Patents Assigned to Global Technologies LLC
  • Mass airflow sensor for pulsating oscillating flow systems
    Patent number: 6711491
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an output signal of a mass airflow (MAF) sensor in operative communication with an induction system of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises the steps of determining an engine speed value, determining a maximum MAF output signal value at the engine speed value, detecting a mean MAF output signal value at the engine speed value, and correlating the MAF output signal with an airflow rate value as a function of the MAF output signal value, mean MAF output signal value and engine speed. The present invention is particularly suited to improving the MAF sensor output of internal combustion piston engines having pulsating airflow including gaseous-fueled engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Michael Kabat, Xiaoguo Tang
  • Method and apparatus for controlling lean-burn engine based upon predicted performance impact
    Patent number: 6708483
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a “lean-burn” internal combustion engine in cooperation with an exhaust gas purification system having an emissions control device capable of alternatively storing and releasing NOx when exposed to exhaust gases that are lean and rich of stoichiometry, respectively, determines a performance impact, such as a fuel-economy benefit, of operating the engine at a selected lean or rich operating condition. The method and apparatus then enable the selected operating condition as long as such enabled operation provides further performance benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry D. Robichaux, David Karl Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Method and regulating arrangement for heating the cab of a motor vehicle with a diesel engine
    Patent number: 6705287
    Abstract: A method and a regulating arrangement (10) for heating the cab (21) of a vehicle is described. In the event of a start in a cold environment, a heating program is carried out to heat the cab (21) more rapidly, if the diesel engine temperature, measured by a temperature sensor (15), is below a predetermined value. The supply of air to the diesel engine is reduced via the throttle valve (13) to set a currently predetermined intake pressure. If the driver demands a higher acceleration of the vehicle by actuating the accelerator pedal, throttling can be temporarily canceled. When the engine temperature has exceeded a second value, the heating program is terminated and the engine control (10) returns to normal operation. In order to assist the heating phase, in addition, the exhaust-gas recirculation valve (17) may be closed and electrical consumers switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Kuenstler, Peter Hills, Paul Eduard Moraal
  • Method and system for predicting cylinder air charge in an internal combustion engine for a future cylinder event
    Patent number: 6708102
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting cylinder air charge in an internal combustion engine for a future cylinder event is provided. The pressure in an intake manifold is calculated and an estimated position for a throttle plate of the engine at least one cylinder event in the future is determined responsive to an electronic throttle control command. A rate of change of pressure in the intake manifold is then estimated responsive to the measured intake manifold pressure and the estimated throttle plate position. The cylinder air charge is then calculated responsive to the rate of change in pressure in the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Stephen William Magner
  • Programmable seat belt damper assembly
    Patent number: 6705559
    Abstract: A programmable seat belt damper assembly for a seat belt in a motor vehicle. The programmable seat belt damper assembly includes a retractor operatively connected to the seat belt for winding and unwinding the seat belt. The programmable seat belt damper assembly also includes a rotary damper operatively connected to the retractor and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein. The programmable seat belt damper assembly further includes a controller electrically connected to the rotary damper to control an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid to increase and decrease a damping torque of the rotary damper for the unwinding of the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Sullivan, John Matthew Ginder, Kirsten Marie Carr
  • Cap for a vehicle load box
    Patent number: 6705666
    Abstract: A cap (10) is provided for the load box (16) of a vehicle, like a pickup truck (12), including a box-like structure sized and adapted to fit on the load box to form an enclosed area for the storage of personal items, camping equipment, tools, parts or the like. On the forwardmost corner of the cap there is included a door (40) in the form of three-sided box (53, 58, 60), i.e., a door that wraps both around the forward corner of the cap and into the roof. Hinges (50) are provided at the cutline with the roof so that the door opens upwardly. In the preferred embodiment, closable and latchable steps (28) are structurally integrated into the a side of a load box at its forwardmost end and the door of the cap is aligned with the steps forming a doorway for improved ingress and egress to the enclosed area under the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Lynch, Jerome Farrell, Leslie Ann Hersh, Stephen Lewis Bruford
  • Method for robust occupant position control prior to vehicle impact
    Patent number: 6708095
    Abstract: A method for robust occupant position control prior to vehicle impact is provided. The method includes, in response to detecting an object, generating a Collision Index (CI) value representing a likelihood of collision with the detected object, and generating a Lateral Displacement (LD) value indicative of a distance to the detected object. A weight value (Wo) for a vehicle occupant is also determined. When the CI and LD values exceed respective thresholds, the method generates a pretensioner output (PTout) value as a function of the CI and Wo values, and activates a seatbelt pretensioner associated with a seat of the vehicle occupant as a function of the PTout value. An occupant positioning system for a vehicle activated prior to vehicle impact is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Kenneth Nero Morman
  • Stop and go adaptive cruise control system
    Patent number: 6708099
    Abstract: An adaptive cruise control (ACC) system (10) for a host vehicle (12) is provided. The ACC system (10) includes a forward-looking sensor (18) generating a range signal corresponding to a distance between the host vehicle (12) and a target vehicle. The forward-looking sensor (18) also generates a range rate signal corresponding to a rate that the distance between the host vehicle (12) and the target vehicle is changing. A controller (20) is electrically coupled to the forward-looking sensor (18). The controller (20) maintains a preset headway distance between the host vehicle (12) and the target vehicle, when the host vehicle velocity is less than about 40 KPH, by adjusting the host vehicle velocity in response to the range signal and the range rate signal. A method for performing the same is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Levasseur Tellis, Gerald H. Engelman, John Vincent Bond, III, John Patrick Joyce, Stephen Samuel, Jeffrey Dan Rupp, Gyu Myeong Joh, M. Nabeel Tarabishy, Nigel John Clarke, Timothy Zwicky
  • Crankshaft for use with a variable compression ratio system
    Patent number: 6705255
    Abstract: A crankshaft, for use with a variable compression ratio engine having a connecting rod and a rod bearing, includes a crankpin adapted to be coupled to the connecting rod with the rod bearing disposed between the crankpin and the connecting rod. The crankpin includes a circumferential surface having first and second side surface portions and a main surface portion disposed between the side surface portions. The main surface portion is configured to receive the rod bearing. The first side surface portion has a first aperture disposed at least partially outwardly of the rod bearing when the rod bearing is received on the main surface portion of the crankpin and the crankpin is coupled to the connecting rod. The crankpin further defines, at least partially, a first fluid passage for supplying pressurized fluid to the first aperture, such that the fluid is useable to vary compression ratio of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George Aristidis Papaioannou, Jeffrey Eliot Chottiner, Joshua Putnam Styron, Pravin Sashidharan, V. Durga Nageswar Rao, Yash Andrew Imai
  • Engine method
    Patent number: 6705284
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, 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: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Multi-valve engine with gas exchange channel between inlet ports
    Patent number: 6705261
    Abstract: An intake valve phase shift in multi-valve engines to enhance air-fuel mixing and optimum combustion at all operating conditions. The intake valve members are independently operated by electro-mechanical actuators or the like, and activated and deactivated by the electronic controller of the engine. A channel or passageway in a diverter member positioned between the two intake ports in the cylinder head allows air and fuel from a closed intake port to be diverted to an open intake port and thus into the combustion chamber. The passageway preferably has a configuration with a certain curvature, orientation and position relative to the diameter of the inlet ports. The curvature is about one-half the diameter D of the inlet port, the passageway is symmetrical from port to port and directs the fuel toward the opposite sides of the ports, and the passageway is positioned about D/4 from the valve seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Haghgooie, William Francis Stockhausen
  • Inter-vehicle wireless communication and warning system
    Patent number: 6707378
    Abstract: An inter-vehicle wireless communication and warning system (50) for a host vehicle (52) within a wireless communication network is provided. The system includes a first variable antenna (54) that receives a vehicle discovery signal and a variable amplifier (56) that is electrically coupled to the first variable antenna (54), which modifies the vehicle discovery signal. A smart transmission antenna (62) focuses and transmits a pattern signal to at least another vehicle in the wireless communication network. A smart antenna amplifier (66) is electrically coupled to the smart antenna (62) and modifies the pattern signal. A main controller (58) is electrically coupled to the variable amplifier (56), the smart antenna amplifier (66), and a vehicle network (60). The main controller (58) generates the pattern signal in response to the vehicle discovery signal and a vehicle network signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Robinson MacNeille, Ronald Hugh Miller
  • Method and system for minimizing torque intervention of an electronic throttle controlled engine
    Patent number: 6705286
    Abstract: A system and method wherein a torque monitoring algorithm compares torque demand (i.e., driver-demanded torque computed primarily from acceleration pedal position), with two independent torque estimates (e.g., one estimated from throttle position and one estimated from mass airflow (MAF) to the intake manifold). If the maximum of the two actual torque estimates exceeds the driver-demanded torque, the monitoring algorithm logic intervenes in engine torque production (e.g., shuts off fuel to cylinders) and lights a service (wrench) light. In order to prevent, or minimize, unnecessary engine torque production intervention, reducing a torque demand signal to the throttle by a factor, such factor being a function of airflow meter load divided by throttle load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis A. Light, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Michael John Cullen, Tobias John Pallett
  • Combustion mode control for a direct injection spark ignition (DISI) internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6705276
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling internal combustion engine, such engine being adapted to operate in a selected one of a plurality of operating mode. One of such modes is characterized by stratified combustion and another one of such modes is characterized by a homogeneous combustion. The method and system includes determining from operating conditions of the engine and a demanded torque, a preferred one of the operating modes. Determining from such demanded torque whether operation such preferred operating mode is feasible. The method and system effects a transition of the engine to the preferred mode if such preferred mode is determined to be feasible; otherwise, such engine is operated in one of the modes which provides the minimum difference between the torque produced in such one of the modes and the demanded torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jing Sun, Ilya V. Kolmanovsky
  • Vacuum cleaner bag docking assembly
    Publication number: 20040045119
    Abstract: An improved bag docking assembly for aligning a vacuum bag for engagement with a dirty air outlet nozzle on a vacuum cleaner, and for retaining the vacuum bag in the position of engagement. The assembly incorporates an anchor member and a mounting member. The anchor member serves to attach the bag docking assembly to the vacuum cleaner. The anchor member can be a substantially flat piece of plastic having a central opening for closely receiving the dirty air outlet nozzle on the vacuum cleaner. The central opening can have a shoulder for engaging a rim or similar protrusion formed about the perimeter of the dirty air outlet nozzle. Additionally, protrusions are located on the anchor member that align with voids in the vacuum bag collar to ensure that correct alignment of the vacuum bag has been achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Ponjican, Charles W. Reynolds, Christopher M. Peterson, Dennis T. Lamb, Paul A. Moshenrose
  • Position sensing device and shift device fault management in an electronic shift four-wheel drive system
    Patent number: 6704633
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing faults in position sensing device and shift device; such faults are the unwarranted code change, power loss fault, and channel fault. The faults correspond to those that either turn it on without a command from the controller or those that do not allow it to turn on despite a command from the controller. The limited operation actions under these fault conditions constitute disabling shifting, enabling shifting until a main-stop is reached, and/or railing on two-wheel side. There are alternatives in reset mechanism, namely, maintaining the limited operation mode until service, reset upon ignition key going from OFF to RUN, key going from START to RUN, or a simple change in Mode Select Switch after limited operation action of the controller, etc. Auto-reset under conditions of auto-fault recovery are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajiva Prakash, Vincent F. Amantangelo
  • Method of confirming remote keyless entry lock button status
    Patent number: 6703919
    Abstract: A method of confirming a lock button pressed condition for a remote device associated with a vehicle remote keyless entry system. The method includes setting a counter to zero then, continuously monitoring the remote device for a remote device button activation. If a lock button activation is detected, the counter is increment by one. Otherwise, if an unlock button activation is detected, the counter is reset to zero. An indicator on the remote device is activated, in response to detection of either a lock button or unlock button activation, when the counter is greater than one. In one embodiment, the indicator is an LED which is activated only when, upon detecting a lock button activation, a lock button activation was immediately previously detected. If at any time after initial lock button activation, the unlock button is activated, the LED indicator will not illuminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Miah A Baset
  • Parking assembly
    Patent number: 6701797
    Abstract: A parking assembly 10 is provided for use in combination with a vehicle of the type having a park gear 12 and a shifter or shifting assembly 14 which is operatively used to select between several “gears” or vehicle operating modes. The parking assembly 10 includes a selectively and pivotally movable parking pawl member 20, a park rod assembly 22, and a servo mechanism 24 which selectively actuates park rod 22. The servo mechanism 24 is controlled by use of a controller 30 which monitors several sensors 32, 34 and which allows the park event to be calibrated based upon various selectable vehicle conditions or attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver
  • Cylinder event based spark
    Patent number: 6701895
    Abstract: A method to deliver spark during a start for an internal combustion engine is described. The method provides individual cylinder spark angle control based on the number of fueled cylinder events. The method offers improved engine emissions while maintaining engine speed run-up performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Garth Michael Meyer
  • Exhaust emission diagnostics
    Patent number: 6701707
    Abstract: A diesel engine emission control system uses an upstream oxidation catalyst and a downstream SCR catalyst to reduce NOx in a lean exhaust gas environment. The engine and upstream oxidation catalyst are configured to provide approximately a 1:1 ratio of NO to NO2 entering the downstream catalyst. In this way, the downstream catalyst is insensitive to sulfur contamination, and also has improved overall catalyst NOx conversion efficiency. Degradation of the system is determined when the ratio provided is no longer near the desired 1:1 ratio. This condition is detected using measurements of engine operating conditions such as from a NOx sensor located downstream of the catalysts. Finally, control action to adjust an injected amount of reductant in the exhaust gas based on the actual NO to NO2 ratio upstream of the SCR catalyst and downstream of the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Devesh Upadhyay, Christopher John Mazur