Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Wolfram Buschhaus

Allan Roy Gale

Larry Dean Elie

Matthew John Zaluzec

Mark Meinhart

Rick L Williams

Clifford E Maki

Kevin Durand Byrd

Bradford Bates

John Cornell

Richard C Belaire

Jason J Powell

A method of forming a part includes metal binder jet printing a first green component with a first attachment interface, de-powdering the first green component, assembling the first green component with a second component comprising a second attachment interface and forming an assembly such that the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface are adjacent to each other. The assembly is sintered such that volumetric shrinkage of at least the first green component creates a compressive force across the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface, and the compressive force across the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface and heat from the sintering results in a metallurgical bond across the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface such that a monolithic part is formed.

Method for manufacturing binder jet parts

Systems and methods are provided for forming an engine comprising a thermoset composite engine block. One example method includes reinforcing the engine block with a plurality of metal strips, wherein a first portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially transverse direction of the engine block and a second portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially longitudinal direction of the engine block. The plurality of metal reinforcing strips may provide additional reinforcement to the engine block.

Reinforced composite cylinder block

A hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and transmission assembly providing a first selectably shiftable geared torque flow path to vehicle traction wheels and an electric motor-generator unit defining a second geared torque flow path that is located between the output of the first geared torque flow path and the traction wheels. Through the deployment of an appropriate control system, including the necessary control algorithms, the electric motor-generator unit can be operated to supply torque to the traction wheels while the torque flow in the first torque flow path is interrupted during the occurrence of a ratio change in the transmission assembly and during disengagement of a clutch. Because of this interactive control of two power sources, the vehicle driveability can be enhanced along with an improvement of the engine exhaust gas emissions. In addition, the electric motor-generator unit in the second torque flow path can be used to launch the vehicle electrically immediately upon request of the operator. This ability of the powertrain permits engine-off operation during vehicle coast-down and standstill periods without any loss of driveability. During electric launch of the vehicle, the interactive control of the two power sources permits the internal combustion engine to be restarted and then gradually take over the propulsion task from the electric motor-generator unit.

Parallel hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Wolfram Buschhaus