Abstract: A side airbag system for a vehicle has a primary airbag and a secondary airbag at least partially surrounding the primary airbag. The primary airbag comprises at least one primary vent venting into the secondary airbag and the secondary airbag comprises at least one secondary vent. The primary airbag is inflated by an inflator and the secondary airbag is inflated by gases leaving the primary airbag through the primary vent. The secondary airbag has a panel overlying the primary vent, and inflation of the primary airbag urges the vent and panel in an outboard direction against outboard vehicle structure to restrict flow through the vent. The inflation rates of the primary and secondary airbags are thereby controlled such that the primary airbag protects a vehicle occupant against impacts with a localized load profile and the primary and secondary airbags together protect the occupant against impacts with a distributed load profile.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a polyethylene blend composition having reduced chill roll buildup during extrusion process, and films and coating layers made therefrom. The polyethylene blend composition according to the present invention provide reduced chill roll buildups during extrusion process, and comprises: (a) from 60 to 95 percent by weight of a linear polyethylene composition comprising less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene, and less than 15 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers; wherein said linear polyethylene composition has a density in the range of from 0.917 to 0.975 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of from 1.70 to 3.62, a melt index (I2) in the range of from 2 to 50 g/10 minutes, and a vinyl unsaturation in the range of from less than 0.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving accuracy of delta pressure over valve (DPOV) based EGR flow measurement during low valve lift conditions by learning errors in EGR valve lift and/or EGR valve flow transfer function.

Abstract: A climate control system for a vehicle and a method of control. The climate control system may include a trim component and a ventilation system. The ventilation system may have a desiccant having volcanic rock particles. Air is circulated through the desiccant to reduce air humidity in the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A switchable engine mount is provided. The switchable engine mount includes an end plate including one or more openings in fluidic communication with a hydraulic source and a channel plate coupled to the end plate and including one or more hydraulic flow openings. The switchable engine mount further includes a decoupler including at least one decoupler plate at least partially enclosed by the channel plate and the end plate and a switching plate positioned adjacent to the decoupler and configured to axially actuate the decoupler in response to reception of an input force from an actuator, the input force non-parallel to the axially actuation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pre-ignition control. A pre-ignition mitigating enrichment is deactivated in response to a tip-out but reactivated in response to a subsequent tip-in. By preemptively enriching the engine, repeated pre-ignition due at subsequent tip-ins is reduced.

Abstract: A cellulose ether having (i) one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of methyl, hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl, (ii) one or more hydrophobic substituents, and (iii) one or more cationic, tertiary amino, or anionic substituents, and having a retained dynamic viscosity, %?80/25, of at least 30 percent, wherein %?80/25=[dynamic solution viscosity at 80° C./dynamic solution viscosity at 25° C.]×100, the dynamic solution viscosity at 25° C. and 80° being measured as 1% aqueous solution, is useful for modifying the viscosity of a composition selected from the group consisting of wellbore servicing fluids, cementitious formulations, ceramics, metal working fluids and cutting fluids.

Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for reducing motive flow rate through an aspirator. In one example, a method comprises flowing intake air, heated upon passage through an interstitial space of a double wall exhaust system, through an aspirator coupled to an engine vacuum consumption device to reduce motive mass flow rate at the aspirator as exhaust temperature increases. A position of an intake throttle may be adjusted based on the motive flow rate from the aspirator.

Abstract: An accessory attachment assembly for a vehicle interior includes a mounting bracket having a mounting aperture and first and second retention tabs pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket at the mounting aperture. A hook member includes a hook portion and an open frame portion. The open frame portion is releasably received in the mounting aperture of the mounting bracket in assembly. The first and second retention tabs are operably coupled to the open frame portion of the hook member as the open frame portion is received in the mounting aperture. A release aperture is disposed on one of either the first and second retention tabs and is configured to receive a tool for releasing the first and second retention tabs from the open frame portion of the hook member to release the hook member from the mounting bracket.

Abstract: Novel nonionic cellulose ethers exhibit a reduced degree of thermal thinning and are efficient thickeners at elevated temperatures. The nonionic cellulose ether has hydroxyethyl groups and is further substituted with one or more hydrophobic substituents. The cellulose ether further has at least one of the properties a), b) or c): a) a retained dynamic viscosity, % ?80/25, of at least 30 percent, wherein % ?80/25=[dynamic solution viscosity at 80° C./dynamic solution viscosity at 25° C.] 100, the dynamic solution viscosity at 25° C. and 80° C. being measured as 1% aqueous solution; b) a storage modulus of at least 15 Pascals at 25° C. and a retained storage modulus, % G?80/25, of at least 12 percent, wherein % G?80/25=[storage modulus at 80° C./storage modulus at 25° C.] 100, the storage modulus at 25° C. and 80° C. being measured as a 1% aqueous solution; c) a critical association concentration of less than 15 ppm as measured by light-scattering.

Abstract: A convex fan shroud for use with an automotive engine cooling system having a fan and a fan-cooled, liquid-to-air radiator is disclosed. The convex fan shroud has an optimized shape that leads to high air flow rates through the radiator. The convex fan shroud includes a front frame that defines an air-intake opening, a convex top wall connected to the frame, a convex bottom wall connected to the frame, and a pair of opposed convex side walls connected to the frame and to the top and bottom walls. The interior surfaces of the walls are smooth. The convex walls define a barrel-shaped shroud body that includes a round engine-facing opening to accommodate the fan. In addition to generating a higher flow rate, the disclosed inventive concept for a smooth convex fan shroud is relatively low cost to produce and has a relatively high degree of rigidity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing airflow through a charge air cooler (CAC) in order to purge condensate from the CAC. In one example, a method includes increasing airflow through the CAC while maintaining torque by selectively deactivating one or more engine cylinders and increasing boost. The number of deactivated cylinders may be based on an amount of condensate within the CAC.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include performing one or more oil recovery cycles that recovers oil from an oil containing reservoir. The one or more oil recovery cycles can include providing a flow of supercritical carbon dioxide to the oil containing reservoir, injecting a flow of a surfactant to the flow of supercritical carbon dioxide, where the supercritical carbon dioxide and the surfactant form a mixture, forming an emulsion of the mixture in water within the oil containing reservoir to control mobility of the supercritical carbon dioxide in the oil containing reservoir, reducing the flow of the surfactant to a reduced flow while maintaining the flow of the supercritical carbon dioxide to the oil containing reservoir, and recovering the oil displaced from the oil containing reservoir.

Abstract: A vehicular lighting assembly is provided that includes a chamber defined by isotropically luminant back and side surfaces, a depth, and a front surface having a lens aperture. The lighting assembly also includes LED sources on the back surface. In addition, each source has a beam angle?a light exit angle, and is spaced from the other sources?the depth divided by a predetermined factor between approximately 1.0 and 2.5. In certain aspects, the front surface also includes a diffuser. In other aspects, each source is spaced from the other sources?the depth divided by a predetermined factor of approximately 2.5 or less.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly is disclosed for a pulse welding a first tube supported on a mandrel to a second tube. An outer tool is assembled over the second tube and a stored charge is discharged in the cartridge assembly. The cartridge comprises an annular conductor and a solid casing enveloping the conductor. The stored charge is electrically connected to the conductor and discharged through the conductor to compress the second tube and pulse weld the second tube to the first tube.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure is described that includes a pair of rear rails, a bumper beam and a spare tire compartment including a spare tire. The rear rails have a rear segment aligned with the bumper beam, a middle segment disposed above the rear segment and a front segment that extends downwardly from the middle segment. After a 50 mph 70% Movable Deformable Barrier rear impact test, the spare tire compartment including the spare tire hinges downwardly to create added crush space and the middle section is raised upwardly to reduce the extent of intrusions into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either an air intake system or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, condensate is routed to a first position along the engine air intake system in a first mode of operation, and a second position upstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a second mode of operation, and a third position downstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a third mode of operation. When substantially no contaminates are detected, the condensate may be routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst in order to cool the catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide variable geometry turbine, a nozzle vane for a variable geometry turbine, and a method. The variable geometry turbine that may include a turbine wheel and a plurality of adjustable vanes radially positioned around the turbine wheel. The turbine may also include a flow disrupting feature on one or more outside surfaces of one or more of the plurality of adjustable vanes.

Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell includes first and second ends connected by a side wall to define a separation chamber. The first end has a protrusion extending into the chamber to form a channel with the wall. An inlet conduit is tangentially connected to the wall. An outlet conduit connected to the wall between the inlet conduit and the first end. A liquid drain is connected to the second end. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a separator. The separator has first and second portions forming a chamber and a divider. The first portion has a continuous inner wall, an end wall forming a central convex projection, an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit. The second portion has a continuous inner wall, an end wall, and a liquid drain.