Patents by Inventor Bala S. Chander

Bala S. Chander has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10279684
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling heating of at least one of an engine and a battery in a hybrid vehicle includes at least one heater and at least one system controller. The system controller receives a command signal and generates a heater control signal based on the command signal. The heater is in the hybrid vehicle and is electrically coupled to an electrical port integrated in the hybrid vehicle. The electrical port receives electric power from a power source external to the hybrid vehicle. In addition, the system includes a heater switch. The heater switch receives the heater control signal to control an amount of energy transferred from the electrical port to the heater and the heater selectively heats at least one of the engine and the battery in the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Duane M. Grider, Bala S. Chander
  • Patent number: 9776519
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling electric power in a plug-in vehicle, such as a pure electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle. The electric power is controlled from an external power source to one or more predetermined components in the plug-in vehicle. The power source is external to the vehicle and has a maximum power level. Electric power at a charging level from the external power source is received. Based on the charging level and the maximum power level, an available power level is determined. Based on the available power level, the electric power is controlled from the external power source to the predetermined components in the plug-in vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bala S. Chander, Allan Roy Gale
  • Patent number: 8179245
    Abstract: A plug-in vehicle includes a vehicle body having an outer panel, a propulsion unit such as an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, a recharging port supported on the outer panel to receive power from an external electric power source, and a display subassembly connected to the battery. The display subassembly has a plurality of lights positioned around the recharging port to illuminate the recharging port and to illuminate in a manner corresponding to a condition of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bala S. Chander, Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Jenny Brzozowski, Dale Gilman, Duane M. Grider
  • Publication number: 20110264319
    Abstract: A plug-in vehicle includes a vehicle body having an outer panel, a propulsion unit such as an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, a recharging port supported on the outer panel to receive power from an external electric power source, and a display subassembly connected to the battery. The display subassembly has a plurality of lights positioned around the recharging port to illuminate the recharging port and to illuminate in a manner corresponding to a condition of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bala S. Chander, Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Jenny Brzozowski, Dale Gilman, Duane M. Grider
  • Patent number: 7999665
    Abstract: A plug-in vehicle includes a vehicle body having an outer panel, a propulsion unit such as an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, a recharging port supported on the outer panel to receive power from an external electric power source, and a display subassembly connected to the battery. The display subassembly has a plurality of lights positioned around the recharging port to illuminate the recharging port and to illuminate in a manner corresponding to a condition of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bala S. Chander, Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Jenny Brzozowski, Dale Gilman, Duane M. Grider
  • Publication number: 20110043355
    Abstract: A plug-in vehicle includes a vehicle body having an outer panel, a propulsion unit such as an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, a recharging port supported on the outer panel to receive power from an external electric power source, and a display subassembly connected to the battery. The display subassembly has a plurality of lights positioned around the recharging port to illuminate the recharging port and to illuminate in a manner corresponding to a condition of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bala S. Chander, Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Jenny Brzozowski, Dale Gilman, Duane M. Grider
  • Publication number: 20110046828
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling electric power in a plug-in vehicle, such as a pure electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle. The electric power is controlled from an external power source to one or more predetermined components in the plug-in vehicle. The power source is external to the vehicle and has a maximum power level. Electric power at a charging level from the external power source is received. Based on the charging level and the maximum power level, an available power level is determined. Based on the available power level, the electric power is controlled from the external power source to the predetermined components in the plug-in vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bala S. Chander, Allan Roy Gale
  • Publication number: 20100140244
    Abstract: An electrical port is integrated with a side view mirror assembly of an automotive vehicle. The electrical port is electrically connected to at least one heater in the vehicle. The electrical port is configured to receive electrical power from a power source external to the vehicle to power the heater. The electrical port may be concealed or exposed depending on a position of the side view mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bala S. Chander, Duane M. Grider
  • Publication number: 20100140246
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling heating of at least one of an engine and a battery in a hybrid vehicle includes at least one heater and at least one system controller. The system controller receives a command signal and generates a heater control signal based on the command signal. The heater is in the hybrid vehicle and is electrically coupled to an electrical port integrated in the hybrid vehicle. The electrical port receives electric power from a power source external to the hybrid vehicle. In addition, the system includes a heater switch. The heater switch receives the heater control signal to control an amount of energy transferred from the electrical port to the heater and the heater selectively heats at least one of the engine and the battery in the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Duane M. Grider, Bala S. Chander