Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Direct injection fuel system utilizing water hammer effect
    Patent number: 7448361
    Abstract: A method is described for operating a fuel system during start up, the system utilizing gasoline direct injection for an internal combustion engine including a first pump and second pump, an electromechanical valve, and a check valve fluidly coupled downstream of the first pump. The fuel system further includes a fuel rail downstream of the check valve and direct fuel injectors coupled to the engine. The method includes generating a flow of fuel in the fuel system via the first pump during an engine start before ignition of the engine; actuating the valve during the fuel flow to generate a pressure wave that travels through the fuel system past the check valve; and injecting fuel via the direct fuel injectors at an increased pressure generated by the pressure wave and held in the fuel rail via the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Multi-mode internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7448359
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine having at least one cylinder, the method comprising of directing a first air stream to an intake valve of the cylinder; directing a second, separate air stream to a second intake valve of the cylinder, said second air stream at a higher temperature than said first air stream; operating said first intake valve and adjusting at least one of an opening timing and a closing timing of said first intake valve to adjust engine output; and intermittently operating said second intake valve to maintain said higher temperature of said second air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mrdjan Jankovic
  • Lateral and longitudinal velocity determination for an automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 7451033
    Abstract: A system (18) for controlling a safety system (44) of a vehicle (10) is disclosed herein. The system includes a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36), a vehicle or wheel speed sensor(s) (20), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a yaw rate sensor (28), and a controller (26). The controller determines a stability index and provides a first observer that determines a reference longitudinal velocity in response to the sensors. The controller determines a reference lateral velocity in response to the sensors. The controller provides a second observer that determines a second longitudinal velocity in response to the sensors and a first adjustment based on the reference longitudinal velocity. The controller determines a second lateral velocity in response to the sensors and a second adjustment based on the reference lateral velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Li Xu, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Joseph C. Meyers
  • Airbag system for out-of-position occupant protection and adaptive venting
    Patent number: 7448646
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Hall, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Sean Ryan
  • Dual mode oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 7449092
    Abstract: An oxygen sensor for measuring exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is described. The sensor provides an output that has a high gain near the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and a lower gain in the lean and rich air-fuel ratio regions. Further, the sensor provides wide range air-fuel ratio signal to be used in engine feedback control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Kerns, Harry Burleson
  • Mechanism for opening a closure
    Patent number: 7448669
    Abstract: An actuator assembly (10) for pivoting a closure (29), such as a tailgate, includes an actuator (11), a first bar (20), a second bar (22), and an operating strut (21) operably connected to the closure (29). The actuator (11) includes an actuator rod (16) reciprocable along a longitudinal axis (L-L). The first bar (20) has one end connected via a first pivot (18) to an outer end of the actuator rod (16) and the other end connected via a second pivot (19) to the operating strut (21). The second bar (22) is pivoted at one end relative to the actuator (11) by a third pivot (24) and the other end connected to said first bar (20) by a fourth pivot (23). The first, second, third and fourth pivots (18, 19, 23, 24) have a series of substantially parallel axes that are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (L-L) of the actuator rod (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Edward Legon
  • Motor vehicle transaxle having a differential mechanism controlled by an on-demand clutch
    Patent number: 7448977
    Abstract: A transaxle for transmitting power to output at multiple speed ratios includes halfshafts having a portion located in a transaxle case and a second portion extending toward a wheel. A differential mechanism located in the case transmits power between the output and differentially to the halfshafts. A clutch driveably secured to the output and connectable to one of the halfshafts for controlling the magnitude of a speed differential between a speed of the output and a speed of the halfshaft includes a cylinder and a piston moveable in the cylinder. A hydraulic system includes a passage located adjacent a halfshaft and hydraulically communicating an inlet and the cylinder, the inlet being sealed at axially opposite sides against passage of fluid by a seal rings located in a wall that surrounds the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Janson, Andy Perakes, Gregory Goleski, Dennis Person, Larry Deutsch
  • Method for Auto-Ignition Operation and Computer Readable Storage Device for Use With an Internal Combustion Engine
    Publication number: 20080275622
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having a variable valve actuator, the method comprising of operating the engine in a first mode where the engine carries out spark ignition combustion of air and fuel; and changing operation to a second mode where the engine carries out homogenous charge compression ignition combustion of air and fuel, where said variable valve actuator unit is adjusted in response to said change to provide a shorter valve opening or lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Strom, Luclen Koopmans
  • Fascia anti-rattle springs
    Patent number: 7445259
    Abstract: An automobile bumper system including an isolator disposed adjacent a cross beam of an automobile frame, and a fascia disposed adjacent the isolator to substantially cover the isolator. A plurality of fascia support anti-rattle springs may be mounted to the isolator and disposable in contiguous engagement with the fascia for maintaining the fascia adjacent the isolator in a fascia predetermined position and further biasing the fascia away from the isolator to the fascia predetermined position. The fascia support anti-rattle spring may include an end mounted to the isolator and an engagement detent for contiguously engaging the fascia and thereby biasing the fascia away from the isolator to the fascia predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vince R. Mahe, Irfan Sharif, Dan L. Scalici, Geoff Brooks, Gary W. Deering
  • Method and system for developing a vehicle package
    Patent number: 7447616
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for rapidly designing a vehicle package is disclosed. The method receives virtual vehicle package model data, converts the data into mechanical vehicle package model data and transmits the data to a mechanical vehicle package model system. A method is also disclosed for adjusting the mechanical model, converting the adjustment into data readable by a computer aided design system and transmitting the data to the computer aided design system for generating or modifying the virtual vehicle package. A system for designing a vehicle package is disclosed having a mechanical vehicle package model, a computer aided design system, a translator embodied in a computer system in communication with the computer aided design system and a mechanical vehicle package model in communication with the translator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nanxin Wang, Doug Vandervoort, Jian Wan, Gianna Gomez-levi, Stephan Sieczka, Jack Malone, David Pulliam
  • Axial insulation for a universal joint
    Patent number: 7445555
    Abstract: A universal joint couples a drive shaft and a driven shaft and comprises two joint yokes, each joint yoke having bearing elements at axially opposite yoke arms. The two joint yokes are arranged radially at an angle of 90° in relation to each other to form an internal space. The universal joint also comprises fastening elements having an L-shaped cross section and pivotable in the axially opposite yoke arms of one of the joint yokes, a pin bearer pivotable in the other joint yoke, and an elastic coupling element connecting the fastening elements and the pin bearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Norbert Gross
  • Vehicle grille
    Patent number: D580311
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Murat Gueler, Stefan Lamm
  • Vehicle front valance
    Patent number: D580319
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Murat Gueler, Stefan Lamm
  • Vehicle front bumper cover
    Patent number: D580320
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Lamm
  • Vehicle rear bumper cover
    Patent number: D580321
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Lamm
  • Vehicle hood
    Patent number: D580323
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Murat Gueler, Stefan Lamm
  • Vehicle hood
    Patent number: D580324
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Lamm
  • Vehicle rear door
    Patent number: D580331
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Murat Gueler, Stefan Lamm
  • Vehicle taillight
    Patent number: D580570
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gotschke
  • Vehicle headlight
    Patent number: D580571
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gotschke