Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. A selected one of the hook elements or the loop material is formed from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material. The other one is formed of a material adapted to melt, flow or volatize at a defined temperature. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing an activation signal to the thermally and/or electrically conductive hook elements or loop material, causes the opposing material to melt, flow, soften, or volatize upon contact therewith.

Abstract: A releasable fastening system for retaining two surfaces at each other or disengaging the two surfaces from each other comprises a first electrode disposed at a first surface, a second electrode disposed at a second surface, and a polymer film disposed between the first and second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode, the polymer film, and the second electrode. A volume of the polymer film is controllably variable to cause the retention of the first surface at the second surface. A method of releasably fastening adjacently-positioned surfaces comprises disposing a first electrode at a first surface, disposing a second electrode at a second surface, and increasing the volume of an electrolyte disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode to cause the retention of the first surface at the second surface.

Abstract: Accelerated heating of automotive exhaust system components is effected by controlling the application of supplemental electrical loads to the vehicle electrical system thereby increasing engine load and increasing exhaust heat. Alternative strategies are disclosed for implementing the invention through control of electrical and engine management system parameters.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a movable roller finger follower operatively engaged with the engine valve, a rotatable cam, and an intermediate finger follower operatively engaged with the roller finger follower and the cam. The valve actuator assembly also includes at least one actuator operatively cooperating with the intermediate finger follower to position the intermediate finger follower in two directions relative to the cam to move the roller finger follower to position the engine valve at a desired lift and phasing.

Abstract: A material and method for adhering at least two materials that includes the step of interposing at least one intermediate layer between the two materials and associated adhesion material. The materials to be adhered exhibit at least one characteristic dissimilarity and the intermediate material interposed contains at least one shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy capable of exhibiting superelasticity.

Abstract: The invention capitalizes upon the absence of an engine compartment forward of the passenger compartment in the vehicle body and provides a frontal impact energy dissipation compartment forward of the passenger compartment. The frontal impact energy dissipation compartment is filled with an energy absorption structure, such as an aluminum honeycomb structure. Alternatively, a bulkhead member extends across the vehicle at the forward end of the passenger compartment to enhance structural integrity of the forward end of the vehicle. The bulkhead member may be integrated with air flow systems, cross-car structural support, safety airbags, slidable driver interface, speakers, etc.

Abstract: A self-contained die cushion assembly for use in a stretch-forming process involving heated tooling. A lower plate is mounted below an upper plate that undergoes different thermal expansion than the lower plate. Guidance devices are mounted between the upper and lower plates and include a guide post, a bearing sleeve circumscribing the guide post, and a cylinder circumscribing the bearing sleeve. The guide post is mounted in fixed relation to the upper plate, and the cylinder is mounted in laterally translatable relation to the lower plate to accommodate lateral relative displacement between the upper and lower plates due to different thermal expansion thereof, thereby preventing binding of the guidance devices.

Abstract: Low load operating point for a controlled auto-ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine is reduced without compromising combustion stability through a valve control operative to establish sub-atmospheric pressure conditions within the combustion chamber into which fuel and exhaust gases are introduced.

Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms and a fixed interconnection. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, and with the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A pick-and-place tool releasably retains a part during a pick-and-place operation by an automated device. The pick-and-place tool includes a front structure having a first bore disposed therein for receiving a shaft extending from the part. A plurality of locking mechanisms is disposed within the front structure. The plurality of locking mechanisms are evenly spaced around the inner surface and are in fluid communication with a common fluid source. Each locking mechanism in the plurality of locking mechanisms includes a bearing disposed proximate an aperture in the inner surface, and a piston in mechanical communication with the bearing. Movement of the piston in response to a fluid pressure at the common fluid source forces the bearing to extend through the aperture and retain the shaft within the first bore. In one aspect, a resilient member is disposed between the front structure and a tool holder coupled to the automated device.

Abstract: A method of partially oxidizing an alcohol to an aldehyde or ketone comprises contacting a gas containing the alcohol with a solid catalyst containing molybdenum, preferably in a +6 oxidation state, and having a surface area of 10 m2/g or higher, preferably 100 m2/g or higher. The molybdenum is supported on a high surface area carrier. The alcohol is a primary or secondary alcohol and preferably contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. In a preferred embodiment, the alcohol is ethanol. NOx emissions from an internal combustion engine can be lowered by combining the product of partial oxidation with the exhaust stream before passing the exhaust mixture through a lean NOx catalyst.

Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms and three fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: An accelerated vehicle development process includes establishing a common, standardized interface system whereby different types of vehicle bodies may be attached to a single chassis design. Chassis and bodies are designed, manufactured and validated independently of each other in accordance with the standardized interface system, thereby accelerating the development process. As new bodies are designed to mate with the previously manufactured and validated chassis, the newly designed bodies may be developed more quickly in response to market demand and attached to the previously validated chassis.

Abstract: A joint assembly for joining first and second tubular members. The first member has flanges extending from walls of an end segment. The walls of the end segment define a receiving opening. The second member has walls and a protrusion having sides extending from the walls to an end of the protrusion. When the members are joined the protrusion is received in the opening of the end segment so that the sides of the protrusion are in facing engagement with the walls of the end segment and the flanges engage the walls of the second member. The members are secured together at some of the engaging surfaces. The protrusion reduces stress on the flanges and increases the mechanical strength of the assembly.

Abstract: A layered switch assembly permits more than one electric circuit function to be obtained from each of a set of switches used to control electric circuit functions such as the operation or adjustment of seats, mirrors or other components in an automotive vehicle passenger compartment. A group of switches for operator control is embedded in an armrest, console, or the like. Overlying the discrete switches are two or more flexible sheet or membrane layers for selective activation of one or more of the switches. Illuminated indicia on each switch activation layer identify the underlying switch operation. The uppermost layer controls the electrical switch function unless that layer has been moved aside to expose the next lower switch function activation layer.

Abstract: An algorithm for selecting audio content including an audio database, a user preference learning routine, and an audio selection routine. The user preference learning routine is capable of explicitly learning by a manual entry made by the user concerning his/her favorite audio selections. The user preference learning routine is capable of implicitly learning by recording the selections made by the user through a preference input. The preference input queries the user whether he/she liked or disliked a particular audio selection. Initially, random selections are provided to the user. If the user does not like the audio selection it is skipped. If the user liked the selection it is recorded. As the user listens or doesn't listen to audio selections, a profile is developed that identifies the user's preferences. The audio selection routine chooses the next audio selection to be played for the user. There are at least two methods of making the audio selection.

Abstract: A seat belt status monitoring system for use with one or more seat belts of an automotive vehicle. The system includes a status monitor incorporated into the seat belt buckle and has a receiver and operator signaling device located in the instrument panel. The status monitor utilizes a piezoelectric element to generate an electrical signal that is fed to a transmitter to generate a wireless signal from the buckle. A mechanical sensing member is used to activate the piezoelectric element to generate its electrical signal by imparting a mechanical force on the piezoelectric during insertion and removal of the seat belt tongue from the buckle. A microswitch in the buckle is used by the transmitter to determine whether the seat belt is latched or unlatched, and this information is conveyed by the transmitted wireless signal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing variation in acceleration values obtained from a vehicle acceleration sensor for use in on-board computer based crash evaluation algorithm. Sources contributing to the variation are identified and a determination is made of the magnitude of the variation from each source to a selected multiple of a standard deviation, for example, 3 to 6 ?. The variation for each source is suitably combined to produce a database of acceleration-time history with the combined variations for use in calibrating and or validating a candidate crash algorithm.

Abstract: A control system for estimating the tongue length of a trailer being towed by a vehicle in connection with a front wheel steering with or without coordinated rear wheel steering associated with the vehicle. The control system employs an algorithm that calculates an estimated trailer yaw rate based on a corrected tongue length, a front wheel steering angle, a rear wheel steering angle, vehicle speed and a vehicle yaw rate. The estimated trailer yaw rate is compared to a measured trailer yaw rate to generate a yaw rate error that is converted to a tongue length error. The tongue length error is compared to the estimated tongue length to become a corrected estimated tongue length for a next computation period. After a few seconds of processing, the corrected estimated tongue length will be the actual tongue length of the trailer.

Abstract: A vehicle driver control input device includes a non-rotatable wheel having at least one track. First and second hand grips are movably engaged with the track so that the first and second hand grips are movable along the track to facilitate sending steering signals to a steer-by-wire system of a vehicle. At least one of the first and second hand grips has an accelerator demand input mechanism to facilitate sending acceleration signals to an energy conversion system of the vehicle. At least one of the first and second hand grips have a braking demand input mechanism to facilitate sending braking signals to a brake-by-wire system of the vehicle. Alternatively, the wheel and hand grips may rotate with respect to a support post to facilitate generating steering signals.