Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Patent number: 7267387
    Abstract: A supplemental tailgate extends from the tailgate frame of a pickup truck and is positionable in multiple orientations to provide a variety of uses, including as an extension of the pickup truck bed. The supplemental tailgate includes a cross member connected between two telescoping supports, which forms a part of the tailgate molding when stored within the main tailgate structure. A lock rod assembly interconnects the supplemental tailgate and the body of the pickup truck to stabilize the position of the extended supplemental tailgate when positioned perpendicular to the opened main tailgate. The lock rod assembly can be formed as flexible cables that can be housed within the cross member for easy deployment when needed. The lock rod assembly can also be formed as fixed length rods that are pivotally mounted on the cross member and stored within the cross member for easy deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Bruford, Scott Miller, Kian-Huat Tan, Herbert Gruber, David Tuck
  • Patent number: 7267464
    Abstract: An apparatus for assessing visibility of an anchorage disposed proximate a vehicle seat. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly adapted to engage a first anchorage and a laser adapted to project a beam toward a second anchorage. The mounting assembly is pivotable about the first anchorage to adjust an angle at which the beam is projected toward the second anchorage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Schleif, Robert Michel
  • Patent number: 7267132
    Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and chemistries for removing layers of stubborn silicon and silicon-nitride contamination layers from the inside surfaces of such articles as deposition tubes. In such embodiments, a tube to be cleaned is gently rolled on it side while a portion the tube's interior surface is exposed to an etchant. The tube is only partially filled with etchant to reduce the requisite etchant volume, and the rolling motion evenly exposes the contaminated inner surface to the etchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Quantum Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David S. Zuck
  • Patent number: 7267087
    Abstract: A method for selecting compression ratio of a variable compression ratio internal combustion engine when such engine is operating under an idle condition is disclosed. The compression ratio is selected to avoid engine knock, an undesirable phenomenon which is more likely at higher temperatures, higher compression ratios, lower engine speeds, and higher engine torques. The selected compression ratio is based on one or more of engine torque required to drive engine accessories, engine coolant temperature, engine air temperature, and transmission status (neutral idle or drive idle). A normalized airflow parameter is computed or found in a lookup table based on engine coolant temperature and engine air temperature. When actual normalized airflow (that which provides necessary engine torque to drive engine accessories and overcome engine friction) exceeds normalized airflow parameter exceeds, a higher compression ratio is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Glugla
  • Patent number: 7267191
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes the steps of determining a first power state of the hybrid powertrain system, limiting electrical power generated by a generator to the minimum of the rated power limit of the generator and the first power state, when the first power state is greater than zero, and limiting the electrical power generated by the generator to zero, and limiting the power limit of an electric machine during generating to a first operating condition of the hybrid powertrain system, when the first power state is less than or equal to zero, to provide over-charge protection to the battery. The method further includes steps that provide over-discharge protection to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Xu, Ming Kuang, Jing Song, Tony Phillips
  • Patent number: 7267385
    Abstract: A vehicle trim component locating and attachment system is provided for connecting a trim component to a vehicle base panel having an aperture. The system includes a locator projection integrally formed on the component and including first and second ends. The first end is configured to project through the panel aperture, and the second end is configured to receive a screw. The projection provides for location of the component relative to the panel, and further provides for secure attachment of the component to the panel by the screw. A method of locating and connecting vehicle components is also provided. The method includes the steps of forming an aperture in a panel, providing a component for attachment to the panel, with the component including a projection as described herein, and attaching the component to the panel by inserting a screw in the projection while the projection is positioned within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Williams, Peter Bejin, Kaushlendra Singh
  • Patent number: 7268442
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for estimating engine power output for an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain that includes an electric motor and an electric generator. Selected powertrain variables, including electric motor torque and electric generator torque, are used in determining desired vehicle traction wheel torque and an estimated engine power. A calibrated delay in calculating estimated engine power following a time sampling of the values for motor torque and generator torque avoid inertial effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fazal Syed, Ming Kuang, John Czubay
  • Patent number: 7267394
    Abstract: A tubular front end structure for use with a unitized automotive frame. The tubular front end structure includes a pair of upper frame rail members that are welded to the A-pillar at vertically spaced positions. A first upper rail member provides support for the fender and bends downwardly and forwardly to support tubular upper and lower radiator supports. The other upper rail member connects to the other upper rail member and bends downwardly to connect with the lower frame rail at an intermediate position to provide support for the shock tower. The lower frame rail is formed with an “S-bend” to correspond to the shape of the unitized automotive frame and includes a bracket attached thereto at the S-bend to increase the section properties of the lower frame rail as required to maintain the section properties of the replaced frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tim Mouch, Michael Azzouz, Musa Azzouz
  • Publication number: 20070205001
    Abstract: A system for reducing the coefficient of friction between an expansion device and the tubular member during radial expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Eventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Shuster, Malcolm Gray, Grigoriy Grinberg, Scott Costa, Matt Shade, Alla Petlyuk
  • Patent number: 7263954
    Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine 1 is disclosed in which an electronically controlled flow control valve 9 is used to control the flow of coolant exiting the engine 1. The electronically controlled flow control valve 9 is able to control the cooling of the engine 1 irrespective of the speed at which a pump 2 used to urge coolant to flow into the engine 1 is rotated by a drive belt 3 connected to an output 4 from the engine 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Piddock, Ian Pegg, Les Routledge
  • Patent number: 7266437
    Abstract: A method a operating a traction control system using a traction controller (30) for an automotive vehicle (10) is provided. A slip target is first determined. Then, an operating temperature turning characteristic or slope of the slip curve may, in combination or alone, be used to adjust the slip trigger threshold above the slip target. Traction control mode is entered when the driven wheel speed is above the slip trigger threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Davor Hrovat, Ralph Cunningham, Peter Lazarevski, Eric Tseng, Charles Bannon, Michael Fodor
  • Publication number: 20070200064
    Abstract: A thermal control system (11) for a light source (46) of a vision system (10) includes a heater (63) that is thermally coupled to the light source (46). A thermal sensor (60) is thermally coupled to the light source (46) and generates a temperature signal. A controller (50) is coupled to the heater (63) and to the thermal sensor (60). The controller (50) operates the heater (63) when the temperature signal is below a maximum temperature limit. The minimum temperature limit corresponds to the wavelength-temperature characteristic of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Remillard, Kenneth Nietering
  • Patent number: 7261667
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing or eliminating backlash to control gear rattle include a planetary gear set with a planet carrier including a first part that supports at least one forward-torque carrying planet gear that has at least one tooth contacting a drive side of gear teeth of an associated sun gear and ring gear and a second part that supports at least one reverse-torque carrying gear that has at least one tooth contacting a coast side of gear teeth of the associated sun gear and ring gear, the second part of the carrier being rotationally biased relative to the first part to reduce or eliminate effective backlash of the gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Al Berger
  • Patent number: 7261669
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes an engine and an electric machine operable to provide torque to drive the vehicle. A control system, including at least one controller, is configured to selectively and automatically start and stop the engine when the vehicle is in a first operating mode. The control system further includes control logic executable to place the vehicle in a second operating mode wherein the engine can be cranked but not started. The execution of the control logic to place the vehicle in the second operating mode is effected by operation of at least one vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bart Devita, Pawel Rygulski
  • Patent number: D549856
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George Bucher, Edward Golden, David Mahoney
  • Patent number: D550130
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Simon Lamarre
  • Patent number: D550133
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Simon Lamarre
  • Patent number: D550135
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark McChesney, James Kuo, Patrick Schiavone, Chelsia Lau
  • Patent number: D550145
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Henrik Fisker, John Paxton, David Woodhouse
  • Patent number: D550382
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael G Ellis, Mark B Nowery, Patrick J Schiavone, David R. Gillespie