Abstract: Part 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 low pressure conditions within the combustion chamber into which fuel and exhaust gases are introduced. Combustion chamber pressures during the intake cycle are controlled lower as engine load decreases. Combusted gases are recirculated into the combustion chamber through a variety of internal and external recirculation mechanizations. A split-injection fuel control is implemented during low part load operation whereas a single-injection fuel control is implemented during intermediate and high part load operation. Split-injections are characterized by lean fuel/air ratios and single-injections are characterized by either lean or stoichiometric fuel/air ratios. Controlled autoignition is thereby enabled through an extended range of engine loads while maintaining acceptable combustion stability and emissions.

Abstract: A lean NOx trap operating in a lean NOx exhaust stream is progressively regenerated, sector to sector, for efficient operation of the trap and conservation of reducing gas used in the regeneration. A reductant gas distributor is inserted in the exhaust upstream of the trap. Reductant gas is carried into the exhaust duct through a conduit portion and the reductant gas stream diverged and directed through a distributor into selected cells of the trap. The NOx in the selected cells is reduced to N2 while lean NOx exhaust continues to flow through the remainder of the trap. By relative movement of the reductant gas distributor and the trap, the entire trap is progressively and continually regenerated while still preforming as a NOx trap.

Abstract: A method of improving weld quality between aluminum members by slowing the rate of solidification of a molten weld trough into solidified material. Upper and lower aluminum members are positioned together in contact between facing surfaces thereof to expose a first outer surface of the upper aluminum member to laser irradiation. A welding laser beam is moved in a path over the first outer surface, wherein the welding laser beam has an energy and width to progressively melt a trough of molten metal to a depth through the upper aluminum member and into the lower aluminum member. The molten metal in the trough has a void filled with gas, and the molten metal re-solidifies into re-solidified metal after the passage of the welding laser beam. An area in and around the trough is heated to slow the rate of solidification of the molten metal into the re-solidified metal, thereby preventing entrainment of the gas within the re-solidified metal.

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, two interconnecting members, and a grounded planetary gear member. 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 three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

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. A split-injection control operative to introduce a first fuel fraction into the combustion chamber during an intake stroke and a second fuel fraction into the combustion chamber during a compression event, in combination with the valve control, provides further reductions in low load operating points without compromising combustion stability.

Abstract: An image sensor comprising an integrated circuit chip that includes both a pixel array and edge detection circuitry hardwired together on the chip. The pixel array provides an addressable, non-destructive readout of the pixel data, with the edge detection circuit providing a hardwired implementation of a pair of n×n masks that are convolved with the pixel array data to thereby generate horizontal and vertical edge data that is combined together and outputted by the image sensor. The masks are implemented as a pair of one-dimensional filters, with one of the filters being a one-dimensional Gaussian filter used to smooth the pixel data along one axis and the other filter providing a first derivative Gaussian function to detect edges along the other, orthogonal axis.

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 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 three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A weld nugget between aluminum alloy parts is inoculated with a material in order to refine the grain structure of the weld and thereby improve its mechanical strength. The inoculate may be a Ti or Na based compound in the form of a paste, powder or film, which is applied to the sheets before welding. The inoculation promotes nucleation of desirable equiaxed grain within the molten weld nugget as the weld cools and solidifies.

Abstract: Composite articles are prepared by a spray up operation. In a first step, a gel coat is applied onto a mold surface. Next, a barrier coat is applied over the gel coat in the mold and thereafter a laminate formula is applied over the barrier coat. In a preferred embodiment, the multilayer composite has a thickness of about 15 mm or less, and is useful as an automobile body panel. The gel coat contains a curable polyester polyurethane acrylate resin, and the composite article has a surface that has high gloss and color retention after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: The conversion of NOx to nitrogen in the exhaust of a lean burn engine using a hydrocarbon assisted-selective catalytic reduction system is benefited by a two-stage oxidation catalyst-reduction catalyst SCR reactor. The character and quantity of the oxidation catalyst is managed to just activate the hydrocarbon reductant at low temperatures (but not fully burn it at high temperatures) to increase its NOx reduction efficiency as the exhaust then contacts the larger reduction catalyst stage of the two-stage reactor.

Abstract: An improved screen tooling for a fiber preforming process, and a durable coating system for such tooling. The coating system comprises a surface layer of a porcelain enamel composition that is generally a borosilicate glass, and preferable contains quartz, borax, boric oxide, potassium nitrate, sodium silicofluoride, and manganese dioxide, and optionally contains titanium dioxide, antimony oxide, cobalt oxide and/or barium oxide. Preferred compositions are dependent in part on the screen tooling material. The invention also encompasses a fiber preforming process that utilizes screen tooling with the coating system.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as a 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 the need for increased airflow through the radiator due to increases in engine coolant temperature. As such, the device improves vehicle fuel economy while maintaining proper engine cooling. 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: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as a 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 the need for increased airflow through the radiator due to increases in engine coolant temperature. As such, the device improves vehicle fuel economy while maintaining proper engine cooling. 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: This invention provides a method of assembling a modular internal combustion engine. The modular engine includes a cast crankcase having an open top and a closed bottom, a mid-plate, and an extruded cylinder bore block. A pre-assembled crankshaft with bearings, connecting rods, and pistons with piston rings are all placed through the open top crankcase. The mid-plate partially houses the assembled components over top the crankcase as the connecting rods and pistons extend through and above. Next, the piston rings are simultaneously compressed and the cylinder block is located over the pistons. The pistons with piston rings are inserted into cylinder bores through the bottom surface of the cylinder block and the assembly is completed. This method is performed with the help of a fixture for compressing and positioning the piston rings.

Abstract: A dual-band monopole antenna includes a ground plane. A metal plate is located a first distance from the ground plane and includes first and second portions connecting to form a first angle therebetween. A slot is formed in the metal plate that isolates a center portion of the metal plate. The dual-band monopole antenna communicates first radio frequency (RF) signals in a first RF band and second RF signals in a second RF band. A feed tab contacts an outer surface of the metal plate and is located the first distance from the ground plane. The first RF signals and the second RF signals are vertical polarized signals. The dual-band monopole antenna produces a radiation pattern that is omnidirectional in the azimuth plane and vertically polarized in a horizontal plane. The first RF band and the second RF band are independently tuned.

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, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises or incorporates a shape memory alloy fiber. 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 a thermal activation signal to the plurality of hook elements causes a change in shape orientation, flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof that effectively reduces the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement.

Abstract: A method for bending magnesium alloy tubes. The method includes heating the tube at moderate temperature in the range of about 100° C. to 200° C., and bending the tube to a bend angle or forming the tube to a desired shape.

Abstract: Front structure for a vehicle includes a unitary panel formed to define a vehicle cowl and a vehicle bulkhead. The vehicle cowl may form an air intake plenum. The unitary panel is configured to at least partially define a front compartment of the vehicle. An alternative unitary panel is formed to define a hood having inner and outer panel portions and, optionally, fenders. Another alternative unitary panel is formed to define a cowl, a bulkhead and a hood. The preferable method for forming the panels is quick plastic forming, superplastic forming or sheet hydroforming.

Abstract: A driver control input device includes a support post and a steering ring rotatably supported with respect to the support post. A steering transducer is operatively connected between the steering ring and support post to convert mechanical rotation of the steering ring into non-mechanical steering control signals to be sent to a steer-by-wire system. A braking ring and acceleration ring may also be provided for generating non-mechanical braking and acceleration control signals.

Abstract: Reversibly expandable energy absorbing assemblies that utilize an actively controlled and engineering material to reversibly change a shear stress or a flexural modulus property. The actively controlled and engineering materials include magnetorheological fluids, electrorheological fluids, magnetorheological elastomers, and electrorheological elastomers. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assemblies are also disclosed.