Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Temperature sensitive dipstick
    Patent number: 7418788
    Abstract: A fluid level indicator for determining the level of fluid in a container includes a dipstick that is entered into the fluid in the container and withdrawn from the fluid, a billet of thermochromic material having a reference temperature, a billet length extending along a portion of the dipstick, and a fluid level range marking on the dipstick along the length of the billet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George Herr, Derek Kinch
  • Vehicle Control System
    Publication number: 20080208436
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having an intake manifold and an outlet control device coupled to the manifold for controlling flow exiting the manifold and entering at least one cylinder of the engine, the engine further having an inlet control device for controlling flow entering the manifold, the method comprising determining a driver torque command; calculating a desired cylinder charge based on said driver torque command; adjusting the outlet control device to provide said desired cylinder charge; and adjusting the inlet control device based on intake manifold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John David Russell, Allan J. Kotwicki, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Manifold pressure control for a variable event valvetrain
    Patent number: 7415967
    Abstract: A method for improving engine intake manifold pressure control of an internal combustion engine is described. According to one aspect of the description, the manifold pressure may be controlled to reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions during at least some operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nate R. Trask, Thomas W. Megli
  • Method and system to automatically drain and dispose of accumulated water from water/fuel separators in diesel
    Patent number: 7415819
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for removing water/fuel mixture from a water/fuel separator. The method injects the water/fuel mixture is injected into an exhaust aftertreatment device where the fuel portion of such mixture is burned and converted into water and carbon dioxide. The water/fuel mixture is injected as a dose, the timing of the injection being a function of the temperature of exhaust gas from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventor: William C. Ruona
  • Adjustable expansion cone assembly
    Patent number: 7416027
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for radially expanding a tubular member. The apparatus includes a tubular support member, an adjustable expansion cone assembly coupled to the tubular support member and means for adjusting the expansion cone assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Lev Ring, David Paul Brisco, Kevin Waddell, Robert Lance Cook
  • Engine valve control system and method
    Patent number: 7415950
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine having at least one cylinder, said cylinder including at least one electric valve actuator, said actuator including at least a coil and an armature moveable thereto, the method comprising during a non-firing state of the cylinder: holding the armature of the actuator at a first position away from an equilibrium position by supplying a first amount of current to a first coil of the actuator; and reducing current supplied to the first coil from said first amount to a lower second amount to cause the armature to begin moving toward the equilibrium position; and during a subsequent firing state of the cylinder, varying an amount of holding current supplied to the first coil for holding the armature away from the equilibrium position based on at least said second amount of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Ervin, Yan Wang, Thomas Megll
  • Poppet valve operating system for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7412952
    Abstract: A poppet valve operating system for an internal combustion engine includes poppet valves which are driven by rocker arms rotationally mounted to a rocker shaft. Each of the rocker arms is maintained in axial alignment upon the rocker shaft by a separate, resiliently biased telescoping pin housed in the rocker arm body. The rocker arm pins extend into indexing reliefs formed in the outer cylindrical surface of the rocker shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Jeffries, Todd Brewer
  • Engine output control system and method
    Patent number: 7412966
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine; a first injector for injecting a first fuel into said cylinder; a second injector for injecting a second fuel into said cylinder; and a controller configured to vary an amount of said first and second fuel injection during engine operation based on operating conditions, where amounts of variation of said first and second fuels are set to maintain desired engine output and provide a substantially stoichiometric mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Allan J. Lippa, John D. Russell
  • USB FOR VEHICLE APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20080191551
    Abstract: A power data connection for a vehicle and one or more electronic devices is provided. The power data connection comprises a data communication connector and a terminal. The data communication connector includes a case ground and is adapted to enable data communication to and from the vehicle. The terminal is supported by the case ground and operable to supply electrical power from the vehicle to the electronic devices simultaneously with the data communication connector enabling data communication to and from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Casco Products Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Belanger, Susan Verellen
  • Controlling engine operation with a first and second fuel
    Patent number: 7409926
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine including at least a combustion chamber having a piston disposed therein, the method comprising during a first number of cycles after start-up of the engine, supplying at least a first fuel to the combustion chamber, and combusting said first fuel and during a second number of cycles after said first number of cycles, supplying said first fuel and a second fuel to the combustion chamber to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, and compressing said mixture with said piston to cause auto-ignition of said mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Sun, Zafar Shaikh
  • System and method for braking a vehicle
    Patent number: 7410023
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for braking a vehicle having multiple wheels. The method includes applying friction braking and powertrain braking to the vehicle. The method includes reducing the powertrain braking by a predetermined amount. The method also includes compensating the friction braking in an amount that is substantially the same as the predetermined amount. The method further includes redistributing the friction braking to the multiple wheels and modulating the friction braking being applied to the multiple wheels, thereby reducing the occurrence of a wheel lockup by the multiple wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Crombez
  • Device for reducing the impact for pedestrians
    Patent number: 7410027
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reducing the impact for a pedestrian relative to a vehicle, which vehicle is provided with windshield and a hood covering an engine compartment or a similar compartment in front of the windshield, which hood is provided with at least one hinge adjacent its rear section. The device may comprise at least one actuating mechanism for displacing the rear section of the hood from a rest position to a raised impact position, at least one airbag module being operative to inflate the airbag, causing the airbag to extend out from the rear section of the hood, and an airbag module associated with each actuating mechanism, whereby the reaction force of an operative airbag causes the actuating mechanism to assume the impact position. The invention further relates to a vehicle provided with such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Howard
  • Locking mechanism for the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7410445
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (6) is provided to block the internal combustion engine (1) at prepositioned cranking angle after shutting down. Preferably, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid (2a, 2b, 2c) can therefore be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Surewaard, Don A. Kees, Daniel Kok, Engbert Spijker, Mark Eifert
  • Mono-diameter wellbore casing
    Patent number: 7410000
    Abstract: A mono-diameter wellbore casing. A tubular liner and an expansion cone are positioned within a new section of a wellbore with the tubular liner in an overlapping relationship with a pre-existing casing. A hardenable fluidic material is injected into the new section of the wellbore below the level of the expansion cone and into the annular region between the tubular liner and the new section of the wellbore. The inner and outer regions of the tubular liner are then fluidicly isolated. A non hardenable fluidic material is then injected into a portion of an interior region of the tubular liner to pressurize the portion of the interior region of the tubular liner below the expansion cone. The tubular liner is then extruded off of the expansion cone. The overlapping portion of the pre-existing casing and the tubular liner are then radially expanded using an expansion cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC.
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, Lev Ring
  • Automotive vehicle with repositionable D-pillar roof structure
    Patent number: 7410198
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle body includes a tailgate and a repositionable D-pillar structure which is slidingly engaged with the body and movable from a first position adjacent the tailgate to a second position forward of the tailgate. A sliding backlite may either be retracted within the tailgate or carried upon and moved with the D-pillar structure. In one embodiment, quarter window panels, which may be either glass or other types of solid panels, are positionable within either the window openings of the D-pillar roof structure or within housings contained within the vehicle's quarter panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence Queener, Henry W. Hausler, Andrew Sarkisian
  • Climate controlled vehicle console with window
    Patent number: 7407210
    Abstract: A vehicle having a climate-controlled console (14) is provided. The vehicle (10) includes a vehicle frame (12) and a console (14) attached to the vehicle frame (12). The console (14) includes a housing (20), a drawer (22), and one or more climate regulators (24). The housing (20) defines a cavity (26). The drawer (22) is slidably attached to the housing (20) and movable into the cavity (26). The drawer (22) includes one or more compartments with a floor portion (38), a lid (36), and a series of wall portions (40) extending between the floor portion (38) and lid. One or more of the wall portions (40) are formed from a transparent material (56) for displaying an interior (58) of the compartment (28). The climate regulators (24) maintain a predetermined climate in the compartment (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Arbaugh, Craig Metros, Dave Lechkun, Brian Izard, Nicolas Thetard
  • Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with internal reinforcement
    Patent number: 7407014
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir includes a discharge port which is positioned in part by a tensile member extending through the reservoir to an anchor incorporated in an external wall section of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Roll bar assembly for a vehicle
    Patent number: 7407188
    Abstract: A roll bar assembly capable of punching through a rear window on deployment comprises a deployable u-shaped roll bar fitted with a pin made of hard material. The pin may be fixed to an upper surface of the roll bar or may be housed inside the top portion of the roll bar and deployed at the appropriate moment by pyrotechnic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Wildig, Robert Mackie, Paul Ottley, Chris Kavanagh, Nigel Toney, John Mulherin
  • Vehicle fender
    Patent number: D575704
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Spearman-Oxx, Ehab Kaoud
  • Vehicle side mirror
    Patent number: D575705
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Golden, Darrell Behmer, Melvin Betancourt, Solomon Song, Shawn Wehrly, Addam Ebel, Sang Kim, Garen Nicoghosian