Abstract: A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting remote refueling events of a passenger vehicle, and for coordinating said remote refueling events with a fuel tank fill level prior to the remote refueling event, a loading state of a fuel vapor storage device, and current and predicted fuel tank pressure. In one example, an amount of fuel that can be added to the fuel tank without overwhelming a capacity of the fuel vapor storage device is increased responsive to scheduling the remote refueling event to take place at a time when the fuel tank is at a negative pressure, thus resulting in partial purge of the fuel vapor storage device prior to commencing refueling. In this way, environmentally friendly refueling events may be enabled, thus reducing the potential for undesired evaporative emissions during refueling events.

Abstract: A quick connect fitting for coupling a first component of an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle to a second component of the evaporative emissions system is provided. In one example, the quick connect fitting includes an indicator section that includes a color-changing material that changes color based on an extent of deformation of the color-changing material, where secure coupling of the first component to the second component is dependent on the extent of deformation. In this way, it may be readily determined as to whether a particular quick connect fitting is securely connected, which may improve engine operation, reduce undesired emissions, and reduce warranty rates.

Abstract: A computer comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to detect an occupant in a seat in a vehicle, the seat having a seat position in the vehicle, to receive a request for cargo loading of the vehicle at a specified loading location, to determine a vehicle orientation and path, including approaching the specified location oriented one of forward-facing and rear-facing, to stop the vehicle so that the seat position overlaps the loading location, and to operate the vehicle according to the orientation and path.

Abstract: A quick connect fitting for coupling a first component of an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle to a second component of the evaporative emissions system is provided. In one example, the quick connect fitting includes an indicator section that includes a color-changing material that changes color based on an extent of deformation of the color-changing material, where secure coupling of the first component to the second component is dependent on the extent of deformation. In this way, it may be readily determined as to whether a particular quick connect fitting is securely connected, which may improve engine operation, reduce undesired emissions, and reduce warranty rates.

Abstract: A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

Abstract: A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting tests for undesired evaporative emissions on a vehicle fuel system and evaporative emissions system. In one example, a method may include learning routes commonly traveled by the vehicle, including altitude changes and stop durations, and may further include diagnosing the fuel system and evaporative emissions system based on the learned altitude changes in one example, and may include diagnosing the fuel system and evaporative emissions system based on a learned stop duration in another example. By conducting tests for undesired evaporative emissions as a function of learned travel routes, completion rates for tests for undesired evaporative emissions tests may be increased, and the release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere may be reduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for on-demand fuel delivery are disclosed herein. An example method includes predicting, by executing an instruction with a processor, a vehicle usage event for a vehicle. The predicted vehicle usage event is associated with a fuel amount. The example method includes comparing a fuel level of the vehicle and the fuel amount. The example method includes automatically generating, via the processor, a refuel request for the vehicle based on the comparison and transmitting the refuel request to a mobile device. The refuel request is to be viewable via a user interface at the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a diagnostic routine of the fuel vapor system using pressure generated by raising or lowering a vehicle body element such as a hood or a trunk. In one example, by utilizing lift gate cylinders coupled to the hood or trunk, during raising a hood or trunk, the fuel vapor system may be evacuated and during lowering the hood or trunk, the fuel vapor system may be pressurized. A change in vacuum or higher pressure in the fuel vapor system may be monitored over a time period to detect any undesirable evaporative emissions from the fuel vapor system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting tests for undesired evaporative emissions on a vehicle fuel system and evaporative emissions system. In one example, a method may include learning routes commonly traveled by the vehicle, including altitude changes and stop durations, and may further include diagnosing the fuel system and evaporative emissions system based on the learned altitude changes in one example, and may include diagnosing the fuel system and evaporative emissions system based on a learned stop duration in another example. By conducting tests for undesired evaporative emissions as a function of learned travel routes, completion rates for tests for undesired evaporative emissions tests may be increased, and the release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere may be reduced.

Abstract: A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a latchable refueling valve designed to reduce noise associated with opening and closing the valve. In one example, a system may include a valve armature with first and second latch indices formed on an outer diameter of the armature. The latch indices may be rounded and configured to engage with a latch guide to enable rotation between the armature and the latch guide.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting remote refueling events of a passenger vehicle, and for coordinating said remote refueling events with a fuel tank fill level prior to the remote refueling event, a loading state of a fuel vapor storage device, and current and predicted fuel tank pressure. In one example, an amount of fuel that can be added to the fuel tank without overwhelming a capacity of the fuel vapor storage device is increased responsive to scheduling the remote refueling event to take place at a time when the fuel tank is at a negative pressure, thus resulting in partial purge of the fuel vapor storage device prior to commencing refueling. In this way, environmentally friendly refueling events may be enabled, thus reducing the potential for undesired evaporative emissions during refueling events.

Abstract: A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

Abstract: A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a diagnostic routine of the fuel vapor system using pressure generated by raising or lowering a vehicle body element such as a hood or a trunk. In one example, by utilizing lift gate cylinders coupled to the hood or trunk, during raising a hood or trunk, the fuel vapor system may be evacuated and during lowering the hood or trunk, the fuel vapor system may be pressurized. A change in vacuum or higher pressure in the fuel vapor system may be monitored over a time period to detect any undesirable evaporative emissions from the fuel vapor system.

Abstract: A fuel system comprises a fuel tank including at least a top wall, a bottom wall, and one or more stanchions positioned within the fuel tank, each stanchion coupled to the top wall and the bottom wall. A strain gauge is positioned on the outside of the fuel tank, opposite an intersection of a stanchion and the top wall, such that degradation of the stanchion results in results in pressure-dependent deformation of the fuel tank that is registered by the strain gauge. In this way, degradation of deformable fuel tanks, such as polymeric fuel tanks, may be diagnosed and indicated.

Abstract: An injection molding system and method of operating the system are disclosed. The system may include a hopper, a barrel configured to receive injection material from the hopper, a screw disposed within the barrel, and a mold defining a mold cavity configured to receive the injection material from the barrel. A pressure-balancing conduit may connect the mold cavity and a rear end of the barrel and be configured to allow air to flow from the mold cavity to the rear end of the barrel. A mold valve may be disposed between the pressure-balancing conduit and the mold cavity and a barrel valve may be disposed between the pressure-balancing conduit and the rear end of the barrel. The method may include opening the mold valve and injecting a material into the mold cavity from the barrel.

Abstract: A fuel system comprises a fuel tank including at least a top wall, a bottom wall, and one or more stanchions positioned within the fuel tank, each stanchion coupled to the top wall and the bottom wall. A strain gauge is positioned on the outside of the fuel tank, opposite an intersection of a stanchion and the top wall, such that degradation of the stanchion results in results in pressure-dependent deformation of the fuel tank that is registered by the strain gauge. In this way, degradation of deformable fuel tanks, such as polymeric fuel tanks, may be diagnosed and indicated.