Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • CHARGER COOLING AIR SOURCE SELECTION METHOD
    Publication number: 20150087215
    Abstract: A charger cooling air source selection method includes cooling a vehicle battery charger by opening an outside air vent door in a vehicle and drawing outside air through the outside air vent door; determining whether the outside air vent door will close; and if the outside air vent door will not close, establishing and maintaining positive air pressure in a cabin of the vehicle by ensuring an open configuration of a recirculation door in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Blackburn, Monica DuBois, James George Gebbie, Kenneth J. Jackson
  • INTEGRATED HIGH VOLTAGE CONTACTOR AND SERVICE DISCONNECT
    Publication number: 20150084724
    Abstract: An integrated contactor/service disconnect assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a stationary contact, a movable contact selectively movable relative to the stationary contact and a service disconnect unit configured to block the movable contact from contacting the stationary contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Michael GONZALES, Ray C. SICIAK
  • PRODUCING A VEHICLE BODY
    Publication number: 20150084378
    Abstract: A method for producing a vehicle body with a roof part, lateral roof frame parts, a roof channel provided between said components on each side of the roof, and also front and rear roof-structure transverse parts, obtains a simpler and more cost-effective connection of the roof part to the adjacent components, while avoiding disadvantages associated with thermal connections. The roof part and the lateral roof frame parts are fixedly connected to one another at least along the respective roof channel by beading/seaming. The same also applies to the connection of the roof part to the front and rear roof-structure transverse parts. The beading/seaming can additionally be combined with an adhesive or an adhesive tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Henrik Martin Huhn
  • TRANSITIONING FROM AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE CONTROL TO DRIVER CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150088357
    Abstract: Data is obtained concerning at least one attribute of a vehicle operator. The attribute is used to determine an instruction for positioning a vehicle component during autonomous operation of the vehicle. Autonomous operation of the vehicle, including positioning the vehicle component according to the instruction, is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wilford Trent Yopp
  • VIRTUAL SIMULATION
    Publication number: 20150088474
    Abstract: A set of files is in a first format resulting from running a computer simulation. A sequence of the files is created based on an order in which the files relate to the simulation. The files are converted from the first format to a second format, the second format being usable for rendering the files by a virtual reality tool. A virtual simulation is run in a virtual reality environment using the converted files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam L. Frost, Jonathan L. Petrovski
  • COLLAPSIBLE REAR SEAT STORAGE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150084360
    Abstract: An underseat storage assembly for a vehicle seat includes a recess disposed on a floor below the vehicle seat. A front panel has an edge pivotally coupled with the floor and first and second side panels are pivotally coupled with opposing ends of the front panel. The front panel is movable between a stored position within the recess and a deployed position and has the first and second side panels vertically arranged and orthogonal to the front panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter T. Mueller, Richard J. Soyka, JR.
  • INFLATABLE/DEFLATABLE SEAT WITH STOWABLE COLLAPSING FRAME
    Publication number: 20150084386
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a base having an upper rim and a receptacle below the rim, a seatback having upper and lower sections operable at an intermediate hinge between opened and closed positions and frame members operably coupling the base with the seatback, and operable between a use position, wherein the seatback is above the base, and a stowed position, wherein the seatback is in front of and below the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kristin Ann Hellman, Ryan Welch, Christopher Harold Stone, Jeffrey M. Nowak, Artur Sakarian, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTIVE ENGINE STARTING
    Publication number: 20150083079
    Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine are described. In one example, engine cranking speed for an engine of a hybrid vehicle is adjusted in response to operating conditions. The engine cranking speed may be reduced when capability of a battery that supplies power to rotate the engine is less than an amount of power to rotate the engine at a higher speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yonghua Li, Siamak Hashemi
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AN INTAKE HUMIDITY SENSOR
    Publication number: 20150083081
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an engine operating parameter based on an output of a humidity sensor during a compressor bypass valve event. When the compressor bypass valve is closed, a current output of the sensor is used for the adjustments. When the compressor bypass valve is opened, such as to mitigate surge, an output of the sensor stored from before the opening of the bypass valve is used for the adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Timothy Joseph Clark, Evangelos Skoures, Richard E. Soltis
  • MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20150087473
    Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement has four simple planetary gear sets and five or six shift elements. One embodiment has two brakes and three clutches and produces eight speeds by selective engagement of various combinations of three of the shift elements. A second embodiment has two brakes and four clutches and produces nine speeds by selective engagement of various combinations of four of the shift elements. A third embodiment has two brakes and four clutches and produces ten speeds by selective engagement of various combinations of four of the shift elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Daniel Goleski
  • WASTEGATE VALVE POSITION CORRECTION
    Publication number: 20150082788
    Abstract: Various methods for compensating a deflected linkage in a wastegate arrangement are provided. In one example, current is applied to an actuator to move a wastegate valve coupled through a linkage to the actuator for diverting gasses from a turbocharger. The position of the actuator is indicated, and a correction to said indicated actuator position is applied compensating for deflection of the linkage based at least on said applied current. Said applied current is adjusted when said corrected actuator position reaches a position corresponding to a desired valve position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yan Wang, Gregory Patrick McConville, Katherine Lapham, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Hamza Derbas, Vladimir V. Kokotovic
  • Bus Pre-Charge Control Using a Buck Converter
    Publication number: 20150084404
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a traction battery and an electrical impedance connected by a contactor. A pre-charge circuit is disclosed that controls current flow from the traction battery through the pre-charge circuit to the electrical impedance to increase voltage at the electrical impedance such that as the voltage approaches a voltage of the traction battery, a duty cycle of the pre-charge circuit approaches a maximum value and a current through the pre-charge circuit approaches a minimum value. In response to current falling below a predetermined value, the contactor is closed. A current sensor is disclosed that is located in the pre-charge circuit. A method of operating the pre-charge circuit is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hasdi R. Hashim, Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Arnold Kweku Mensah-Brown
  • ACTIVE TORQUE STEER COMPENSATION DURING NEGATIVE POWERTRAIN TORQUE FOR HYBRID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20150088380
    Abstract: A system and method for compensating for drive influences of a drive train of a vehicle, where the vehicle has a traction motor and a power steering system including a servomotor configured to provide torque to a vehicle steering rack, include commanding the servomotor to apply a compensation torque to the vehicle steering rack. The compensation torque is applied in response to a predicted drive influence caused by a regenerative braking torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Gabor, Kurt Mitts, John Walsh
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150083087
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying leaks on each of a fuel tank and a canister side of a fuel system using a single leak check module. A position of a switching valve coupled in the vapor line of the fuel system is adjusted to selectively couple the leak check module to either the fuel tank or the canister. Leak is detected based on a change in pressure at a reference orifice of the leak check module following applying of vacuum from a vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150086833
    Abstract: An example method of connecting an electric vehicle battery includes welding a landing of a terminal to a bus bar, and pressing a landing of the terminal and the bus bar against one another during the welding. The landing is along a first plane and a base of the terminal is along a second plane that is spaced from the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vineeth Seshadri Kallur, Hari Addanki, Brian Utley, Steve F. Chorian, Debbi Callicoat
  • METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING FAULT WITHIN A FUEL VAPOR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150085894
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a fault within a evaporative emission control system of an automotive vehicle. The method monitors the carbon canister temperature during a system leak test. The leak test here is undertaken with the engine running, and engine vacuum is employed to evacuate the EVAP system. If the evacuation succeeds in reaching a target vacuum, and a temperature gain in the canister is observed, then the system infers proper system operation. Failure to achieve a target vacuum causes the system to determine a likely cause of the failure based on the temperature response of the carbon canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: DENNIS SEUNG-MAN YANG, AED M. DUDAR
  • TWELVE-CORNERED STRENGTHENING MEMBER, ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING A TWELVE-CORNERED STRENGTHENING MEMBER, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND JOINING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20150084374
    Abstract: A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle comprises a twelve-cornered cross section including sides and corners creating internal angles and external angles. To facilitate a connection between the strengthening member and the automotive component, one of the strengthening member and the automotive component may transition from the twelve-cornered cross section at a first end of the strengthening member to a four-cornered cross section at a second end of the strengthening member. An automotive assembly may include a strengthening member connected to an automotive component via a separate bridge connection member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Tau TYAN, Yu-Kan HU, Leonard Anthony SHANER, Ajay Kumar GUPTA, Mark WLOTKOWSKI, Narayana VENUGOPAL
  • CONDUCTIVE INK ELASTOMERIC MOLDED CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20150087163
    Abstract: An electronic connector system includes one or more electronic components electronically coupled to one another by an elastomeric connector. The elastomeric connector is disposed in a compressed condition against the one or more electronic components to form a sound electrical connection therebetween. A casing is provided about the elastomeric connector to retain the elastomeric connector in the compressed condition as coupled to the one or more electronic components. The casing may be an overmolded polymer that is injection molded about the electrical connection between the elastomeric connector and the one or more electronic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Michael Istok
  • CHASSIS MODULE AND CAMBER ANGLE ADJUSTMENT
    Publication number: 20150084300
    Abstract: One exemplary vehicle chassis module may include a knuckle, a sub-frame and a camber control link coupled to at least one of the knuckle and the sub-frame via a slot and a surface surrounding the slot. The vehicle chassis module may also include a bolt fastener having a head corresponding with the surface, such that the bolt fastener remains at a fixed position along the slot when torque is applied to the bolt fastener and the head rotatably slides across the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Hopson, Steve Scott Allen
  • RIDE PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION IN AN ACTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150084290
    Abstract: An active vehicle suspension system includes an active damping mechanism operatively coupled to a vehicle wheel and configured for controlling a damping force applied to the wheel responsive to a control signal. A controller is operatively coupled to the damping mechanism and configured for generating a control signal to the damping mechanism responsive to velocity of the wheel in a downward vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Russ Lee NORTON, Ben BULAT, Gregory SUTER, Albert Chenouda SALIB, David Michael RUSSELL, Uwe HOFFMANN, Marc SUERMANN