Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Cardanic cross joint with insulation
    Patent number: 7517283
    Abstract: A universal joint for coupling a drive shaft and a driven shaft comprises a first joint yoke having axially opposite yoke arms; a second joint yoke having axially opposite yoke arms and arranged radially at an angle of 90 in relation to the first joint yoke to form an internal space; first and second connection elements, each connection element having a base web and at least one connection area extending from the base web toward the internal space; and an elastic coupling element configured to fit within the internal space and connected to the at least one connection area of each of the first and second connection elements such that the elastic coupling element is spaced from each of the first and second connection elements over a portion of the respective base webs to create an axial interspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Norbert Gross
  • ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD LATCH STRUCTURE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20090091158
    Abstract: A hood latch structure (1) for a motor vehicle body having a soft-nose outer skin panel (2) and a hood (3) providing an overlying structure for a grille opening reinforcing front cross member (4). The grille opening reinforcing front cross member (4) supports at least one hood latch (5) carried by a mounting member (6) protruding towards the front of the vehicle. Mounting member (6) is designed to collapse downwards (Z) causing the hood latch (5) to move downwards (Z) when subjected to longitudinal (X) loads above a predetermined threshold load distributed thereupon by the overlying structure such that the hood latch (5) moves away to provide a forgiving upper leg impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mattias Wallman, Gunnar Hallneus, Peter Blum, Anders Fredriksson, Mats Erlingfors, Peter Lindmark
  • Vehicle center console
    Patent number: 7513549
    Abstract: A vehicle center console. The console includes a cantilevered body having an upper surface, which includes one or more upper center console features. The console also includes a lower surface including one or more lower center console features. The lower surface is disposed vertically apart from at least a portion of the upper surface such that a vehicle occupant has access to the one or more upper and lower center console features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kris Tomasson, Freeman Thomas, Matthew A. Hill
  • Automotive storage system with manually repositionable bin
    Patent number: 7513553
    Abstract: A storage system for an automotive vehicle includes a storage module having opposing sidewalls and a primary storage compartment situated between the opposing sidewalls. A repositionable bin has a first position in which it is mounted at least partially within the primary storage compartment and at least one secondary position in which the repositionable bin is removably mounted to an interior surface of the vehicle, such as upon an exterior surface of the storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kaushlendra Singh, Peter Bejin, Michael Whitens
  • Vehicle architecture
    Patent number: 7513556
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an interior vehicle architecture including a first zone having a first design focus; a second zone having a second design focus; and a third zone having a third design focus. Each of the first, second, and third design focuses are distinctive. The vehicle interior can be a minivan interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kris Tomasson
  • Bottom plug for forming a mono diameter wellbore casing
    Patent number: 7513313
    Abstract: A bottom plug and a method of using a bottom plug for forming a mono diameter wellbore casing is provided that includes an expandable packer initially attached below an expansion device. A packer setting mechanism is coupled between the expansion device and the expandable packer for expanding the expandable packer and sealingly setting it in an expanded portion of the wellbore casing. A release mechanism is coupled between the expansion device and the expandable bottom packer for releasing expandable bottom packer from the expansion device. Fluid is pumped into the wellbore casing between the cone and the set expandable bottom packer to facilitate forcing the expansion device into and through an unexpanded portion of the wellbore casing, thereby expanding the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Brock Wayne Watson, David Paul Brisco
  • Rocker molding-step for a vehicle body side assembly
    Patent number: 7513518
    Abstract: A rocker molding-step (14) for a vehicle body side assembly (12) includes one or more support brackets (30), an elongated molding-step (28), a series of fasteners (74), and an appliqué (76). The fasteners (74) attach molding-step (28) and support brackets (30) to an outboard surface (18) of vehicle body side assembly (12), with the support brackets (30) sandwiched between the molding-step (28) and the body side assembly (12). The molding-step (28) has a stepped surface (72) receiving the fasteners (74). The appliqué (76) is attached to molding-step (28) and covers the fasteners (74). The molding-step (28) is a single-piece blow-molded construction, which covers the vehicle body side assembly (12) and provides a foothold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Mayville, David Boucard, Michael Freeman
  • Vehicle trajectory control system
    Patent number: 7510504
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine coupled to a transmission is described. A method is described for adjusting an engine operating parameter to maintain transmission input speed at or below a synchronous transmission input speed. The synchronous transmission input speed is based on transmission state and transmission output speed. Alternatively, vehicle speed can be used in place of transmission output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Cullen, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Power electronics circuit for electromechanical valve actuator of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7509931
    Abstract: A dual coil half bridge converter adapted to be coupled to a dual coil actuator of a cylinder valve in an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, the converter has a first and second capacitor and a voltage source, where the converter is actuated via switches to individually energizing coils in said dual coil actuator. A voltage regulator is also shown for maintaining midpoint voltage during unequal loading of different actuator coils in the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Degner, John Grabowski, Gary Flohr
  • Drive unit for hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 7509802
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an electric power source in a transmission includes a transmission housing, and an electric machine including a rotor and a stator secured to the housing. A first member is secured to the rotor, extends radially toward an axis of rotation, and is formed with a first pilot surface. A second member, secured to the rotor and the housing, extends from the housing toward the axis and is formed with a second pilot surface that is aligned axially with the first pilot surface. An anti-friction bearing, located at an axial rearward side or axially frontward side of a torque converter, is engaged with the first pilot surface and the second pilot surface. A second balanced bearing is located either in the driving engine or the driven transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew D. Hammond, Michael T. Berhan, Jeffrey E. Maurer, Steve G. Thomas, Julie A. Sunstein
  • Internal combustion engine cover with electronic module
    Patent number: 7509951
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine cover includes a peripheral rail for attaching a cover to an engine component and an enclosure portion formed integrally with a peripheral rail. At least one port formed in the enclosure portion holds an electronic module which is mounted through the port and which may include an oil separator as well as an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Smith
  • System and method to control temperature of an alternator and/or an engine in a vehicle
    Patent number: 7509929
    Abstract: A method of controlling alternator temperature and engine temperature for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises rotating a first drive shaft to generate electricity during an operation of an engine; rotating a second drive shaft to cause pumping of coolant to cool at least portion of the alternator and the engine where the first and second drive shafts are operatively coupled such that rotation of the first drive shaft imparts rotation to the second drive shaft; and selectively routing coolant through multiple different fluid pathways in response to an engine operation condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander C. Kurple
  • System for radially expanding a tubular member
    Patent number: 7506687
    Abstract: A system for radially expanding a tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Lev Ring
  • Pedestrian Safety Structure for a Motor Vehicle Body
    Publication number: 20090072585
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pedestrian safety structure for a motor vehicle body having a soft-nose outer skin panel and a bonnet providing an overlying structure for a grille opening reinforcing front cross member. The grille opening reinforcing front cross member carries a plurality of brackets. The brackets are designed to support loads distributed thereupon by the overlying structure, vertical (Z) loads in the range of 1.0-1.5 kN and longitudinal (X) loads in the range of 0.4-0.6 kN. The brackets are further designed for energy absorbing deformation when subjected to longitudinal (X) loads distributed thereupon by the overlying structure above 0.6 kN, such that the plurality of brackets provide an energy absorbing upper leg impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mattias Wallman, Gunnar Hallneus, Peter Blum, Anders Fredriksson, Mats Erlingfors, Peter Lindmark
  • Differential torque operation for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7503312
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders including at least a first cylinder and a second cylinder, the method comprising firing the first cylinder and the second cylinder in an alternating sequence; during a first mode, adjusting an operating parameter of the engine to produce a first difference between an amount of torque produced by the firing of the first cylinder and an amount of torque produced by the firing of the second cylinder; during a second mode, adjusting the operating parameter of the engine to produce a second difference between an amount of torque produced by the firing of the first cylinder and an amount of torque produced by the firing of the second cylinder; and performing the first mode at a higher engine speed than the second mode; wherein the first difference is greater than the second difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Al Henry Berger, Wan Joe Chen, Christopher House
  • System and method for controlling stopping and starting of a vehicle engine
    Patent number: 7503413
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining when to allow a vehicle engine to be placed in an engine standby mode. Various conditions, such as driver-controlled conditions, vehicle conditions, and energy management conditions, are compared to corresponding predetermined conditions. If at least some of the conditions match their corresponding predetermined conditions, the vehicle engine is allowed to be placed in a standby mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fangjun Jiang, Jonas A. Jerrelind
  • Throttle position control during an engine start
    Patent number: 7503301
    Abstract: A method for improving engine starting for an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to one aspect of the description, valve timing during a start can be set so that combustion stability and emissions may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nate R. Trask, Gang Song
  • Ratio shift control for a multiple ratio automatic transmission
    Patent number: 7503875
    Abstract: A gear ratio shift control and control method controls gear ratio upshifts in a multiple-ratio transmission for an automotive vehicle. Pressure actuated friction elements establish torque flow paths in transmission gearing as they are selectively engaged and released. A net torque reduction at a transmission torque output shaft during an upshift event is reduced by increasing transmission input torque prior to the start of the inertia phase of the upshift event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Marvin Paul Kraska, Gregory Michael Pletron, William Emil Tobler, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Bradley Dean Riedle, Ronald Thomas Cowan, Davorin David Hrovat
  • Vehicle headlight
    Patent number: D588718
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Spearman-Oxx, Ehab Kaoud
  • Vehicle mirror
    Patent number: D589859
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Golden, George Bucher, David Mahoney, Michael Webb