Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for preparing carbonized polymers, such as carbon fibers, comprising: sulfonating a polymer with a sulfonating agent that comprises SO3 gas to form a sulfonated polymer; treating the sulfonated polymer with a heated solvent, wherein the temperature of said solvent is at least 95° C.; and carbonizing the resulting product by heating it to a temperature of 500-3000° C.

Abstract: Provided are protected antimicrobial compounds which are useful for controlling microorganisms in aqueous or water-containing systems, such as oil or gas field fluids, at elevated temperature. The antimicrobial compounds are of the formula I: wherein R3 and R4 are as defined herein.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an engine and an electric machine (M/G) connected by an upstream clutch, and a gearbox connected to the M/G by a torque converter. A controller is configured to, in response to a Park or Neutral gear selection and an electrical power request from the M/G, operate the engine at an engine speed and an engine torque based on the request and M/G speed and torque for improved powertrain efficiency. A method is provided for controlling a vehicle. In response to a Park or Neutral gear selection and an electrical power request from the M/G, the engine is operated at an engine speed and an engine torque based on the request and M/G speed and torque for improved powertrain efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides an ethylene-based polymer comprising the following properties: a) a melt index (12)>2.0 dg/min; b) a Mw(abs) versus 12 relationship: Mw(abs)<A+B(I2), where A=2.40×105 g/mole, and B=?8.00×103 (g/mole)/(dg/min); and c) a G? versus 12 relationship: G?>C+D(I2), where C=127.5 Pa, and D=?1.25 Pa/(dg/min). The invention also provides an ethylene-based polymer comprising the following properties: a) a melt index (12)>2.0 dg/min; b) a G? versus 12 relationship: G?>C+D(I2), where C=127.5 Pa, and D=?1.25 Pa/(dg/min) c) a chloroform extractable (Clext) versus G? relationship: Clext.<E+FG?, where E=0.20 wt %, and F=0.060 wt %/Pa; and d) a “weight fraction (w) of molecular weight greater than 106 g/mole, based on the total weight of polymer, and as determined by GPC(abs),” that meets the following relationship: w<I?J(I2), where I=0.080, and J=?4.00×10?3 min/dg.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for low density flexible polyurethane foams are reaction products of reaction systems including at least one polyol and at least one isocyanate including at least 50% by weight of an MDI based isocyanate. The flexible polyurethane foam has a density of less than about 33 kg/m3 as determined according to ASTM D 3574-01, a tear strength of more than about 160 N/m as determined according to NBR 8515:2003 and a resiliency of at least 45% as measured according to ASTM D-3574-H.

Abstract: A catalytic converter protection system that includes a controller, a catalytic converter having a housing, and a shorting element that has two terminals and is coupled to the housing. The system also includes a connector having an internal resistor. The connector is electrically coupled to the controller and the two terminals. The controller monitors resistance of the internal resistor to determine continuity between the connector and the shorting element. The controller may activate an alarm element with a loss in continuity between the terminals and the shorting element.

Abstract: A predictive enhanced maneuverability system providing enhanced timely delivery of vehicle performance selection of chassis, and steering modes for potential predicted safety collisions is disclosed. The primary inputs of the disclosed invention include a determination of the proximity to a preceding vehicle, the density of the surrounding traffic, a forward collision warning alert, and the predictive enhanced maneuverability decision sub-system for vehicle mode selection. The system of the disclosed invention provides a customized vehicle dynamics chassis and steering dynamic mode output, based on a predicted decision about vehicle potential for collision, for improved driver maneuverability and safety. In addition, the disclosed invention provides an improved system and method for incorporating the time dependent headway, forward collision warning alert, and the traffic density for chassis collision-mode embedded decision-making.

Abstract: Data relating to travel of a plurality of users, including destinations of the plurality of users and flight arrival delay data, are received. The plurality of users are assigned to a plurality of groups based on the data. An on-demand transport shareable by a selected group is identified based at least in part on the data, The on-demand transport is initiated for the selected group.

Abstract: A tailgate striker support bracket assembly for a pickup truck box. The assembly having a bracket with a striker support section sandwiched between a striker and a floating striker nut. The bracket having a web extending from the striker support section to a flange. The flange being affixed to a D-pillar of the truck box. The D-pillar being disposed between a side panel of the truck box and an outer panel of the pickup. The D-pillar also being disposed longitudinally forward from the striker. The pickup truck box being made from mostly aluminum alloy components.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to perform a visual inspection of an engine and diagnose various cylinder components and conditions based on engine positional measurements. Laser pulses may be emitted at a lower power level during an intake and/or exhaust stroke to illuminate a cylinder interior while a photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior. Additionally, laser pulses may be emitted at a higher power level to initiate cylinder combustion while the photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior using the light generated during cylinder combustion.

Abstract: An engine comprises a cylinder head connected to a cylinder block; a cooling circuit including a pump, a heat exchanger, and a ventilation vessel; a liquid-cooled component, connected into the cooling circuit by a connecting line and arranged between the pump and the ventilation vessel, which is cooled when the engine is not in operation; and a valve which is self-controlling as a function of coolant pressure arranged in the connecting line between the pump and the ventilation vessel, the valve adjustable between a first working position having a first, relatively small cross section of the connecting line, and a second working position, having a second, relatively large cross section of the connecting line, the valve controlling coolant throughput, wherein when the engine is not in operation and coolant pressure is reduced, the valve is in the second working position to provide an enlarged flow cross section.

Abstract: A vehicle load floor assembly includes a vehicle seat that has a seatback that pivots between upright and stowed positions. A cargo floor extends rearward from the seat. A first panel pivotally couples with an upper portion of the seatback and pivots to a raised position away from the seatback in a forward stowed position. A second panel pivotally couples with the first panel and is pivotally deployable rearward to define a support surface together with the first panel that engages the cargo floor.

Abstract: A frontal passenger airbag module is provided in association with the forward part of the instrument panel adjacent the windshield. The module includes a passageway through which the airbag may be deployed. The module is movable between an operational position in which the airbag may be deployed through the a breakaway opening in the instrument panel and a stowed position in which the module is moved vehicle-rearward such that the passageway is no longer adjacent the breakaway opening and the module no longer encroaches on the crush space provided for pedestrian protection. The vehicle includes an impact sensor for determining if an impact event involves a pedestrian. If it is determined by the sensor that a pedestrian has been involved, the module is moved to its stowed position. If it is determined by the sensor that no pedestrian has been involved, then the module remains in its operational position.

Abstract: A spring for a vehicle seat comprising a foam body having an outer surface and a plurality of outwardly-extending walls defining a plurality of recesses, wherein top and bottom surfaces of the foam body are operable between an extended position and a compressed position, wherein the plurality of recesses are vertically compressed and the top surface rotates a predetermined distance relative to the bottom surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a position of an air inlet throttle according to engine position and in response to an operator change of mind to restart an engine that is being automatically stopped.

Abstract: A method for improving purging of fuel vapors from a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine is presented. In one example, the method adjusts engine operation to provide sonic flow between a canister and the engine. In this way, it may be possible to lower an amount of fuel vapors stored in a canister while the engine continues to operate efficiently.

Abstract: A sensing and injury mitigation system for a vehicle to identify an object in an impact event is disclosed. The system includes an impact sensing unit comprising an impact sensor and a pressure sensing unit. The impact sensor has fluid-filled first and second tube portions. The pressure sensing unit has a housing and first and second pressure sensors located within the housing. The first tube portion of the impact sensor is attached to the first pressure sensor and the second tube portion of the impact sensor is attached to the second pressure sensor. The pressure sensing unit senses changes in fluid pressure within the tubes. In one embodiment, the tube portions of the impact sensor define a loop. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the first tube portion and at least a portion of the second tube portion share a common axis.

Abstract: A vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to establish a communication connection with at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices within a vehicle while enabling and determining infotainment control based on the location of the handheld device in the vehicle. The system may determine if the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver or non-driver handheld computing device based on a detected location of the communication connection. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a non-driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore enabling infotainment control from the non-driver handheld device. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore limiting infotainment control from the driver handheld device.

Abstract: Described are novel monocationic polyhydroxyl compounds and their uses in personal care compositions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated.