Abstract: An exhaust flow director and catalyst mount for an internal combustion engine includes a collector chamber with an outlet flange adapted for direct connection with an exhaust treatment catalyst. A number of transitional guide vanes located within the collector chamber direct exhaust gases flowing from runners into the collector chamber. The runners attaching exhaust flanges and the outlet flange of the present device are substantially coplanar.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) manages engine operation in the event of an engine cooling system malfunction by operating the engine with fewer than the total number of engine cylinders, while extracting power, particularly during transient operation, from not only the engine, but also the vehicle's traction motor and battery.

Abstract: A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical valve housing and a spherical segment valve disc mounted within the valve housing. The spherical segment valve disc seals with the valve housing without the need for abutting interference between the valve disc or throttle plate and the valve housing.

Abstract: A bearing for an automotive engine includes a base having a first bearing segment formed therein, and a bearing cap removably mounted to the base, with the bearing cap including fastener towers in contact with the base. A second bearing segment extends between the fastener towers. A number of non-contact stiffening ribs extend parallel to the fastener towers. The stiffening ribs are attached to outboard portions of the fastener towers. The stiffening ribs cause the bearing cap to avoid excessive flexing and distortion, while at the same time avoiding fretting corrosion which would occur were the clamp loads of the cap to the base be reduced by materially increasing the size of the fastener towers.

Abstract: A fuel filler system for an automotive vehicle includes a filler pipe connected with a fuel tank and an interceptor mounted about an open end of the filler pipe, with the interceptor and filler pipe defining a generally annular contaminant collector having a drain extending from the collector. A filler cap closes both the open end of the filler pipe and the open end of the interceptor, so as to prevent ambient contamination from entering either the contaminant collector or the filler pipe. Removal of the filler cap from the filler pipe first causes venting of the fuel tank into the collector before a sealing condition between the filler cap and the interceptor is released.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a carrier base having a lower portion configured as a crankcase and an upper portion having a number of upwardly directed assembly provisions such as a crankshaft bay and at least one cylinder deck, with the crankshaft bay and cylinder deck being arranged so that the engine may be assembled from a position above the engine, without the necessity of attaching connecting rods or crankshaft main bearing bolts from underneath the engine.

Abstract: A weatherstrip for the outer belt of a an automotive door includes a controllably compliant sealing element configured with tip-conjoined leaves which afford controllable, selectively discontinuous compliance along not only the distance from the roots to the tip of the leaves, but also along the length of the sealing element.

Abstract: A multicylinder internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block, a cylinder head and a gasket mounted between the cylinder block and cylinder head. A coolant passage extends through the cylinder block and laterally along an uppermost portion of a shared cylinder wall extending between adjacent engine cylinders. The laterally extending cooling passage is defined at least in part by a passage formed in the cylinder head gasket.

Abstract: A system for providing regenerative and friction braking in a vehicle includes a brake controller for determining a desired rate of deceleration from sensor outputs which are responsive to inputs from an operator of a vehicle and a regenerative braking system operatively connected with the brake controller. A brake monitor receives the sensor inputs from the operator of the vehicle and determines an audit range of deceleration for the vehicle. If the audit range of deceleration of the vehicle is not subsequently sensed, the vehicle's driver will be alerted.

Abstract: A sealing and lubrication system includes first and second machine components with a combination sealing and lubrication directing gasket mounted between the first and second machine components. The gasket includes a sealing portion extending between the components and a nozzle portion which is operatively connected with the sealing portion as well as with a lubrication supply passage. The nozzle portion extends from the sealing portion of the gasket to a region external to the first machine component and the second machine component. The nozzle provides lubricating oil to at least one moving part of a third machine component.

Abstract: A lubricating oil supply system for internal combustion engine includes an oil reservoir and oil pump connected with a lubrication distribution network including a pressure controller which selectively controls the pressure within the distribution network to at least one pressure value that is less than the maximum pressure produced by a pressure relief valve associated with the oil pump.

Abstract: A supplemental impact protection system for an automotive vehicle includes an external energy management structure having a first position for normal vehicle operation and a second position for deployment during an impact event. A mounting system allows selective positioning of the energy management structure in either the first or second position, as determined by a controller which assesses an impact potential of the vehicle and operates the mounting system to move the energy management structure to the second, or deployed, position in the event that the assessed impact potential satisfies a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A traction control method is provided for dynamically maintaining safe driving traction between a tire (12) and a driving surface in a decelerating motor vehicle (10) through a modulated braking device (18, 24). The method monitors the acceleration response of a tire (12) to a torque change induced by modulation of a braking device (18, 24). Observation of the acceleration profile over time is used to determine whether additional braking torque or pressure can be applied without causing the tire (12) to slip. A Traction Reserve value is computed through observing the acceleration trend of the tire (12) over time after a single change in torque, whether that change is accomplished as an increase or a decrease.

Abstract: An intake system for an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head and an intake manifold attached to the cylinder head. A labyrinth seal is interposed between the intake manifold and the cylinder head, with the labyrinth seal including a projection formed in one of the intake manifold and cylinder head, and a mating receptacle formed in the other of the intake manifold and a cylinder head.

Abstract: A roll restrictor system for an automotive powertrain includes a first mounting pad located upon a powertrain component and a mounting bracket having an integral bushing post, with the mounting bracket being attached to the first mounting pad. A control link has a first bushing engaged with the integral bushing post portion of the mounting bracket, and a second bushing engaged with a vehicular structural member.

Abstract: An active knee bolster for an automotive vehicle has a base which is attached to a supporting structure, such as a glove box. The base has an outer periphery and an inner field containing a number of frangible attachment tabs. A combination inflatable bladder and cover is attached to the frangible attachment tabs such that the tabs tear partially free, and effectively become hinged from, the base when the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: A lubricating oil supply system for internal combustion engine includes an oil reservoir and oil pump connected with a lubrication distribution network including a piloted pressure relief valve which selectively controls the pressure within the distribution network to at least one pressure value that is less than the maximum pressure produced by a primary pressure relief valve associated with the oil pump, while also protecting the lubrication distribution network from an unwanted overpressure condition.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and first and second balance shafts which are gear driven from one to the other, as a unilateral tensioning system applied to a flexible drive extending between the engine's crankshaft and a first one of the balance shafts, with the unilateral tensioning system being applied to the tension side alone of the flexible and inextensible drive element.

Abstract: The bearing system for an automotive engine includes a first bearing support structure formed in a cylinder block bulkhead and having a first bearing insert. A second bearing support structure is removably mounted to the first bearing support structure and contains a second bearing insert. A lubrication channel formed in an inside diameter of the first bearing insert and an inside diameter of the second bearing insert extends along a portion of the first bearing insert from a smaller bearing clearance position offset from a first bearing parting line and into a smaller bearing clearance portion of the second bearing insert extending past a second bearing parting line. The lubrication channel provides an improved flow of oil to a drilled passage formed in a shaft, such as a crankshaft, to feed oil to various bearings, such as connecting rod bearings, while reducing oil leakage from such a bearing system.

Abstract: A fuel filler closure device for an automotive vehicle includes a valve body adapted for mounting to a fuel filler pipe and having a filler passage. An access door mounted within the valve body has an open position allowing placement of a fuel nozzle within the filler passage and a closed position for blocking insertion of a filler nozzle. The locking mechanism selectively permits the access door to move from the closed position to the open position. The locking mechanism may include either a manual locking device, or an electronic or other type of remote lock which will be responsive to a vehicle condition.