Abstract: A method of controlling a downshift in a transmission having a main box and a compounder that has at least one gearset and at least one friction element separate from the main box includes initiating an upshift in the compounder including application of at least one friction element (e.g. a clutch) in the compounder, and releasing a friction element (e.g. a clutch) in the main box providing a swap shift. The speed phase in the compounder may trigger the speed phase in the main box, and vice versa. Target fluid volumes in one or both of a clutch being released in the main box and a clutch being applied in the compounder may be controlled and adjusted, if necessary, as a function of specific event timing in prior shifts.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat bottom and a seat back, which pivots at a rear side of the seat bottom. Within the rearward-facing surface of the seat back, a seat back tray is housed. When in a front passenger seat that is folded forward, the seat back tray is easily assessable by a vehicle driver. To adjust the tray horizontally, a pivotable tray top pivots relative to and above a non-pivoting tray top. A track within the tray provides a guide for movement of the pivotable tray top. A scissor lift coupled to an adjustment mechanism including either a hand crank or electric motor, may raise and lower the tray from a retracted position to an extended position, and be fixed at any intermediary position. The tray may be equipped to be lifted to any intermediary position without a hand crank or electric motor in a low-cost, yet effective scissor mechanism.

Abstract: A method for audio distortion processing is provided, whereby narrowband and wideband gains are incrementally reduced and recovered for controlling audio distortion of an audio reproduction system. Reduction limits are determined for both the narrowband and wideband gains, as a function of operator controlled inputs. If clipping is detected, the narrowband gain is initially reduced until either the narrowband gain reduction limit has been achieved or the clipping desists. The wideband gain is subsequently reduced if the reduction limit of the narrowband gain has been achieved and the clipping persists. The wideband gain is reduced until either the wideband gain reduction limit has been achieved or the clipping desists. After the clipping desists, a gain recovery process ensues, whereby the wideband gain is initially recovered until at its original level and the narrowband gain is subsequently recovered until reaching its original level.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes a regenerative braking module that controls regenerative braking of the hybrid vehicle. Regenerative braking is controlled when an accelerator device is not engaged. A throttle-by-wire control module controls a throttle valve. The throttle-by-wire control module opens the throttle valve and/or holds the throttle valve open in response to regenerative braking module signals when a transmission of the hybrid vehicle is in gear.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell with an anode chamber separated from a cathode chamber by a proton exchange membrane. The cathode chamber receives a compressed oxygen-containing gas and discharges it to a cathode exhaust gas line. The cathode exhaust gas is cooled to remove excess moisture. The cathode exhaust gas line then flows through a heat exchanger that is coupled to the fuel cell for receiving waste heat of the fuel cell and transferring it to the cathode exhaust gas. The heated cathode exhaust gas then flows to an expansion turbine, where additional fuel cell waste heat is transferred to the exhaust gas. The greater work performed by the higher energy exhaust gas passing through the expansion turbine increases the overall efficiency of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A venting device including one or more seals, one or more floats, and a cap is provided. The one or more seals and the one or more floats are encapsulated by the cap. The venting device further includes a passage, which allows intake and exhaust of air from a driveline component. The one or more floats are capable of moving from a first position to a second position in the passage. The one or more seals close the passage when the one or more floats are at the second position, thereby restricting intake of water in the driveline component.

Abstract: A towing load detection system for detecting whether a vehicle is towing an object. The system includes a controller and at least one proximity sensor operable to detect the presence of the object being towed. The controller is operable to cause a vehicle effect when the proximity sensor detects that the vehicle is towing an object.

Abstract: A system for controlling the engagement and disengagement of one or more clutches that are adapted to operatively connect an engine and an automatic transmission includes a control device for determining if a negative torque condition exists and for providing an output or signal to decrease the rotational speed of the engine in response to the determination of the existence of the negative torque condition.

Abstract: A horn actuator for a vehicle horn mounts to a steering wheel hub. The horn actuator has a number of support posts that each pass through a switch cup and mount into the steering wheel hub. A switch lies within the switch cup and a spring biases the switch cup away from the steering wheel hub. An air bag plate presses against the switch cup and biases the spring to cause the switch to make contact when a force is applied to the air bag. When activated, the switch relays electricity to a vehicle horn. The support posts are connected to each other by a connector portion that provides rigidity to the structure and provides a surface for wiring of the electrical switches. Additional support posts, cups and switches are connected by additional connector portions.

Abstract: A fluid connector includes a first conduit and a collar. The first conduit is hollow and has a fluid passageway. The collar is also hollow and encircles the first conduit, and includes an externally positioned attachment mechanism. The collar has an internal bore at a first end for inserting a second conduit. Also, a fluid connector assembly includes the fluid connector, a mating portion and a second conduit. The mating portion is attached to the second conduit and encircles it. The collar is inserted into an internal bore in the mating portion, so that the first conduit is aligned to the second conduit.

Abstract: The present invention is a shaft-mounted rocker arm arrangement for an internal combustion engine which provides simplified assembly and disassembly by allowing individual rocker arms to be added or removed separately and without removing the rocker shaft. The present invention utilizes a rocker shaft and a rocker arm rotatably coupled to the rocker shaft. The rocker shaft includes a flat portion arranged to receive the rocker arm. The rocker arm includes a body portion and a curved arm portion arranged to match a curvature of the rocker shaft, and arranged to engage more than 180 degrees of the rocker shaft.

Abstract: A method of determining a fill volume of a clutch of an automatic transmission. A clutch fill sequence is observed from measurement of fluid pressure applied to the clutch, wherein the sequence may include a initial rise, a plateau, and a final rise. A fill end time may be identified as corresponding to an intersection of a forward extrapolated portion of the plateau and a backward extrapolated portion of the final rise.

Abstract: A powertrain mounting system includes a pair of engine and transmission mount assemblies. The engine mount assemblies include an isolator assembly having an elastomeric bushing with an encapsulated mounting member, an integral snubber, and a bracket assembly having a one piece can arranged to house the bushing and having an interlock arranged to engage the bushing. The bushing is press-fit into the can and arranged to isolate the mounting member from the can thereby dampening powertrain vibration and controlling powertrain movement, and the snubber is arranged to limit movement of the bushing relative to the can. The transmission mount assembly includes a support member, a pair of isolators positioned relative to each other, and a pair of mounting brackets positioned on the isolators; wherein the isolators are arranged to maintain the mounting brackets in spaced relation to the support member thereby dampening powertrain vibration and controlling powertrain movement.

Abstract: An active torque biasing differential includes a housing and an outer annulus disposed within the housing. An inner annulus is contained within the outer annulus. The inner annulus includes a plurality of slots. A plurality of vanes are disposed in the slots in the inner annulus. The vanes slidably contact the outer annulus. The vanes include a plurality of orifices formed therein. An electromagnetic coil is placed to apply a magnetic field to a chamber bounded by the outer annulus and inner annulus.

Abstract: A wire harness for a motor vehicle is provided. The wire harness includes a primary node that includes a first pair of communication wires, and a optional slave node that includes a slave connector. The wire harness also includes a second pair of communication wires and a first connector that is operable to enable the optional slave node to communicate with the primary node when the slave connector is coupled to the first connector. The first connector enables communication with the primary node via the first pair of communication wires and the second pair of communication wires. One wire from the first pair and the second pair of communication wires are crimped together to form a first terminal and the remaining wires of the first pair and the second pair of communication wires are crimped together to form a second terminal for the first connector.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes an underbody having one or more underbody bolting flanges attached thereto, with each underbody bolting flange being adapted for bolted attachment to a mating bodyside bolting flange. Left and right bodyside subassemblies are joined to the underbody, with each bodyside including a supplemental bodyside support structure having attached thereto one or more bodyside bolting flanges, with each bodyside bolting flange being adapted for bolted attachment to one of the underbody bolting flanges after the bodyside subassemblies are otherwise joined to the underbody. The underbody bolting flanges are attached to supplemental cross members that are attached to and extend across the underbody.