Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Roof air make-up for exhaust of fire smoke
    Patent number: 7210995
    Abstract: A system for introducing make-up air into a building from above the roof for smoke control includes air shafts extending from the roof into a space in the building below a layer of smoke. The air shafts can be rigid or can be made of a flexible material which folds up when not in use. Air shafts of a flexible material have a contraction at the exit to inflate the shaft, unless the shaft extends to within one diameter from the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gunnar Heskestad
  • Vehicle control
    Patent number: 7212896
    Abstract: A vehicle control system (10) including a vehicle motion control subsystem (12) that has an input receiving an intended driving demand (14) and a plurality of coordinator subsystems (16) for coordinating actuators of the vehicle. The vehicle motion control subsystem (12) communicates with the coordinator subsystems (16) to determine whether a single coordinator subsystem (16) can carry out the intended driving demand (14). The vehicle motion control subsystem (12) will distribute demand signals among one or more of the coordinator subsystems (16) to allow the vehicle to implement the intended driving demand (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Coelingh, Jonas Ekmark, Mats Andersson, Jan Ryderstam, Per Olsson, Per Persson, Soren Eriksson
  • Tubular support for shock tower in automobiles
    Patent number: 7210733
    Abstract: A shock tower support structure utilizes a hydroformed tubular member that extends horizontally along the upper vehicle frame rail and wraps around the front edge and upper portion of the shock tower assembly to join into the lower vehicle frame rail. The shock tower support member is welded to the upper vehicle frame and also to the lower vehicle frame. The loading of the spot welds is in shear to provide improved stiffness in the support of the vehicle shock tower assembly. The support structure also provides increased crash resistance for front impacts into the vehicle. The front apron in conventional shock tower supports can be replaced by a plastic panel that has associated components pre-assembled thereon to be installed into the vehicle as a module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tim Mouch, Michael Azzouz, Musa Azzouz
  • Controller and control method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain
    Patent number: 7210546
    Abstract: A parallel hybrid electric vehicle powertrain and control method wherein an internal combustion engine and an electric motor system define a split power operating mode, a generator drive mode and a parallel power mode. Provision is made, when the motor is inoperable, for preventing discharge of a battery in the electric motor system when the battery state-of-charge is low and for delivering power from the battery when the battery state-of-charge is greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ming Lang Kuang, Christopher A. Ochocinski, David Mack, Joseph W. Anthony
  • Lightweight bumper for automobiles
    Patent number: 7210717
    Abstract: A bumper beam is formed from a tailor welded blank with thinner gage sheet metal laser welded to thicker gage sheet metal at opposing sides thereof. The tailor welded blank is then formed into a bumper beam having a uniform B-shaped cross-sectional configuration from one terminal end to the other. The heavier gage material in the tailor welded blank corresponds to the terminal ends of the bumper beam where the bumper beam is affixed to the lower frame rails of the vehicle chassis thus placing the greater energy absorption qualities for the bumper beam only at the locations in which they are needed without requiring reinforcement inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ridha Baccouche, Hikmat Mahmood, Chelliah Madasamy, David Wagner
  • Vehicle trajectory control system
    Patent number: 7207924
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine coupled to a transmission is described. The method is suited for a transmission having at least one gear in which an over-running clutch is present. The invention describes a method for adjusting an engine operating parameter to maintain transmission input speed at or below a synchronous transmission input speed when the transmission is in the gear with the over-running clutch. The synchronous transmission input speed is based on transmission state and transmission output speed. Alternatively, vehicle speed can be used in place of transmission output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Cullen, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Automotive Onboard Fire Suppression System Reservoir Having Multifunction Control Valve
    Publication number: 20070084609
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at lease one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir includes a multifunction valve element which controls pressure and vacuum within the reservoir during standby operation, while causing the fire suppressant agent to be directed through the distribution system if the propellant activates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Motor vehicle steering column arrangement
    Patent number: 7204517
    Abstract: A bulkhead collar for using in conjunction with a bearing housing of a motor vehicle steering column including an upper column shaft and a lower column shaft where the lower column shaft passes through an opening in a bulkhead in the vehicle. The bearing housing is free to rotate on the lower steering column shaft and has a flange for fixing the bearing housing to the collar. The flange comprises two radially extending lugs having holes for alignment with complementary holes on the collar. The collar has a two-way ramp which can abut the edges of the lug so that axial movement of the bearing housing relative to the lower column shaft during installation of the steering column in the vehicle can rotate the bearing housing to automatically align the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Phil Gatley, Jon Deighton
  • Reducing power consumption and noise of electrically actuated valves
    Patent number: 7204210
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, armature levitation is strategically used during a cycle of a cylinder. The method can reduce fuel consumption and power supply requirements, at least under some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ervin, Thomas W. Megli
  • Vehicle exterior
    Patent number: D541194
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Levy
  • Vehicle hood
    Patent number: D541198
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Levy
  • Vehicle rear lamp
    Patent number: D541444
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Simon Lamarre
  • Vehicle bumper
    Patent number: D541708
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chelsia Lau, Patrick Schiavone, Jeffrey Nowak, Mark McChesney
  • Vehicle upper bumper
    Patent number: D541710
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Schiavone, Craig Metros, Jordan Bennett, James Grake, James Smith
  • Automobile lower bumper
    Patent number: D541711
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Golden, Darrell Behmer, Melvin Betancourt, Solomon Song, Shawn Wehrly
  • Automobile lower bumper
    Patent number: D541712
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Golden, Darrell Behmer, Melvin Betancourt, Solomon Song, Shawn Wehrly
  • Vehicle bumper
    Patent number: D541713
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Mahoney, Patrick Quinn
  • Front bumper fascia
    Patent number: D541716
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Levy
  • Automotive tailgate
    Patent number: D541719
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark McChesney, Richard Susack, Patrick Schiavone, Chelsia Lau
  • Trunk lid
    Patent number: D541721
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Levy