Abstract: A secondary air system comprising a variable speed air pump and a gated check valve connected between the variable speed air pump and an IC engine. The gated check valve has two ports, and generally, a first of the two ports is connected to a first bank of engine cylinders, and a second of the two ports is connected to a second bank of engine cylinders. The system further comprises a controller for controlling the speed of the variable speed air pump, and the positioning of the gated check valve. The gated check valve is operable to fully close air flow to both ports, fully open air flow to one of the two ports, or variably split air flow between the two ports.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body that supports an electrical line that is electrically connected to a power source and that terminates at a first terminal. The vehicle also includes a window member with an electrical device supported thereon. A second terminal of the electrical device is supported on the window assembly, and the window member is moveable relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle further includes a passive electrical connector with a plunger that moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The passive electrical connector also includes a biasing member that biases the plunger toward the extended position. The passive electrical connector electrically connects the first and second terminals when the window member is in a first position. The plunger is biased toward the extended position when the window member is in the second position to electrically disconnect the first and second terminals.

Abstract: A method for preparing an internal combustion (IC) engine component of a hybrid automotive powertrain for shutdown so as to enable clean restart is disclosed herein. The method includes determining if the IC engine is about to enter a shutdown mode. The method includes determining a number of engine run cycles to fill an intake manifold of the IC engine with clean air, if it is determined the IC engine is about to enter the shutdown mode. The method includes running the IC engine for the determined number of cycles to fill the intake manifold of the IC engine with clean air before shutting the IC engine down.

Abstract: An electrical contactor for use in a high voltage bus utilizes two capacitor plates and a dielectric element movable in a gap between the plates under a charging voltage applied to the plates. The dielectric element is biased to a contactor off, or open, position by a biasing element, such as a spring. Once activated, the contactor remains closed under the influence of the charging voltage across the capacitor plates, yet does not draw a current during this state. The contactor may be released by a controllable discharge circuit placed across the capacitor plates.

Abstract: An adjustment device may include a conduit-adjustment mechanism and a cable-adjustment mechanism. The conduit-adjustment mechanism may be connected to first and second conduit segments and may be movable to adjust a position of one of the first and second conduit segments relative to the other of the first and second conduit segments. The cable-adjustment mechanism may be connected to first and second cable segments at least partially received within the first and second conduit segments, respectively. The cable-adjustment mechanism may be configured to transmit motion between the first and second cable segments. The cable-adjustment mechanism may be movable independently of the conduit-adjustment mechanism to adjust a position of one of the first and second cable segments relative to the other of the first and second cable segments.

Abstract: A stowable seat can include a seat back having an upper end, an opposite lower end and a seating side, a seat bottom having a forward end, a rearward end and a seating side, and a linkage arrangement. The linkage arrangement can include a first member pivotably coupled to the seat bottom and a vehicle support structure, a second member pivotably coupled to the seat bottom and the support structure, a third member fixed to the seat back and pivotably coupled to the support structure, and a fourth member pivotably coupled to the second member and the third member. The linkage arrangement can facilitate suspending the seat bottom in a seating position from the support structure in spaced relation to the floor; rotating the seat bottom to a stadium position; and rotating the seat back and articulating the seat bottom to a stowed position.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes a transmission operative to transfer power between a plurality of power actuators and an output member, and an energy storage device. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes establishing a first set of electric power limits and a second set of electric power limits for the energy storage device, determining a preferred input power from a first power actuator based upon the first set of electric power limits, determining a first set of power constraints for constraining input power from the first power actuator and a second set of power constraints for constraining output power from the output member based upon a second set of electric power limits, and controlling operation of the powertrain system based upon the preferred input power, the first set of power constraints, and the second set of power constraints.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling first and second electric motors of a vehicle having an electrically variable transmission during an engine start/stop operation. The system and method determine a type of shift being performed, determine if a first clutch is being applied or released during the shift, determine if a second clutch is being applied or released during the shift, determine an acceleration limit based on the shift being performed and which clutch is being applied and/or released, determine acceleration and speed profiles based on the shift being performed, which clutch is being applied and/or released and the acceleration limit, determine a first electric motor torque and a second electric motor torque based on the acceleration and speed profiles, and set the torques of the first and second electric motors to the determined first and second electric motor torques.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle including a first gear, and a second gear joined to a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The second gear engages the first gear. A bearing is disposed over the shaft distal the second gear. A housing is disposed about at least a portion of the shaft. The housing includes a first lubricant pathway spaced apart from a second lubricant pathway, wherein the first lubricant pathway routes lubricant towards the bearing and the second lubricant pathway routes lubricant away from the bearing. The first and second lubricant pathways are not in a position coplanar with a plane of rotation of the first gear.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle at a driver selected target speed. The system and method configured to identify a target speed based on a position of a gear shift selector and control engine torque and brake pressure to control the vehicle to operate at the target speed. The system and method is further provides manipulating the engine torque and brake pressure of the vehicle in response to a driver's throttle and brake commands to operate at a speed desired by the driver.

Abstract: A method for testing the evaporative emission system of a vehicle. The method provides for testing the evaporative emission system of a vehicle having a forced induction engine. The method includes controlling a vacuum bypass valve and a purge flow control valve to create the necessary conditions to perform the testing of the evaporative emission system.

Abstract: A hybrid assembly having a single input and a single output is provided. The hybrid assembly may be operated in electronically variable, fixed gear, direct gear, and locked modes.

Abstract: A pendulum absorber assembly for a torque converter including a first spring retainer, a second spring retainer, and a floating flange positioned between the first spring retainer and the second spring retainer. The pendulum absorber assembly also includes a drive plate affixed to the floating flange, a plurality of arcuate springs disposed between the second spring retainer and the drive plate, and a plurality of pendulum weights affixed to the second spring retainer, wherein at least one of the pendulum weights is made of tungsten alloy.

Abstract: An injector relay diagnostic system is provided. The system comprises a first fuel injector, a first electrical relay disposed between an electrical potential and the first fuel injector, wherein the first electrical relay is configured to connect the first fuel injector to the electrical potential upon receipt of a first control signal, and a control module configured to transmit the first control signal to the first electrical relay, receive an output from the first fuel injector, and determine a state of the first electrical relay by comparing the output from the first fuel injector to a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block, a cylinder head and a cylinder head cover module attached to the cylinder head. The cylinder head cover module includes passageways and a plurality of receiving features for valve train components. A housing may be integrally formed with the cylinder head cover module. The cylinder head cover module may include components of a non-integrated valve control system and may be used in either an inline or a V-shaped engine.

Abstract: A method and electrical system for detecting and compensating for a failure in a starter circuit that comprises first and second relays in a circuit path to a starter motor of a vehicle. The method and system determine if at least one of the first or second relays is in a closed position when it should be in an open position and disables a vehicle starter operation if it is determined that at least one of the first or second relays is in the closed position when it should be in the open position. The vehicle starter operation could be a stop-start operation of the engine.

Abstract: A system mitigates shimmy of a wheel of a vehicle. The wheel is rotatable about an axis and is steerable by varying a steering angle of the wheel about a steering axis. The system includes a shimmy detection device that detects whether an oscillation/shimmy of the steering angle of the wheel occurs. The system also includes a brake that applies a braking load to decelerate rotation of the wheel about the axis. Furthermore, the system includes a controller that controls the brake to selectively apply the braking load to reduce the oscillation/shimmy of the steering angle of the wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle window assembly includes a cap that includes a rooftop section, which extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle, and a side wall that extends from the rooftop section generally in a normal direction. The side wall includes an opening. The window assembly also includes a rigid window that includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. Moreover, the window assembly includes a pivot coupling that pivotally connects the window to the cap for rotational movement between a closed position and an open position. The window covers the opening and the interior surface is operable to face the vehicle passenger compartment when the window is in the closed position. The window overlaps the rooftop section and the exterior surface faces the rooftop section when in the open position.

Abstract: An indicator, system and method of indicating electric drive usability in a hybrid electric vehicle. A tachometer is used that includes a display having an all-electric drive portion and a hybrid drive portion. The all-electric drive portion and the hybrid drive portion share a first boundary which indicates a minimum electric drive usability and a beginning of hybrid drive operation of the vehicle. The indicated level of electric drive usability is derived from at least one of a percent battery discharge, a percent maximum torque provided by the electric drive, and a percent electric drive to hybrid drive operating cost for the hybrid electric vehicle.