Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Headlamp aiming using high-dynamic range camera
    Patent number: 8988672
    Abstract: A method of aiming a light source includes using an image-capturing device to capture a light beam pattern from the light source. Here, the light beam pattern is configured to include a plurality of contrast ratios transitioning from a first intensity region to a second intensity region. The method includes processing the contrast ratios of the light beam pattern to obtain corresponding values of the contrast ratios, transitioning from the first intensity region to the second intensity region, where the corresponding values are logarithmic values, which in turn generate a related response curve. Finally, the method provides for using the logarithmic values and the response curve to aim the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Wesley Wilds, Michael Wegrzyn, Stephanie Askew, Albert Ekladyous, Arun Kumar, Diane Marie LaHaie
  • Vehicle frame component
    Patent number: 8985258
    Abstract: A body on frame vehicle includes a vehicle frame having a small offset impact load management system including upper and lower rear blocker structures and a reinforcement blocker structure for managing impact loads applied to the wheel and tire of the vehicle from being directed further toward the body. The reinforcement blocker structure includes a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending angularly outwardly and located rearward and distal the wheel and tire and proximal a longitudinal cross frame member for transferring the small offset impact loads transferred by the wheel and tire in a cross vehicle direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Djamal Eddine Midoun, Jamil M. Alwan, Jonatan Leff Yaffe, Joe L. Buchwitz, David Burgess
  • Method and system to validate a fuel level indicator in a vehicle
    Patent number: 8984934
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a controller and a fuel system having a fuel tank, a fuel level indicator (FLI), and a pressure sensor. The controller is configured to: pull a vacuum on the tank from an initial pressure to a reference pressure, and provide a diagnostic code in response to comparing a fuel level indicated by the FLI to a rate of pressure change in the tank. A method for performing a fuel level indicator (FLI) diagnostic for a vehicle is provided. A vacuum is pulled on the fuel tank from an initial pressure to a reference pressure. A diagnostic code is provided in response to comparing a fuel level indicated by an FLI to a rate of pressure change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Sweppy, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed M. Dudar
  • Sheet metal bead
    Patent number: 8985632
    Abstract: A bracket has an elongate portion of a predetermined length. The elongate portion terminates in a clamp end that includes a downward sloping portion connected to a curved contact portion. The curved contact portion is configured to contact a tunable bead of a sheet metal portion of a vehicle body structure such as a pillar. The sheet metal portion comprises a generally planar mating surface, an opening in the depression, and a bead rising from the mating surface, wherein the height of the bead is configured for a top surface of the bead to contact a bottom portion of a clamp when the clamp is in a secured position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William George Heckman, Darrin Neil Wagner, Sone Sadakhom, Joshua Walters
  • Method for operating a mechanical parking brake
    Patent number: 8985711
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a brake device, in particular of a motor vehicle, wherein the brake device comprises a service brake and a mechanical parking brake, wherein the parking brake can be actuated by means of a mechanical actuating element, comprising at least the steps of establishing that the actuating element has been moved from an idle position into a position of use, simultaneously controlling a pressure-increasing element, so that a hydraulic pressure is generated, which hydraulic pressure acts on a brake element that is common with the holding element, blocking the common brake element of the service brake and the parking brake with a mechanical block of the mechanical parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Tomczak, Reiner Schmid
  • Method and system for engine control
    Patent number: 8989935
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for extending an engine-off period of a hybrid vehicle while reducing engine cold-start emissions. During an engine pull-up to meet operator demand, the engine is held at a higher power for a longer duration to aggressively heat the exhaust catalyst. Subsequently, the engine is pulled up to a lower power and held at the lower power for shorter bursts of time to activate the exhaust catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Ted Haladyna, Kenneth James Miller, Scott James Thompson
  • Active suspension with load detection and adaptation
    Patent number: 8990000
    Abstract: A method for estimating a location of a center of gravity (CG) of a sprung mass of a vehicle includes steps of a) determining whether the vehicle is stationary or moving; b) if the vehicle is stationary, calculating estimated x and y coordinates of the CG; c) storing the estimated coordinates in memory; and d) repeating steps a)-c) until the vehicle is no longer stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Doug S. Rhode, Jianbo Lu, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Davor Hrovat, David Michael Russell, Uwe Hoffmann, Peter W. A. Zegelaar, Moshen Lakehal-ayat, Michael Seemann, Simon Baales
  • Seat with integrated trim assembly and storage bin
    Patent number: 8985685
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly having a seat back including a polymeric body portion defining a forward support frame having a plurality of forwardly extending connection pins on a front surface thereof. A flexible comfort carrier is disposed on the polymeric body portion and includes a plurality of slots configured to receive the plurality of forwardly extending connection pins. A seat includes a seat pan that is rotatable over a seat bin between open and closed positions. The seat pan includes a forward upwardly-rounded hump configured to lessen the potential of a passenger to slide forward in the seat. The seat pan includes a storage compartment on an underside thereof that includes a latchable lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Line, Robert Damerow, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Brandon Guinn, Bernard Gerard Marchetti, Daniel Ferretti, Chad Hoover
  • Internal combustion engine with charge air cooling
    Patent number: 8984878
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder head having at least one cylinder. A cover is connected to the cylinder head and covers the cylinder and related valve train components. An exhaust gas turbocharger powered by the engine's exhaust system delivers compressed gasses to the intake system. An exhaust gas recirculation system branches off from the exhaust system downstream of the turbocharger and feeds into the intake system upstream of the turbocharger. A coolant-fed charge air cooler is disposed between the cylinder head and the cover, and at a point that is a geodetically highest point in the intake system when the internal combustion engine is in an installed position. This configuration prevents any liquid that has condensed out of the charge air during cooling from collecting in the cooler and/or in the intake system between the cooler and the at least one cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hans-Guenter Grosch, Andreas Kuske, Christian Winge Vigild
  • Method for operating a vehicle powertrain
    Patent number: 8989978
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a vehicle powertrain that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a position of a transmission clutch in response to battery current during engine cranking. The method may reduce clutch wear and improve vehicle launch from a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Matthew John Shelton, Roger Lyle Huffmaster
  • Vehicle liftgate reinforcement
    Patent number: 8985675
    Abstract: A vehicle liftgate system comprises an outer panel that includes a Class A surface and a sole lamp opening extending for a first horizontal distance that greater than half, but less than all, of a width of the outer panel. The liftgate system further comprises a reinforcement having a perimeter corresponding to a perimeter of the lamp opening and configured to accommodate at least one lamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Maneesh Gangal, Rajinder Pal Singh, Siavash Osooli, Pinak Narhari Dave
  • Method and system for estimating pressure in a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 8989992
    Abstract: Method for estimating the negative pressure in a motor vehicle brake force booster, and a stop/start control device is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for estimating the negative pressure in a motor vehicle brake force booster with reference to the hydraulic pressure in a brake master cylinder. According to the embodiment, the negative pressure is estimated solely on the basis of hydraulic pressure in the brake master cylinder and of the actual engine speed. One embodiment of the invention also relates to a stop/start control device for a motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Lucian Lippok
  • Methods and systems for engine control
    Patent number: 8986163
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for restarting an engine that can be selectively deactivated during idle-stop conditions. In one embodiment, the engine is restarted with torque reduction over an interval of the restart, for example, by upshifting the transmission. In response to a vehicle launch request, the torque reduction is decreased, for example, by downshifting the transmission, to expedite return of driveline torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Alex O'Connor Gibson
  • Interconnected copolymers of ethylene in combination with one other polyalkene
    Patent number: 8987385
    Abstract: A polymer comprises units derived from ethylene and polyalkylene, the polymer having at least 0.15 units of amyl groups per 1000 carbon atoms as determined by 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mehmet Demirors, Teresa P. Karjala, Otto J. Berbee, Cornelis F. J. den Doelder, John O. Osby
  • High melt strength polyethylene compositions and methods for making the same
    Patent number: 8987382
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for increasing the melt strength of a polyethylene resin comprising reacting the polyethylene resin with a free radical generator with a decomposition energy in between ?50 kJoule/mole and ?250 kJoules/mole and a peak decomposition temperature of less than 280 degree C. The resulting resin has increased melt strength with higher ratio of elongational viscosities at 0.1 to 100 rad/s when compared to substantially similar polyethylene resins which have not been reacted with a free radical generator such as an alkoxy amine derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mehmet Demirors, Teresa Karjala, Nicolas Mazzola
  • Individual wheel suspension with automatic camber adaptation
    Patent number: 8985595
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for vehicles, with a vehicle body and wheels articulated on the vehicle body by means of wheel suspension parts. The wheel suspension parts of each wheel oscillate during the driving mode, and contain a wheel carrier supporting the wheel rotatably about a wheel axle and links connecting said wheel carrier to the vehicle body. The relative movement between the vehicle body and wheel suspension parts can be detected by means of detecting means. Articulation positions of the same and/or other wheel suspension parts can be automatically changed by at least one actuating means depending on the relative movements detected by the detecting means. At least one first and at least one second detecting means are respectively assigned to first and second vehicle sides of a vehicle axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • SELF-ADJUSTING SEAT STIFFNESS SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20150076879
    Abstract: A self-adjusting seat stiffness system that uses a tension member and tensioning device to maintain or increase tension in a seat component during a perceived vehicle dynamic event. The system may use an inertial latching spool for the tensioning device as an example of a way to maintain tension at a target acceleration of the spool by locking up the tension member, or may have a controller to control the tensioning member to provide variable tensions depending on varying perceived vehicle parameters. The tensioning of the tension member helps to avoid submarining of an occupant under a seatbelt due to unacceptable seat compression during a vehicle dynamic event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Edward Ruthinowski, Edward Joseph DeSmet, Brian Robert Spahn, William Jerome Olsen, Daniel Ferretti
  • EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITION FOR MARINE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR COATINGS WITH IMPROVED OVERCOATABILITY
    Publication number: 20150080497
    Abstract: This invention relates to an epoxy resin composition and its application in marine maintenance and repair coating with improved overcoatability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xiaomei Song, Hongyu Chen
  • DETECTING PRESSURE SENSOR OFFSET IN A PHEV FUEL TANK
    Publication number: 20150075251
    Abstract: A method for determining pressure sensor offset values in an evaporative emission control system. The method is performed during initial vehicle power up, and the method begins by receiving a reference signal indicating existing atmospheric pressure, as well as a check signal from a fuel tank pressure sensor indicating pressure within the fuel tank, at a time when the fuel system is open to atmosphere. A controller then calculates a sensor offset value based upon the reference signal and the check signal, and the controller stores the sensor offset value in a system memory location. During operation of the evaporative emission control system, the controller modifies pressure values received from the fuel tank pressure sensor by applying the sensor offset value. Whenever the system employs a reading from the fuel tank pressure sensor, that reading is corrected by applying the stored offset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: ROBERT ROY JENTZ, AED M. DUDAR
  • FIRE RESISTANT COMPOSITE STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20150079367
    Abstract: Fire resistant composite structures. As an example, a fire resistant composite structure can have a foam material, a geopolymer thermal protection layer adhered to the foam material, and a facing adhered to the geopolymer layer. The geopolymer thermal protection layer can be formed by curing geopolymer precursors having a silicon to aluminum ratio in a range of 1.0:0.1 to 1.0:3.3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Dongkyu Kim, Chan Han, Robert C. Cieslinski, Giuseppe Vairo, Luigi Bertucelli