Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Michael Paul Lindlbauer

Bryan Michael Bolger

Mark W Peters

William David Treharne

Aed M Dudar

Dale Scott Crombez

Marvin Paul Kraska

Dennis Seung-Man Yang

Russell Randall Pearce

Angel Fernando Porras

Scott J Lauffer

Paul Stephen Bryan

Christopher Adam Ochocinski

Mark J Ferrel

Ashok E Rodrigues

Andreas Evangelos Perakes

Karin Lovett

Justin Badger

Filip Tomik

Ted Haladyna

Herbert Thomas Meissner

Roman Schesnuk

Terry Wayne Childress

Kevin Kootsillas

A vehicle includes a power source configured to provide drive torque, a front axle, a rear axle, and a transfer case configured to distribute drive torque from the power source between the front axle and the rear axle. The vehicle additionally includes a clutch arranged between the front axle and the transfer case. The clutch has a disengaged state and an engaged state drivingly coupling the transfer case and the front axle. The vehicle also includes a regenerative braking system configured to, in response to a braking request, provide regenerative braking torque to the rear axle. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a braking request and the clutch being in the disengaged state, control the clutch to shift into the engaged state to couple the regenerative braking system to the front axle and provide regenerative braking torque to the front axle.

System and method for increasing regenerative braking in a rear-wheel-drive-based platform with four-wheel-drive capability

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve of a fuel system. In one example, a method may include adjusting the fuel tank isolation valve via electrical pulses and tracking a position of the FTIV by counting each of the electrical pulses. When a vacuum is created in the fuel system, the method may include verifying the position of the FTIV based on resulting fuel system pressures.

Method and system for adjusting a fuel tank isolation valve

Systems are provided for a fuel system comprising an external refueling request switch accessible at or near a refueling door, thus enabling methods that may include initiating depressurization of a fuel tank responsive to an operator engaging the refueling request switch. The status of depressurization may be communicated to the operator via on one or more LED displays located either inside the refueling assembly or located at the refueling door. In this way, refueling requests may be initiated by a refueling operator, and by relaying the status of depressurization to the operator, any confusion on the part of the operator may be avoided.

Systems and methods for an externally accessible refueling request switch

Methods and systems are described for depressurizing a fuel tank prior to refueling. In one example, before refueling the fuel tank having a pressure above a first predetermined pressure, the pressure may be released through a first valve to the first predetermined pressure and the first valve may be closed. Further, a second valve may be opened to further reduce the pressure to a second predetermined pressure, and if flow through the second valve is less than desired, then the first valve may be opened until the second predetermined pressure is reached.

Systems and methods for refueling canister system

Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle that includes two electric machines capable of starting an engine are presented. In one example, one of the two electric machines is selected to start the engine in response to degradation of one or more vehicle components and an engine start request.

Methods and systems for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle

Methods and systems for controlling a fuel tank isolation valve coupled to a fuel tank in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a refuel request, actuating a fuel tank isolation valve to vent a fuel tank for refueling; and, in response to a pressure in the fuel tank below a threshold pressure after a predetermined time duration, discontinuing actuation of the fuel tank isolation valve to seal the fuel tank.

Fuel tank isolation valve control

A system and method for determining functionality of a single signal wire actuator of a vehicle monitor the signal wire for a heartbeat signal after commanding the actuator and waiting for a self-diagnostic period. In one embodiment, a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric heater, a heater core and a valve positioned to route coolant through an engine and/or an electric heater. An actuator positioned to circulate coolant through the electric heater and the heater core is configured to transmit a heartbeat signal while connected to a power source and a ground terminal. A vehicle controller may be configured to store a diagnostic code, start the engine and/or control the valve to selectively route coolant through the engine and the heater core in response to a heat request and the heartbeat signal not being received from the actuator within a predetermined interval of time.

System and method for controlling a vehicle having a single-wire actuator

An accelerator pedal provides feedback to a driver of a vehicle indicating that an engine is about to be started. This feedback is associated with a threshold position of the accelerator pedal. The threshold position may be fixed and a pedal mapping curve fit to pass through the threshold position. The threshold position may vary and depend on a minimum of the motive power capacity of a battery and an activation power threshold of the engine.

Method and system for alerting a driver that a motive power system is about to be activated

The amplitude of peak to peak air to fuel ratio variation of an internal combustion engine is modulated as a function of catalyst temperature.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Michael Paul Lindlbauer