Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • CANISTER PURGE VALVE SELF-CLEANING CYCLE
    Publication number: 20140311461
    Abstract: A method for a fuel system coupled to an engine comprising: under vacuum conditions, opening the fuel vapor canister purge valve, and generating pressure pulsations in a conduit coupled to the fuel vapor canister purge valve by opening and closing a fuel vapor canister vent valve one or more times while maintaining the fuel vapor canister purge valve open. In this way, contaminants and/or debris that may prevent the canister purge valve from closing completely may be dislodged and evacuated to the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Kevin William Plymale
  • PRESERVING COMBUSTION STABILITY DURING COMPRESSOR-SURGE CONDITIONS
    Publication number: 20140316675
    Abstract: A method to avoid over-dilution of an intake-air charge of an engine includes, during a first condition, applying at least some feedback control to the opening and closure of a valve that adjustably admits exhaust to the intake-air charge. During a second condition predictive of compressor surge, no feedback control is applied to the opening or the closure of the valve. Rather, feedforward control is applied to the closure of the valve so that stability in the engine is maintained even during surge conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Matthew John Gerhart, Suzanne Kay Wait, Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Todd Anthony Rumpsa
  • HUMIDITY SENSOR AND ENGINE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140316676
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine coupled capacitance-based humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on humidity readings while flowing gasses into an engine intake air downstream of the humidity sensor and upstream of a compressor change by less than a first threshold while pressure at the sensor changes greater then a second threshold. The variation in pressure can be changed by adjusting a throttle upstream and downstream of the compressor based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Imad Hassan Makki, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Pankaj Kumar
  • FUEL PUMP LOCKING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20140312613
    Abstract: A fuel pump to fuel tank attachment assembly for a vehicle includes a retainer ring firmly attached to a portion of the fuel tank. The retainer ring is formed of the same material as the material of the fuel tank. A lock ring is positioned over, and secured to the retainer ring. A flange of the fuel pump is positioned and clamped between the retainer ring and the lock ring. The retainer ring and the lock ring circumferentially engage the flange of the fuel pump, in the mounted position of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: JOHN THOMAS GAFFI ELD, CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL LILLY, LAWRENCE J. LIPOSKY
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SPARK TO AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20140316673
    Abstract: An approach for supplying spark to engine cylinders is disclosed. In one example, the approach increases ignition energy supplied to spark plugs of deactivated cylinders to reduce the possibility of spark plug fouling for the deactivated cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Renewable Surfactants Derived from Sugar Alcohols
    Publication number: 20140316148
    Abstract: Polyol ether compounds and processes for their preparation. A representative process comprises melting a polyol, and reacting the molten polyol, a carbonyl compound, and hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to provide the poly of ether. The polyol ether has surfactant properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Tulchinsky, Sze-Sze Ng, Cynthia L. Rand
  • WORM GEAR
    Publication number: 20140311267
    Abstract: A worm gear has a worm wheel, a drive shaft, and a flexible shaft. The worm wheel meshes with a worm shaft, which is driven by the drive shaft. The flexible shaft can be arranged in the drive shaft with a radial gap between at least a portion of the flexible shaft and the drive shaft. The flexible shaft can be coupled to the drive shaft such that a first spring constant is provided for displacement of the flexible shaft in a radial direction within a first range and a second spring constant is provided for displacement of the flexible shaft in the radial direction within a second range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Georg Figura, Erik Jürgen Stumpf, Thomas Marotzke, Fabian Wendt
  • SEAT-INTEGRATED OCCUPANT PRESENCE DETECTOR
    Publication number: 20140316660
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle seat with an embedded presence detector that can detect a presence of an occupant and output a presence signal. A position controller is configured to receive the presence signal and adjust a position of the vehicle seat to a predetermined driving position in response to receiving the presence signal and prior to turning on a vehicle ignition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jialiang Le, Johnathan Andrew Line, Manoharprasad K. Rao
  • LOW DENSITY ETHYLENE-BASED POLYMERS WITH EXTRACTS AT LOWER MOLECULAR WEIGHTS
    Publication number: 20140316096
    Abstract: The invention provides an ethylene-based polymer comprising the following properties: A) a “weight fraction (w) of molecular weight greater than 106 g/mole, based on the total weight of polymer, and as determined by GPC(abs),” that meets the following relationship: w<A+B(I2), where A=0.090, and B=?4.00×10-3 (min/dg); B) a G? value that meets the following relationship: G?<C+D log(I2), where C=162 Pa, and D=?90.0 Pa/log (dg/min); C) a melt index (I2) from 1 to 20 dg/min; and D) chloroform extractable that has a maximum Mw(conv) of less than, or equal to, 4,000 g/mole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Otto J. Berbee, Teresa P. Karjala, Cornelis F. den Doelder, Stefan Hinrichs
  • WINDOW SURROUND FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20140312648
    Abstract: An integral window surround for a vehicle. The window surround includes upper, front, and rear glass runs for guiding and sealing a glass window, as well as a mirror sail for mounting a side mirror, and a B-pillar appliqué for providing decorative covering for the B-pillar. A belt molding extends across the bottom of the surround, with attachment means for securing the surround to the vehicle body. Sealing elements are also provided. If desired, an alternative implementation can be provided without the mirror sail, suitable for rear windows and windows that do not have a side mirror. The components of the surround are integral, which is accomplished by forming the surround in a two-shot molding process. The structural elements are molding in a first shot, and at that point decorative films can be inserted into the mold to provide a desired surface finish. The second shot forms the sealing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: DAVID ARTHUR WADE, GREGORY JAMES GRUDZINSKI, CHESTER STANISLAUS WALAWENDER
  • SELF REPLENISHING ACCUMULATOR
    Publication number: 20140311577
    Abstract: An accumulator includes a cylinder for containing a working fluid and a first volume of pressurized gas, the gas and fluid being separated by a displaceable piston and a first seal contacting the piston and the cylinder, a reservoir carried on the piston for containing a second volume of pressurized gas, and a device that permits gas flow from the second volume into the first volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Lev Pekarsky, Robert O. Burkhart, Mark Davis
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ROTOR POSITION OFFSET OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE
    Publication number: 20140312881
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, detecting a position, including a polarity, of a rotor to detect incorrect rotor position offset of an electric machine without generating torque or motion within the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. DEGNER, Shailesh Shrikant KOZAREKAR, Daniel Richard LUEDTKE
  • ENGINE CONTROL FOR CATALYST REGENERATION
    Publication number: 20140311443
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water during an engine cylinder deactivation event so as to reduce an exhaust catalyst regeneration requirement following the cylinder deactivation. In one example, water is injected at one or more deactivated engine cylinders to reduce oxidation of the exhaust catalyst. Then, during engine cylinder reactivation, a degree of richness of a combustion air-to-fuel ratio may be reduced to decrease fuel penalty to the engine while reducing NOx emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Mark Allen Dearth
  • ENHANCED FUEL INJECTION BASED ON CHOKE FLOW RATE
    Publication number: 20140311454
    Abstract: A method is described for adjusting the amount of gaseous fuel injected based on the sonic choked flow rate through a restriction. Because the sonic choke flow rate continues to decrease as tank pressure decreases, the method includes computing the sonic choke flow rate through the restriction based on system variables and enforcing the rate of CNG injection to be less than the sonic choke flow rate through the restriction. Thereby, the mass flow rate to the fuel injector can be substantially maximized to substantially minimize the time for fuel tank emptying, particularly during the last amount of tank emptying when the contents of the gaseous storage tank is low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Samuel Guido, Ed Badillo, Dev Saberwal
  • LOW DENSITY ETHYLENE-BASED POLYMERS WITH BROAD MOLECULAR WEIGHT DISTRIBUTIONS AND LOW EXTRACTABLES
    Publication number: 20140316094
    Abstract: The invention provides an ethylene-based polymer comprising the following properties: a) a melt index (12)>2.0 dg/min; b) a Mw(abs) versus 12 relationship: Mw(abs)<A+B(I2), where A=2.40×105 g/mole, and B=?8.00×103 (g/mole)/(dg/min); and c) a G? versus 12 relationship: G?>C+D(I2), where C=127.5 Pa, and D=?1.25 Pa/(dg/min). The invention also provides an ethylene-based polymer comprising the following properties: a) a melt index (12)>2.0 dg/min; b) a G? versus 12 relationship: G?>C+D(I2), where C=127.5 Pa, and D=?1.25 Pa/(dg/min) c) a chloroform extractable (Clext) versus G? relationship: Clext.<E+FG?, where E=0.20 wt %, and F=0.060 wt %/Pa; and d) a “weight fraction (w) of molecular weight greater than 106 g/mole, based on the total weight of polymer, and as determined by GPC(abs),” that meets the following relationship: w<I?J(I2), where I=0.080, and J=?4.00×10?3 min/dg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Otto J. Berbee, Cornelis F. den Doelder, Stefan Hinrichs, Teresa P. Karjala
  • HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND FAULT CONDITION DETECTION FOR SAME
    Publication number: 20140316643
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hydraulic brake system for a motor vehicle and a method for the detection of a fault condition of the hydraulic brake system. An electronic control device determines at least one pressure value of the brake fluid of the brake system and at least one volume value of the brake master cylinder associated with the pressure value during an operation of a brake master cylinder. The electronic control device compares the determined pressure value and volume value with at least one pair of pressure-volume reference values for the detection of a fault condition of the brake system, wherein at least two different fault conditions of the brake system can be differentiated based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas SVENSSON, Rudolf DANIELS
  • HUMIDITY SENSOR AND ENGINE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140316672
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine coupled temperature-based humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined while flowing gasses into an engine intake air downstream of a humidity sensor and upstream of a compressor, indicating humidity sensor degradation when relative humidity readings change by less than a threshold while temperature at the sensor changes greater than a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Yong-Wha Kim, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • WORM AND WHEEL POWER STEERING GEARBOX
    Publication number: 20140311263
    Abstract: A power assist steering system utilizing a steering gearbox with a worm-screw to gear-segment transition from a steering-wheel shaft to a sector shaft and a worm-screw to worm-wheel transition from a power-assist shaft to the steering-wheel shaft. The worm-screw and worm-wheel combination for the power-assist shaft to the steering-wheel shaft may be replaced with a ballnut worm-screw and a ball-track worm-wheel. The system provides for an additional amount of 800 watts or more of power to be made available at the sector shaft with 1600 watts or less of power being made available at the power-assist shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Washnock, Jackson E. Barry, JR.
  • Active Suspension With Load Detection And Adaptation
    Publication number: 20140316637
    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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: 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
  • LASER IGNITION SYSTEM BASED DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20140316621
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling engine diagnostics, including visual inspections of an engine cylinder, using existing hardware from a laser ignition system. Light pulses from a laser ignition device are received at a photodetector during non-combusting conditions and used to generate images of an inside of the cylinder that can be assessed by a service technician. An electric motor of the vehicle system can be used during a service mode of the vehicle to rotate the engine to, and hold the engine at, specified engine positions that enable the technician to perform selected diagnostic tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller