Curtis L Tyson

US Patent:

7047120, May 16, 2006

Filed:

Apr 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/709111

Inventors:

Asi Perach - Farmington Hills MI, US
Curtis Tyson - Canton MI, US
Joseph Root - Kalamazoo MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60B 39/00

US Classification:

701 71, 701 70, 30312214, 303152

Abstract:

An instrument panel for a vehicle has an anti-lock braking system and a regenerative braking system. A method is used to control the brake system indicators on the instrument panel. If it is determined that an anomalous condition exists in either the anti-lock braking system or the regenerative braking system, a first indicator is illuminated in an amber color to alert the vehicle operator of this condition. If the anti-lock braking system is active, and there is no anomalous condition detected in the anti-lock braking system, a second indicator is illuminated in green to alert the vehicle operator that the anti-lock braking system is active. Control of the first and second indicators is provided in accordance with a hierarchal structure that gives priority to an anomalous condition in the anti-lock braking system.

US Patent:

20030136597, Jul 24, 2003

Filed:

Jan 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

09/683556

Inventors:

Abbas Raftari - Northville MI, US
Curtis Tyson - Plymouth MI, US
John O'Rear - Whitmore Lake MI, US
Joanne Woestman - Dearborn MI, US
Vijay Garg - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K017/356

US Classification:

180/242000

Abstract:

This invention is a method and system to disconnect drive wheels from the powertrain of any electric powered vehicle. A vehicle controller monitors input from, for example, an inertia switch and electric motor generator conditions and can disconnect the output shaft from the drive wheels in predetermined vehicle conditions such as during a rear-end collision, or abnormal electric motor conditions such as over-torque, over-temperature, or over-current. The invention can be configured to monitor and respond to driver demand for four-wheel drive, two-wheel drive, and neutral tow. The disconnect device can comprise a disconnect actuator and joint attached to an axle disconnect. The axle disconnect can be electric or vacuum powered and positioned as a center disconnect or a wheel-end disconnect. The invention can be configured for conventional or limited slip axles.