Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Rain onset detection glazing auto-close
    Patent number: 9002584
    Abstract: A vehicle system may include a plurality of exterior capacitive sensors, such as door handles, and a controller in communication with the plurality of capacitive sensors. The controller may be configured to identify a rain condition based on sensor data received from at least one of the exterior capacitive sensors of the vehicle; ensure an absence of a key fob in proximity of the at least one locked handle and an absence of a subsequent door opening occurrence when unlocked to confirm the rain condition; and initiate a closure action to a power actuator associated with an open vehicle window for a confirmed rain condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Patrick Kevin Holub
  • Exhaust system mixing device
    Patent number: 8997460
    Abstract: A mixing device comprises a circular disc of fin sections positioned so as to create openings in the inner and outer regions of the mixing device that generate oppositely rotating flows of exhaust gas. Each fin section may be identical, and may be created by a stamping process. The smooth surface of each fin section reduces creases, and thus, is less prone to urea buildup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Functionalized polymers, articles prepared therefrom, and methods for making the same
    Patent number: 9000099
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising at least one propylene-based polymer, at least one peroxide and at least one coagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William J. Harris, John D. Weaver, Nelson G. Rondan, Drew A. Davidock
  • Methods and systems for engine shut-down control
    Patent number: 9002600
    Abstract: An example method of operation comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission. For example, slippage of a forward clutch of the transmission may be used to enable the transmission to remain in gear, yet reduce torque transmitted to the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Peter John Grutter, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov
  • Method for operating a direct fuel injector
    Patent number: 8997714
    Abstract: A method, comprising: operating an engine cylinder with fuel from a first injector and not a second injector and activating the second injector in response to a rail pressure increase of a fuel rail, the fuel rail coupled to the second injector. In this way, degradation of the second injector may be reduced by activating the second injector and allowing fuel flow through the second injector to reduce the pressure and temperature of the fuel rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Anthony Rumpsa
  • Method and system for pre-ignition control
    Patent number: 8997723
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing late burn induced cylinder pre-ignition events. In response to a late burn combustion event in a cylinder, ignition coil dwell time is extended in the cylinder to reduce unintended combustion delays. In addition, pre-ignition mitigating actions are performed in a neighboring cylinder that may be prone to pre-ignition induced by the late combustion event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Vehicular body panel energy generator system
    Patent number: 8997901
    Abstract: A vehicular body panel energy generator system is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the system includes a vehicle body and a plurality of body panels forming the vehicle body. At least one of the body panels comprises a vehicular solar panel. A method of generating and utilizing electrical power in a vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aric Shaffer, Joseph Patterson, Ronald Miller, Perry Macneille
  • Brake apply and release detection for stop/start vehicle
    Patent number: 8998774
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an engine that is configured for automatic shutdown and restart. The vehicle is also provided with a controller that is configured to shutdown the engine in response to brake effort exceeding a first threshold and to restart the engine in response to brake effort decreasing below a second threshold. The first threshold and the second threshold are based on an estimated vehicle mass and a road gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hai Yu, Mathew Alan Boesch, Ryan McGee
  • Methods for reducing oil uptake of fried foods
    Patent number: 8999418
    Abstract: The present application describes methods for reducing oil uptake of fried foods, comprising adding water to a batter mix comprising flour, at least one seasoning, optionally, a leavening agent, and granulated or agglomerated methylcellulose, provided that the methylcellulose has been granulated or agglomerated with a sufficient amount of carboxymethylcellulose as binder, to form a batter; contacting a food with the batter to prepare a battered food; and frying the battered food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Matthew S. Steffens, Roland Adden, Britta Huebner, Xiaodong Zhang
  • Catalyst heating with exhaust back-pressure
    Patent number: 8997457
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling an exhaust back-pressure valve are provided. In one example, a method for operating an engine comprises closing an exhaust back-pressure valve in response to a component temperature, and adjusting intake and/or exhaust valve operation in response to closing the exhaust back-pressure valve to reduce cylinder internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). In this way, combustion stability may be maintained while the exhaust back-pressure valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Peter C. Moilanen
  • Surfactants derived from oligoglycerols
    Patent number: 8999071
    Abstract: Provided is a surfactant composition comprising an oligoglycerol compound of formula I, wherein R and m are as defined above. The compounds exhibit favorable surfactancy properties. Advantageously, the compounds may be prepared from renewable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Tulchinsky, Wanglin Yu, Sze S. Ng, Cynthia L. Rand
  • Process for producing cemented and skinned ceramic honeycomb structures
    Patent number: 8999448
    Abstract: Organic polymer particles are provided in a cement composition that is used to apply a skin to a ceramic honeycomb, or to bond the ceramic honeycomb to another honeycomb or another material. The presence of the organic polymer particles reduces the penetration of the cement composition through porous walls of the honeycomb. In this way, less blocking of the honeycomb cells is seen, and the reduction in thermal shock performance that is often seen when cement compositions are applied to ceramic honeycombs is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul C. Vosejpka, Jun Cai, Ashish Kotnis
  • Airflow control device for an automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 8998293
    Abstract: An airflow control device is mounted to the front end of an automotive vehicle and includes an upper air scoop section having a scoop channel disposed rearward of a bumper assembly and oriented to direct airflow entering a bumper intake opening toward an air-receiving powertrain component. A lower air dam section extends downwardly from the upper section to be positioned below a lower extent of the bumper assembly to deflect airflow away from an underside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Brian Glickman
  • System for detecting usage of a wireless phone in an automobile
    Patent number: 9002402
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a detection module including a directional antenna and signal processing logic. The detection module is located within the vehicle, arranged with respect to a driver region, and configured to detect a condition wherein a wireless phone is operated within the driver region. The detection module generates an output indicative of the detected condition. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to receive the output, and control the vehicle in response to the detected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Anthon Mueller, Gregory William Farrey, Tye Arthur Winkel, Thomas Joseph Hermann, John Dolinsky, Thomas Eric Svenson
  • Cooling in a liquid-to-air heat exchanger
    Patent number: 8997847
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling cooling an engine involve an engine coolant circuit with a radiator and an engine, a fan and a coolant pump are provided. The fan and pump may be electrically driven, driven by a variable speed clutch, hydraulically driven, or driven by some other actively controllable means. When an increase in heat transfer rate is indicated, the fan speed or the coolant pump speed may be increased. The choice of increasing the fan speed or increasing the pump speed is determined so that the power consumed is minimized. dQ/dP, the gradient in heat transfer rate to power, is determined for both the fan and the pump at the present operating condition. The one with the higher gradient is the one that is commanded to increase speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William Samuel Schwartz
  • Key fob security copy to a mobile phone
    Patent number: 9002536
    Abstract: A mobile device enabling one or more processors to receive vehicle key security codes from a vehicle key. The mobile device may receive a signal from a transmitter associated with a vehicle key, the signal being indicative of one or more security codes associated with the vehicle key. The mobile device may store the one or more security codes in memory and configure a mobile device application to implement one or more vehicle control functions using the security codes. The mobile device may wirelessly transmit commands for implementing the one or more vehicle control functions using the security codes to a vehicle associated with the key. The wireless transmission of commands may include short range wireless communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Hatton
  • Ceramic honeycomb filter with enhanced thermal shock resistance
    Patent number: 8999481
    Abstract: Thermal shock resistance of a ceramic honeycomb structure is increased through modifications of the cell wall joints. Wall joints can be modified such that a longitudinally-extending opening is created, putting two or more cells that meet at the wall joint in fluid communication through such opening. In such a case, all walls that meet at such a modified joint must join at least one other wall at that joint. Alternatively, wall joints can be modified by providing stress concentrating notches which extend into the joint from two or more cells that share the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Andrey N. Soukhojak
  • Polyethylene blend composition having a reduced chill roll buildup during extrusion process
    Patent number: 9000096
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a polyethylene blend composition having reduced chill roll buildup during extrusion process, and films and coating layers made therefrom. The polyethylene blend composition according to the present invention provide reduced chill roll buildups during extrusion process, and comprises: (a) from 60 to 95 percent by weight of a linear polyethylene composition comprising less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene, and less than 15 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers; wherein said linear polyethylene composition has a density in the range of from 0.917 to 0.975 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of from 1.70 to 3.62, a melt index (I2) in the range of from 2 to 50 g/10 minutes, and a vinyl unsaturation in the range of from less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Brodil, James L. Cooper, Nathan J. Wiker
  • Enhanced park assist wheel speed compensation technique
    Patent number: 9002564
    Abstract: A method of parking a vehicle includes calibrating a wheel speed count of the vehicle based on a measured length that is external to the vehicle, and parking the vehicle based on the calibrated wheel speed count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aric David Shaffer, Michael David Kane, Vern Stempnik
  • Header beam of a vehicle frame and method of forming the same
    Patent number: 8998307
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner