公开(公告)号：US11420729B2

公开(公告)日：2022-08-23

申请号：US16420006

申请日：2019-05-22

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Thomas Leone ,  Kenneth Miller ,  Aed M. Dudar

IPC: B64C19/00 ,  G01C5/00 ,  G05D1/02 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06Q50/28

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a vehicle elevation height for launching an unmanned aerial vehicle may include performing a quantitative balancing analysis using baseline factors, establishing optimal values for operational goals of a vehicle based on the quantitative balancing analysis, determining a vehicle elevation height that achieves the established optimal values for the operational goals of the vehicle by evaluating vehicle delivery parameters using normalized values, and initiating on a winch system elevation of the unmanned aerial vehicle to the determined vehicle elevation height for launching.

公开(公告)号：US10774761B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-15

申请号：US16188980

申请日：2018-11-13

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Aed M. Dudar ,  Thomas Leone ,  Kenneth Miller

IPC: F02D41/00 ,  F02M25/08 ,  B60K15/035 ,  B60K15/03

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing degradation and issues related to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) for a fuel tank pressure control valve configured to seal a fuel tank from atmosphere. In one example, a method may include depressurizing the fuel tank of a vehicle by duty cycling a tank pressure control valve and routing fuel vapors from the fuel tank to an engine, while controlling a timing of opening and closing events of the tank pressure control valve to coincide with pressure differences across the tank pressure control valve less than a threshold pressure difference in terms of pressure oscillations across the tank pressure control valve. In this way, higher loads and stress on the tank pressure control valve may be avoided, thus reducing degradation and NVH issues.

公开(公告)号：US10704433B2

公开(公告)日：2020-07-07

申请号：US16111100

申请日：2018-08-23

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Aed M. Dudar ,  Kenneth Miller ,  Thomas G. Leone

IPC: F01M5/02 ,  B60L53/12 ,  F01M5/00 ,  F01M1/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  H05B6/10

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preemptively heating engine oil prior to an engine start using an inductive heating mat. In one example, a method may include coupling a magnetic field between a primary coil housed in the inductive heating mat and a ferrous oil pan to inductively heat engine oil contained in the oil pan. While maintaining engine oil temperature above a threshold temperature, heated engine oil may then be circulated through engine components to warm up the engine prior to engine start.

公开(公告)号：US20190285020A1

公开(公告)日：2019-09-19

申请号：US15921605

申请日：2018-03-14

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Aed Dudar ,  Thomas Leone ,  Kenneth Miller

IPC: F02D41/22 ,  F02M37/22 ,  F02M37/08 ,  F02M37/00 ,  F02D41/14 ,  F02M65/00 ,  F02D41/00 ,  B01D29/90 ,  B01D29/66 ,  B01D35/00

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a fuel system of a vehicle to diagnose whether a fuel filter is functioning as desired. In one example, a method may include, in response to a fuel rail pressure decreasing below a threshold pressure while an engine of the vehicle is running, diagnosing whether degradation of fuel injectors or a fuel pressure regulator of the vehicle has occurred while the engine is not running. Then, only if degradation of the fuel injectors and fuel pressure regulator has not occurred, a fuel filter cleaning routine is performed.

公开(公告)号：US20180223876A1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-09

申请号：US15828650

申请日：2017-12-01

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Douglas Martin ,  Kenneth Miller ,  Aed Dudar

IPC: F04F5/16 ,  F04F5/46 ,  F01P5/02

CPC classification number: F04F5/16 ,  F01P5/02 ,  F01P11/12 ,  F01P2001/005 ,  F04D25/08 ,  F04F5/46

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a bladeless radiator cooling fan. In one example, a system may include a plurality of bladeless entrainment discs surrounded by a shroud, each bladeless entrainment disc including a hollow central opening that enables unrestricted ambient airflow through the cooling fan, and a source fan for providing airflow to the bladeless entrainment that is encased by a housing. In this way, airflow through the bladeless radiator cooling fan may be increased, decreasing powered fan usage and decreasing fan noise.

公开(公告)号：US20200369375A1

公开(公告)日：2020-11-26

申请号：US16420006

申请日：2019-05-22

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Thomas Leone ,  Kenneth Miller ,  Aed M. Dudar

IPC: B64C19/00 ,  G01C5/00 ,  G05D1/02 ,  B64C39/02 ,  G06Q50/28

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining a vehicle elevation height for launching an unmanned aerial vehicle. Example methods may include performing a quantitative balancing analysis using baseline factors, establishing optimal values for operational goals of a vehicle based on the quantitative balancing analysis, determining a vehicle elevation height that achieves the established optimal values for the operational goals of the vehicle by evaluating vehicle delivery parameters using normalized values, and initiating on a winch system elevation of the unmanned aerial vehicle to the determined vehicle elevation height for launching.

公开(公告)号：US20200149483A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-14

申请号：US16188980

申请日：2018-11-13

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Aed M. Dudar ,  Thomas Leone ,  Kenneth Miller

IPC: F02D41/00 ,  F02M25/08 ,  B60K15/035

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing degradation and issues related to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) for a fuel tank pressure control valve configured to seal a fuel tank from atmosphere. In one example, a method may include depressurizing the fuel tank of a vehicle by duty cycling a tank pressure control valve and routing fuel vapors from the fuel tank to an engine, while controlling a timing of opening and closing events of the tank pressure control valve to coincide with pressure differences across the tank pressure control valve less than a threshold pressure difference in terms of pressure oscillations across the tank pressure control valve. In this way, higher loads and stress on the tank pressure control valve may be avoided, thus reducing degradation and NVH issues.

公开(公告)号：US20200063614A1

公开(公告)日：2020-02-27

申请号：US16111100

申请日：2018-08-23

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Aed M. Dudar ,  Kenneth Miller ,  Thomas G. Leone

IPC: F01M5/02 ,  F01M5/00 ,  F01M1/02 ,  G05D1/00 ,  B60L11/18 ,  H05B6/10

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preemptively heating engine oil prior to an engine start using an inductive heating mat. In one example, a method may include coupling a magnetic field between a primary coil housed in the inductive heating mat and a ferrous oil pan to inductively heat engine oil contained in the oil pan. While maintaining engine oil temperature above a threshold temperature, heated engine oil may then be circulated through engine components to warm up the engine prior to engine start.

公开(公告)号：US20190249639A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-15

申请号：US15895853

申请日：2018-02-13

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Kenneth Miller ,  Ross Dykstra Pursifull ,  Thomas Leone ,  Gopichandra Surnilla

IPC: F02N19/02 ,  B60L11/12 ,  B60W30/194 ,  B60L11/18 ,  B60H1/18

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.

公开(公告)号：US20190248358A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-15

申请号：US15895885

申请日：2018-02-13

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Kenneth Miller ,  Gopichandra Surnilla

IPC: B60W20/15 ,  B60W10/06 ,  B60W10/08 ,  B60W50/00

CPC classification number: B60W20/15 ,  B60W10/06 ,  B60W10/08 ,  B60W50/0097 ,  B60W2510/083 ,  B60W2520/10 ,  B60W2530/14 ,  B60W2710/06 ,  Y10S903/93

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.