Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Method to control electromechanical valves in a DISI engine
    Patent number: 7165529
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine in which the intake valves are electromechanical valves and the engine has direct fuel injection. By opening the intake valves during the intake stroke when the piston is moving at its maximum speed, the turbulence through the intake valve is enhanced, thereby increasing combustion speed, and hence combustion stability at low torque, low speed operating conditions. Furthermore, if the fuel injection interval occurs when flow of gases through the intake is highest, air-fuel mixing is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diana D. Brehob, Julia H. Buckland
  • Method for stopping and starting an internal combustion engine having a variable event valvetrain
    Patent number: 7167792
    Abstract: A method for controlling stopping and starting of an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to the method engine valves may be used to reduce engine evaporative emissions as well as engine starting emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ilya Kolmanovsky, Donald Lewis
  • Hill hold for a vehicle
    Patent number: 7166060
    Abstract: A vehicle hill hold may be accomplished, for a vehicle having an automated clutch between the engine output and the transmission input, while protecting the clutch from potential excess wear due to overheating. A hill hold may be accomplished by automatically switching the torque holding the vehicle in place from the clutch to the brakes. Alternatively, a hill hold may be accomplished by increasing an accelerator pedal position sensitivity and switching the clutch between fully engaged and fully disengaged based on changes in the pedal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Hong Jlang, Ron Cowan
  • Oxygen depletion sensing for a remote starting vehicle
    Patent number: 7167791
    Abstract: Automotive vehicles are increasingly being equipped with remote starting devices. If the vehicle is within a space which is very well sealed, it is possible that the concentration of the exhaust gases may exceed desirable levels. A method and system are disclosed in which a mass-based determination of air/fuel ratio is compared with the air/fuel ratio being maintained by the exhaust gas oxygen sensor. When the air/fuel ratio based on a mass measurement deviates from the air/fuel ratio based on the exhaust gas oxygen sensor by more than a threshold difference, the remotely started vehicle is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Kappauf, Diana D. Brehob
  • Adjustable steering lock
    Patent number: 7163079
    Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle includes at least one wheel (14) that pivots to define a steering angle (20), and a steering lock (12) that limits an input to the steering angle (20) from an operator to a selected maximum value. The steering system (10) also includes a motor operatively connected to the wheel (14) that augments the input to the steering angle (20) from the operator, and a controller (42) operatively connected to the motor and adjusting the augmentation of the input to the steering to provide a maximum angle from the operator based upon at least one operating parameter, that includes the size of the wheel, thereby allowing the wheel (14) to pivot to a steering angle (20) based on the operating parameter that exceeds the steering angle (20) corresponding to the maximum allowable value as defined by the operator input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcus Turner, Ian Hulme
  • Powertrain for a hybrid vehicle with all-wheel drive capability and method for controlling wheel slip
    Patent number: 7163480
    Abstract: A hybrid-electric powertrain for a vehicle having forward traction wheels and rearward traction wheels in an all-wheel drive configuration. An engine and an electric motor deliver power through delivery paths to the traction wheels. The power delivery paths may have multiple ratio gearing so that more power can be delivered mechanically to improve powertrain performance and to allow the electric motor size to be reduced. The powertrain may include a controller for automatically balancing power distribution to the forward and rearward traction wheels to avoid wheel slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Supina, Shailesh Kozarekar, Stefan P. Pototschnik
  • Fuel injection system and method
    Patent number: 7163002
    Abstract: A method for adjusting fuel injection, the method comprising during an engine start from a non-warmed-up condition, identifying a fuel quality of fuel supplied to the engine during said start based on a performance of said start, and after said start is completed and during a transient fueling condition, adjusting a fuel injection amount based on said identified fuel quality from said start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Halverson, Xiaoying Zhang, Sue Wagers, Mark Linenberg, Mike Scannell
  • Non-axisymmetrical wheel cover retention apparatuses and assemblies
    Publication number: 20070007816
    Abstract: The device, a wheel cover assembly, covers at least a portion of a wheel. The wheel cover assembly is secured to the wheel by a lug nut having a flange. The wheel cover assembly has a wheel cover which has an inner surface and an outer surface. The wheel cover assembly also has a plurality of lug wells. Each lug well includes a plurality of extensions extending from the inner surface of the wheel cover to the distal end of the lug well. The extensions have an engagement leg at the distal end of the lug well. Additionally, at least one of the engagement legs is non-axisymmetrical with respect to the remaining engagement legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Willmer
  • Internal combustion engine quick-stop
    Patent number: 7159561
    Abstract: A system and method for stopping an internal combustion engine. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a shutdown sequence of the engine includes retarding ignition timing relative to ignition timing prior to initiation of the shutdown sequence, and then advancing ignition timing relative to ignition timing prior to initiation of the shutdown sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Kerns, Thomas Rolewicz, Jr.
  • System and method for engine starting
    Patent number: 7159568
    Abstract: A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of a cylinder of the engine, a first injector configured to inject a first fuel to said cylinder, a second injector configured to inject a second fuel to said cylinder, and a controller configured to, during a first operating condition, commence combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder from only said first injector during a first start, and during a second operating condition, to commence combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder from only said second injector during a second start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Allan J. Lippa, John D. Russell
  • Blind-spot warning system for an automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 7161472
    Abstract: A host vehicle system includes a blind-spot warning system providing an indication to the host vehicle a target vehicle entering a blind-spot. The system includes a vehicle bus receiving various vehicle control signals, magneto-resistive sensors receiving proximity information as a function of magnetic field variations, a smart algorithm controller analyzing bus signals and sensor signals, and various vehicle collision systems such as passive restraints, optical light guides, and audible warnings operating in response to a threat from a target vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary S. Strumolo, Hanaan Elmessiri, David M. DiMeo, Ronald H. Miller, Aric David Shaffer
  • Vehicle control method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7162346
    Abstract: A vehicle mode controller, a driving mode collecting means, and a plurality of subsystem controllers including an engine management system, a transmission controller, a steering controller, a brakes controller and a suspension controller, provide an improved system and method of operating a vehicle control system in a host vehicle in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface in a plurality of different off-road surfaces and terrains such as might be encountered when driving off-road. An improved method is provided for controlling a vehicle control system by avoiding unplanned combinations of subsystem configuration modes and minimizing the transition time when changing between subsystem configuration modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Berry, Tim Slaney, Adrie Breugelmans, Jan Prins, Derek Jones, Nick Moore, David Andrew Clare, David Armstrong, Richard Cook, Keith Gary Reginald Parsons, Sam Anker, David Inch, Scott Dicken, Phil Guest, Andrew Cotta
  • Method for inhibiting engine stalling in a hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 7160223
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting stalling of an engine of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes determining whether the engine is running, determining whether a gear ratio of a power transfer unit is selected, starting a timer, and implementing a stall mitigation strategy. The stall mitigation strategy is terminated when a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dan Colvin
  • Vehicle door insert
    Patent number: 7159928
    Abstract: A door for use in a vehicle and including an interior panel portion having an outer boundary facing toward an interior portion of the vehicle and including an opening. An insert positioned within at least a portion of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Hill, Henrik Fisker, David Woodhouse, Christopher Wheeler
  • Intelligent vehicle rollover detection methods and systems
    Patent number: 7162343
    Abstract: Intelligent vehicle rollover detection systems and methods are claimed and described. An embodiment may comprise various data sensors to sense various signals and a control circuit to receive the signals. In some embodiments, the control circuit may be adapted to provide a vehicle unstable signal to activate a first occupant restraint system and a rollover detection signal to activate a second occupant restraint system. In some embodiments, the control circuit may also determine an updated threshold and a reduced threshold, and generate a rollover detection signal in response to at least one of the updated threshold and a reduced threshold. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thiag Subbian, David Bauch, Fubang Wu, Mukesh Amin, Clifford C. Chou
  • Emission control device
    Patent number: 7159387
    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: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Christian T. Goralski, Jr., Stephen B. Smith, James P. O'Neill, Garry Zawacki
  • Vehicle headlight lens
    Patent number: D535045
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Schiavone, Gordon Platto, Michael Smith, Albert Debusschere
  • Insert stud for molded plastic components
    Patent number: D535180
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patricia Tibbenham, David Dean, Wieslaw Zaydel, Michelle Winowski-Zaydel
  • Vehicle grille
    Patent number: D535221
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chelsia Lau, Patrick Schiavone, Jeffrey Nowak, Mark McChesney
  • Vehicle grille
    Patent number: D535223
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Gaffka, Scott Strong, Wolfgang Gotschke, Keith Rogman