Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Jonathan Gregory

Bernd Steiner

Jan Mehring

Robert Anthony Davies

Xavier Demeulenaere

Jon Edward Caine

William Gerald Barr

Ian Salsbury

Sam Penzato

Benjamin Moffatt

Saeed Chehade

Ivan Mark Rogers

Klaus P Kuepper

Matthew David Bunn

Neill Scoging

Viktor Haeuser

Pedro Nali

Marc Pinnegar

Jose G Das Neves Alves

Parhum Purser

Gerald William Barr

Methods and systems for using audio output devices to output audio content are provided. The audio output devices are provided in autonomously controllable vehicles. The vehicles are instructed to move to respective locations based on an audio output mode. For example, the vehicles may be arranged in a first configuration for a stereo sound mode and instructed to play left-channel or right channel audio data according to their location. The vehicles may be autonomously controlled to move into a different configuration for outputting audio content in another audio mode, for example, a surround sound mode. Where the audio output device is provided in a vehicle interior, such as internal speakers in a car, the vehicle may be instructed to, while playing the audio content, open the door and/or window.

Multi-vehicle audio system

Methods and systems are provided for a cooling system valve comprising a fusible insert and a heating element coupled to the insert. In one example, in response to an increase in coolant temperature to above a first threshold temperature, a movable element of the cooling system valve may be actuated to a fully open position and in response to an increase in coolant temperature to above a second threshold temperature with the movable element in a fully open position, electric current may be routed through the heating element to heat and melt the fusible insert. By melting the fusible portion, coolant may flow through an opening created in the movable element.

Methods and systems for a cooling system valve

Systems and methods for reducing inertial forces of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine are described. The systems and methods may provide for counterweights in a form of pistons in cylinders that are moved via electromagnets. The counterweights may be moved at a frequency that corresponds to engine speed via an alternating current.

Device for compensating free inertia forces of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine

A motor vehicle is disclosed having a safety system that includes an electronic controller controlling an electronically controlled mechanism in response to inputs from a number of rear parking sensors to prevent movement of a rear closure of the motor vehicle in a closing direction when more than one object is sensed to be within a rear protection zone and the rear closure member is in a fully open position.

Motor vehicle having a manual rear closure member

A headrest assembly is provided herein. A headrest is coupled to a seatback. The seatback includes a housing. The headrest is movable between a first position wherein the headrest is exposed above the seatback, and a second position wherein the headrest is concealed within the housing. A top of the headrest is flush with a top of the seatback while in the second position.

Stowable headrest assembly

A balance assembly for an engine is provided. The balance assembly includes a first electric motor coupled to the engine and configured to rotate a first eccentric mass relative to the engine, the first eccentric mass being coupled to a first shaft of the first electric motor, and a second electric motor coupled to the engine and configured to rotate a second eccentric mass relative to the engine, the second eccentric mass being coupled to a second shaft of the second electric motor. The first and second electric motors are configured to rotate the first and second eccentric masses in order to balance a vibration characteristic of the engine.

Engine balance assembly using electric motors

Methods and systems are provided for an oil pump mounting structure that provides accessibility and removal of the oil pump without removing a balancer shaft. While periodically servicing or replacing the oil pump may be necessary throughout the lifetime of an engine, it is desirable to allow for easy removal of the oil pump without removing and reassembling other engine components. To provide alignment and a rigid connection between the oil pump and engine frame while allowing for removal of the oil pump without removing other components, dowel bolts with unthreaded, threaded, and dowel portions are used to mount the oil pump to the engine frame.

Dowel bolts for mounting an oil pump to an engine assembly

Growing community of inventors

Colchester, United Kingdom

Jonathan Gregory