Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Roll-cage assembly and a motor vehicle incorporating same
    Patent number: 7219925
    Abstract: A roll-cage assembly for fitting to a motor vehicle, particularly one of the type having no fixed roof structure. The assembly has a space-frame structure constructed from a number of tubular members joined together and at least one airbag assembly that is attached to one or more of the tubular members. The airbag assembly performs two functions: during normal use it provides a relatively soft covering for the tubular member to which it is fastened; and in the event of an accident an airbag is released to provide full head impact protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Stephen Hill
  • Sensing an operating parameter of a target concealed from a sensor by an interposed component
    Patent number: 7218098
    Abstract: An assembly that includes a target component mounted for rotation about an axis, a sensor mounted adjacent the inner member and directed toward the inner member to measure the rotational speed of the target component and an outer component interposed between the sensor and the target component. Low magnetic permeability of the outer component is assured by appropriate selection of the material, maintaining the concentration of martensite in the outer component below a reference concentration as indicated by certain reference indices such as the Instability Function, and/or by maintaining the temperature at which a stamping operation is performed on the inner member above a pre-determined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel McCarrick, James Merner, Steven Frait
  • Method and system of requesting engine on/off state in a hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 7216729
    Abstract: A method and system of engine start/stop control for a HEV that monitors the battery and requests a specific engine state based on condition of the battery. A battery parameter such as discharge power limit (DPL) or state of charge (SOC) is compared with a set of threshold levels including a MIN level, an ON level, and an OFF level and the result of the comparison provides inputs to a state machine. The state machine includes an ON state, an OFF state and a OPPORTUNISTIC state. The machine transitions between the various states as a function of DPL and SOC relative to the sets of threshold levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fazal U. Syed, Ryan A. McGee, Joseph W. Anthony
  • Engine control to compensate for fueling dynamics
    Patent number: 7216640
    Abstract: A method for calculating transient fuel wall wetting characteristics of an operating engine is described. The method accounts for cylinder valve deactivation of cylinders in the engine in calculating the dynamic fueling compensation. In one example, fuel vaporization effects from fuel puddles in deactivated cylinders are considered when calculating the fueling compensation for active cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gang Song, Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, John Ottavio Michelini, Donald J. Lewis
  • Method and system for inferring and controlling transmission fluid temperature
    Patent number: 7217222
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for limiting coolant temperature at a coolant flow exit port for a hydrokinetic torque converter in a powertrain for a vehicle having an engine and a power transmission mechanism, wherein the transmission and the torque converter are disposed in a common coolant flow circuit whereby a coolant flow line from the torque converter to a cooler is protected from failure due to excessive coolant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Centlivre, David Orton, Brad Riedle, Barbara Hartline
  • Adaptive control for engine with electronically adjustable valve operation
    Patent number: 7219004
    Abstract: A method is described for estimating cylinder airflow in engines that operate with manifold pressure near atmospheric pressure to compensate for degraded sensor response at such conditions. The method uses an adaptive approach that is updated under preselected engine operating conditions to thereby allow improved accuracy across a variety of engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, John Ottavio Michelini
  • Push button release mechanism for supplemental tailgates
    Patent number: 7213859
    Abstract: A one hand push button release mechanism is associated with a supplemental tailgate assembly to affect the release of the supplemental tailgate for deployment from the main tailgate apparatus. One embodiment of the push button mechanism engages a wedge having a cam surface that causes the wedge to move vertically with respect to the push button to pull on a linkage that releases a pivoted catch member. A second embodiment utilizes a laterally slidable push button that depresses into the molding to engage a spacer that is laterally movable with the push button to be movable into an interfering position with respect to the catch member to lock the supplemental tailgate in the stowed position. In both embodiments, a spring is operable to bias the locking mechanism into a locked position when the supplemental tailgate is returned to the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kian-Huat Tan, Scott Miller, Aldous Cheng, Robert Howell
  • System and method for engine operation with spark assisted compression ignition
    Patent number: 7213572
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with a piston, comprising of adjusting an operating parameter of the engine so that a mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber approaches, but does not achieve, an autoignition temperature, and performing a spark from the spark plug so that said second mixture combusts; adjusting a timing of said spark from the spark plug; and adjusting an operating parameter to increase a correlation between said adjusted spark timing and timing of said combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jialin Yang
  • System and method for maintaining heated intake air
    Patent number: 7213585
    Abstract: A system for an internal combustion engine, the engine having an intake and exhaust manifold, the system comprising a heat exchanger configured to extract energy from at least a heat source that heats a first portion of intake air, a spark plug coupled to the engine, an intake passage configured to deliver said first portion of heated intake air to the engine and to deliver a second portion of intake air which bypasses said heat source, and a controller configured to direct said second portion of intake air to the engine at least when utilizing said spark plug to initiate combustion and flame propagation of an air-fuel mixture, and to at least temporarily cause said first portion of intake air to flow during said spark ignition combustion so that a temperature of said first portion of intake air is maintained above a selected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jialin Yang
  • Engine system and method of control
    Patent number: 7213566
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine having a hotter and colder airstreams separately controlled to a cylinder is provided. The method controls valve timing during a transition in operating modes to provide improved operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mrdjan Jankovic
  • Adaptive pressure control method for synchronous downshifts in a multiple-ratio transmission
    Patent number: 7216025
    Abstract: An adaptive pressure control method for synchronous downshifts in an automatic transmission that uses pressure actuated friction elements. The method uses characteristic parameters that determine downshift quality for both power-on downshifts and power-off downshifts. Selected measured variables are monitored to detect changes in the parameters. Adjustments for the friction elements are made in response to changes in the measured variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Keyse, Steve Cicala, Ihab Soliman, Charles Suter, Kurt Nickerson, Bradley Riedle
  • Electromechanically actuated valve control for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7213548
    Abstract: A method is presented to control engine valve selection of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are selected in a manner to reduce fuel consumption and improve engine drivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John O. Michellini
  • Engine control with fuel quality sensor
    Patent number: 7210455
    Abstract: A system is described using a fuel quality sensor for controlling various aspects of engine operation. In particular, an acoustic wave sensor is utilized to measure viscosity and density of gasoline fuels. This measurement is utilized to predict engine combustion quality during an engine start. Based on the prediction, the method adjusts engine operating parameters (such as fuel injection amount and ignition timing) to achieve improved vehicle driveability and engine combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacobus Hendrik Visser, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Allan J. Lippa, Carina Eva Irene Bjornsson, Carol S. Smith, Daniel Lawrence Meyer, John D. Russell, Michael John Cullen, Michael Howard Parsons, Philip William Husak
  • Vehicle bumper cover
    Patent number: D541709
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chelsia Lau, Patrick Schiavone
  • Automobile bumper
    Patent number: D542193
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward R. Golden, Philip Simmons, Darrell P. Behmer, Robert Todd Laster, Brad Richards, Christopher Walter, Tobias France, Addam Ebel, Doyle Letson
  • Vehicle upper rear bumper
    Patent number: D542194
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Golden, Darrell Behmer, Melvin Betancourt, Solomon Song, Shawn Wehrly, Addam Ebel, Sang Kim, Garen Nicoghosian
  • Vehicle lower rear bumper
    Patent number: D542195
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Golden, Darrell Behmer, Melvin Betancourt, Solomon Song, Shawn Wehrly
  • Front bumper spoiler
    Patent number: D542196
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Levy
  • Vehicle front fender
    Patent number: D542200
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Levy
  • Rear bumper spoiler
    Patent number: D543137
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Levy