Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Patent number: 7254471
    Abstract: A motor vehicle powertrain includes a transmission producing multiple speed ratios, and a transfer case including a second input driveably connected to the transmission output, a second output continually driveably connected to a first set of wheels and releasably connected to a second set of wheels, for producing alternately in the transfer case a low speed ratio and a high speed ratio. A mode selector produces a signal representing a desired driving mode. A controller, responsive to the signals produced by the mode selector, controls the transmission to produce alternately the multiple speed ratios of the transmission, and for controls the transfer case to operate alternately in the low speed ratio and high speed ratio that corresponds to the desired driving mode and a current speed ratio produced by the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Allen, Steve Thomas, Juliette McCoy, Hong Jiang
  • Patent number: 7249588
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unit, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John David Russell, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7249581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising a camshaft with at least two bearing points, a two-part camshaft receptacle which has, in a lower part, at least two bearing saddles and, in an upper part, at least two bearing covers corresponding to the bearing saddles, the camshaft being mounted with its bearing points in the bearing saddles and bearing covers. Further, bearing half shells are provided, of which in each case two are arranged in pairs between a bearing point and the bearing saddle and bearing cover receiving this bearing point, so that, the bearing half shells are supported on the bearing saddle or bearing cover and in each case two bearing half shells, together with a bearing point form a radial plain bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Guenter Bartsch
  • Patent number: 7249579
    Abstract: A valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is described having a core having a wound coil located therein, said core further having at least one permanent magnet located at least partially inside or outside said coil and positioned at an angle relative to a direction of movement of an armature. Further, various recesses, indentations, chamfers, bevels, and/or depressions may be included to affect flux leakage, and/or force generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Michael Degner
  • Patent number: 7251557
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine that can be operated in compression ignition mode, comprising a fuel injector (2) for each cylinder; a fuel injection control unit (4) for controlling fuel injection quantity and a piston (5) in each cylinder whose compression action causes a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited. The engine is further provided with inlet and outlet valves (6, 7) and sensors (12–16) for measuring various engine operating parameters, is disclosed. During compression ignition mode, the control unit controls the fuel injector to perform a first fuel injection before, and a second fuel injection after top dead center of the piston stroke during or after a negative valve overlap period. A method for operating the engine and a computer readable storage device (4) having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a computer to implement a compression ignition for an internal combustion engine is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Strom, Lucien Koopmans
  • Patent number: 7249583
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jeff Doering
  • Patent number: 7249481
    Abstract: A process for forming a hydroformed automotive component with an integrally formed attachment bracket or weld flange begins with a tubular blank manufactured through a roll-forming process to convert sheet metal into a tubular body portion having excess parent sheet metal material extending past the tube weld joint to define an integrated flange. This integrated flange tubular blank is then placed into a forming die and subjected to a conventional hydroforming manufacturing process to form the automotive component into the desired shape and configuration. One side of the forming die is formed with a slot defining a gap in which the integrated flange material is received to create the weld flange or attachment bracket when the die is closed against the integrated flange material while the hydroforming process is undertaken. Alternatively, the integrated flange material could be welded onto the tubular blank during the formation of the tubular blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Lowe
  • Publication number: 20070170727
    Abstract: A door latch system for an automotive vehicle uses a push-pull cable linked to a lock cylinder and to a latch to move the latch assembly into the locked position while simultaneously blocking the latch's lock/unlock lever from moving into the unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly Kohlstrand, Xiang Dong Yu, Stanley Liu, Tad Siedlecki
  • Publication number: 20070170391
    Abstract: A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical valve housing and a spherical segment valve disc mounted within the valve housing. The spherical segment valve disc seals with the valve housing without the need for abutting interference between the valve disc or throttle plate and the valve housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Liimatta, Brent Hall, Milan Dockery
  • Patent number: 7247185
    Abstract: Device for treatment of a gas flow having at least one body (3) that is adapted to cause a conversion in the composition of the gas. The device is characterized in that the body (3) has a modular construction comprising a plurality of sections (26, 26?, 27, 27?, 36) with different internal structures that allow gas to flow through the section, and that the sections (26, 26?, 27, 27?, 36) are arranged so that at least a portion of the gas flows through at least two sections with different internal structures during operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: Volvo Technology Corporation, Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Edward Jobson, Anna Holmgren Hägg
  • Patent number: 7246966
    Abstract: A joint assembly comprises a hollow extrusion member of an asymmetrical hexagonal section and a flange casting comprising a base flange and several webs including a top web and upper side webs which have joint faces presented to corresponding joint areas on the outside of the extrusion while a bottom web and lower side webs have joint faces which are presented to corresponding joint areas on the inside of the extrusion. To assemble the joint assembly an adhesive is applied to the joint faces and the extrusion aligned with the flange casting but offset vertically. The extrusion is then moved longitudinally towards the flange casting to the full extent permitted by abutment of an extrusion end face with steps to bring the joint faces into overlapping alignment with the corresponding joint areas on the extrusion, there being a substantial clearance due to the vertical offset so that the adhesive on the joint faces does not contact the joint areas on the extrusion at this stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Jolley
  • Patent number: 7246609
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an exhaust system with an exhaust emission after-treatment device for exhaust gases from the cylinders, an air supply system for supplying fresh air to the cylinders, a fuel supply system for supplying fuel to each cylinder, and a controller to cut off the fuel supply and disable at least one cylinder, and preferably two cylinders in opposing pairs. A valve assembly is located between the cylinders to be disabled and the emission after-treatment device and is operable to divert gases from said the disabled cylinders via a recirculation conduit back to the air supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Caine, Patrick Phlips, Marcus Davies
  • Patent number: 7246536
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission is disclosed having an input, first and second input shafts, first and second clutches releasably coupling the input to the first and second input shafts, respectively, and a set of selectable power paths connecting the first and second input shafts to the output, the set of selectable power paths having at least one power path that includes both the first and second input shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7246604
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a humidity sensor with an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is described. Specifically, information from the humidity sensor is used to adjust a desired air-fuel ratio to reduce engine misfire while improving vehicle fuel economy. Further, such information is also used to adjust timing and/or lift of the valve in the engine cylinder. Finally, diagnostic routines are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Cullen
  • Patent number: 7246595
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a diesel engine having a plurality of cylinders, the engine including a first group of cylinders and a second group of cylinders, the method comprising of operating the first group of cylinders with a first intake and exhaust valve timing, the first group of cylinders inducting air and performing diesel compression ignition combustion of injected fuel; and operating the second group of cylinders with a second intake and exhaust valve timing, the second group of cylinders inducting air and performing diesel compression ignition combustion of injected fuel, wherein said second intake valve timing is retarded compared to said first intake valve timing or said second exhaust valve timing is advanced compared to said first exhaust valve timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Graham Hoare, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 7244148
    Abstract: A circuit disconnect assembly for a high-voltage electrical storage device in a vehicle integrates a grip portion and a fuse holder portion into one unit. The handle is easily manipulated manually within a housing of the storage device to open a high-voltage circuit and allow quick replacement of the fuse. The handle is manually shiftable between a locked state and an unlocked state to connect and disconnect the fuse from the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Pax Maguire, Venkateswa Sankaran, Jacob Mathews
  • Patent number: D547472
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sean W Tant, George Bucher, Jeff Sanders, Michael Smith
  • Patent number: D548145
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Simon Lamarre
  • Patent number: D548146
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Schiavone, George Bucher, David Mahoney, Edward Golden
  • Patent number: D548147
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Schiavone, George Bucher, David Mahoney, Edward Golden