Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Patent number: 6925971
    Abstract: A free piston engine is configured with a pair of opposed engine cylinders located on opposite sides of a fluid pumping assembly. An inner piston assembly includes a pair of inner pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with a push rod connected between the inner pistons. The push rod extends through an inner pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. An outer piston assembly includes a pair of outer pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with at least one pull rod connected between the outer pistons. The pull rod extends through an outer pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. The movement of the inner and outer piston assemblies during engine operation will cause the fluid plungers to pump fluid from a low pressure container into a high pressure chamber as a means of storing the energy output from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lixin Peng, Cliff Carlson
  • Patent number: 6925796
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing degradation in a pair of NOx sensors coupled upstream and downstream of a NOx catalyst is presented. The method is performed when catalyst temperature is such that its NOx conversion efficiency is substantially zero, such as when the catalyst temperature is very low (at cold start) or very high (e.g., following regeneration). Under those conditions, sensor degradation can be diagnosed if the upstream and downstream NOx sensor readings are not substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Patent number: 6923488
    Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom in order to provide bed extender, box extender and step assist functions. The supplemental tailgate includes a pivotable molding, which mounts on a movable frame portion, and a latching assembly. When pivoted, the pivotable molding releases the latching assembly, allowing the supplemental tailgate to be moved to various extended positions. When the supplemental tailgate is in its stowed position, the pivotable molding may be aligned with the top surface of the tailgate in order to provide an esthetically pleasing appearance and provide paint scratch resistance. When the movable frame portion is in an essentially fully extended position, it may be rotated relative to the tailgate in order to provide the box extender and assist step functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Multimatic, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Bruford, Kian-Huat Tan, Herbert Gruber
  • Patent number: 6923496
    Abstract: A bracket/pad anti-flutter grille bumper attached to a motor vehicle frame or front bumper to reduce the vibrations of a hood-mounted grille resulting from road forces or from slamming the hood shut. Alternative mounting of the bracket on an impact absorbing and collapsible bumper assembly allow for movement of the grille on impact, while maintaining the anti-flutter feature when the bumper returns to its normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Pleet, Aaron Klop, Richard A Kirkdorffer, Martin Lopez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6923009
    Abstract: MRI system 10 is provided. The MRI system 10 includes a magnet assembly 12. A first cryogen cooling fluid 20 is utilized to cool the magnet assembly 12. A first supply line 16 communicates the first cryogen cooling fluid 20 to the magnet assembly 12. A first return line 18 communicates the first cryogen cooling fluid 20 away from the magnet assembly 12. A blower assembly 22 is positioned between and in communication with the first supply line 16 and the first return line 18. A regenerative heat exchanger 36 is in communication with the first supply line 16 and the first return line 18. The regenerative heat exchanger 36 transfers thermal energy 29 from the first supply line 16 to the first return line 18. The regenerative heat exchanger 36 is positioned between the blower assembly 22 and the magnet assembly 12. A second supply line 28 transports a second cryogen fluid 26 through a pre-cooler assembly 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Ravikumar Kudaravalli
  • Patent number: 6925427
    Abstract: A method of determining a switch sequence plan for an electrical system includes the steps of identifying switches for the electrical system and organizing the identified switches within a switch group by defining a coincident group of switches to be closed together or a sequential group of switches to be closed one at a time and by defining a duration of time the switches should be closed. The method also includes the steps of organizing the switch group in a data tree structure for the switch sequence plan and traversing the data tree structure recursively to calculate opening and closing times for the switches within the switch sequence plan. The method further includes the steps of generating a simulation command for setting a position sequence of the switches from the opening and closing times for the switch sequence plan and using commands within the switch sequence plan to operatively control the switches in a simulation of the electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Anthony Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6921444
    Abstract: A method of performing manufacturing operations on a workpiece made of a high strength alloy is disclosed in which a local area of a workpiece is heated to micro-structurally soften the local area. The local area of the workpiece becomes softened and more ductile. A manufacturing operation involving deformation of the heat softened area is performed with the metal in the heat softened region being more ductile and having less strength than the surrounding portions thereof. Manufacturing operations may include riveting, clinching, hydro-forming, and magnetic pulse joining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Armando Mateo Joaquin, Paul George Sanders
  • Patent number: 6918624
    Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom in order to provide multiple assist functions. The supplemental tailgate includes a pivotable molding, which mounts on a movable frame portion, and a latching assembly. When pivoted, the pivotable molding releases the latching assembly, allowing the supplemental tailgate to be moved to various extended positions. When the movable frame portion is in an essentially fully extended position, it can be rotated downward relative to the tailgate and a flip step pivoted to a use position in order to provide an assist step function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Miller, Stephen Bruford, Kian-Huat Tan, Herbert Gruber
  • Patent number: 6918362
    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 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Cullen
  • Patent number: 6918613
    Abstract: An air bag module for venting inflation gas if an out-of-position vehicle occupant is too close to the module for proper air bag deployment. The module has an air bag canister having a gas channel port, an inflator, an air bag cushion, a deployment door, a structural gas channel, and a venting system. The venting system connects the structural gas channel to the gas channel port and includes a plug and a plug pulling system for controlling the venting of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris John Short, Fred Leslie Sole, Marshall Lawrence Quade
  • Patent number: 6916117
    Abstract: A bearing shell for a crankshaft thrust bearing has a circumferential oil passage (4) formed on the inside of shell (6) of bearing shell (1). An oil passage (4) is connected via a hole (2) to the outside of and to a groove (7) running to one of flanges (5) and a hole (9) at the end of shell (1). In this way, the flange (8) is supplied oil to achieve improved lubrication in the axial loading direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kai Martin Mayer
  • Patent number: 6917305
    Abstract: A collision severity estimation system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) is provided. The system (10) includes one or more object detection sensors (22) detecting an object and generating a first object detection signal. A controller (20) is electrically coupled to the object detection sensors (22) and determines motion properties of the object relative to the vehicle (12) and generates an object motion signal in response to the first object detection signal. The controller (20) determines potential collision severity between the vehicle (12) and the object in response to the object motion signal and generates a collision severity signal. Methods of determining motion properties of the object as well as determining potential collision severity between the vehicle (12) and the object are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Gerald King
  • Patent number: 6917801
    Abstract: This invention relates to a communication system for use with a vehicle. The system comprises a first communication unit (1), being positioned within a vehicle (2), and a second portable communication unit (7). The first communication unit (1) comprises a first memory circuit (4) being connected with a first transceiver (3), and said second communication unit (7) comprises a second memory circuit (10) being connected with a second transceiver (9). The transceivers (3,9) are arranged to establish a short-distance wireless communication link (8) between said first and second communication units when the communication units are within a communication range from each other, thereby enabling two-way communication between said communication units. An information item, stored in any one of said memory circuits is automatically transmitted to the other one of said memory circuits (4,10), over said wireless communication link (8) when the communication units (1,7) are within said communication range from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Witte, Mats Petersson
  • Patent number: 6915630
    Abstract: A method is described for operating an engine coupled to an emission control device that stores and reacts oxidants such as NOx. The method transitions from lean to stoichiometric or rich operation under various conditions. For example, a periodic transition is performed with an amount of NOx stored in the device reaches a threshold, or when a tip-in from idle conditions has been identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, John M. Roth
  • Patent number: 6917700
    Abstract: A certain percentage of sheet metal blanks (20) for cars are not bounded by straight cuts. These so-called contour blanks are cut by form dies to optimize material usage of sheet metal coils. During the tryout process of the press tools the final contour for the blanks is determined in an iterative process. The manually size-optimized blank contour has to be digitized for blank nesting and the construction of a form die to cut the blank from the coil in production. The present invention discloses a low-cost measurement system based on a digital camera (21). This camera allows taking pictures of blanks (20) on-site in the plant and process them off-line to regenerate geometrical information by use of photogrammetric principles. This method yields a significant reduction of lead-time by eliminating the need for a slow coordinate measuring machine (CMM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Schuler, Udo Mattes
  • Patent number: 6917693
    Abstract: A vehicle data acquisition and display assembly 10 which includes several cameras 75 which selectively and cooperatively receive images 77 from the environment or the ambient environment 83 in which a vehicle 60 resides. The acquired images 77 form a panoramic mosaic 85, at least a portion of which is selectively displayed by a display assembly 45 within the vehicle 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vijitha Senaka Kiridena, Gregory Hugh Smith, Samuel Edward Ebenstein
  • Publication number: 20050146155
    Abstract: A windshield stop is operable in a conventional manner to support the lower edge of an automotive windshield while the adhesive material mounting the windshield to the body of the automobile cures, and is also operable to provide an attachment of the cowl grille assembly covering the gap between the windshield and the hood of the automobile. The windshield stop has a cowl mounting portion integrally formed with the finger supports for the windshield. An opening through the cowl mounting portion can receive a conventional push pin to attach the cowl grille assembly to the windshield stop and provide a fixed support therefore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yasmin Eloian, Yehia Harajli, Tanya Sakhleh
  • Publication number: 20050148463
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for use in a NOx trap that has reduced NOx release during rich purges, increased NO conversion efficiency under stoichiometric conditions, and improved sulfur tolerance. The catalyst of this embodiment includes a precious metal, an oxygen storage component in contact with the precious metal, and a NOx storage material. The oxygen storage component in contact with the precious metal is present in an amount that provides sufficient oxygen storage capacity to reduce the NOx release from the NOx trap during rich purges to less than 20% of the NOx that is stored in the NOx trap across the operating temperature window of the NOx trap, increase the NOx conversion efficiency under stoichiometric conditions to a value greater than 70%, and increase the sulfur tolerance of the NOx trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: HungWen Jen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Christian Goralski, Joseph Theis, Justin Ura
  • Patent number: D507998
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Metros, Patrick J. Schiavone, Tyler Jon Blake
  • Patent number: D508004
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Metros, Patrick J. Schiavone, Tyler Jon Blake