Abstract: A clam-shell bracket for defining a mounting flange on a structural member, such as a hydroformed vehicle cross-member or frame rail, includes a lower body featuring an integrated locating feature with which to preposition the bracket on the structural member, and permanently-attached male threaded fasteners with which to thereafter secure the bracket to the structural member. The bracket further includes a hinged upper body having slotted bolt holes through which the lower body's fasteners may freely pass as the upper body is pivoted into the assembled position, thereby reducing the time required for bracket installation. The use of fasteners on the both the hinged end and opposite end of the lower clamp body provides an improved clamping force about the structural member, while the improved clamping force cooperates with the mating locating features of the bracket and the structural member to improve the lateral applied load transfer therebetween.

Abstract: A tow hook assembly that includes a mount bracket, a tow hook having a towing end and a mounting end extending axially along a towing direction and through the mount bracket, a support bracket positioned proximal to the towing end of the tow hook and configured to support the towing end of the tow hook, and a fastener attached to the mounting end of the tow hook. The tow hook assembly is attached between the frame rail and impact beam of a motor vehicle such that the motor vehicle may be towed by the tow hook assembly and such that the tow hook assembly will break away from the motor vehicle upon application of a force which is less than a force required to activate an airbag.

Abstract: A shifter assembly may include a shift lever, an actuation member, a coupling, a first cable and a second cable. The shift lever may be connected to a housing for pivotable motion relative to the housing. The actuation member may be connected to the shift lever and may be movable relative thereto between a first position and a second position. The coupling may be connected to the shift lever and may include first and second members slidably engaging each other. The first cable may have a first end connected to the second member and a second end that can be coupled to a reverse lockout mechanism. The second cable may be connected to the actuation member and the second member of the coupling such that movement of the actuation member relative to the shift lever causes corresponding motion of the second member relative to the shift lever.

Abstract: A Front End Module (FEM) assembly and associated assembly method with a rail system to enable efficient assembly, tighter clearances between the front end module assembly and the vehicle, and time and cost savings. The present disclosure provides a FEM assembly including grilles and headlamps and a rail system enabling the FEM to be assembled on a vehicle. Advantageously, the present disclosure allows the FEM to pass between fenders on the vehicle with a very tight clearance condition. The rail system included in the present disclosure allows the FEM to be assembled efficiently while protecting grilles and headlamps from being damaged by fenders and protecting the fenders from damage from the FEM.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of a seat assembly for a motor vehicle a seat back pivots about a hip axis, a seat bottom pivots about a knee axis, and at least one seat bottom leg is pivots about an ankle axis, so that the seat back folds down against the seat bottom and the seat bottom kneels on the floor to at least partially define a seating load floor. According to another embodiment, a seat bottom and a seat back are articulatable in a forward direction to fold the seat bottom and back down toward a floor of the vehicle to at least partially define a seating load floor.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a motor vehicle having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. The cover assembly includes a track formed in each sidewall and a panel. A first leg of each track is arranged substantially orthogonal to a floor of the vehicle and a second leg of each track is positioned above the floor and extends from the first leg. The panel is movably coupled to the tracks.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a hinge member joined to a vehicle door. A cam member is disposed about a portion of the hinge member, and the cam member has a protrusion. A casing is joined to a body portion of the vehicle, and the casing has an aperture along an axis. The aperture is configured to receive a portion of the cam member therein, and the casing has a slot including a first detent configured so the protrusion of the cam member moves along the slot. A biasing member urges the cam member in a direction to move the door to a closed position. When the door is rotated to an open position, the protrusion moves along the slot to an engaged position with the first detent such that the door is maintained in the open position until the door is moved to disengage the protrusion from the first detent.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with three forward Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes, one reverse EVT mode, and five fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, three selectively engageable clutches, and two selectively engageable brakes. The clutches and brakes are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the five fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. Additionally, the present disclosure includes a front E-motor designed allowing scalable E-motors and a modular transmission design and a center E-motor design.

Abstract: A multi-cell battery in which a plurality of electrochemical cells are disposed in a battery case. The battery case includes one or more partitions which divide the interior of the case into a plurality of cell compartments that house the electrochemical cells. The battery case includes at least one gas channel have a tortuous pathway designed to trap electrolyte which may escape from the cell compartments. A unique battery terminal may be molded into the battery case.

Abstract: Certain modifications and additions to the prior art short passivation technique have lead to improvements in the low light voltage of solar cells which are made using the improved passivation technique. Examples of the modifications include: 1) reducing the voltage bias on the cell while increasing the time of application of the voltage; 2) reversing the polarity of the voltage bias on the devices; 3) alternating pulsing between forward and reverse polarity bias; or 4) applying light energy simultaneously with an electrical bias voltage.

Abstract: An induction heating system for the manufacturing of optical memory microstructure, wherein the thermal cycle allows the process web to be rapidly heated to the relaxation and re-flow temperature, followed by cooling to the optimum separation temperature in under 10 seconds total process time. The rapid response heating system of the present invention may be achieved through the use of one or rotating asymmetrical induction heating coils which are embedded in the platen(s) of the embossing device.

Abstract: An optical data storage and retrieval system that includes a phase change storage medium and dual energy sources. The phase change material may store information by undergoing a transformation from one structural state to another structural state through application of energy. The system is equipped with two energy sources, neither of which alone provides sufficient energy to effect the transformation. The combination of both energy sources, however, provides sufficient energy to induce the transformation needed to record information. The energy from either source may be optical, thermal, electromagnetic, mechanical or magnetic energy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for mounting a flexible material, such as a web of photovoltaic material, onto a surface, such as a roof. The system and method comprises providing a first and a second elongated web of flexible material and disposing the first and second webs on the surface in a longitudinally aligned relationship with one another, wherein a first edge of said first web abuts a first edge of said second web to form a longitudinal engagement point to produce a substantially triangular shape. At least one clamping strip is secured onto the longitudinal engagement point, wherein the clamping strip(s) is adapted to secure the longitudinal engagement point in a stable position for the length of the web. At least one batten cap is clamped onto the clamping strip(s), wherein the batten cap(s) is adapted to secure the clamping strips.

Abstract: A monoblock battery case and a monoblock battery. The monoblock battery case comprises a first and a second container each having partitions that divide the containers into cell compartments. The first container is attached to and co-operates with the second container to form one or more coolant channels disposed between the first and second containers.