Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Joseph James Gallo

Robert Roy Jentz

Aaron Peter Klop

Jeffrey James Tumavitch

Christopher Semanson

Bryant David Grytzelius

Kevin Douglas Macfarlane

John Paul Gorys

Bruce Kinston Lyon

Stephanie Ann Skown

Paul Christian Stallman

Bryan Michael Bolger

Zachary March

Colby Jason Buckman

Brandon Jay Woodland

Steven James Parks

Sudesh Woodiga

Jonathan David Gesek

Mark Fleming

Chuck Irwin Rackmil

A vehicle includes active grill shutters and a controller. The active grill shutters are configured to open to increase a drag on the vehicle and to close to decrease the drag on the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to regenerative braking via an electric machine and an absence of friction braking, transition or maintain the active grill shutters to or in a closed position. The controller is further programmed to, in response to friction braking, transition or maintain the active grill shutters to or in the open position.

Braking control system for a hybrid or electric vehicle

A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fascia having a first fascia portion that is selectively moveable relative to a second fascia portion, and an engine shield that has at least a first shield panel and a second shield panel. The first shield panel has a first portion that moves with the first fascia portion and a second portion that is connected to a vehicle static structure. The second shield panel is mounted for movement with the first fascia portion. At least one actuator selectively moves the first fascia portion relative to the second fascia portion in response to at least one predetermined vehicle input condition.

Active fascia splitter and engine shield

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on a direction of motion of the grille shutters. In one example, a method includes adjusting a motor coupled to the grille shutters based on the direction of motion of the grille shutters, a desired opening of the grille shutters, and vehicle speed. Further, the method may include determining the direction of motion of the grille shutters based on a desired motor position relative to an actual motor position.

Method for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on vehicle speed and direction of grille shutter adjustment

An active grille shutter system for use in a moving vehicle is provided herein and includes at least one vane angularly displaceable between an open position and a closed position, a motor having a hold current applied thereto for maintaining the at least one vane in a vane position, and a controller for adjusting the amount of hold current being applied to the motor based on vehicle speed.

Vehicle speed controlled active grille shutter system

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature. In one example, a method includes adjusting grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature and additional engine operating conditions when engine coolant temperature is below a threshold and adjusting the grille shutters base on the engine coolant temperature only when the engine coolant temperature is above the threshold. Further, the method may include recalibrating a position of the grille shutters based on a grille shutter position error.

Method and system for adjusting grille shutters based on temperature and position feedback

In an automotive transmission, a method for determining whether an upshift should be enabled or disabled determines the predetermined upshift vehicle speed at which the upshift is scheduled to occur with reference to current throttle position and vehicle speed. The method employs the difference between upshift vehicle speed and current vehicle speed, the current vehicle acceleration, an empirically determined upshift vehicle acceleration referenced to current vehicle speed and the speed difference. If the current vehicle acceleration is equal to or greater than upshift vehicle acceleration, the upshift is enabled; otherwise, the scheduled upshift is disabled.

Preventing gear hunting in an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle

A method for determining whether the torque converter bypass clutch of an automotive transmission should be relocked or a relock should be prevented includes maintaining in a delay counter the number of such relocks that occur, continuously determining in a counter decrement timer the length of the period since the last relock occurred, determining the output of a timer for decrementing the count of the delay counter, decrementing the count of the delay counter and clearing the counter decrement timer provided the period of the counter decrement timer is greater than the output of the timer for decrementing the count of the delay counter.

Reducing torque converter clutch activity in an automatic transmission

Growing community of inventors

Fraser, MI, United States of America

Joseph James Gallo