Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane comprising the steps of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is includes at least one of the following steps: i) conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of a C2-C20 aliphatic monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid functional group or salt thereof, and a single amine-reactive functional group; and ii) applying a C2-C20 aliphatic monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid functional group or salt thereof, and a single amine-reactive functional group to the thin film polyamide layer. Many additional embodiments are described including applications for such membranes.

Abstract: A shotgun rail, or deflector, is provided as part of a front end structure of a vehicle. The shotgun rail includes a triangular shaped bulkhead having a front surface disposed at an oblique angle relative to the front of a vehicle and a rear surface that is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the rear of the vehicle. A laterally facing surface of the bulkhead is attached to a frame rail. Loads resulting from an impact with a small offset rigid barrier are distributed between longitudinal load paths and lateral load paths through the shotgun rails, frame rails, and sub-frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and processes of making ethylene/?-olefins. More particularly, the invention relates to processes of producing ethylene/?-olefin compositions having a controlled molecular weight distribution. The molecular weight distribution is controlled, for example, by controlling the relative monomer concentrations during contact with a pre-catalyst and/or using a catalyst comprising a catalytic amount of a molecule having the structure: wherein M=group 2-8 metal, preferably group 4 as a neutral or charged moiety; Y=any substituent including fused rings; L=any ligating group, especially a pyridyl or pyridylamide; X=alkyl, aryl, substituted alkyl, H or hydride, halide, or other anionic moiety; y=an integer from 0 to the complete valence of M; R=alkyl, aryl, haloalkyl, haloaryl, hydrogen, etc; x=1-6, especially 2; Dashed line=optional bond, especially a weak bond; and X and (CR2)x may be tethered or part of a ring.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to remote operator assistance for one or more user commands at a vehicle. The operator assistance may occur via a vehicle computing system. One or more instances of an unsuccessful attempt to perform a user command may be received by the vehicle computing system. After detection of a predetermined number of instances, a connection may be established, via the vehicle computing system, with a remotely located system. The remotely-located system may be operated by a human operator in order to assist with performance of the user command. An information exchange may be facilitated between the vehicle and the remotely located system operated by the human operator. The information exchange may relate to the user command. The user command may be performed in the vehicle based on information obtained from the remotely-located system.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved chalcogen-containing, photovoltaic structures as well as related compositions, photovoltaic devices incorporating these structures, methods of making these structures and devices, and methods of using these structures and devices. According to principles of the present invention, the adhesion of PACB compositions is improved through the use of chalcogen-containing tie layers.

Abstract: A system includes a camera module disposed on a vehicle. The camera module records an image and generates an image signal representing the image. The system further includes a processing device that receives the image signal generated by the camera module and determines whether a vehicle tailgate is open based on the image. A method includes receiving an image signal representing an image captured from a vehicle, processing the image signal, and determining whether a vehicle tailgate is open based on the image.

Abstract: A climate control system having a coolant subsystem, a heat pump subsystem, and an intermediate heat exchanger. The intermediate heat exchanger may transfer thermal energy from the heat pump subsystem to the coolant to increase the temperature of the coolant when the climate control system is in a heating mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving combustion stability, in particular during transient operations such as tip-out to lower load conditions, when EGR is being purged. Until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, fuel may be delivered as a split injection with at least an intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection. Subsequently, single fuel injection may be resumed.

Abstract: An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded, expandable front wall deploys toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic-molded back wall is joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes an inflator receptacle defined by a raised recess wall having an inflator aperture. An inflator with a gas outlet end and an electrical connector end is received in the inflator aperture with the gas outlet end inside the inflatable bladder. The recess wall has a predetermined thickness for substantially retaining shape during inflation of the bladder. The inflator receptacle includes a flexible seal disposed around an inner edge of the inflator aperture comprised of a flashing edge bearing against the inflator and having a thickness less than the predetermined thickness of the recess wall.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting liquid and gaseous fuel, such as propane, to an engine. In one example, under a first condition, liquid fuel from a bottom of a fuel tank is injected; under a second condition, liquid fuel from a the bottom of the fuel tank is vaporized and injected to the engine as vaporized liquid fuel; and under a third condition, gaseous fuel from a top of the fuel tank is injected to the engine.

Abstract: A beverage container holder having a receptacle, gripping members, and a membrane is disclosed. The membrane is disposed in openings located between a sidewall of the receptacle and the gripping members. Living hinges are integrated into the gripping members, which allow the gripping members to flex and provide a gripping force on a beverage container that has been placed into the beverage container holder in order to provide a more stable and secure placement of the container. The receptacle and gripping members are manufactured in one step process, preferably an injection molding process, and are composed of a material having a low coefficient of friction, preferably a hard plastic, which allows for the easy placement or retrieval of a beverage container. The membrane is overmolded onto the receptacle and gripping members and is preferably composed of a flexible material such as a soft plastic or rubber.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, arbitrating velocity signals derived from information from a first sensor and a second sensor, estimating a ratio between an actual tire radius and an expected tire radius, and generating a fused velocity estimate based on an arbitrated signal calculated during the arbitrating step and an estimated ratio calculated during the estimating step.

Abstract: An engine method, comprising delivering fuel with an octane level above a threshold to a first fuel tank and delivering fuel with an octane level below a threshold to a second fuel tank; monitoring a staleness of fuel within first fuel tank and the second fuel tank; delivering fuel with an octane level above the threshold to an engine in response to the staleness of fuel of the first fuel tank; and delivering fuel with an octane level below the threshold to the engine in response the staleness of fuel of the second fuel tank.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine knock tolerance, in particular when rapidly ramping in LP-EGR from low levels of EGR. Until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, fuel may be delivered as a split injection with at least an intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection to compensate for the transport delay in EGR filling the intake system. Subsequently, single fuel injection may be resumed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to adhesive remover compositions and methods of their use. The adhesive remover compositions generally comprise a glycol ether solvent system comprising an aliphatic glycol ether, an aromatic glycol ether, a hydrophobic glycol ether, and a hydrophilic glycol ether, and a surfactant system. In further embodiment of the invention, the surfactant system may comprise three surfactants. In another aspect of the invention, the composition effectively removes medical adhesives from healthcare textiles.

Abstract: An engine system, comprising an externally filled fuel tank with an external fill port; a separator for separation of fuel based on octane level, the separator having a high octane outlet and a low octane outlet; a secondary fuel tank with an amount of fuel located therein and a return line, the secondary fuel tank fluidically coupled to the low octane outlet of the separator and the return line fluidically coupling the externally filled fuel tank to the high octane outlet of the separator or the secondary fuel tank fluidically coupled to the high octane outlet of the separator and the return line fluidically coupling the externally filled fuel tank to the low octane outlet of the separator.

Abstract: A flexible tow hook assembly for a vehicle. That assembly generally includes a front rail enclosing an inner region, a through-bolt assembly, and a cable. The through-bolt passes through and secured to the front rail section, and a support structure provides structural support to the front rail at an area where the through bolt is secured to the same. The cable is substantially flexible and a tie area is attached to the cable to form a figure-eight. The cable has a smaller loop, extending around the through-bolt, and a larger loop extending from the end of the front rail. The through-bolt may extend through the front rail vertically or horizontally. The support structure may be provided by an overlap area where rail members overlap, or by mounting plates secured to the surface of the front rail at the position where the through bolt extends through the same.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving accuracy of delta pressure over valve (DPOV) based EGR flow measurement during low valve lift conditions by learning errors in EGR valve lift and/or EGR valve flow transfer function.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating water at an oxygen sensor based on power consumption of a heating element of the oxygen sensor. In one example, water may be indicated at an oxygen sensor positioned in an intake of an engine responsive to power consumption of the heating element of the oxygen sensor increasing above a baseline level. Engine operating parameters may then be adjusted based on the water indication and the power consumption.

Abstract: A computing device receives a first digital signal from a data acquisition system. It is determined that a first value includes in the first signal indicates an event. A second digital signal is received from the data acquisition system. It is determined that a second value included in the second signal includes a value that indicates the event, and that the event has occurred based at least in part on the first value, the second value, and a passage of a predetermined duration of time between a time of the first digital signal and a time of the second digital signal.