Abstract: A process for purifying methyl methacrylate by (a) feeding a mixture comprising methyl methacrylate and its alkali salt into a distillation column above the middle along with a hydrocarbon; (b) removing a first overhead stream; (c) removing a first bottoms stream; (d) feeding the first overhead stream to a first water separator to produce (i) a first organic phase and (ii) a first aqueous phase which enters a methanol drying column which produces a second overhead stream and a second bottoms stream; (e) feeding the first bottoms stream to a second water separator to produce (i) a second aqueous phase which is fed to an MMA stripper column which produces a third overhead stream and a third bottoms stream, and (ii) a second organic phase; (f) combining the second organic phase and the second bottoms stream into a third water separator which produces a third organic phase which enters an MMA drying column which produces a fourth bottoms stream, and (g) feeding the fourth bottoms stream to an MMA product column.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a gear and a plate fixed to the gear. The gear is driving by a motor for providing relative rotation between a steering wheel and steering shaft of the vehicle in an adaptive front steering system. The system includes a solenoid including a coil and a pin moveable relative to the coil to engage the plate based on a signal. A sensor is configured to detect a change in current through the coil associated with initial movement of the pin relative to the coil. The system includes a controller programmed to change the duty cycle signal in response to the change in current to slow movement of the pin to reduce or eliminate a clicking noise associated with the pin seating in an extended position or retracted position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle security monitoring in a key-off state. An example vehicle includes low-power sensors and high-power sensors for security monitoring, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to, when in a key-off state, determine a first score based on the low-power sensors. The controller also is to, responsive the first score exceeding a first threshold, activate the high-power sensors and determine a second score based on the high-power sensors. The controller also is to, responsive the second score exceeding a second threshold, send an alert via the communication module.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a base, a spool, a cylinder, a transfer plate, and a cylinder lock. The spool is rotatably coupled to the base and has a piston portion. The cylinder is engaged with the piston portion and therewith defines a chamber. The piston portion is movable from a first position to a second position. The transfer plate is translateably disposed in the first chamber. The cylinder lock in a first condition rotatably fixes the cylinder to the base. Damping fluid is in the chamber.

Abstract: Vehicles can be equipped to operate in both autonomous and occupant piloted mode. Vehicles can be equipped with hardware and software to determine a driving-acceptable region defined by lateral and longitudinal coordinates relative to a first vehicle, wherein the lateral and longitudinal coordinates are based on the locations and sizes of one or more second vehicles and the location and size of a roadway. Upon determining a vehicle fault, a computing device in the vehicle can pilot the vehicle to a stop within the driving-acceptable region.

Abstract: An assembly includes: (a) a sensor including a bolt connector, an anti-rotator configured to snap-fit into a recess, and rails; (b) a cover including a plurality of slots configured to receive the rails and being sized to leave a portion of the bolt connector laterally exposed when finally positioned on the sensor.

Abstract: A hot-forming line for producing hot-formed and press-quenched sheet-steel products includes a temperature control station for heating at least one sheet-metal blank, a hot-forming and press-quenching tool for hot forming and press quenching the heated sheet-metal blank and at least one blank gripper for gripping and transferring the sheet-metal blank before and/or after hot forming and press quenching. The at least one blank gripper forms at least one contact region with the sheet-metal blank during the gripping of the sheet-metal blank. Also, the at least one blank gripper is configured to cool the sheet-metal blank in the at least one contact region during gripping and transfer of the sheet-metal blank before hot forming and press quenching and/or heat the sheet-metal blank in the at least one contact region during gripping and transfer after hot forming and press quenching.

Abstract: A capless fuel system comprises a fuel inlet body, a flapper pivotably mounted within the fuel inlet body, a biasing member associated with the flapper, an axially movable shaft associated with the biasing member, and a tension calibrator associated with the biasing member, whereby tension on the controller spring may be adjusted by the calibrator. The biasing member may be of a variety of biasing elements but is preferably a controller spring. The shaft is reversibly movable from a tensioning position in which the electromechanical driver assembly is deactivated to a tension-lowering position in which the electromechanical driver assembly is activated. The capless fuel system includes a fuel pump nozzle position sensing system. The capless fuel system relies upon a single, multi-function flapper that functions as both the capless fuel system debris cover and a sealing member to prevent evaporative emission leaks.

Abstract: A chassis for a motor vehicle includes a longitudinal axis, at least one longitudinal member, and a front bumper fastened to the longitudinal member. The front bumper includes a region protruding over the longitudinal member in the lateral direction (y-direction). The chassis includes a support which has a transverse limb and a longitudinal limb. The longitudinal member has an outer face and the support is fastened at the transverse limb to the outer face of the longitudinal member. The transverse limb extends laterally to the outer face. The longitudinal limb adjoins the transverse limb laterally on the outside and extends in the longitudinal direction away from the front bumper.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a tie layer composition comprising functionalized polyethylene, styrene block copolymer, base polyethylene, and antioxidant co-stabilizers, wherein the antioxidant co-stabilizers comprise at least one oxygen scavenger, at least one peroxy free radical scavenger, and at least one alkyl free radical scavenger. Further embodiments are directed to multilayer films or sheets which include the tie layer composition.

Abstract: A vehicle door is provided that includes a door panel, a door handle located on the panel and having a contact surface, and one or more proximity sensors located on the handle to sense a user's hand interfacing with the handle. The vehicle door also includes an actuator for actuating the door panel, and a controller configured to control the actuator to open the door open position at a speed that varies based on the sensed user hand contacting the contact surface.

Abstract: A two-segment tube fluid level indicating system attached at one end to the vehicle's engine and at the other end to a fixed structure of the vehicle's engine bay is disclosed. The two-segment tube assembly includes a first tube segment having an end attached to the engine block and a second tube segment having an end attached to a fixed structure of the engine bay. The first tube segment is a common tube segment adapted for use with a given engine. The second tube segment is specific to a vehicle model. The first and second tube segments are axially and rotatably movable with respect to each other. A bracket having an elastomeric isolator attaches the second tube segment to the fixed structure. The movability of the first and second tube segments relative to each other and the elastomeric isolator operate to prevent damage to the tube portion during engine operation.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an elongated tubular beam, a chamber positioned to receive air from the beam, and a sensor thermally connected to the chamber. The chamber has a plurality of outlet holes. A plurality of fins may be disposed in the beam and/or the chamber. The sensor may be supported by the beam.

Abstract: A process and system for preparing C2 to C5 hydrocarbons includes introducing a feed stream containing hydrogen gas and a carbon-containing gas selected from carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof into a first reaction zone, contacting the feed stream and a hybrid catalyst in the first reaction zone, introducing a reaction zone product stream into a water removal zone that is downstream from the first reaction zone, and introducing a product stream from the water removal zone into a second reaction zone, resulting in a final stream comprising C2 to C5 hydrocarbons. The hybrid catalyst includes a methanol synthesis component and a microporous solid acid component; the microporous solid acid component is a molecular sieve having 8-MR access. The water removal zone removes at least a portion of water from the reaction zone product stream.

Abstract: The invention concerns an adaptive speed controller for a motor vehicle, with a stop-and-go system for an automatic or driver-confirmed restart following a standstill of the motor vehicle because of a vehicle ahead coming to a standstill and starting again, wherein if the motor vehicle comes to a standstill the stop-and-go system then enters a dynamic standstill state (t0 to t1) from which an automatic dynamic restart is possible, and wherein a preset period of time after the motor vehicle has come to a standstill and remains therein, the stop-and-go system enters a confirmation standstill state (>t4) from which an automatic restart is only possible after a driver's confirmation.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system for a plurality of users, comprising: a sensor provided to each user and configured to collect location data; a controller configured to receive and analyse the location data in order to produce congregation information, comprising information on the number of system users who are congregating at a venue; wherein the congregation information and location data are used to navigate a vehicle to a venue, the venue being determined using the congregation data.

Abstract: A body-on-frame vehicle includes a left frame rail, a right frame rail, a plate, a plurality of cross-members, a plurality of power storage modules, and a first electric motor. The plate is attached to both frame rails. The plurality of cross-members are attached to both frame rails. Adjacent cross-members cooperate with the plate and frame rails to define compartments. The plurality of power storage modules are disposed within a plurality of the compartments. The first electric motor is supported by a section of the frame rails forward or rearward of the power storage modules.

Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to plan a plurality of vehicle speeds for an upcoming road segment, adjust one or more of the planned speeds based on a predicted torque loss including a penalty based on a predicted torque impeller speed, and actuate a propulsion according to the planned speeds to lock a torque converter clutch.

Abstract: A two-component curable epoxy resin system including a dye solution. The resin system includes an epoxy resin component containing at least 80% by weight of a polyglycidyl ether of a polyphenol. The system also includes a hardener mixture containing mainly polyethylene tetraamines. The system includes triethylene diamine in specific amounts as a catalyst. The system has beneficial curing characteristics with desired color that make it useful for producing fiber-reinforced composites in a resin transfer molding process.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an electrode sandwich includes, responsive to an amount of cyclable lithium lost being greater than a predefined threshold, initiating, by a controller, current flow between the sandwich and a lithium replenishment electrode in ionic conductivity with the sandwich via replenishment gaps to transfer lithium thereto, and, responsive to an amount of transferred lithium corresponding to the amount lost, hot-press sealing the replenishment gaps and detaching the replenishment electrode from the sandwich.