Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Patent number: 8950814
    Abstract: A backrest for a vehicle includes a head restraint which can be adjusted to a higher position. The head restraint includes a head part and a support, which is guided displaceably in the backrest, for the head part being transferable from a use region, which is delimited by an upper use position and a lower use position, into a lower not-in-use position in which the backrest is blocked by an interfering structure against use, wherein the support triggers the interfering structure upon transfer of the head restraint into the lower not-in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Marcus Lohmann
  • Patent number: 8950800
    Abstract: A deployable pedestrian protection lower leg stiffen apparatus includes a left and a right linear actuator mountable adjacent to respective left and right forward frame members of a vehicle and a lower leg stiffener attached to and movable by the actuators. The actuators are extendable along respective deployment axes extending forward and downward relative to the vehicle to move the stiffener between a retracted position rearward of a forward surface of a front bumper beam and above a ground clearance plane and a deployed position forward of the retracted position and below the ground clearance plane. The actuators have rotational joints defining a horizontal pivot axis about which at least the forward portions of the piston may rotate upward along with the stiffener to prevent damage to the system if it strikes a road obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, James Chih Cheng
  • Patent number: 8950384
    Abstract: An example method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, at least one intake line for supplying charge air to the at least one cylinder, and a device for controlling charge-air flows conducted via a charge-air cooler and via a bypass line around the charge-air cooler is described, the device including a two-stage switchable shut-off element and a continuously adjustable shut-off element. In one example provided, the two-stage switchable shut-off element is arranged parallel to the bypass line in the at least one intake line, and is switched between an open position and a closed position, and the bypass line is opened up or shut off to a greater or lesser extent by the shut-off element which is continuously adjustable between an open position and a closed position. In this way, shuddering of the engine during shut down is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Andreas Kuske, Daniel Roettger
  • Patent number: 8950615
    Abstract: A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Aitken, Shahid Ahmed Siddiqui, Paul Chretien, Dennis Seung-Man
  • Patent number: 8952199
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and formulations for reducing or inhibiting increase in the concentration of microbes in a water-based fluid. The methods and formulations of the present invention use glutaraldehyde and a hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salts, C1-C3 alkyl- and alkenyltris(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salts and tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine, in a ratio of hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound to glutaraldehyde in the range of about 2:1 to about 7:1, or about 3.5:1 to about 7.5:1. The methods and formulations of the present invention can be useful in treating water contaminated with aerobic or anaerobic bacteria in oilfield and other industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Bei Yin, Jingjun Yang
  • Patent number: 8952081
    Abstract: A process for incorporating water insoluble biocides in latex paint products. The process comprises adding the biocide to the dispersion phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, ANGUS Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ioana Annis, Mark A. Henning, John W. Quinn
  • Patent number: 8950366
    Abstract: A method for operating a condensed natural gas engine, comprising injecting a mass of additive into the engine, the mass of additive a function of a mass-of-soot desired and producing a mass-of-soot during combustion, mass-of-soot produced a function of the mass of additive injected into the engine. By this method additional soot may be produced for heightened lubrication and valve protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Patent number: 8954215
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle has a traction motor, a driveline connected to a vehicle wheel, and a controller. The controller is configured to control motor torque through a region surrounding vehicle wheel torque reversal, control driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of driveline output torque, and control motor torque during a torque reversal of at least one driveline component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the driveline component. A method for controlling a vehicle having a traction motor includes controlling the traction motor torque through a region surrounding a vehicle wheel torque reversal, controlling driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of output torque, and controlling traction motor torque during a torque reversal of a powertrain component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Marvin Paul Kraska, Bernard D. Nefcy, Brandon R. Masterson
  • Patent number: 8954218
    Abstract: A vehicle system providing a temporary validation authorization request for one or more processors configured to transmit a signal from the vehicle system to a server once the one or more processors are installed in the vehicle. Once the server receives the installation signal, the processor may receive an in-vehicle authorization message from the server. The in-vehicle authorization message may be accepted by a user-input acceptance transmitted to the server. The system may determine temporary validation authorization if it is determined that the user accepted the in-vehicle authorization message within a predetermined amount of time following transmission of the signal to the server indicating that the processor was installed. Once authorized, the system may initialize to allow for assembly line testing. The temporary validation authorization initializes the vehicle system for temporary communication with the server while on a vehicle manufacturing assembly line for testing to ensure a quality product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Petersen, Kelly Lee Zechel, Ritesh Pandya, Michael Kruntovski
  • Publication number: 20150035319
    Abstract: A grommet assembly for sealing an opening through a floor pan and a reinforcement panel that are spaced apart is disclosed. The grommet assembly also seals around cooling lines that pass through the grommet assembly. The grommet assembly defines hollow sealing legs having extended and inverted positions in which the cooling lines are sealed when the hollow sealing legs are in the inverted position. The grommet assembly seals on the floor pan and is attached to the reinforcement panel. A mounting bracket for the grommet is disclosed having recessed and slotted apertures to aid in receiving the mounting post and aligning the grommet in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David D. Fabricatore, Emin Oker, Elizabeth Louise Dearie
  • Publication number: 20150035265
    Abstract: A seat belt arrangement includes a vehicle floor, a seat, and a latch assembly including a deformable element. Shoulder and lap belt webbings are attached to the latch assembly. The shoulder belt webbing is associated with the deformable element. According to one embodiment the latch assembly includes a latch plate to which the shoulder belt webbing is attached at an attachment point. This point includes the deformable element that may be a deformable pin or an insert fitted to the latch plate, or may be a relatively soft material. Alternatively the latch assembly includes a movable element and a fixed element having a deformable element fitted there between. When deformed, the deformable element allows movement of the movable element toward the fixed element, thereby limiting the forces of an impact applied by the shoulder belt to the lower portion of the chest of a vehicle occupant wearing the disclosed belt system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen William Rouhana
  • Publication number: 20150039183
    Abstract: A device may estimate crosswind by a vehicle controller according to driver steering inputs indicative of driver intention and crosswind disturbance inputs indicative of a potential crosswind condition. The device may, if the estimated crosswind exceeds a predetermined threshold, utilize the vehicle controller to correct the crosswind condition to reduce vehicle control demand on the driver, the automatic correction including at least one of a steering angle adjustment and suspension stiffness adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hsin-Hsiang Yang, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Jianbo Lu
  • Publication number: 20150038669
    Abstract: A process to produce polycarbamate comprising providing urea in liquid form; and adding the urea in liquid form to a polyol in a reduced gradient profile to form polycarbamate product is provided. Also provided are: (a) a reaction product of the process and (b) an apparatus for operating the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xinrui Yu, Yiyong He, Ronald B. Leng
  • Publication number: 20150035323
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base and a seat back. A cover stock is disposed over the seat back and the seat base. An inflatable bladder is disposed in at least one of the seat base and the seat back and is configured to be in a first position, wherein the bladder is deflated, and a second position, wherein the bladder is inflated. The bladder includes at least one orifice extending completely through the inflatable bladder. A fan is operably coupled to the at least one orifice and is configured to move air through the at least one orifice and the cover stock, thereby providing air flow to a vehicle passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mbathie Diop, Christian J. Hosbach
  • Publication number: 20150039348
    Abstract: During operation of a vehicle, usage data is received from one or more data collectors related to operation of the vehicle. A driving score is determined based on the one or more data collector inputs. A remote computer is queried for data relating the driving score to an insurance policy. During operation of the vehicle, a message is provided via a user interface based on the data relating the driving score to an insurance policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Publication number: 20150034861
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided comprising an anode having an active material including MSb2O4 having a purity level of greater than 93 percent by weight, wherein M is a metal. The metal may have an oxidation state of 2+ and may include transition metals and/or alkali-earth metals. The anode active material may be synthesized using metal acetates or metal oxides. The synthesis may include heating at a first temperature to remove oxygen and water and reacting at a second temperature to form the MSb2O4 structure, which may be a spinel crystal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin James Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20150036037
    Abstract: A camera system includes a lens that directs light onto an image sensor, an actuator that vibrates the lens, and a charge generator that charges a surface of the lens. The camera system further includes a controller that can determine a change in transparency of the lens and selectively activate the actuator based at least in part on the change in transparency. A method includes electrically charging a surface of a camera lens, determining a change in transparency of the camera lens, comparing the change in transparency to a predetermined threshold, and selectively activating an actuator to vibrate the camera lens if the change in transparency is above a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Glenn Richard Reed
  • Publication number: 20150038629
    Abstract: The invention provides halogen-free, flame-retardant flexible polyolefin-based formulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Ultsch
  • Publication number: 20150037762
    Abstract: A computer in a vehicle is configured to receive one or more data collector inputs, detect an object proximate to the vehicle based on the one or more inputs, determine a closure speed between the object and the vehicle, determine a change in speed of the object, compute an accountability factor; and determine whether to identify a potential incident based at least in part on the accountability factor and an incident value. The incident value is a function of at least one of the closure speed and a distance between the vehicle and the object. The accountability factor is based at least in part on the closure speed and the change in speed of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R. Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Publication number: 20150035308
    Abstract: A storage assembly for positioning between vehicle seats, includes an enclosable compartment that has opposing longitudinal sidewalls and opposing lateral sidewalls that are connected to the opposing longitudinal sidewalls to define an interior volume. A plurality of retention features are spaced along an upper edge of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing lateral sidewalls. A hanging storage module has a rigid panel suspended in the interior volume and a pair of support elements protrudes horizontally from opposing ends of the rigid panel to removably engage a corresponding pair of the plurality of retention features on a select one of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing longitudinal sidewalls. The rigid panel has a side portion configured to vertically hold at least one object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Annette Lynn Huebner, Kristin Ann Hellman, Artur Sakarian, Ryan Welch, Scott H. Dunham, Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner