Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Automotive fire suppression system with binary fire suppression agent
    Patent number: 7357192
    Abstract: An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes a reservoir structured for mounting to a vehicle. A primary component of a binary fire suppression agent is contained within the reservoir. A secondary component of the binary fire suppression agent is contained within a secondary reservoir or component delivery system which is activated by a flow of the primary component such that the primary component and the secondary component will be combined before being discharged from a series of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Unitary hydroformed roof support pillar
    Patent number: 7357448
    Abstract: A one-piece B-pillar having a front flange and a rear flange formed on an upper portion of the B-pillar. The front and rear flanges extend forwardly and rearwardly from a trapezoidal section of the B-pillar. An inner concave portion is provided in a lower portion of the B-pillar. The one-piece B-pillar is secured to the outer and upper surfaces of a roof rail and to the outer surface of a rocker to provide side impact strength. The B-pillar is hydroformed in one-piece to provide superior strength for roof crush performance. The tubular portion of the B-pillar is partially collapsed to form a trapezoidal section in the upper portion of the B-pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Vari-Form, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Chen, Omar Faruque, Thierry Guimberteau, Everett Kuo, Raj Mehta, David Wagner, Dean Gericke, Daniel Szalay
  • Engine system for multi-fluid operation
    Patent number: 7357101
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of an injector coupled to the engine and configured to inject fuel to a cylinder of the engine; a first reservoir holding a first fluid containing at least a fraction of gasoline; a second reservoir holding a second fluid containing at least a fraction of ethanol; and a mixing device having an inlet portion coupled to both said first and second reservoir, said mixing device further having an outlet portion coupled to said injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas James Boyarski
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A STATE OF CHARGE OF AN ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20080084186
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the state of charge of an energy storage system examines a number of parameters to determine if a target state of charge should be adjusted. Parameters related to one or more of: a target life span of the energy storage system, driving habits of a vehicle operator, or environmental conditions are examined. The target state of charge is changed from a predetermined baseline target state of charge when the parameter values meet predetermined conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Elder, Steven Schondorf
  • Electronic throttle control supercharging
    Patent number: 7353699
    Abstract: A drive system. The drive system includes an engine configured to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy, an electronically-controlled air throttle configured to regulate air delivery to the engine, a supercharger configured to selectively increase pressure of the air delivered to the engine, and a supercharger diagnostic system configured to diagnose supercharger over-boosting or under-boosting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Rollinger, Karen Willard, Paul Pietrzyk, Michael J. Cullen
  • Automotive fire suppression system with quick connect fire suppression agent distribution system
    Patent number: 7353883
    Abstract: An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent and a propellant, operatively associated with the reservoir, for expelling the fire suppressant agent from the reservoir. A distribution system for receiving fire suppressant agent expelled from said reservoir includes at least one feeder conduit which is connected with the reservoir by means of a quick connect coupler. The quick connect coupler facilitates assembly and servicing of the fire suppression system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Automotive fire suppression system with reservoir having an axially compliant initiator conductor conduit
    Patent number: 7353884
    Abstract: An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent, and a propellant device for evacuating the fire suppressant agent from the reservoir. The propellant device is located within the reservoir. An electrically powered initiator, operatively connected with the propellant device, initiates a discharge of gas from the propellant device. The initiator is energized by an initiator conductor which is housed within an axially compliant conduit which extends through at least one wall of the reservoir, and which defines an enclosed pathway from the exterior of the reservoir to the initiator. The axial compliance of the conduit permits weldless use of the conduit with a composite reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Vehicle engine with integral vacuum generator
    Patent number: 7353812
    Abstract: An integral vacuum generator system for an internal combustion engine includes a throttle body and intake manifold defining a bypass passage which is connected with a vacuum manifold by both a venturi and a direct vacuum supply passage. Vacuum flow through the venturi and the direct vacuum supply passage are controlled by check valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Gosdzinski, Mark Wrobel
  • Mechanism for folding hardtop
    Patent number: 7354095
    Abstract: A stowage mechanism 30 for a rear roof member 6 of a motor vehicle 1, 101 is also disclosed which is particularly small allowing it to be easily packaged in the motor vehicle 1, 101. The stowage mechanism 30 uses a combination of a chain 31 and a guide slot 32 to control the movement of the rear roof member 6 between raised and stowed positions which require the rear roof member 6 to be rotated, moved forwards and then lowered to reach the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve David Fleming, John K. Harding, Alan Richard Condon, Torsten Gerhardt, Boris Ferko
  • Hood structure with crush initiators
    Patent number: 7354101
    Abstract: A vehicle hood for achieving generally predetermined deformation in an event of a front impact. The hood may include an outer panel including at least one raised section along rear and side edges of the hood for thereby defining a reverse power dome. An inner panel may be attached to the outer panel and include at least two laterally extending beams each of which extend substantially across a width of the hood respectively adjacent front and the rear edges. At least one crush initiator may be disposed adjacent each of the laterally extending beams for enabling generally predetermined deformation of the hood in the event of a front impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edgar Edward Donabedian, Matthew B. Makowski, Charles Ko, Nordine Fellague, Shiv Grover
  • ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20080079312
    Abstract: An energy conversion system transfers energy between an energy source, or storage unit, and an electric device via a first port and a second port and at least one of receives and provides energy via a third port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chingchi Chen, Michael Degner
  • INTEGRATED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR STABILITY CONTROL OF YAW, ROLL AND LATERAL MOTION OF A DRIVING VEHICLE USING AN INTEGRATED SENSING SYSTEM TO DETERMINE LATERAL VELOCITY
    Publication number: 20080082246
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes determining a lateral tire force, a front lateral tire force, a rear lateral tire force, and determining a linear sideslip angle from the front lateral tire force and the rear lateral tire force. The method further includes determining a linear lateral velocity in response to the linear sideslip angle and controlling the vehicle in response to the linear sideslip angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Brown, Joe Meyers, Jianbo Lu
  • LIGHTWEIGHT INTEGRAL CORROSION-RESISTANT FRONT-END STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20080079290
    Abstract: A lightweight integral corrosion-resistant front-end structure (“front-end structure”) includes a one-piece composite structure, a metal insert, and a series of washers. The one-piece composite structure is formed from a polymer-composite with a washer fluid reservoir, a tray, and/or a wheel housing. The metal insert is coated with the one-piece composite structure and isolated from corrosive substances. The metal insert is attached to a radiator support member and/or a hood pivot member. The washers offset the metal insert from the radiator support member and/or hood pivot member so as to eliminate a galvanic potential. The washers are attached to the metal insert by the one-piece composite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Naiyi Li, Michael Maj
  • Distributor for engine with laser ignition
    Patent number: 7350493
    Abstract: A distributor is described for a multi-cylinder laser ignited internal combustion engine. The distributor includes a shaft rotatable by the engine and a plurality of flat reflective surfaces on the shaft. The surfaces lie in planes normal to the axis of rotation of the shaft and are axially staggered from one another along the length of the shaft. An optical transmitter directs light from a laser source to impinge at an angle sequentially on the reflective surfaces as the shaft rotates, and a plurality of optical receivers spaced from one another each receive the light reflected from a respective one of the mirror surfaces and direct the reflected light to a respective one of the engine cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andy Scarisbrick, Stephan Carroll, Robert Dodd, Tom Shenton, Geoff Dearden, Steve Keen, Roy Clissold, John McCulloch
  • System and method for detecting presence of a human in a vehicle
    Patent number: 7353088
    Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of a human in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a vibration sensor that is configured to detect vibrations of the vehicle, and to output signals related to the sensed vibrations. A processor is configured to receive the signals output from the vibration sensor. The processor also operates a neural network that has a plurality of nodes, at least some of which are recurrent. The use of the recurrent nodes allows the output of a recurrent node to be fed back into itself, or another node. In addition, the output that is fed back can be combined with other inputs entering the node. In this way, the neural network can quickly learn to distinguish between various conditions, including an occupied state and an unoccupied state of the vehicle. The neural network provides an output indicating whether the vehicle is occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Eagen, Lee Feldkamp, Sam Ebenstein, Kwaku Prakah-Asante, Yelena Rodin, Greg Smith
  • Gaseous fuel system for automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 7350604
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel system for an automotive vehicle includes a gaseous fuel storage tank and an associated pressure sensor for monitoring pressurized gas contained within the storage tank. A parameter-driven routine monitors the integrity of the tank by tracking filing cycles marked by the increase of the tank pressure from a first threshold to a second threshold. Mitigation actions may be taken in the event that the filling cycles exceed a predetermined number, or in the event that other system integrity monitoring indicates that mitigation is in order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Veenstra, Majed Mohammed, Daniel J. Walesky, Brian C. Moorhead
  • System and method for engine start detection for hybrid vehicles
    Patent number: 7350602
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having a primary power generating system and a secondary power generating system coupled via a power transmission assembly for delivery of tractive force for the vehicle. The method includes determining acceleration of input speed to the power transmission assembly when the primary power generating system is deactivated, and inferring activation of the primary power generating system based at least in part on the acceleration of the power transmission assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Colvin, Walt Ortmann, Marvin Kraska, Kathleen Bailey, Mark Yamazaki, Brandon Masterson
  • Ratio shift control for a multiple ratio automatic transmission
    Patent number: 7351183
    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: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Marvin Paul Kraska, Gregory Michael Pietron, William Emil Tobler, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Bradley Dean Riedle, Ronald Thomas Cowan, Davorin David Hrovat
  • Method for reducing power consumption and emissions for an internal combustion engine having a variable event valvetrain
    Patent number: 7353106
    Abstract: A method for controlling stopping and starting of an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to the method engine valves may be used to reduce engine evaporative emissions as well as engine starting emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ilya Kolmanovsky, Donald Lewis
  • Side airbag system
    Patent number: 7350803
    Abstract: A side airbag system (12) for a vehicle is provided. The side airbag system (12) includes a seatback frame (16) having a front side (20), a rear side (22), and an outboard side (24). The outboard side (24) of the seatback frame (16) has an airbag module (26) coupled thereto and extending substantially outboard from the seatback frame (16). The airbag module (26) is positioned for deploying an airbag (30) substantially forward. The rear side (22) of the seatback frame (10) has a rear cover panel (40) attached thereon. This rear cover panel (40) is a one-piece element for covering the airbag module (26) and both the rear side (22) and the outboard side (24) of the seatback frame (16). The system (12) also includes foam cushion padding (34), which is deformed by the airbag (30) upon its deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Abramczyk, Kurt L. Ewing, Robert J. Mezzadri, Lanese Frusti, legal representative, Thomas M. Frusti