Abstract: A precision cooling system directs the flow of coolant to optimize coolant flow around the cylinders of an internal combustion engine. This results in lower temperatures in the upper portion of the cylinders, more uniform temperatures throughout the engine, and a lower average temperature. The precision cooling system is integrated into the construction of the water jacket distributing coolant throughout the engine and particularly around the combustion cylinders.

Abstract: A process for enabling cylinder deactivation in a multiple displacement engine involving oil aeration includes detecting engine speed. Once the engine speed has been determined, a delay period is established prior to enabling cylinder deactivation. The delay period is a function of whether engine speed exceeds a preselected threshold and an amount by which the threshold is exceeded. When the delay period expires, a request is generated for cylinder deactivation.

Abstract: An adjustable hydroformed sport bar including left and right outer bar elements and an inner bar element having a smaller diameter than the outer tbar elements. The inner bar element is able to slide inside the outer bar elements where it is adjustably fastened to each of the outer bar elements allowing the outer bar elements to be adjusted laterally with respect to the inner bar element with a bottom gap remaining between the inner bar element and the bottom of the outer bar elements. The left and right outer bar elements include expanded anchor sections to provide for greater yield strength for seat belt support.

Abstract: A quick change device has a mounting member for mounting an actuator to a resistance welding gun by headed fasteners. The mounting member has several keyhole type apertures arranged in a circle. The fasteners extend through the narrow portions of the keyhole type apertures and the fastener heads clamp the mounting member to the welding gun. To detach the actuator, the mounting member is first released by loosening the fasteners and rotating the mounting member until the heads of the fasteners align with the wide portions of the keyhole type apertures. An additional fastener extends through a round aperture which is removed before the mounting member is released and the actuator is detached.

Abstract: A combination of layered materials for producing a vehicle headliner is provided. The layers include a head impact countermeasure (HIC) layer of co-extruded thermoplastic and a rigid foam layer laid adjacent to the HIC layer and made of a thermoplastic. The layers are subsequently molded together to form the headliner.

Abstract: A method for controlling airflow in an intake manifold of a multiple-displacement engine during an engine displacement mode transition includes determining, before a displacement mode transition, a post-transition mass air flow rate necessary to maintain a pre-transition engine torque output, as well as an airflow transient multiplier based on engine speed and an estimated post-transition manifold air pressure. After multiplying the requested mass air flow rate with the transient multiplier, the resulting compensated requested mass air flow rate is divided by a maximum mass air flow rate to obtain a requested percent airflow.

Abstract: Sheet material is stamped between an upper die assembly and a lower die assembly. The lower die assembly includes a lower ring supported on a lower die for vertical movement. The ring cooperates with the upper die assembly in the shaping of the sheet material. Air cushion pins project through holes in the lower die and exert upward pressure on the ring. Guide pins guide the relative vertical movement of the ring. Each guide pin is secured in one of the holes in the lower die. Each guide pin has a tubular lower end portion adapted to receive one of the air cushion pins. A retainer and lockdown block is secured to each guide pin in either a ring retainer position or a ring lockdown position. The block is engageable with a retainer abutment on the ring when the block is in the ring retainer position to prevent the ring from separating from the lower die without interfering with the relative vertical movement of the ring during a stamping generation.

Abstract: A colored coating for an article is provided including a first layer polymeric coating material with a transparent base which has been pigmented to a desired color and extruded, a second layer of transparent polymeric coating material which has been co-extruded with the first layer and a third layer of polymeric coating material co-extruded with the first layer opposite the second layer, the third layer being more opaque than the first layer. The invention, while having widespread application, is particularly suitable for use as a coating for an exterior surface of an automotive vehicle body panel.

Abstract: A method for reducing the magnitude of a knock retard angle in a vehicle having a quantity of fuel and a system for determining the quantity of fuel. The method determines a previous fuel quantity and a present fuel quantity, determines from said present fuel quantity and said previous fuel quantity whether the quantity of fuel has increased; and decreases the magnitude of the knock retard angle upon determining the quantity of fuel has increased.

Abstract: A cover assembly covers a recess in the floor of a motor vehicle. With a stowed vehicle seat in the recess, the cover assembly serves to completely cover the recess to form a continuous load floor in the vehicle. With the seat in a use position outside of the recess, the cover assembly includes a portion that is folded within the bin so that the support legs of the seat can extend from the recess to support the seat. The cover assembly includes multiple panels for folding the cover to provide clearance by the seat for opening the cover.

Abstract: A power management switch arrangement can be programmed by an external switch controller to alter the operating parameter limits used for fault detection. The switch arrangement includes the capability for full diagnostic feedback of load current and over-temperature conditions.

Abstract: A measurement system is provided for a combustion engine. The measurement system employs a fiber optic cable optically coupled to a light source and has at least one Bragg grating. A second fiber optic cable is coupled to the first fiber optic cable in addition to a wavelength measurement device and a device for measuring intensity. A controller is coupled to the device for measuring intensity and the wavelength measurement device. Based upon the measurements from these devices, the controller determines the temperature and pressure in the combustion engine.

Abstract: A folding seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat base pivotally mounted to the floor of the vehicle, and a seat back mounted to the seat base and pivotable from a perpendicular to a parallel orientation to the seat base. The seat back is retained in an upright orientation within the vehicle by a latch mechanism in an upper portion of the seat back connecting the seat back to the vehicle, and by a hook mechanism in a lower portion of the seat back, proximate the seat base. With the latch mechanism released, the seat back can pivot toward the parallel orientation, which causes the hook mechanism to disengage. With the hook mechanism disengaged, the parallel seat back and base can pivot together relative to the vehicle, such as to fold and tumble into a storage position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for systematically calibrating an engine misfire detection system for an internal combustion engine. The present invention provides a method of collecting a plurality of groups of sample data points. Each of the groups of sample data points represents a cylinder firing event. Optionally, misfire events can be induced during the collection of the groups of sample data points. Using the collected data points, a plurality of compensation parameters is then generated and applied iteratively to the sample data points to generally optimize the detection of misfire occurrences. Compensation parameters that produce a high accuracy misfire detection are selected and can be exported from the calibration system to transport to an engine controller in an internal combustion engine.