Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: A control system and method for balancing output and exhaust emission values of the various cylinders of an engine having individual cylinder fuel delivery control. Selected output and emission related values for one cylinder, selected as a base cylinder, are compared to the same values for the other cylinders, and fuel injection quantity and timing (or another combustion phasing variable) are adjusted in the other cylinders to output and emission values of the base cylinder. The adjustments are weighted based on the degree to which changes in both the injection quantity and timing (or other variable) influence changes in both the output and emission values as determined from the sensed readings of pressure sensors in each of the cylinders.

Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and four or five selectable torque-transfer devices (two clutches and two or three brakes). The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in combinations of two to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and four or five selectable torque-transfer devices (two clutches and two or three brakes). The four or five selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in combinations of two to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

Abstract: An AFS control system that combines and weights yaw rate feedback and side-slip rate feedback to provide increased vehicle stability enhancement control. The AFS system includes a yaw rate sub-system that generates a desired yaw rate signal. The AFS system also includes a side-slip rate sub-system that generates a desired side-slip rate feedback signal. The AFS system further includes a side-slip rate feedback sub-system that generates a side-slip rate feedback signal. The AFS system also includes a yaw rate feedback sub-system that generates a yaw rate feedback signal. The yaw rate feedback signal and the side-slip rate feedback signal are integrated in a control integration sub-system that generates a stability enhancement control signal. The control integration sub-system determines whether the vehicle is in an oversteer or understeer condition, and weights the desired yaw rate feedback signal accordingly based on the vehicle condition.

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 interconnecting members. The powertrain includes an engine that is selectively connectable 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, the input shaft 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: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first and second differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and four or five selectable torque-transfer devices. The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in combinations of two to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and three mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composite formed of a mesoporous scaffolding material and a hydrogen storage composition comprising precursors that react to form quarternary B—H—Li—N composition. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for forming hydrogen storage material. In each aspect, a high portion of hydrogen is released as hydrogen gas and a lesser portion of hydrogen is released as a hydrogen-containing byproduct.

Abstract: The present invention uses a two-step anodizing process to produce a colored anodized coating on the surface of an aluminum part. In accordance with this invention, a thin hard anodized coating layer is first formed on the surface of the aluminum part and then growing a softer a clear anodized coating layer on the surface of the aluminum part underneath the hard coat layer. The soft coat is essentially colorless and suitable for color finishing. This invention drastically improves the wear resistance of the aluminum part while maintaining a desired amount of clarity for effective electrolytic coloring.

Abstract: Work hardened sheets of formable metal are annealed by thermal conduction and heated to a forming temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet is placed on a flat surface of a heated lower platen to partially heat and soften the sheet and an opposing heated upper platen is brought close enough to the sheet to contribute heat but not to constrain the sheet as it expands. The platens are then both brought close to the sheet to heat it to its forming temperature largely by thermal conduction.

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 four interconnecting members. The powertrain includes an engine that is selectively connectable 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, the input shaft 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 engine valve actuator assembly is provided that includes a movable roller finger follower operatively engaged with a displaceable engine valve. A rotatable camshaft with a plurality of different cam lobes having different profiles rotates about the roller finger follower. A plurality of intermediate finger followers contact different ones of the cam lobes and pivot about a common axis. One of the intermediate finger followers is in continuous contact with the roller finger follower. One or more additional intermediate finger followers are separately selectively engageable for common pivoting with the intermediate finger follower that remains in continuous contact with the roller finger follower, thereby varying displacement of the engine valve depending upon the various cam profiles.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for analyzing foam decomposition in gap mode during mold filling in lost foam casting, the casting process in gap mode characterized by a bubble flux and the mold filling having a mold filling speed. The method includes providing a plurality of values for casting process parameters as variables in a plurality of predetermined equations, simultaneously solving the plurality of predetermined equations including the parameter values, calculating a flux value for the bubble flux, a gap value for the gap width, and a speed value for the mold filling speed, and determining whether to adjust at least one of the parameter values based on at least one result for the bubble flux, mold filling speed, or gap width.

Abstract: A hot forming tool is heated with multiple electrical resistance cartridge heaters. The heaters are located in the body of the tool so as to maintain the entire forming surface within a predetermined temperature range. Numerical thermal and optimization analyses direct the placement of the heaters so that when each heating element is simultaneously powered on for an identical fraction of the time, an acceptable temperature distribution will be produced within the tool at the tool operating temperature.

Abstract: An energy absorbing knee bolster for use in an interior of a vehicle is disclosed. An energy absorbing support structure is configured to support an instrument panel within a vehicle. The energy absorbing structure has a deployable tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant impact energy and an impact plate coupled to the tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant energy. An energy absorbing locking mechanism is disposed between the impact plate and the support structure. The locking mechanism is configured to encourage the collapse of the tubular means for absorbing energy in a telescopic fashion.

Abstract: A permanent magnet chuck for holding or lifting workpieces is formed of two overlying/underlying flat surfaced chuck layers having a common center of rotation. In each chuck layer an even number of permanent magnet plates radiate from the center of rotation at equal angles with blocks of magnetically soft material between them. The permanent magnet plates are magnetized so that the interposed soft magnet blocks exhibit alternating N-S magnetic polarities. The organization of the permanent magnet plates and soft magnet bodies is matching and complementary so that relative rotation of the chuck layers magnetically activates or de-activates the chuck.

Abstract: Apparatus for hot gas blow-forming including opposed heated and insulated tool containers, each including a tool heater plate that is adapted for attachment to a platen of a press with one or more load bearing spacers interposed between the tool heater plate and the platen. Each tool container also includes an insulation enclosure having a base portion that is interposed between the tool heater plate and the platen and further having perimeter wall portion that surrounds the tool heater plate. A perimeter seal is preferably attached to at least one of the heated and insulated tool containers and is adapted for sealing engagement with the other of the heated and insulated tool containers.

Abstract: An integrally designed roof rack and roof panel attached to a vehicle may be formed using quick plastic forming (QPF) and superplastic forming processing (SPF). A number of vehicle accessories such as luggage containers, fuel tanks, consoles, door attachments, truck beds and table trays may be formed using QPF processes. The items may be installed and movable onto and off the vehicle. A variety of QPF processes may be employed, enabling the vehicle accessory to meet required strength, dimensional, and shape considerations. Additionally, component integration is enabled by using QPF processes.

Abstract: A vehicle-trailer back-up control system that employs an active front steer sub-system. The system includes a smart hitch controller that receives a vehicle speed signal and a hand-wheel angle signal, and calculates a hitch angle command signal. The system further includes a hitch angle sensor that measures the hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer that is compared to the hitch angle command signal to generate a hitch angle error signal. A PID control unit receives the hitch angle error signal, and generates a corrected road wheel angle signal based on proportional and derivative gains. The corrected road wheel angle signal is used to generate a motor angle signal that is applied to a steering actuator to be combined with the steering angle signal to generate the front wheel steering signal during a back-up maneuver.

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 two interconnecting members. The powertrain includes an engine that is selectively connectable 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, the input shaft 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.