Abstract: A continuously programmable Blind Spot Detection System for vehicles that use continuous vision sensor input to determine lane offset and determine a maximum range limit for radar sensors to define an area of interest for declaration of objects within the blind spot area.

Abstract: The present invention is a wireless, infrastructureless, communication system for vehicle to vehicle data transfer over a 900 MHz frequency over a substantially 360° radius of view over a predetermined range, preferably about 8 miles. Each vehicle is equipped with a geo-position system, a warning alert system, at least one sensor to produce a data signal indicative of vehicle operation conditions, a micro-chip set and a transceiver. The invention further includes methods to communicate over a wireless, infrastructureless communication system for vehicle to vehicle data transfer over the described system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an articulated seat assembly to efficiently utilize vehicle compartment space. The articulated seat assembly is comprised of a seat back slidably mounted to a floor for horizontal movement relative thereto. A seat pan is equipped with at least first and second seat flange indents on opposite ends of the seat pan to cooperatively engage a floor flange to provide support to the seat pan in first and second pivoted positions. A leg assembly is pivotally attached to the seat pan at a first end and pivotally attached relative to a vehicle floor at a second end. The leg assembly is equipped with a first flat to cooperatively engage the vehicle floor when the leg is in a first pivoted position and a second flat to cooperatively engage the vehicle floor in a second pivoted position. The leg assembly is further equipped with a contour to cooperate with a floor contour to permit pivotal movement of said leg.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively activating and deactivating gas exchange valves in a variable displacement internal combustion engine include a rocker arm having a positioning device that opposes movement of a lash adjustment device while deactivated to position a coupling hole of the rocker arm within a desired coupling range to facilitate coupling of the rocker arm during subsequent activation of an associated engine cylinder.

Abstract: Device for treatment of a gas flow including at least one body (3), at least one first opening (4, 4?) for entrance of an incoming gas flow to the body (3) and at least one second opening (5, 5?) for the exit of an outgoing gas flow from the body (3). The body (3) is provided with a plurality of gas flow passages (11a, 11b) arranged to permit heat exchange between the gas flows in adjacent passages. The device has at least one distribution section (26, 26?) in communication with the first opening (4, 4?) and with the gas flow passages (11a, 11b) to distribute the incoming gas flow to the gas flow passages (11a, 11b), and at least one gas flow passage section (27, 27?) including the gas flow passages (11a, 11b), which passage section (27, 27?) primarily is adapted to permit heat exchange and to cause a conversion in the composition of the gas.

Abstract: A re-settable vehicle seat belt buckle pre-tensioner presenter system and method for operating the same.

Abstract: An optical system includes a light source 102 disposed for generating light preferably in a line. An optical element 104 includes a stepped reflecting surface 106 that includes reflecting surfaces 132 and step surfaces 130. The reflecting surfaces 132 have a metalized coating thereon so that the plurality of metalized reflecting surfaces reflect light therefrom. Each reflecting surface is a circular sector that increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector.

Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a cam plate formed with notches, a rocker plate formed with pockets mutually spaced angularly about an axis, each pocket including an open axial end, and a surface that closes each pocket at an end opposite the open axial end of each pocket. A rocker is located in a respective pocket for movement toward and away from engagement with a notch on the cam plate. Springs are supported on the rocker plate, each spring urging a rocker toward engagement with a notch.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a seat back having an outer surface that selectively contacts a seat occupant and a head restraint extending from the seat back that has a head restraint portion that selectively contacts the seat occupant. The head restraint portion is moveable between a forward position and a rearward position. The apparatus also includes a head restraint control assembly having an actuator, a lock mechanism, and a lock mechanism resetting device. The actuator transfers an actuation force to the head restraint portion for initiating movement of the head restraint portion from the rearward position to the forward position. The lock mechanism selectively restrains the headrest portion from moving from the forward position to the rearward position.

Abstract: A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to detect if one of the plurality of wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. A roll control pressure request may also be generated. The wheel lift pressure is suppressed in response to the roll control pressure request. The system may also store a peak wheel speed after the initiation of a build cycle so that the peak wheel speed is used in the wheel lift determination. Also, the system may have an ABS monitor mode which uses the build and release cycles of the ABS system to determine whether a wheel has lifted.

Abstract: An assembly for transmitting power from two power sources, such as an internal combustion engine and an electric motor having a rotor, to a transmission input shaft includes a clutch hub driveably connected to the rotor, a first clutch secured to the clutch hub for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the input shaft and clutch hub, and a second clutch secured to the clutch hub for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the engine shaft and clutch hub.

Abstract: A vehicle pre-impact sensing and control system generates tailored adaptive warning signals as a function of driver vehicle use. The tailored signals are used in a vehicle controller for determining appropriate driver warning or safety device activations.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement in the form of inflatable curtain (1) has a plurality of inflatable regions (12, 19, 25) spaced from the front of the inflatable curtain to the rear of the inflatable curtain. The rear-most inflatable region (25) is connected by a gas flow passage (23) to the lower-most part of an inflatable chamber (22) forming part of the next forward inflatable region (19) at a point remote from the point where a gas flow duct (8) associated with a gas generator (7) injects gas into that chamber (22). The rear-most inflatable region (25) of the inflatable element does not inflate until after the two forward regions (12, 19) have inflated, and possibly does not open until the region (19) connected to the gas flow passage(23) has been struck by the head of an occupant. An occupant in a rear-most row of seats is normally spaced further from the inflatable curtain than a more forwardly positioned occupant, and thus the rear-most chamber (25) will be inflated before being struck by a rear occupant.

Abstract: A powertrain for transmitting power to a driven wheel of a motor vehicle includes a power source that includes a reversible electric machine. A first transmission includes an input driveably connected to the power source, a first output, and a mechanism for producing a stepless variable range of ratios of a speed of the output to a speed of the input. An epicyclic transmission includes a second input driveably connected to the power source, a third input driveably connected to the first output, and a second output driveably connected to a drive wheel. The transmissions produce a range of speed of the drive wheel that varies from negative to positive and includes zero.

Abstract: An engine system and method are disclosed for controlling pre-ignition of an alcohol fuel. In one embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to cause the fuel to avoid combustion chamber surfaces. In another embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to spray the fuel directly onto the piston surface to cool the piston. Also disclosed is a cylinder cleaning cycle in which engine knock is purposely caused for one to hundreds of engine cycles by adjusting the fuel content away from alcohol toward gasoline. Further measures to cause knock which are disclosed: adjusting spark timing, intake boost, exhaust gas fraction in the cylinder, cam timing, and transmission gear ratio.

Abstract: A catalyst system for use with an internal combustion engine to provide emissions reductions under lean and stoichiometric operating conditions. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst comprised of a newly developed Perovskite-based formulation having an ABO3 crystal structure designed to bring the precious metal and NOx trapping elements close together. The first catalyst acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under lean operating conditions. The catalyst system also comprises a second catalyst comprised of precious metals which acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle steering system has an actuator (12) for steering a wheel (10). A shaft (28) passes axially through the interior of a housing (14) of the actuator and through a rotor tube (56) journaled for rotation within the housing. On the exterior of the housing one end of the shaft is coupled to the wheel. An electric motor (52) within the interior of the housing rotates the rotor tube when the wheel is steered by a steering wheel. An internal screw thread (68) on the rotor tube and an external screw thread (70) on the shaft are operatively coupled by a set (74) of transmission rollers (76) to provide for bi-directional transmission of motion between the rotor tube and the shaft such that rotation of the rotor tube causes the shaft to move axially of the housing to steer the vehicle wheel and axial motion of the shaft due to wheel recovery from a turn rotates the rotor tube.

Abstract: A control system and control method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having an engine, an electric motor and an electric generator with gearing for effecting split power distribution from separate power sources. Power delivery to vehicle traction wheels is coordinated to meet a driver's demand for power as much as possible without violating predefined maximum and minimum powertrain limits, including the limits of the battery subsystem.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having at least one cylinder is provided. The engine includes an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder. The method includes generating an operator command. The method further includes controlling flow into the cylinder by changing the outlet control device to control flow into the cylinder based on the operator command.

Abstract: A bumper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a bumper structure having a bumper beam adapted for attachment to a structure of a motor vehicle such as a frame or rails, or the like. A hitch is attached to the bumper beam, and a bumper cover conceals the bumper beam. The bumper cover has an opening for accessing the hitch and an access door for selectively concealing the hitch. The access door is mounted to the bumper structure such that the access door will be retained upon the bumper structure not only when the access door is concealing the hitch but also when the access door is open to allow an accessory such as a trailer to be coupled to the hitch.