Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • System and method for adjusting the exhaust gas recirculation rate in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7261098
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine, which comprises an intake plenum, an exhaust gas system, and a fresh-air feed line and an exhaust gas recirculation line connected to the intake plenum, includes a sensor, arranged in the intake plenum for measuring an amount of an exhaust gas component, and a controller constructed for outputting a correcting variable based on the sensor and adjusting the percentage by mass of inert gas in the intake plenum on the basis of the correcting variable. The sensor arranged in the intake plenum is a gas concentration sensor which is equipped for determining the air ratio, the oxygen concentration or the carbon dioxide concentration in the intake plenum and to output as sensor variable a variable representing the air ratio, the oxygen concentration or the carbon dioxide concentration to controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Charles Francois Tumelaire, Daniel Roettger, Evangelos Karvounis
  • Computer device to calculate emission control device functionality
    Patent number: 7263433
    Abstract: A system is described for improving engine and vehicle performance by considering the effects of exhaust conditions on catalyst particle growth. Specifically, engine operation is adjusted to reduce operating in such conditions, and a diagnostic routine is described for determining the effects of any operation that can cause such particle growth. Further, routines are described for controlling various vehicle conditions, such as deceleration fuel shut-off, to reduce effects of the particle growth on emission performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Harendra S. Gandhi, Christian T. Goralski, Jr., Robert W. McCabe, George Graham, Hungwen Jen
  • Hybrid vehicle powertrain with a multiple-ratio power transmission mechanism
    Patent number: 7261671
    Abstract: A control method and system for a hybrid vehicle powertrain with an electric motor in a power flow path between an internal combustion engine and a multiple-ratio geared transmission. Motor torque, which is added to engine torque to obtain an effective transmission input torque, is modulated to achieve smooth power-on upshifts and coasting downshifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Walt Ortmann, Dan Colvin, Bob Fozo, Michael Encelewski, Marvin Kraska
  • Automotive fire suppression system with porous distribution nozzles
    Patent number: 7258172
    Abstract: An onboard fire suppression system has a distribution network including porous, pressure-responsive nozzles which deliver fire suppression agent in a uniform pattern, without the need for drilling or other machining of nozzle orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Cylinder deactivation method to minimize drivetrain torsional disturbances
    Patent number: 7260467
    Abstract: A system and method are described for reducing engine vibration during cylinder deactivation in selected operating conditions. The method utilizes open valve deactivation to better match the cylinder pressure of deactivated cylinders to combusting cylinders. This mode is utilized, along with cylinder closed valve cylinder deactivation, to improve overall fuel economy, while at the same time reducing vibration felt by the vehicle driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. Megli, Nate Trask
  • Method for operating a pre-crash sensing system with protruding contact sensor
    Patent number: 7260461
    Abstract: A method of operating a restraint system includes classifying a collision into a collision classification, generating a protruding contact sensor output and deploying the restraint system in response to the contact sensor output and the output classification. The method may also use a pre-crash sensor with or without classification and deploy the restraint system in response to the pre-crash sensor signal and the protruding contact sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Mark Cuddihy, David Bauch, Joseph Brown
  • Stabilized electric distribution system for use with a vehicle having electric assist
    Patent number: 7258183
    Abstract: A stabilized electric distribution system for use in a vehicle having electric assist. The system electrically couples an electric assist bus to an accessory load bus while protecting the first electrical bus from electric assist and regenerative braking induced voltage variations. An energy management controller selectively controls each of a electric motor/generator, a DC/DC converter, and an alternator to affect electric energy distribution within the system. Preferably, the electric energy distribution is controlled to maintain the first electrical bus voltage within a predefined voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Franco Leonardi, David J. Berels, John M. Miller, Ronald D. Brost, Steven G. Thomas
  • Automotive vehicle front architecture with a partially rotatable structural link
    Patent number: 7258392
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle front structure includes upper and lower siderails and a structural link extending from the upper and lower siderails, with the structural link having a pivotable connection to the upper siderail and a rigid connection to the lower siderail, such that energy absorption provided by the structure may be tailored by varying the character of the joint between the structural link and the upper siderail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Frederick, Phillip Przybylo, Li Chai, Xiaowei Li
  • Method and apparatus for controlling operation of dual mode HCCI engines
    Patent number: 7258104
    Abstract: An intake and exhaust system for a dual mode HCCI engine, which provides superior intake temperature control and homogeneity for engine operation in SI and HCCI modes, as well as during transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa. The system includes adjusted intake cam movement event lengths for intake valve operation at specified modes of operation. The system further includes at least one cam profile switching device operatively connected to intake and exhaust valves in an engine for controlling event length, maximum lift, and valve opening/closing timings for the intake and exhaust valves. The system yet further includes a bifurcated intake system and camless valve actuators for controlling intake valves for facilitating operation in SI or HCCI modes, as well as transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jialin Young, Brad Boyer, Kim Ku, Fang Shui, William Stockhausen
  • System for controlling NOx emissions during restarts of hybrid and conventional vehicles
    Patent number: 7257943
    Abstract: A system for controlling exhaust emission oxides of nitrogen (NOx) during restarts of an internal combustion engine (ICE). The system includes a first sensor for determining a first level of exhaust gas oxygen at a location upstream of a catalytic converter, a second sensor for determining a second level of exhaust gas oxygen at a location mid-bed of the catalytic, and a controller for performing at least one process to reduce NOx emissions when a difference between the first level of exhaust gas oxygen and the second level of exhaust gas oxygen exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Midlam-Mohler, Brandon Masterson
  • Ramp identification in adaptive cruise control
    Patent number: 7260465
    Abstract: A control system 20 for an automotive vehicle 22, such as an adaptive cruise control system, is provided including a navigation system 34. The navigation system 34 includes a global positioning system 38. The navigation system 34 detects a ramp and generates a navigation signal including navigation data and map data. A controller 24 is electrically coupled to the navigation system 34. The controller 24 in response to the navigation signal adjusts the speed of the vehicle 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Waldis, Gerald H. Engelman, Melvin Douglas Palmer, Thomas Edward Pilutti
  • System and method for controlling catalyst storage capacity
    Patent number: 7257944
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
  • Switch feel measurement setup
    Patent number: 7257901
    Abstract: A method may be employed to assure that a switch feel measurement system accurately measures a torque/angular displacement profile for a pivot switch. A procedure may be employed that aligns the pivot axis of the switch with the rotational axis of the measurement unit of the switch measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, James Rankin, II, Yifan Chen
  • Bumper for automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 7255378
    Abstract: A bumper system for an automotive vehicle includes a unitary bumper beam substrate which defines upper and lower channel sections which are capped for part of their length by stiffening elements which provide localized increased strength and resistance to elastic buckling and collapsing of the bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ridha Baccouche, Chelliah Madasamy, David Wagner, Hikmat Mahmood
  • Compression ignition engine with pressure-based combustion control
    Patent number: 7255090
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders configured to operate in a compression ignition mode. A pressure sensor is provided to sense pressure within a combustion cylinder of the engine. A combustion control system, including an electronic engine controller, is configured to receive electrical signals from the pressure sensor and, based on such signals, determine a maximum rate of pressure increase occurring in the combustion cylinder during a first time interval. Based on the determined maximum rate of pressure increase, the combustion control system is configured to control one or more charge inputs to the combustion cylinder during a second time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Fader, Christopher Warren
  • Dual combustion mode engine
    Patent number: 7255095
    Abstract: In an engine in which a first portion of engine cylinders operate in HCCI combustion mode only and a second portion of engine cylinders operate in SI combustion mode only, two EGR ducts and valves are provided: a first EGR duct adapted to provide flow from an exhaust of HCCI engine cylinders to an intake of HCCI cylinders; a first EGR valve disposed in the first EGR duct; a second EGR duct adapted to provide flow from an exhaust of SI cylinders to an intake of HCCI cylinders via a first EGR valve; and a second EGR valve disposed in the second EGR duct. By adjusting the EGR valves, the intake temperature to HCCI cylinders is controlled. During cold start, the second EGR valve is opened to pull SI exhaust through HCCI cylinders for the purpose of preheating HCCI cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Brevick, Diana D. Brehob
  • Spark plug heating for a spark ignited engine
    Patent number: 7255080
    Abstract: A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of at least one combustion chamber located in the engine, a delivery system configured to deliver a fuel and a fluid to the combustion chamber, an ignition system including a spark plug configured to ignite the fuel within the combustion chamber, a spark plug heating system configured to supply heat to the spark plug, and a control system configured to vary an amount of heat supplied to the spark plug by the spark plug heating system responsive to a condition of the ignition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Valve selection for an engine operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode
    Patent number: 7255066
    Abstract: A method to control valve patterns in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve drivability and emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini
  • Rivet nut with machinable head and method of making a vehicle body
    Patent number: 7252469
    Abstract: A method of securing body panels to a space frame of a vehicle is disclosed. Body panels are secured to rivet nuts that are assembled to frame members. The location of the rivet nuts or rivet nuts supporting surface is measured and the rivet nuts are milled or machined to correspond to reference body coordinates. The rivet nuts function as a integral shim pack and obviate the need for shims between the space frame and body panels. The rivet nuts may be milled or formed to predetermined thicknesses before or after assembly to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Zaluzec, Kimberly Lazarz, Adrian Elliott
  • Vehicle wheel cover
    Patent number: D549149
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Freeman Thomas, David Woodhouse, Jordan Bennett