Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • COOLING FAN ASSISTED ENGINE-OFF NATURAL VACUUM TEST
    Publication number: 20150120133
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle fuel system, comprising: during an engine-off condition, including an ambient temperature within a threshold range, operating a cooling fan to increase a fuel tank vacuum; and indicating leaks in the vehicle fuel system based on the increased vacuum. In this way, an EONV test may be run at mild ambient temperatures which would not otherwise result in the development of adequate fuel tank vacuum to pass the EONV test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Composite Metal Alloy Material
    Publication number: 20150118516
    Abstract: An alloy composite material comprising an aluminum alloy layer and a thermal spray alloy layer of 20 to 40% Mn and 47 to 76% Fe by weight in overlaying contact with the aluminum alloy layer. An alloy composite material comprising an aluminum alloy layer or base layer and a thermal spray alloy layer of 20 to 40% Mn and 47 to 76% Fe by weight in overlaying contact with the aluminum alloy layer or base layer. The aluminum alloy layer or base layer and the thermal spray alloy layer have a mechanical compatibility to each other of 20-60 MPa as determined using tests specified by ASTM-C633 test. A process of thermal spraying comprising providing a base layer and a feed stock alloy of 20 to 40% Mn and 47 to 76% Fe and thermally spraying the feed stock alloy onto the base layer to form an alloy composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Maurice Boileau, Timothy J. Potter, Paul George Sanders, Matthew John Zaluzec, Pravansu Sekhar Mohanty, Vikram Varadarrajan
  • ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGER AND CHARGING METHOD
    Publication number: 20150115886
    Abstract: An example electric vehicle charging method includes charging a battery of a vehicle using an external power source, and adjusting the charging based on a predicted amount of charging generated when driving the vehicle from the external power source to a destination. The external power source is at a higher elevation than some point along the route to the at least one destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Edward Loftus, John Proietty, Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, Perry Robinson MacNeille
  • SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING CLEARANCE OF APPROACHING OVERHEAD STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20150120178
    Abstract: A vehicle system for detecting low clearance locations may include a controller configured to access a geographical information database configured to maintain a plurality of predefined points of interest defined by a clearance height. The controller may communicate with a first sensor to detect a low clearance structure and determine, via a second sensor, a location of the low clearance structure. The controller may update the geographical information database with the location of the low clearance structure to generate a point of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Kleve, Anthony G. King, Brian Wolski
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF AN EGR VALVE DURING LEAN OPERATION IN A BOOSTED ENGINE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150113948
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing EGR estimation errors during lean engine operating conditions. During lean engine operation, EGR is disabled if the estimated exhaust air-fuel ratio becomes leaner than a lean threshold. The lean threshold is adjusted based on an upper limit of EGR errors that may be tolerated by the engine at a given engine speed and load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, James Alfred Hilditch, Timothy Joseph Clark, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Julia Helen Buckland, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • HEADER BEAM OF A VEHICLE FRAME AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20150115666
    Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
  • Container holder with adjustable depth
    Patent number: 9016650
    Abstract: A container holder has a base, a container holding top positioned above the base, and a floor which is horizontally slideably mounted between the base and top at an intermediate position above the floor of the base and movable between a first position in which the sliding floor forms an upper floor support and a second position in which the floor of the base supports a container to increase the depth of the container holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Gene Thurman, Murali Guntur, Manchi Raghunatha
  • Bonded sheet molding composite automotive components without surface pre-treatment
    Patent number: 9017796
    Abstract: An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (?m) to 8.5 Ra (?m). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard H. Wykoff, Daniel Q. Houston
  • Thin seat flex rest composite cushion extension
    Patent number: 9016783
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat defining a seating area and an actuation assembly. An elongate flexible member includes a first end pivotally coupled to the seat and a second end operably coupled with the actuation assembly. The elongate flexible member is pivotally moveable between raised and lowered positions and operable between a retracted position and an extended position. The elongate flexible member enlarges the effective seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Harry Zhong, John W. Jaranson, Daniel Ferretti, Grant A. Compton, Kevin VanNieulande
  • Vehicle and powertrain control based on rearward approaching object
    Patent number: 9020732
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a sensor configured to detect a rearward approaching object and at least one controller configured to cause the vehicle to accelerate in response to the sensor detecting a rearward approaching object while the vehicle is moving forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Peter Gyumyeong Joh, Matthew Y. Rupp, Dorian Jack Spero, Aaron L. Mills
  • Pilot downshifting system and method
    Patent number: 9017217
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to air mass flow not reaching a threshold for CAC self-cleansing for a set duration, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request and maximum air mass flow levels for engine misfire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kristofor Robert Norman, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Engine restart strategy
    Patent number: 9020710
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle, where the vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a transmission having a neutral state and an engaged state, includes setting the state of the transmission. The state of the transmission is set as the neutral state or the engaged state based on a restart condition, where the restart condition is one of: (i) a no wheel torque restart condition, and (ii) a wheel torque restart condition. The method additionally includes starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abraham McGee, Ihab S. Soliman, Xiaoyong Wang
  • Engine control for catalyst regeneration
    Patent number: 9016244
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water during an engine cylinder deactivation event so as to reduce an exhaust catalyst regeneration requirement following the cylinder deactivation. In one example, water is injected at one or more deactivated engine cylinders to reduce oxidation of the exhaust catalyst. Then, during engine cylinder reactivation, a degree of richness of a combustion air-to-fuel ratio may be reduced to decrease fuel penalty to the engine while reducing NOx emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Thin seat leg support system and suspension
    Patent number: 9016784
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat defining a seating area. An internal flex member is disposed in the seat. An external flex member is proximate a forward edge of the seat. A first actuation assembly is operably coupled to the internal flex member to raise a portion of the seat. A second actuation assembly translates the external flex member between a retracted position and an extended position that enlarges the effective seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton
  • Self-crushing polyurethane systems
    Patent number: 9018271
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for polyurethane flexible foams that do not require a post production crushing step. These “self crushing” flexible foams neither collapse, skin peel, nor form voids upon demolding, and yet maintain excellent physical properties such as uniform cell sizes, high quality surface appearance, compression set, resistance to fatigue, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Alessia Battistini
  • Dynamometer vehicle operating mode control
    Patent number: 9020659
    Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling a dynamometer mode operation of a vehicle that includes requesting the dynamometer mode; monitoring for at least one non-dynamometer vehicle operating condition; if at least one of the non-dynamometer vehicle operating conditions is detected, prohibiting dynamometer mode; and if none of the non-dynamometer vehicle operating conditions is detected, operating the vehicle in dynamometer mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Harris, Mark D. Malone, Marian S. Chupa, Chad E. Griffin, William N. Mansur, Mark R. Laleman
  • Hydraulic brake system for a motor vehicle and fault condition detection for same
    Patent number: 9020691
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hydraulic brake system for a motor vehicle and a method for the detection of a fault condition of the hydraulic brake system. An electronic control device determines at least one pressure value of the brake fluid of the brake system and at least one volume value of the brake master cylinder associated with the pressure value during an operation of a brake master cylinder. The electronic control device compares the determined pressure value and volume value with at least one pair of pressure-volume reference values for the detection of a fault condition of the brake system, wherein at least two different fault conditions of the brake system can be differentiated based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Svensson, Rudolf Daniels
  • Internal combustion engine with exhaust-gas aftertreatment arrangement and method for operating an internal combustion engine of said type
    Patent number: 9016046
    Abstract: A method, comprising purging a storage catalytic converter of stored NOx by diverting only a portion of incoming exhaust flow around the catalytic device while increasing injection of reductant to the storage catalytic converter; and responsive to the diverting, adjusting injection of an ammonia-containing fluid into recombined exhaust flow upstream of an SCR catalytic converter. Bypass of the storage catalytic converter reduces available oxygen and air flow through the storage catalytic converter, providing a more advantageous environment for reduction of NOx in the storage catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Harmsen, Frank Linzen
  • High pressure fuel pump
    Patent number: 9016263
    Abstract: A high pressure fuel pump for use with an internal combustion engine and a method of operation of a high pressure fuel pump are disclosed. The high pressure fuel pump may include a supply chamber and a pump chamber separated by a passage in sealing arrangement with a disk. The disk may have one or more holes therethrough and be rotatable in order to place the holes in the disk in varying degrees of alignment with the passage to allow respective, varying amounts of fuel to flow through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Patrick Brostrom, Kyi Shiah
  • Energy conversion system for a vehicle
    Patent number: 9018796
    Abstract: An energy conversion system transfers energy between an energy source, or storage unit, and an electric device via a first port and a second port and at least one of receives and provides energy via a third port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chingchi Chen, Michael Degner