New Ford Engine Patent

A recent patent filing by Ford reveals that the automobile company has developed a new V8 engine.  The application, filed on March 26, describes a pushrod 4-valve per cylinder unit with inboard exhaust and outboard intakes, as well as turbocharging.  As Autoblog.com reported, this engine may actually be the new Scorpion diesel V-8, which will replace the Navistar engines used in Super-Duty trucks.

The application states that this engine focuses on the intake/exhaust layout and valvetrain configuration.  Also, the text of the application implies that this engine could be used for either gasoline or diesel engines.  For further reading on the patent application, click here.

However, this engine isn’t the first with this type of manifolding setup.  Recently, BMW came out with the 4.4-liter turbo V8, and GM produced the 4.5 liter diesel.  However, GM cancelled their model shortly after, as bankruptcy is probably more of an issue for that company than their newest diesel engine.

Ford Settles Parts Dispute with LKQ

The automobile-parts recycler, LKQ Corp., has settled their dispute with Ford Motors Co.  The dispute had been filed by Ford over some of their design patents on collision parts, and according to Reuters, this agreement now makes LKQ the only distributor of copies of Ford’s replacement car parts.  The agreement extends through September 20, 2011, which is when Ford’s design patent expires.

More details of the agreement reveal that LKQ will pay Ford a royalty for each part they sell.  The companies also say that they will work together to stop infringement of Ford’s patents, while continuing to compete against each other.

Although I’m not sure as to the extent that these two companies will be able to compete while also protecting Ford’s IP, LKQ definitely seems like they are pleased with the agreement.  As Joseph Holsten, the Chief Executive of LKQ, said in a statement:

As the sole distributor of new non-original equipment aftermarket parts protected by Ford design patents, we will have the sole right to sell these parts in the United States for all of Ford’s models.

Ford Fighting Foreign Parts Makers

As if fighting bankruptcy weren’t enough for Ford Motor Co. , they are now involved in intense patent disputes.  Ford has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit yesterday to uphold a ban on imports for the F-150 truck that were found to violate Ford’s design patents.  As reported by The Province, lawyers for Ford told the court that the auto-parts makers had failed to show that the design patents were obvious.

Yet, the parts makers contend that Ford showed off the F-150 before the design patents were even filed.  Therefore, the parts should be considered to have already been in the public domain.  Others support the parts makers by claiming that U.S. vehicle owners would pay as much as 60% less for replacement parts, if the imports were allowed.

Ford has a similar complaint that is currently pending before the ITC.  Ford states that Chicago-based LKQ, as well as other companies that are located in Taiwan, are impermissibly copying its patented designs for Mustang cars.  Ford is seeking to block the imports of these replacement parts as well.

It’s likely that even if Ford hadn’t lost $14.6 billion last year, they would still be fighting to keep these car parts out of the country.  But since Ford must now pinch every penny, it can be assured that Ford will fight these battles with renewed vigor.

Ford Ranked as Tops in Industry for Tech Patents

When the heads of the Big 3 asked Congress for a bailout a few weeks ago, many in the public classified all 3 companies as failing, and saw no reason to bailout corporations that offer little progress or innovation.  However, Ford can now break away from that generalization as it now boasts  some of the most current and influential technologies in the auto industry.

According to a press release, Ford was ranked above other automakers in “Research Intensity and Industry Impact” on the Top 10 Innovators in Automotive & Transportation Patent Scorecard.  The rankings were compiled by The Patent Board, which tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally.

The Patent Board’s Industry Impact score measures the broader significance and impact of a company’s patent portfolio across the industry.  This indicator also analyzes how other patents build on Ford’s innovation by looking at patent-to-patent citations.  Ford’s Research Intensity score is more than twice that of the industry average, and the Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid currently contain 119 patents.

“Ford’s patented technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors,” said Christine Wren, the director of business development for The Patent Board.  “Ford’s overall patent portfolio plays a significant role in serving as a foundation for other technology innovation as shown by receiving 20 percent more citations than the average portfolio in this industry.”

Ford & GM Make List of 10 Best Engines; GM Leads IEEE Patent Scorecard

Ward’s Automotive Group unveiled the top 10 engines for 2009, reports Green Car Congress.  Among the top engines were Ford’s 2.5 liter engine, and GM’s 3.6 liter direct injection V-6 engine.  Ward’s has covered the automobile industry for more than 80 years, and they will present their 10 best engine awards at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Ford’s 2.5 liter engine was the only engine for hybrid vehicles selected to this year’s list.  The 2009 Ford Escape and Mariner hybrid models use this engine, and both are the first SUVs to do so.  The hybrid systems in both cars were completely engineered by Ford, which holds several hundred patents on this hybrid system.

The GM 3.6 liter direct injection V6 engine was named to the 10 best engines for the second year in a row.  The engine is one of the most fuel-efficient GM has developed, and the direct injection helps reduce cold-start hydrocarbon emissions by 25 percent.  The engine will be available in the 2009 Buick Enclave, Cadillac STS, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Arcadia, Saturn Outlook, and Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid.

Additionally, GM topped the IEEE’s Patent Scorecard, which measures the depth and breadth of patents filed in 2007.  The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) claims that this method of rating patents can act as a barometer to indicate which companies are driving technological innovation.  GM’s 544 patents carried a top, adjusted pipeline power score of 839, which indicates GM’s very strong patent power.

However, with the recent blockage of the auto industry bailout in the Senate, are these awards merely back-handed compliments for these two failing companies?

Should Green Technology Play a Role in Big 3 Bailout?

The eyes of the U.S. auto industry are again set on Washington this week, as Congress decides the fate of GM, Chrysler, and Ford.  When the CEO’s of each company visited the Capitol a couple weeks ago, the nation saw all three fly their private jets back to Detroit empty-handed.  But this time, some are wondering if Congress should consider the green, fuel-efficient patents these companies possess, before deciding on a bailout.

In an editorial of today’s Detroit News, James Malackowski wrote that “much of the privately funded green and energy innovation in the United States will stall or likely never come to fruition if the domestic automobile industry fails.”  Malackowski is President and CEO of Ocean Tomo LLC, which specializes in intellectual property and financial products.  Therefore, patents with such potential – such as green technology – are nothing new to him.  He goes on to say that the importance the “Big 3″ is clarified when the following is considered:

• GM has higher average quality and newer green technology and patents than the other 14 automakers combined.

• Ford and GM together hold approximately a third of all green technology patents and the related value.

• GM has 70 percent of the patents in the emerging technology category. This domestic share increases to 85 percent if Ford is added.

• Ford owns 30 percent of all patents with a similar related value measure in emission control innovation.

If green technology is to help our nation become energy independent, it may be wise for Congress to discuss the potential of the patents the Big 3 possess, before deciding on their fate.  Conversely, the Big 3 may want to focus most of their attention on green technology, and how its development can help our country and the world.