Abstract: An assembly includes a shell fixed against axial displacement, a clutch including first plates secured to the shell by a spline, a member fixed against axial displacement, supporting the shell and secured to the shell by the spline, a retainer for limiting axial movement of the first plates and member along the spline, and a piston for forcing the plates along the spline toward the retaine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to ambient humidity and a condensate level in a charge air cooler, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request.

Abstract: Embodiments include curable compositions including an epoxy resin and a hardener component including a terpolymer having first constitutional unit, a second constitutional unit, and a third constitutional unit, where the epoxy group to the second constitutional unit has a molar ratio in a range of 1.0:1.0 to 2.7:1.0. Embodiments include prepregs that include a reinforcement component and the curable composition and an electrical laminate formed with the curable composition.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to air mass flow not reaching a threshold for CAC self-cleansing for a set duration, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request and maximum air mass flow levels for engine misfire.

Abstract: A system for venting a hybrid electric powertrain includes a module defining a first volume containing a clutch and an electric machine, a housing defining a second volume containing an automatic transmission, and lines producing mutual pneumatic connections among the first volume, the second volume and ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A surface treatment method, machine, and system are disclosed for treating the surface of a substrate by providing a plasma jet generator that directs plasma through a gaseous composition to decompose the gaseous composition into functional groups. A carbon fiber substrate is disclosed that is treated by a plasma jet generator that is directed toward the surface through steam. The plasma jet generator bombards a carbon fiber surface with high energy ions. Carbon-to-carbon chains in the carbon fiber partially break and hydroxide ions are bonded to fractures in the carbon-to-carbon chains. The treatment bonds new hydroxide functional groups to the carbon fiber surface.

Abstract: An assembly includes a torque converter including a casing supported for rotation about an axis, a rotor hub secured to the torque converter casing for rotation about the axis, a leg member secured to and supporting the rotor hub for rotation about the axis, and an electric machine including a rotor secured to the rotor hub.

Abstract: The present invention meets one or more of the above needs and is a composition comprising plurality of capsules wherein the capsules comprise: a core of one or more highly polar liquids; one or more polar active materials dissolved in or dispersed in one or more highly polar liquids; a mixture of one or more polymers and one of more highly polar liquids; or a mixture of one or more polymers, one or more highly polar liquids and one or more polar active materials, and a shell comprising, particles in a polymer matrix or particles; wherein the thickness of the shell is sufficient to prevent passage of the highly polar liquid or the active material through the shell or to control the rate passage of the highly polar liquid or the active material through the shell with the proviso that the one or more polymers may be located in the core, in the polymer matrix of the shell or both.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request to activate a voice input responsive function on a mobile device. The processor is further configured to send indicia of an incoming call to a vehicle computing system (VCS), responsive to the request. Also, the processor is configured to receive access to an open voice channel originating at the VCS as part of a VCS hands-free call handling for a virtual phone call established by sending the indicia and receive voice input over the hands-free call channel. The processor is additionally configured to pass the voice input to the voice input responsive function. The processor is also configured to receive output from the voice input responsive function and pass the output to the VCS for output to the user.

Abstract: A system for controlling an internal combustion engine. The system includes engine shutdown/restart means and energy storage means configured for supplying power to an associated active vehicle suspension system when the engine is shut down. A controller is configured for controlling the shutdown/restart means responsive to an energy state of the energy storage means.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.

Abstract: Embodiments include a curable composition comprising an epoxy resin, a non-halogen flame retardant agent comprising at least two of an aryl-cyanato group and at least two of a phosphorus group, and a styrene and maleic anhydride copolymer. Embodiments include method of preparing the curable composition, prepregs that include a reinforcement component and the curable composition, and an electrical laminate formed with the curable composition.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an ambient humidity value used to determine condensate formation in a charge air cooler. The ambient humidity value is determined from charge air cooler efficiency and windshield wiper speed thresholds. The humidity value is used to calculate an amount of condensate in a charge air cooler and control engine systems to reduce condensate formation and engine misfire.

Abstract: A vehicle computing system includes a processor programmed and configured to establish communication with a wireless device brought into proximity of a vehicle. The processor may use the wireless device to receive an identifier from a vehicle rental administrative system. The identifier is configured with the processor to activate a vehicle during a prescribed rental period. The processor may receive user input to activate the vehicle for a rental period. The processor may compare the user input to the received identifier and enable a keyless drive-away of the vehicle if the user input corresponds to the identifier.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the vacuum generation efficiency of an ejector coupled to in an engine system. Vacuum is generated at the ejector at a faster rate but to a lower level by opening a throttle upstream of the ejector. Vacuum is then raised to a higher level but at a slower rate by closing the throttle upstream of the ejector.

Abstract: The fluoropolymer compositions of the present invention generally incorporate ingredients comprising one or more fluoropolymers, an ultraviolet light protection component (hereinafter UV protection component), and optionally one or more additional ingredients if desired. The UV protection component includes a combination of at least one hindered tertiary amine (HTA) compound having a certain structure and a weight average molecular weight of at least 1000. This tertiary amine is used in combination with at least one organic, UV light absorbing compound (UVLA compound) having a weight average molecular weight greater than 500. When the HTA compound and the UVLA compound are selected according to principles of the present invention, the UV protection component provides fluoropolymer compositions with significantly improved weatherability characteristics for protecting underlying materials, features, structures, components, and/or the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, films and articles containing a random propylene/ethylene copolymer and a substituted phenylene aromatic diester. Polymerization with an improved catalyst system increases the amount of ethylene incorporated into the random propylene/ethylene copolymer backbone which results in improved thermal properties, improved optical properties, and improved heat seal properties.

Abstract: A rotor hub includes a sheet metal cylinder including spline teeth including angularly spaced crests and valleys, a tube surrounding the cylinder, secured to the crests and supporting a rotor thereon, a hub secured to the cylinder and supported for rotation, a torque converter, and a flex plate secured to the hub and the torque converter.

Abstract: A vehicle rental administrative system comprising a computer system configured to manage vehicle rental transactions between vehicle owners and potential Temporary Users. The system allows an owner to develop a customer profile with information related to a rentable vehicle. The customer profile may include, but not limited to, the model year of the vehicle, engine specifications, and the rental rate. The potential Temporary User may request a certain vehicle to rent, and the system may provide a list of one or more vehicles matching the request. Once the Temporary User selects a vehicle, the system may notify customer that his vehicle has been selected. The customer may either approve or deny permission to rent vehicle. If the customer approves, a rental agreement is signed and the system sends a code to both vehicle and Temporary User's mobile device for a predetermined rental period to allow keyless drive-away of the vehicle.

Abstract: Porous composites of acicular mullite and tialite are formed by firing an acicular mullite body in the presence of an oxide of titanium. In some variations of the process, the oxide of titanium is present when the acicular mullite body is formed. In other variations, the oxide of titanium is applied to a previously-formed acicular mullite body. Surprisingly, the composites have coefficients of linear thermal expansion that are intermediate to those of acicular mullite and tialite alone. Some of the tialite is believed to form at grain boundaries and/or points of intersection between acicular mullite needles, rather than merely coating the needles. The presence of the titanium oxide(s) during acicular mullite formation does not significantly affect the ability to produce a highly porous network of mullite needles.