Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • INTRUSIVE EGR MONITOR FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20140261343
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system in a hybrid vehicle using an intrusive monitor include adjusting EGR flow through an EGR valve based on an average pressure difference between pressure measured from a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor and inferred pressure determined from mass air flow (MAF) into an intake of an engine when engine speed, throttle and camshaft timing position change is below a corresponding threshold. The measured pressure and inferred pressure are determined when the EGR valve is in a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Richard Paul Taylor, Freeman Gates
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING SURVEYS INSIDE VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20140278781
    Abstract: A survey system enabling one or more processors to output a survey in a vehicle while allowing a vehicle occupant to engage in the survey. The survey system may communicate with a vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to receive input representing one or more occupants in a vehicle. They survey system may receive an input representing a current location. The system may determine a workload value for the one or more vehicle occupants and output a survey to the one or more vehicle occupants when the workload value is below a predefined threshold. The system may output a survey related to the one or more occupants and current location. The system may collect survey results and relay the survey results to a remote server for processing. The system may provide a digital reward to the one or more occupants participating in the survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yimin Liu, Perry Robinson MacNeille, Joe Phillip Pierucci, Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, Erica Klampfl, Edward K. Krause
  • AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL BASED ON TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT TORQUE SIGNAL
    Publication number: 20140274555
    Abstract: A system and method for minimizing torque disturbances during a shift event for an automatic transmission control actual transmission input shaft torque using a transmission input shaft signal produced by an input shaft torque sensor. The torque sensor provides a signal to a controller that monitors the measured transmission input torque. The torque sensor may be implemented by a strain gauge, a piezoelectric load cell, or a magneto-elastic torque sensor. The system may include a vehicle powertrain having an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine via a torque converter, an input torque sensor coupled to the input shaft of the transmission and a controller configured to control engine torque to cause the measured transmission input shaft torque to achieve a target transmission input shaft torque during the shift event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas
  • TRAILER LENGTH ESTIMATION IN HITCH ANGLE APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20140277942
    Abstract: A vehicle system for estimating a trailer length is disclosed. The system incorporates at least one sensor configured to measure a wheel steer angle and a trailer angle in communication with a processor. The processor is operable to determine a first length by a first computation method and determine a second length by a second computation method. The processor is further operable to validate an estimated trailer length based on the first length and the second length and perform a back-up function for the trailer based on the estimated trailer length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christos Kyrtsos, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Alex Maurice Miller, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Method and Apparatus for Mobile Device Connectivity Compatibility Facilitation
    Publication number: 20140280451
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request for communication between an application executed by the processor and a wirelessly connected vehicle computing system (VCS). The processor is also configured to confirm VCS compatibility with functionality or resources requested by an application originated communication request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Dragescu, Andrei Negrus
  • WOBBLE FREE EXTERIOR HANDLE DESIGN
    Publication number: 20140265373
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly for motor vehicles is configured to reduce or eliminate wobble or looseness during operation of the door handle. The handle assembly may include a handle member or strap having vertically extending pins at forward and rearward ends of the handle strap, wherein the pins have non-circular cross-sectional shapes to tightly engage a slot in a finger of a bellcrank to thereby prevent wobble of the handle strap in use. The non-circular shapes may be substantially similar to that of a waxing gibbous moon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Rajesh K. Patel
  • RETRACTABLE STRIKER COVER ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20140265377
    Abstract: A retractable cover assembly is provided for a vehicle to cover a latching component such as the striker of a trunk door. The assembly includes a retractable cover and a support structure for supporting the cover at a position to cover the striker. The assembly further includes an arrangement for actuating the cover between an open position exposing the striker and a closed position covering the striker. A first light source may illuminate the cover and a second light source may illuminate an interior of the vehicle when the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Cornel Lewis Gardner, Megan Lovejoy, Inshirah Hillawi, Stuart C. Salter, Steven J. Antilla, Patrick Berryman, Scott H. Dunham
  • CONTACT INFORMATION RECOGNITION SYSTEM FOR EXTERNAL TEXTUAL DATA DISPLAYED BY IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20140273908
    Abstract: A media content processor system including a control unit configured to receive radio data including metadata and media content and to identify an element of the actionable content based on parsing data fields of the metadata tagged as including elements of data other than the actionable content, and a method of identifying the same. The metadata represents actionable content for presentation to a user. The method includes receiving radio data, identifying an element of the actionable content included in the metadata of the radio data, generating an option, and providing the option to the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Englert
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURE DATA TRANSFER PERMISSION HANDLING
    Publication number: 20140282827
    Abstract: A vehicle-based system includes a processor configured to receive policy table updates issued from a remote server. The processor is further configured to update a local policy table based on the updates. The processor is additionally configured to receive a request from a remote application for data access. The processor is further configured to determine, based on the local policy table, if the data access requires user consent. The processor is also configured to determine if required consent is stored in the local policy table and provide data access to the remote application based on stored required consent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Chase Mitchell, Julius Marchwicki, Michael Raymond Westra, Elizabeth Halash
  • DISPLAY SYSTEM UTILIZING VEHICLE AND TRAILER DYNAMICS
    Publication number: 20140267688
    Abstract: A vehicle and trailer display system is disclosed. The display system includes a plurality of imaging devices disposed on the vehicle, each having a field of view. The display system further includes a screen disposed in the vehicle operable to display images from the imaging devices. A controller is in communication with the imaging devices and the screen and is operable to receive a hitch angle corresponding to the angle between the vehicle and the trailer. Based on the hitch angle, the controller is operable to select a field of view of an imaging device to display on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sudipto Aich, Roger Arnold Trombley, John Shutko, Alex Maurice Miller
  • Rivets with Anti-Rotational Features
    Publication number: 20140271037
    Abstract: Semi-tubular self-piercing rivets and solid rivets are provided with surface features such as recesses or lobes. The recesses or lobes engage the panels that are joined by the rivet to prevent rotation of one or both panels after rivet insertion. The recesses or lobes may be provided at the head end or tip end of the rivet or may be provided at both the head end and the tip end of the rivet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Michael William Danyo
  • TREATED BATTERY SEPARATOR
    Publication number: 20140272557
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided comprising an electrolyte including an organic solvent and a solution-treated polyolefin separator. A contact angle of the electrolyte including the organic solvent upon the separator may be from 0 to 15 degrees. In one embodiment, the solution-treated polyolefin layer has an increased concentration of ionic functional groups at its surface compared to an untreated polyolefin layer. In another embodiment, the solution-treated polyolefin separator has been treated with a treatment solution having a pH of either at most 2 or at least 12. The separator may be treated with an acid or base solution for at least 30 seconds. The solution-treated separator may exhibit improved wetting with an electrolyte compared to an untreated separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qian Zhou, Kent Snyder
  • PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METHYLENE DIPHENYL DIISOCYANATE ISOMER MIXTURES WITH HIGH 2,4'- METHYLENE DIPHENYL DIISOCYANATE PURITY
    Publication number: 20140264163
    Abstract: The present invention includes a process and apparatus for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) isomer mixtures with a low 2,2?-MDI isomer content and a high 2,4?-MDI isomer content. The resulting mixtures have an increased reactivity and are acceptable in food grade application due to the reduction in primary aromatic amines formed during the curing process. The process and apparatus also include controlling the amount of 4,4?-MDI, which is the most reactive isomer in the mixture allowing use in a wide variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrei S. Merenov, Gerard I. Jansma, Paul A. Gillis
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VACUUM CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140261301
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a fuel injection split between a direct injection and a port injection based on engine vacuum demand. When more intake manifold vacuum is required, relatively more direct injection is used to take advantage of the associated throttling for generating vacuum. The vacuum may then be used for canister purging, crankcase ventilation, or actuating an engine vacuum consumption device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Method and Apparatus for Ambient Lighting Incoming Message Alert
    Publication number: 20140277934
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive settings for one or more vehicle ambient lighting activation sequences. The processor is further configured to receive a signal relating to a notification for which an audio sound could be played. The processor is additionally configured to recognize that an ambient light activation has been enabled. Also, the processor is configured to output a sequence of activated ambient lights within a vehicle, based on the settings and responsive to the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly Michael Kohlstrand, Jeffrey Singer, Roger Hayden, Mark Edward Porter
  • VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER METHOD AND SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140277973
    Abstract: A system and method of immobilizing a vehicle include receiving a driver presence signal and a transmission state signal and commanding a transmission tie-up in response to the driver presence signal and the transmission state signal. In one embodiment, controlling a transmission element to tie-up a transmission includes braking approximately simultaneously a combination of transmission elements to inhibit rotation of a transmission output and maintaining transmission line pressure to maintain the transmission tie-up when an engine is off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Steven Gerald Thomas, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
  • COORDINATED BRAKE CONTROL OF WHEELS ON A COMMON DIFFERENTIAL
    Publication number: 20140277984
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for powering two wheels. The wheels are separated by a common differential. A controller is provided to execute certain commands related to the braking of the vehicle. During braking of the two wheels, one wheel exceeds its slip limit, causing the wheel speed of that wheel to drop and pull-down as the wheel catches the ground. In response to the one wheel pulling-down, the controller commands a reduction of brake actuation force on the pulled-down wheel, and also commands a reduction of a rate of increase of the brake actuation force on the non-pulled-down wheel. Simultaneous pull-down or pull-up of the wheels is thereby inhibited as brake actuation forces on each wheel are continued to be controlled in response to the other wheel's activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Lawrence M. Rose, Jason Meyer, Kerem Bayar
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BOOST CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140260241
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving boost response. A continuously variable compressor recirculation valve and a wastegate are adjusted in complementary frequency bands to move compressor operation away from a surge limit and reduce boost delivery errors. An intake throttle is also concurrently adjusted to offset manifold air-flow rate errors resulting from the wastegate or recirculation valve adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Julia Helen Buckland
  • Method and Apparatus for Encouraging Vehicle Infotainment System Usage
    Publication number: 20140278870
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to provide a first structured incentive responsive to the use of a first vehicle feature. The processor is further configured to store aggregated structured incentives. The processor is also configured to determine a second vehicle feature to be used, which will result in provision of a second structured incentive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: James Dragescu
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS VEHICLE CONTENT DETERMINATION
    Publication number: 20140277828
    Abstract: A fleet management system providing a manager with a tailored user interface based on the enabled features recognized in a vehicle. The fleet management system may monitor two or more vehicles, wherein each vehicle may have one or more processors. The one or more processors may receive an initialization signal from the fleet management system. The one or more processors may perform a query of one or more vehicle modules for enabled features in response to the initialization signal received from the fleet management system. The query of enabled vehicle features may be based on one or more criteria. The system may transmit to a server a signal indicating the enabled vehicle features installed in the vehicle. The system may output the enabled vehicle features to a user while tailoring the user screen data based on the enabled features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Bullister, David Chronowski, Thomas Woloszyn