Abstract: A combined storage and docking unit for attachment to the instrument panel of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which a portable electronic device such as an MP3 player or GPS navigation device can be held in a display position by clamping it between lid and storage box parts of the combined storage and docking unit. The storage box includes a trough shaped portion in which the portable electronic device can be stowed if it is not required to be used. The combined storage and docking unit is of a simple construction and allows portable electronic devices of differing size and shape to be accommodated.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for an engine system with an exhaust gas recirculation system. In one example method, a correction for a gas constituent sensor is determined based on output from the gas constituent sensor and output from a pressure sensor over a range of boost pressure. The gas constituent sensor output is adjusted based on the correction, and an amount of exhaust gas recirculation is adjusted based on the adjusted gas constituent sensor output.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for a particulate matter sensor coupled to an exhaust system of an engine. One example method comprises, during a measurement mode, generating a particulate flow rate based on the sensor and adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on the flow rate. The method further includes, during a reduced contamination mode, heating the sensor to repel particulate from the sensor, and not adjusting the one or more operating parameters based on the sensor.

Abstract: An intake system for an engine including a first air filter assembly in fluidic communication with an intake manifold and a second air filter assembly spaced away from the first air filter assembly and in fluidic communication with the intake manifold.

Abstract: Embodiments for a charge air cooler are provided. In one example, a method comprises adjusting an operating parameter in response to a degraded grille shutter, the degraded grille shutter determined based on a temperature difference across a charge air cooler. In this way, degradation of the charge air cooler or engine may be reduced.

Abstract: Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle (PHEV) is inhibited by detecting pre-charging electrical continuity between an on-board charger of the vehicle and a charging plug engaging the charger, and impeding opening of a door controlling access to a fueling port if the pre-charging electrical continuity exist. Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a PHEV may further be inhibited by detecting whether a fuel door of the vehicle is in a fueling-permitting condition and, if the fuel door is in the fueling-permitting condition, preventing an on-board charger engaged with a charging plug from receiving charging current from the charging plug.

Abstract: This invention relates to rigid isocyanate-based polymer foam and composites thereof comprising a carbon black component comprising at least 50 weight percent of a fluorinated carbon black. Said foam having improved thermal properties, specifically, rigid polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate foams for use in said insulation applications.

Abstract: A vehicle may include an electric machine, a battery adapted to provide power to the electric machine, and various embodiments of a gauge adapted to indicate venting of the battery. In one embodiment, the gauge is adapted to permanently deform or burst in response to venting of the battery to indicate venting of the battery. In another embodiment, the gauge includes an element adapted to change position in response to venting of the battery to indicate venting of the battery. In other embodiments, the gauge includes either a universal paper indicator or a chemically coated cartridge indicator in communication with the battery and adapted to change in color to indicate venting of the battery.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a conformal transverse muffler including an enclosure shaped to fit around a bottom and a side of a feature of a vehicle. The enclosure may include a mid section fittable below the feature, and two side sections fittable in opposite locations only radially outside of a circumference of the spare tire well. The side sections may be thicker than the mid section and may have a vertical center above a vertical center of the mid section.

Abstract: A method of sensing scale build up on piping exposed to wellbore fluids, which includes the steps of sensing the build up of scale on the wall an injector pipe using fluorescence detection, generating a signal representative of the relative scale build up on injector pipe wall, and communicating that signal to a remote location.

Abstract: A valve cover for an engine and a method is provided. The valve cover may include a cover body, and a sparkplug tube formed integrally with the cover body. In this way, any distortion of the bottom end of the sparkplug tubes due to, for example removal and reinstallation may not provide a leakage path.

Abstract: An active bolster has a plastic-molded, expandable front wall and a plastic-molded back wall joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes at least one active vent and at least one substantially circumferential pleated baffle. An inflator couples an inflation gas into the inflatable bladder in response to a crash event of the vehicle. The active vent comprises a window opening in the back wall and an integrally-molded flap juxtaposed to the window opening. The flap has an undeflected position corresponding to a first flow coefficient and a deflected position corresponding to a second, nonzero flow coefficient that is less than the first flow coefficient. The flap moves from the undeflected position to the deflected position when a pressure in the inflatable bladder resulting from a passenger impact is greater than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A turbocharger wastegate is provided. The turbocharger wastegate comprises a cover plate actuatable in an open and closed position, the open position enabling exhaust gas flow through a turbine bypass conduit and the closed position inhibiting exhaust gas flow through the turbine bypass conduit and a vibration-dampening extension coupled to the cover plate radially extending beyond a radial periphery of the cover plate. Exhaust gas flow acting on the extension thus reduces vibration of the wastegate, thereby improving durability and reducing unwanted noise.

Abstract: A power transmission includes an input, output, a planetary gearset including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a first carrier driveably connected to the input, first pinions supported on the first carrier and meshing with the first sun gear, and second pinions supported on the first carrier and meshing with the first ring gear and first pinions, and a second planetary gearset including a second sun gear, a third sun gear, a second ring gear driveably connected to the output, a second carrier, third pinions supported on the second carrier and meshing with the second sun gear and second ring gear, and fourth pinions supported on the second carrier and meshing with the third sun gear and the third pinions.

Abstract: To prevent damage of a vehicle or a cord set used to charge a plug-in electric vehicle when the vehicle is driven away while the cord set is attached, an interlock can be provided to disable the vehicle. Such interlock may be based on a protective door over the charging receptacle being open or detection that a cord set is plugged in. However, in the event that the vehicle is in an activated state, the interlock is prevented from disabling the vehicle according to an embodiment of the disclosure. That is, undesirable disabling of the vehicle is prevented when either there is no indication of a cord set being coupled to the vehicle or the vehicle is in an activated state.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine of a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprises operating at least one turbocharger, operating a start/stop automatic system which automatically switches off the internal combustion engine when a stop condition is met, and automatically starts the internal combustion engine when a starting condition is met, and when the stop condition is met, delaying the automatic switching off of the internal combustion engine by a predefinable delay time (?t). In one example, automatic shut off of the engine may be delayed in order ensure adequate cooling of the turbocharger.

Abstract: Use a modified, amine-functionalized anion exchange resin as a catalyst to produce a bishalohydrin ether and then dehydrohalogenate the bishalohydrin ether with an aqueous inorganic hydroxide mixture to yield a liquid epoxy resin.

Abstract: A method for improving purging of fuel vapors from a boosted engine is presented. In one embodiment, the method increases the efficiency of a venturi that supplies vacuum to purge fuel vapors from a vapor storage canister.

Abstract: A latch mechanism used in conjunction with a dual door access system, wherein the dual door access system is actuated between a latched position and an open position by the latch mechanism using a dual pawl design which is configured such that each door in the dual door access system has its own dedicated latch pawl within the latch mechanism for retaining the doors in the latched position.

Abstract: Procedure for the manufacture of carboxylated ethylene polymer blends, in which in a 1st step, in a fluid mixing reactor, to 100 pbw of a particulate ethylene polymer—chosen from among ethylene homopolymers (HDPE, LDPE) and/or linear ethylene copolymers with 2 to ?20 wt.-% polymerized-in C3-12-olefin units (LLDPE, EOP), with a melt-flow rate MFR (190° C./2.16 kg)?20 g/10 min—are added 0.05-15 pbw of a ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated mono and/or dicarboxylic acid or its anhydride (carboxyl monomer), or a monomer mixture containing at least one carboxyl monomer and 0.01-10 pbw of a radical initiator or initiator mixture, and graft-polymerizing at reaction temperatures of 30-120° C., over a reaction time of 5-120 min and subsequently, in a 2nd step, reacting a mixture continuously fed into a reaction extruder of 100 pbw of the modified ethylene polymer obtained in the 1st solid phase step, 150-4,000 pbw of an ethylene polymer or polymer blend with a melt flow rate MFR (190° C., 2.