Abstract: An assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a top plate piece, a bottom plate piece and tubing sandwiched between the top plate piece and the bottom plate piece.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle localization based on wireless local area network nodes. An example disclosed vehicle includes a wireless network controller and a location tracker. In response to losing reception of GPS signals, the location tracker scans for wireless network nodes via the wireless network controller, and when second locations of the wireless network nodes are stored in memory, determines a current location of the vehicle based on a particle filtering technique and received signal strength measurements from the wireless network nodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel usage while addressing knock by adjusting the use of spark retard and direct injection of a knock control fluid based on engine operating conditions and the composition of the injected fluid. One or more engine parameters, such as EGR, VCT, boost, throttle position, and CMCV, are coordinated with the direct injection to reduce torque and EGR transients.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes one or more fuel injectors are described. The systems and methods may characterize fuel injector operation during a time when injecting fuel may be useful to maintain balance of a catalyst to reduce engine emissions. Further, large or small amounts of fuel may be injected without affecting engine combustion.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for formulating lane level routing plans. In general, aspects of the invention are used in motorized vehicles to guide a driver to a terminal vehicle configuration according to a lane level routing plan that balances travel time with routing plan robustness. A lane level routing plan can be based on terminal guidance conditions (e.g., exiting a highway in the correct off ramp lane), statistical patterns of lanes themselves, current vehicle state, and state of the local environment near the vehicle. Lane level routing plans can be communicated to the driver with audio, visual, and/or haptic cues. Lane level routing plans can be revised online and in (essentially) real-time in response to changing conditions in the local environment (e.g., a trailing vehicle in a neighboring lane has decided to increase speed).

Abstract: A cellular structure may include a plurality of cells. Each cell of the plurality of cells may have a twelve-cornered cross section. The twelve-cornered cross-section may include two sides each having a first cross-sectional length, and ten sides each having a second cross-sectional length that differs from the first cross-sectional length.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that uses data from different types of on-board sensors to determine whether meteorological precipitation is failing near the vehicle. The vehicle may include an on-board camera capturing image data and an on-board accelerometer capturing accelerometer data. The image data may characterize an area in front of or behind the vehicle. The accelerometer data may characterize vibrations of a windshield of the vehicle. An artificial neural network may run on computer hardware carried on-board the vehicle. The artificial neural network may be trained to classify meteorological precipitation in an environment of the vehicle using the image data and the accelerometer data as inputs. The classifications of the artificial neural network may be used to control one or more functions of the vehicle such as windshield-wiper speed, traction-control settings, or the like.

Abstract: A lubricant formulation contains: (a) at least 50 weight-percent hydrocarbon base oil; (b) five to 50 weight-percent of an oil soluble polyalkylene glycol selected from monol, diol and triol initiated 1,2-butylene oxide homopolymer and monol initiated copolymers of 1,2-butylene oxide and propylene oxide; and (c) 0.1 to five weight-percent or less of a sulfurized olefin; where weight-percent is based on total lubricant formulation weight.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a vortex tube configured to generate hot and cold airstreams and a valve having hot and cold air inlets connected to the vortex tube to receive the hot and cold airstreams, respectively. The valve further has a vent and a valve outlet. A high-voltage electrical component is connected to the valve outlet by conduit to receive one of the hot and cold airstreams to thermally regulate the component.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power converter electrically coupled to an auxiliary battery and an electrical load. A vehicle voltage control system includes a controller programmed command an output voltage of the power converter to a voltage that is a maximum of target voltages associated with electrical loads that are electrically coupled to the auxiliary battery and activated, a battery charging voltage when a demand for auxiliary battery charging is present, and a float voltage associated with the auxiliary battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas mixer. In one example, a system may comprise an outer annular portion exterior to an exhaust pipe and an inner annular portion interior to the exhaust pipe, where the outer annular portion comprises a spiral fin extending around the exhaust pipe in a downstream direction.

Abstract: Embodiments for an engine coupled to a first turbocharger and a second turbocharger are provided. One example includes responsive to a first condition, deactivating a first turbine of the first turbocharger and meeting a boost demand via operation of the second turbocharger, and responsive to deactivating the first turbine, increasing a pressure at a compressor-side end of a bearing arrangement of a shaft of the first turbocharger. In this way, oil leakage from the bearing arrangement may be reduced.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing color dispersions comprising a first step of contacting water, a first colorant, and a polysaccharide selected from methylcellulose, hydropropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxybutylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylethylcellulose, and the mixture thereof, to form a first colorant dispersion; a second step of contacting the first colorant dispersion with a protective composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles, clay, and a peptizing agent to form a dispersion of protected first colorant particles; an optional third step of repeating the first step and the second step with a second colorant that is different from the first colorant to form a dispersion of protected second colorant particles; and an optional fourth step of mixing the dispersions of protected first and second colorant particles to form a multi-color dispersion.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to determine a target brake torque that is below a preset holding brake torque and at least high enough to hold a vehicle at standstill; and upon detecting that a brake of the vehicle is applied and a speed of the vehicle is below a threshold, monotonically reduce a brake torque of the brake so that the brake torque reaches the target brake torque when the speed reaches substantially zero.

Abstract: A vehicle seat cushion assembly includes a first foam pad defining a ventilating column disposed therethrough, a topper pad disposed over the first foam pad, and a second foam pad disposed adjacent the first foam pad. The second foam pad and the first foam pad define a flow channel in fluid communication with the ventilating column. A thermally conductive tape includes a thermoelectric device disposed between the first foam pad and the topper pad. The thermoelectric device is disposed near an end of the ventilating column. An air mover moves air from an air intake of the flow channel to an air exhaust of the flow channel.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle climate control system includes steps of determining that a first predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system airflow into a passenger cabin will exceed a predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold and, if so, automatically implementing a first climate control system operating condition at least reducing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. On determining that a second predetermined set of conditions are satisfied whereby the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin will satisfy the predetermined HVAC airflow temperature threshold, the method includes a step of automatically implementing a second climate control system operating condition increasing the HVAC airflow into the passenger cabin. Climate control systems for implementing the described methods are provided.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle including a control arm having a control arm portion and a cantilever spring portion fixed to the control arm portion. A retainer spaced from the control arm connects the cantilever spring portion to a vehicle subframe. The control arm portion may be made at least partly of fiber-reinforced plastic and having a wheel connecting point for a wheel carrier and at least one superstructure connecting point for a vehicle superstructure, for mounting pivotally about a pivot axis S. The spring portion may also be made at least partly from fiber-reinforced plastic.

Abstract: Two-component polyurethane adhesives include a polyol component and a polyisocyanate component. The polyol component includes a polyether polyol and an aliphatic diol chain extender. The polyisocyanate component includes an isocyanate prepolymer made by reacting an aromatic polyisocyanate with a poly(butylene oxide) polyol. When cured, the adhesive is highly resistant to heat and humidity, and exhibits an unexpectedly high modulus and tensile strength.

Abstract: A wheel hub bearing unit of a motor vehicle includes at least one roller bearing for mounting a wheel hub. The roller bearing contains an outer ring which, on an outer peripheral face, is at least partially equipped with a first threaded element and at least one inner ring, and a wheel carrier with a mounting hole. A wall of the mounting hole is at least partially equipped with a second threaded element that is provided for mechanical engagement with the first threaded element. The outer ring and the wheel carrier each have at least one contact face, which are provided to come into mutual mechanical contact when the roller bearing is mounted in the wheel carrier.