includes a front and a rear. A slide assembly is coupled with the rear of the seat, and the seating unit is operable between a first position wherein a seat is proximate the slide assembly and a second position wherein the seat is slid forward and rotated upward such that the seatback is proximate the slide assembly. A support surface extends over the seat and is openable to expose a storage compartment when the seating unit is in the second position. A retaining feature is disposed in the front of the seat in order to secure items extending through the vehicle over the seating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Leonard Meszaros, David Thomas Patrick
  • CABLE JOINT INTEGRITY DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20150177305
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a cable joint integrity detection systems for an electric vehicle includes an electric vehicle power converter module; a fastener joint on the power converter module; vehicle wiring connections electrically interfacing with the power converter module at the fastener joint; a current sensor electrically interfacing with the fastener joint; and a controller interfacing with the current sensor, the current sensor transmits a sensor signal to the controller to ensure connectional integrity between the fastener joint and the vehicle wiring connections. Cable joint integrity detection methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Hilde Anne Heremans, Nondo G. Basoukeas, Mark J. Ferrel
  • METHOD TO DIAGNOSE SCR CATALYST
    Publication number: 20150176512
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a SCR system including NOx sensors upstream and downstream of catalyst. One method includes monitoring SCR performance via calculating SCR conversion efficiency at different catalyst temperatures. Further, feedgas NOx levels are artificially increased when SCR device temperature is above a threshold to obtain more reliable readings from NOx sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Ronald Smith, John Paul Bogema, Peter Mitchell Lyon, John Anthony Mangion, Kevin R. Murphy, Darrin Blaine Luke
  • FAULT HANDLING IN AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150178998
    Abstract: Data is collected during operation of a vehicle. A determination is made that a confidence assessment of at least one of the data indicates at least one fault condition. A first autonomous operation affected by the fault condition is discontinued, where a second autonomous operation that is unaffected by the fault condition is continued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Douglas Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Hongtei Eric Tseng
  • ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
    Publication number: 20150175024
    Abstract: A vehicle and a vehicle battery charging system are disclosed. The vehicle charging system includes a parking structure having solar collector. The solar collector is configured to collect and concentrate solar energy. The concentrated solar energy is then transferred to a solar panel located on the vehicle in order to charge a battery of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donna L. Bell, David McCreadie, Michael Robert Tinskey
  • TRACTION BATTERY ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150180006
    Abstract: A traction battery assembly includes adjacent battery cells supported by a tray and a busbar electrically connecting the adjacent battery cells. The busbar includes a longitudinal midpoint and a pair of bowed sections joined at the midpoint. Each of the bowed sections has an actuate portion in contact with a terminal on one of the cells. The bowed sections provide increased contact with the cells when the cells have different elevations with respect to the tray. A busbar module is also disclosed. The busbar module comprises a housing and a busbar supported within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel MAGUIRE, John Paul GIBEAU
  • Photoresist composition, coated substrate, and method of forming electronic device
    Patent number: 9063420
    Abstract: A photoresist composition includes a polymer with repeat units having the structure wherein each occurrence of R1 and R2 is independently hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C1-18 linear or branched alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C3-18 cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C6-18 aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted C3-18 heteroaryl; and R1 and R2 are optionally covalently linked to each other to form a ring that includes —R1—C—R2—; each occurrence of Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 is independently an unsubstituted or substituted C6-18 arylene, or unsubstituted or substituted C3-18 heteroarylene. In addition to the polymer, the photoresist composition includes a photoactive component selected from photoacid generators, photobase generators, photoinitiators, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: ROHM AND HAAS ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LLC, DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Matthias S. Ober, Vipul Jain, John B. Etienne
  • Extruded fender attachment bracket
    Patent number: 9061707
    Abstract: A mounting bracket mounts a distal end of a body panel to an adjacent distal end of a structural frame member of a motor vehicle. The mounting bracket comprises a single piece extruded fender attachment bracket having a first horizontally projecting ear attached to a first surface of the distal end of the structural frame member, a second horizontally projecting ear attached to the distal end of the body panel, and a depending projecting ear extending perpendicularly to and adjacent the first horizontally projecting ear, the depending projecting ear being attached to a second surface of the distal end of the structural frame member. The mounting bracket rigidly attaches the distal end of the body panel to the structural frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Courtright, Dragan B. Stojkovic
  • Road grade estimation for a trailered vehicle
    Patent number: 9061686
    Abstract: A vehicle control method includes, among other things, recording a towing vehicle road grade for a fixed road position when a towing vehicle tows a trailered vehicle. The method further includes shifting, using a controller, the recording to provide a trailered vehicle road grade for the fixed road position based upon the towing vehicle road grade and initiating a vehicle control adjustment to control the towing vehicle based upon the trailered vehicle road grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Ryan Abraham McGee