Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Electronic security system
    Patent number: 7342324
    Abstract: An electronic security apparatus for a vehicle being capable of controlling the performance of a vehicle function in response to a user attempting to start the engine of the vehicle. The system being capable of controlling the performance of the vehicle function in response to being provided with a first security code from an electronic key (12). The security system has a secured mode of operation in which the system may be set to a limited authorization state in which performance of the vehicle function is enabled. The system also has an unsecured mode of operation in which the user performing the action enables performance of the vehicle function irrespective of whether or not one or more conditions are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Bottomley
  • Transfigurable access sliding tray
    Patent number: 7338104
    Abstract: A transfigurable bed liner assembly mountable on a vehicle including a bed. The assembly may include a channel mountable to each side wall of the vehicle, and a transfigurable bed liner including a plurality of rollers disposable in the channels for permitting sliding of the transfigurable bed liner. The transfigurable bed liner may include a leg generally adjacent a first end thereof for supporting the transfigurable bed liner in an extended position, for use of the bed liner, for example, as a workbench and for permitting loading of heavy objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Bejin
  • Power converter topologies for better traction drive packaging
    Patent number: 7339345
    Abstract: At least three alternative stiff current supply power converter topologies provide fixed current to a respective electric load such as a motor, or a non-inductive electric load using either a current source or a pseudo current source. The stiff current power converter topologies reduce the size of passive components within each of the topologies, thus reducing the overall packaging of each of the components and subsystems formed by each of the components. Each of the topologies have a stiff current source, a driver having power electronics formed therein to drive the associated electric load, wherein the stiff current source and the driver operate to deliver a stiff but controllable current to the electric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael Degner, Venkateswa Sankaran, Chingchi Chen
  • Multi-chambered air bag for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 7338070
    Abstract: An air bag for a motor vehicle. The air bag includes a rear chamber, a front chamber disposed adjacent to and having a lower pressure than the rear chamber, and a separator disposed between the front and rear chambers that is adapted to communicate an inflation gas from the rear chamber to the front chamber. A seat occupant contacts the rear chamber before contacting the front chamber when a vehicle seat is displaced by a vehicle impact event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chelliah Madasamy, Jamel Belwafa, Karen Balavich
  • Apparatus with mixed fuel separator and method of separating a mixed fuel
    Patent number: 7337754
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank, a fuel separator disposed fluidically between the fuel tank and the engine, wherein the fuel separator comprises first and second passageways separated at least partially by a selective barrier that selectively transports a first fuel in a fuel mixture at a higher rate than a second fuel in the fuel mixture, and wherein the first passageway is configured to receive an input of fuel from the fuel tank, and an extraction fluid source in fluid communication with the second passageway of the fuel separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dearth, Christian T. Goralski, Jr.
  • Electrical wire routing connector presenter bracket
    Patent number: 7338314
    Abstract: A connector bracket for facilitating assembly of an electrical component to an automobile. The connector bracket may include a proximal support configured to attach to an attachment structure of an automobile, and a distal support including a flange for retaining an electrical connector in a storage position. The proximal and/or distal supports may include one or more hooks for retaining wiring extending from the electrical connector. Further, the distal support may be positioned relative to the proximal support such that when the proximal support is attached to the attachment structure and when the electrical connector is retained by the distal support, the electrical connector is accessible and removable from its storage positions on the distal support, through an opening in which the electrical component is to be installed, to enable attachment of the electrical component to the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Thai
  • STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING SHIFT QUALITY IN A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE POWERTRAIN
    Publication number: 20080051248
    Abstract: The disclosed hybrid electric vehicle powertrain includes an internal combustion engine and two electric machines, one electric machine being connected directly to an engine power output shaft and to a multiple-ratio transmission power input shaft. A second electric machine powers front vehicle traction wheels as the engine powers rear traction wheels during a transmission shift interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shailesh Kozarekar, Stephen Burke
  • Multi-stroke cylinder operation in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7334549
    Abstract: A method to control valves during multi-stroke cylinder operation. Valves are controlled to improve emissions and engine torque resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini
  • Homogenous charge compression ignition engine control
    Patent number: 7334562
    Abstract: A method is shown for operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with a piston, the internal combustion engine capable of injecting fuel into the combustion chamber multiple times during a cycle, the method comprising: performing a first fuel injection after approximately ?25 crank angle degrees after top dead center and before approximately 15 crank angle degrees after top dead center; and performing a second fuel injection at least 5 degrees after the start of the first fuel injection and less than approximately 25 crank angle degrees after the start of the first fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Lisa Marie Jacobsson, Oivind Andersson
  • Motor vehicle occupant protection
    Patent number: 7334813
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (11) has a side door (14) having a side panel assembly (15) fitted with a pusher block arrangement (25) comprising an outer block (26) and an inner block (27). A pelvic airbag (35) is positioned between the side door (14) and the occupant (31) of a seat (16). In the event of an impact of sufficient severity, the pusher block arrangement pushes a trim panel (22) towards the seat while the pelvic airbag (35) is inflated between the trim panel and the pelvic region of the occupant to react the inertia loads on the occupant caused by the impact. A thorax airbag (41) is also inflated at the same time as the pelvic airbag (35) to support the thorax region of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Mellor
  • System and method for securing fuel injectors
    Patent number: 7334572
    Abstract: A system and method for securing a fuel injector in an internal combustion engine include a clamp for securing adjacent injectors to a cylinder head. The clamp includes a central portion with a hole for receiving a fastener to secure the clamp to the cylinder head, and a pair of symmetrical crescent-shaped clamping forks forming a U-shaped opening to facilitate lateral sliding engagement with diametrically opposed flatted portions of corresponding fuel injectors. Each arm includes an arcuate pad that engages a corresponding shoulder of the fuel injector to provide an axial clamping force to the fuel injector. The distance between the distal ends of one fork and the semicircular portion of the opposite fork is selected to allow lateral sliding disengagement of the clamp from one of the adjacent injectors without rotation or removal of the other injector to facilitate servicing of individual injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Diggs, Jeff Fluharty, Robert Yambasky, Mark Googasian, Michael Schrader
  • Vehicle and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle
    Patent number: 7335131
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine in a vehicle including a transmission is provided. The method utilizes feedforward control by determining when a neutral transmission gear is selected, and adjusting an engine parameter to control the engine operation based on at least one predetermined condition when it is determined that the neutral transmission gear has been selected. The at least one predetermined condition includes having a value of a vehicle parameter, such as a battery state of charge, being outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pat Smithberger, Christopher Lear, Suzanne Stuber, Douglas Martin
  • Internal viscous damper monitoring system and method
    Patent number: 7334552
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine of a vehicle traveling on the road, the method comprising of damping engine vibration with a damper coupled to the engine, and when said damping is reduced, preventing engine speed from falling below a threshold value, at least under selected operating conditions, to reduce degradation of the engine that would otherwise occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Möller, Erik Svenske
  • Multi-Stroke Cylinder Operation in an Internal Combustion Engine
    Publication number: 20080041327
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid-electric vehicle having a controller, the engine having a plurality of cylinders, each with at least an intake and exhaust valve, each of which may be held in a position for a cycle of a cylinder, the method comprising of deactivating a plurality of cylinders in said engine in response to a signal from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle by mechanically deactivating valves in each cylinder of the engine, the deactivation in response to a request from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle and to reduce a number of operating valves in each cylinder of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Lewis, John Russell, Nate Trask, Thomas Megli
  • Vehicle rear bumper cover
    Patent number: D562742
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon Platto, Aram Kasparian, Xitij Mistry
  • Vehicle fender
    Patent number: D562747
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Golden, George Bucher, David Mahoney, Michael Webb
  • Vehicle taillight
    Patent number: D562998
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Golden, George Bucher, David Mahoney, Michael Webb
  • Vehicle exterior
    Patent number: D563277
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Freeman Thomas, David Woodhouse, Jordan Bennett
  • Vehicle hood
    Patent number: D563292
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon Platto, Aram Kasparian, Xitij Mistry
  • Vehicle headlight
    Patent number: D563575
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Gresens, James Grake, Shawn Wehrly