Abstract: An exemplary powertrain assembly includes, an electric machine, an engine, and a controller. The electric machine selectively drives at least one wheel driveshaft when in an automatic drive mode. The engine, through the manual transmission, selectively drives at least one wheel driveshaft when in a manual drive mode. The controller is configured to initiate an alert that suggests a transition from the automatic drive mode to the manual drive mode. An exemplary vehicle control method includes initiating an alert to suggest a transition from an automatic drive mode to a manual drive mode. When in the automatic drive mode, the method drives at least one wheel driveshaft within a plurality of wheel driveshafts using torque from an electric machine that is not moved through a manual transmission. When in the manual drive mode, the method drives at least one wheel driveshaft within the plurality of wheel driveshafts with torque from an engine that is moved through a manual transmission.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an active casing treatment of a compressor responsive to a predicted engine condition. In one arrangement, a controller may actuate a sleeve of a variable geometry compressor casing to a position selected based on each of a compressor pressure ratio and a mass flow through the compressor, as well as driver behavior and predicted road conditions; and adjust each of an EGR actuator and a boost actuator based on the selected position to maintain the compressor pressure ratio during the actuating.

Abstract: A removable roof rack system includes a first roof rail having a first guide track, a second roof rail having a second guide track and a crossbar having a first end and a second end. The removable roof rack system also includes a first slide received in the first guide track, a second slide received in the second guide track and a first releasable latch assembly connecting the first end to the first slide and a second releasable latch assembly connecting the second end to the second slide.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seating surface and a tube arranged proximate the seating surface. The tube has an inlet fluidly coupled with a fluid mover and an outlet proximate the seating surface. A thermoelectric device is in communication with the outlet. The thermoelectric device is configured to thermodynamically affect heat exchange at the seating surface. The fluid mover is selectively operable to release a pressurized fluid through the tube proximate the thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A lift assembly for a storage area includes a floor supported by a scissor mechanism, an actuator for raising the floor from a neutral position to an elevated position, a plurality of members attached to the floor, guide members within which the plurality of members move, and a detent movable between an extended position wherein a portion of the detent protrudes into the guide member and contacts one of the at least two members sufficient to resist movement of the at least two members and a retracted position wherein the at least two members freely move within the guide members. The floor is movable between a non-extended position and a fully extended position when the scissor mechanism and the floor are in the neutral position, the elevated position, or any position between the neutral and elevated positions, and may be removed from the assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a vehicle fuel system for a presence or absence of undesired evaporative emissions. In one example, a method comprises conducting a test for undesired evaporative emissions stemming from a fuel system of a vehicle via in a first operating mode, evacuating the fuel system to a variable vacuum level through an entirety of a fuel vapor canister configured to capture and store fuel vapors, and in a second operating mode, evacuating the fuel system to the variable vacuum level through a portion of the fuel vapor canister. In this way, the diagnostic may be conducted in an environmentally friendly fashion, where analysis of a bleed-up portion of the test is not impacted by fuel volatility at the time of the diagnostic.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods that are useful for personal care compositions. The compositions comprise (a) a cationic polymer comprising polymerized units derived from (i) 30 to 80 weight % of cationic monomers, (ii) 10 to 65 weight % of (meth)acrylamide monomers, and (iii) 0 to 30 weight % of polar non-ionic derivatives of acrylic monomers, and (b) at least one cosmetically acceptable surfactant, rheology modifier, or cosmetic active. Also provided are methods of treating hair with such compositions.

Abstract: A self-centering grille assembly includes a grille having a first chamfer and a second chamfer, a first outboard component including a third chamfer and a second outboard component including a fourth chamfer. An additional alternative embodiment of self-centering grille assembly including a centering bar is also disclosed as are related methods of centering a grille between a first outboard component and a second outboard component on a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for actively heating pistons in combustion chambers to decrease a torque imbalance in an engine. In one example, a method for operation of an engine includes determining a variation between compression ratios in a first combustion chamber and a second combustion chamber and operating a piston heating system to apply a targeted amount of heat to a first piston assembly based on the variation between the compression ratios, the first piston assembly including a first piston positioned within the first combustion chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and method of operation, which include a battery and a communication unit, which are configured to periodically respond to a charge signal, and to adjust a charge time and battery recharge profile, according to a charge time estimate received from a remote fleet server. The charge time estimate is received in response to periodic operating conditions that are generated and communicated to the server. The operating conditions include one or more of charge station, environment, and location data, vehicle data, and battery performance data, among other data. The controller further configured to respond to a charge complete signal, and to generate and store as one of the battery performance parameters, an estimate error as a difference between the charge time estimate and an actual charge time. The controller readjusts a charge time and battery recharge profile, responsive to the estimate error.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system in a hybrid or battery-electric vehicle is provided. The HVAC system includes a compressor that has its own dedicated motor to control its speed. The compressor includes an inlet pressure sensor to determine and output the suction pressure, and an outlet pressure sensor to determine and output the discharge pressure of the compressor. At least one controller can be programmed to determine the discharge-to-suction pressure ratio, and limit the operating speed of the compressor in response to the ratio exceeding a pressure-ratio-threshold. The pressure-ratio-threshold can vary based on ambient air temperature. In the event an inlet pressure sensor is not available, the operating speed of the compressor can be reduced in response to the outlet pressure exceeding an ambient-temperature-based variable threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine to infer fuel temperature from a measured rate of change in a pressure of a fuel passage between a low pressure fuel pump and a high pressure fuel pump during certain operating conditions, including when the low pressure fuel pump is switched off. The operation of the low pressure fuel pump may be adjusted responsively to a change in the inferred fuel temperature.

Abstract: A temperature controlled ventilation system for a vehicle seating assembly which includes a thermoelectric module. A thermoelectric device is disposed within a housing which includes a first chamber, a second chamber, an inlet port, a first outlet port disposed in the first chamber, and a second outlet port disposed in the second chamber. An inlet tube is coupled to the inlet port. An air mover is used for moving air through the inlet tube, into the inlet port and into the first and second chambers. The thermoelectric device is selectively and alternatively operable to cool air in the first chamber and to heat air in the second chamber or to heat air in the first chamber and to cool air in the second chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a herbicidal mixture concentrate having a stable formulation of 5 to 30 weight percent (wt. %) of an active water soluble herbicide; 1 to 20 wt. % of an alkyl polyglucoside; 5 to 40 wt. % of a phosphate ester hydrotrope or salt thereof; optionally up to 25 wt. % of an organic solvent; and water to bring the wt. % of the herbicidal mixture concentrate to 100 wt. %, where all wt. % are based on a total weight of the herbicidal mixture concentrate and wherein the herbicidal mixture concentrate is present in a continuous clear single phase at a temperature from 0° C. to 54° C.

Abstract: A computing system can determine a probability of precipitation based on Bayesian inference conditioned on probabilities associated with vehicle wiper status, vehicle jerk, vehicle sway, and vehicle lateral offset. The computing system can disable a vehicle lane assist system based on the probability of precipitation and operate a vehicle with the disabled vehicle lane assist system.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a low-voltage battery electrically coupled to a powertrain, and a computer programmed to put the vehicle in a minimal risk condition in response to a state of charge of the low-voltage battery falling below a threshold. The vehicle may further include a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the powertrain and to the low-voltage battery, and a high-voltage battery electrically coupled to the powertrain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polyurethane dispersion comprising a polyurethane prepolymer and an ionic surfactant. It further provides a microfiber nonwoven synthetic leather comprising a microfiber nonwoven fabric and the polyurethane dispersion. It further provides a method of preparing the microfiber nonwoven synthetic leather comprising a step of impregnating microfiber nonwoven fabrics into the polyurethane dispersion.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a resin composition includes a urethane (meth)acrylate, a reactive diluent, and a urethane (meth)acrylate toughener. The urethane (meth)acrylate toughener includes at least one additional polyol having a number average molecular weight Mn of greater than 1,000 g/mol. Cured articles made from the resin composition have an average fracture toughness (KIc) value from 1 MPa*m1/2 to 3 MPa*m1/2 when measured in accordance with ASTM D5045. Processes for making the resin composition as well as processes using the resin composition are also provided.