Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • FUEL TANK ISOLATION VALVE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150032307
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a fuel tank isolation valve coupled to a fuel tank in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a refuel request, actuating a fuel tank isolation valve to vent a fuel tank for refueling; and, in response to a pressure in the fuel tank below a threshold pressure after a predetermined time duration, discontinuing actuation of the fuel tank isolation valve to seal the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Ted Haladyna, William David Treharne
  • COMPOSITION FOR EXTRUSION-MOLDED CERAMIC BODIES COMPRISING A CELLULOSE DERIVATIVE OF CERTAIN MEDIAN PARTICLE LENGTH
    Publication number: 20150028526
    Abstract: A composition which is suitable for extrusion molding comprises a) a ceramic-forming material, and b) a cellulose derivative that has a median particle length of from 110 to 300 micrometers. Advantageously a cellulose ether is used that has been obtained by providing a moist cellulose derivative having a moisture content of from 35 to 90 percent, based on the total weight of the moist cellulose derivative, and drying-grinding the moist cellulose derivative in a gas-swept impact mill to a median particle length of from 110 to 300 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Roland Bayer, Yvonne M. Goerlach-Doht, Juergen Hermanns
  • ENGINE SPEED CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150032309
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system has an engine, a damper and an electric machine configured to be selectively mechanically coupled with the engine via damper. The vehicle powertrain system also has at least one controller programmed to filter a frequency content of a speed or torque command for the electric machine corresponding to a resonant frequency of the engine, damper and electric machine to reduce resonance of the engine, damper and electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Liang, Carol Louise Okubo, Thomas Chrostowski, Ming Lang Kuang
  • ENGINE FUEL PUMP AND METHOD FOR OPERATION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20150027416
    Abstract: A method of pressuring fuel for a direct injection fuel system via a fuel pump in an engine is provided. The method includes, during a first mode, adjusting a magnetic solenoid valve (MSV) to control pump outlet pressure and during a second mode, deactivating the MSV and controlling pump outlet pressure via a noise-reducing valve assembly on an inlet side of the fuel pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Brostrom, Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng
  • Vehicle control system and method
    Patent number: 8942889
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle having an onboard diagnostics connector and a connector interface connected to the onboard connector includes at least one external controller adapted for unfastenable connection to the connector interface; and at least one operator control connected to said at least one external controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Scott Crombez
  • Multiple container holder assembly
    Patent number: 8939491
    Abstract: A multiple container holder assembly is a convertible assembly having a base portion and an upper panel assembly. The base portion includes one or more container wells each adapted to support a container. The upper panel includes one or more retaining apertures each adapted to support a container. The base portion is disposed in a first portion of a bin housing and the upper panel assembly is slidably supported on the bin housing between first and second positions. In the first position the retaining apertures of the upper panel are configured to align with the container wells of the base portion. In the second position the retaining apertures of the upper panel are configured to be disposed over a second portion of the housing, such that when the upper panel is in the second position, the container wells and the retaining apertures are accessible for supporting a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis Raymond Gillis, Paul Schmidt, Robert D. Bedard, Jolanta Coffey
  • Method and system for controlling a user requested shift in a hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 8942876
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric machine connected to the engine by an upstream clutch, a transmission gearbox connected to the electric machine by a downstream clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a user commanded shift of the transmission, control the electric machine speed to a designated speed based on gearbox output speed and the transmission gear ratio after the shift, thereby synchronizing speeds across the gearbox for the shift. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle provides, in response to a user commanded shift of an automatic transmission gearbox, controlling an electric machine speed to a target speed based on the transmission gear ratio after the shift where the target speed is synchronized with the transmission gearbox output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengyu Dai, Hong Jiang
  • Instrument cluster finish panel with tear seams
    Patent number: 8939493
    Abstract: An instrument panel trim apparatus mounts in a vehicle to frame an instrument cluster above a collapsible steering column. An integrally molded plastic panel has an upper collar section, a lower bridge section, and a shroud section, wherein the upper collar section and lower bridge section are configured to form a frame around the instrument cluster. The upper collar section and lower bridge section converge along a pair of tear seams. The shroud section extends downward from the lower bridge section and has an arched shape to receive the steering column. A plurality of risers are disposed between the shroud section and the lower bridge section for concentrating stress at the tear seams when the shroud section is impinged by the steering column when collapsing, so that the tear seams separate and the lower bridge section and the shroud section can deflect upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Barthlow, Alan M. Perelli, Jeff S. Vinton
  • Headlamp with backlit side bezel signature image
    Patent number: 8939621
    Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle comprises a headlamp light source. A trim piece is mounted adjacent the light source having an inner surface illuminated by light from the light source and an outer surface visible from outside the vehicle. The trim piece comprises a light transmitting plastic body, wherein a signature image is formed on the body having a foreground region and a background region. The foreground region has a corresponding surface characteristic on the inner and outer surfaces within the foreground region different from a corresponding surface characteristic on the inner and outer surfaces within the background region so that more light from the light source is transmitted through the foreground region than through the background region. The outer surface may be fully metalized to provide a pleasing appearance under ambient light conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Brown, Arun Kumar
  • Energy absorbing apparatus for a bumper rail
    Patent number: 8939480
    Abstract: A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib extends laterally outwardly from the central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saeed David Barbat, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Saied Nusier
  • Final drive mechanism and power take off for a transmission
    Patent number: 8939862
    Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a transmission including a pinion centered at an axis, a differential mechanism centered at a second axis forward of the axis, driveably connected to the pinion through a gear wheel meshing with the pinion, and a power take-off mechanism centered at a third axis rearward of the axis, driveably connected to the pinion, including a clutch that alternately opens and closes a drive connection to the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Janson, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Method of avoiding brake disc scoring in a vehicle
    Patent number: 8942907
    Abstract: A method for avoiding reducing scoring of the brake disc or the brake drum of a vehicle driven under rainy conditions calculates a product of three parameters, and activates an automatic braking operation for the vehicle, regularly, whenever the product exceeds the pre-determined threshold level. The first parameter is a rain intensity based parameter, a measure of the current raining intensity. The second parameter is a brake-activation-free driving time parameter, representing the time elapsed since the braking system of the vehicle was activated last. The third parameter is a speed parameter, which represents a current speed of the vehicle. As the automatic braking operation is carried out, the particles of dust, water, snow and de-icing substances, adhered to the brake disc of the vehicle, and causing scoring of the brake disc, are quickly removed, thus, reducing disc scoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Moore, Thomas Svensson
  • Photovoltaic device and method
    Patent number: 8938920
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PVD”) and method of use, more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with an integral locator and electrical terminal mechanism for transferring current to or from the improved photovoltaic device and the use as a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Cleereman, Michael J. Lesniak, James R. Keenihan, Joe A. Langmaid, Ryan Gaston, Gerald K. Eurich, Michelle L. Boven
  • VAPOR STORAGE DEVICE HAVING A DIFFUSER PLATE AND DOME
    Publication number: 20150021407
    Abstract: A vapor storage device is provided. The vapor storage device includes a diffuser plate positioned on an axis of an inlet port and comprising one or more openings extending through the plate from a leading edge to a trailing edge and a dome coupled to the inlet port of the device and the diffuser plate, where the dome includes side walls spaced away from the diffuser plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Dong, Niels Christopher Kragh, Michael G. Heim, Dhaval P. Vaishnav, Mohammad Usman
  • BATTERY OVERCHARGE MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150022150
    Abstract: An exemplary battery charge monitoring method includes, among other things, calculating expected charge data for a battery using at least a capacity of the battery and a charge rate, and comparing actual charge data to the expected charge data to identify differences between the actual charge data and the expected charge data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Theodore Momcilovich, Allan Roy Gale, Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Michael W. Degner
  • POLYURETHANE RIGID FOAMS
    Publication number: 20150025164
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polyurethane rigid foams formulations. More particularly, the present invention relates to polyurethane rigid foams formulations, prepared from aromatic polyester polyols, which show improved compressive strength. The formulations include an isocyanate reacting mixture, at least one polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate, having a functionality of at least 2.7, and at least one blowing agent; such that the stoichiometric index of the polyisocyanate to the isocyanate reacting mixture is 1.0-1.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Golini, Maurizio Guandalini
  • LIGANDS FOR RHODIUM CATALYZED REDUCTIVE CARBONYLATION OF ALCOHOLS
    Publication number: 20150025280
    Abstract: A catalytic system for reductive carbonylation of an alcohol that includes a rhodium complex, an iodide-containing catalyst promoter, and a supporting phosphorus-containing bidentate ligand for the rhodium complex containing at least one aromatic substituent covalently attached to at least one phosphorus of the supporting phosphorus-containing bidentate ligand in an ortho position with an alkoxy substituent or an aryloxy substituent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Thomas P. Clark, Heather A. Spinney, Jason MacDonald, Clark H. Cummins, Jerzy Klosin, John R. Briggs
  • LEAK DETECTION BASED ON FUEL LEVEL
    Publication number: 20150025722
    Abstract: Methods and systems for fuel system leak detection are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, during an engine-on condition, delivering fuel from a fuel tank to one or more cylinders of the engine while the fuel tank is sealed off from atmosphere, and indicating a leak based on pressure in the fuel tank. For example, a leak may be indicated in response to a pressure decrease in the fuel tank greater than an expected pressure decrease, where the expected pressure decrease is based on a fuel level in the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Scott A. Bohr, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RESTARTING AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20150025724
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque output of a motor is controlled to include a reserve torque for starting an engine that may be selectively coupled to the motor. Additionally, the motor torque compensates for disconnect clutch closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Francis Thomas Connolly, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING ENGINE STARTING
    Publication number: 20150025780
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restarting an engine are presented. In one example, fuel is injected to cylinder ports before the engine is stopped such that the injected fuel is not inducted into the cylinders before an engine restart is requested. The method may improve fuel vaporization during engine restarting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O`Connor Gibson, Brad Alan VanDerWege, David Oshinsky