Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an engine assembly, which includes at least one cylinder head including a first surface, and at least one camshaft cover including a second surface, the first and second surfaces together defining a passageway positioned next to a seal for reducing oil leakage. The passageway may be defined by a recess on at least one of the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: An assembly is provided that includes a front end support frame and radiator support beam. The front end support frame has an end that defines an opening that extends between two facing walls across an inside wall of the tubular structure. The radiator support beam is assembled into the opening in the end of the front end support frame and is attached to the two facing walls. The front end support frame is a hydro-formed tube and the radiator support beam is an extruded part. The radiator support beam includes at least one internal reinforcement wall and an outside wall of the front end support frame is fastened with flow drilling screws to the internal reinforcement wall.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an intrusion sensor configured to detect a Doppler shift in a passenger compartment and output an intrusion signal representing the Doppler shift. The vehicle further includes a processing device configured to receive the intrusion signal and activate an alarm if the Doppler shift exceeds a predetermined threshold. A method includes measuring a Doppler shift in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comparing the Doppler shift to a predetermined threshold, and activating an alarm system if the Doppler shift exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Battery state of charge control systems and methods provide techniques to assist in managing battery capacity and battery life under various environmental, operating, and storage conditions. Dynamic management of desired battery SOC based on one or more parameters associated with usage patterns and environmental conditions, e.g., charge/discharge patterns, state of charge and/or temperature during storage may extend useful battery life. The present techniques can provide active state of charge monitoring and control to manage battery capacity during storage or other periods of non-use over the battery life to enhance battery performance.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a powered latch configured to selectively retain the door in a closed position when the powered latch is latched, and permits the door to be opened when the powered latch is unlatched. The vehicle door further includes an exterior door handle having an outer side that faces away from the door structure, and an inner side that is spaced apart from an outer surface of the door to define a gap. A force sensor on the exterior door handle detects impact forces on the handle. The door also includes an unlatch switch that can be actuated by a user to request unlatching of the powered latch. A controller is configured to deny an unlatch request generated by actuation of the unlatch switch if the force sensor detects an impact on the exterior handle.

Abstract: A symptom database may associate vehicle parameters indicative of vehicle issues with software updates correcting the issues. A diagnostic server may receive vehicle parameters from a vehicle responsive to vehicle generation of a diagnostic code, utilize the symptom database to identify a software update corresponding to an issue indicated by the vehicle parameters, and provide a response identifying the software update for automatic installation by the vehicle to correct the issue. A processor of a vehicle may send, to a diagnostic server responsive to vehicle generation of a diagnostic code, vehicle parameters including the diagnostic code and an identifier of the vehicle, receive, from the diagnostic server, a response identifying a software update corresponding to an issue indicated by the vehicle parameters, receive the software update responsive to the response identifying the software update, and automatically install the software update.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving spark robustness. Spark ignition dwell commands are adjusted based on the fuel fraction delivered via direct injection relative to port injection. The approach allows ignition output to better match the ignition requirement of the given fuel combination.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes logging vehicle startup information. The method also includes determining, via a computer, if timing commonalities exist between logged vehicle startup information instances. Further, the method includes recommending automatic vehicle startup, based on a threshold number of timing commonalities. The method also includes formulating recommended start times based on logged vehicle startup information instances having timing commonalities. The method additionally includes presenting a schedule including recommended start times to a vehicle user and scheduling automatic vehicle startups upon vehicle user acceptance of the presented schedule.

Abstract: A fuel tank having one or more support domes configured to engage with, and assist in positioning, a fuel tank insert.

Abstract: A composite part defining a button shaped protrusion and including fibers reinforcing a resin matrix throughout the part. The fibers may be in the form of a woven mat or in the form of loose fibers that are deposited in a mold. Methods of making the composite part with a woven mat or loose fibers being provided in the button shaped recess that defines a void in the fiber reinforced composite part at a predetermined location where a self-piercing rivet is to be inserted.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling a vehicle electric coolant pump include operating the coolant pump at a speed to provide a desired coolant flow based on a temperature difference between an engine coolant inlet temperature and an engine coolant outlet temperature. A hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric water pump includes a controller that controls water pump speed to provide coolant flow based on a differential temperature between an engine coolant inlet and an engine coolant outlet. Pump speed may also be controlled based on engine speed and load. Control of an electric water pump based on temperature difference, engine speed, and load may result in faster engine warm up and reduce pump power consumption.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a process for separating one or more aliphatic diamines from reductive amination reaction solvents and impurities, and aliphatic diamines obtained via such a process. The process for separating one or more aliphatic diamines from reductive amination reaction solvents and impurities according to the instant invention comprises the steps of: (1) feeding one or more cycloaliphatic cyanoaldehydes, hydrogen, ammonia, and optionally one or more solvents into a continuous reductive amination reactor system; (2) contacting said one or more cycloaliphatic cyanoaldehydes, hydrogen, and ammonia with each other in the presence of one or more heterogeneous metal based catalyst systems at a temperature in the range of from 80° C. to about 160° C.

Abstract: A turbocharger system is provided herein. The turbocharger system includes a turbine positioned downstream of a combustion chamber, a turbine bypass conduit in fluidic communication with a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet, a wastegate positioned in the turbine bypass conduit, and an air-cooled wastegate actuator adjusting the position of the wastegate, the air-cooled wastegate actuator receiving cooling airflow from an intake conduit positioned upstream of a compressor mechanically coupled to the turbine.

Abstract: A hydroclone (10) including a tank (12) having a fluid inlet (14), a filtered fluid outlet (16), an effluent outlet (18), a process fluid outlet (20) and an inner peripheral wall (22) positioned about an axis (X) and enclosing a plurality of aligned chambers including: i) a vortex chamber (24) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (14), a filter assembly (26) located within the vortex chamber (24) and enclosing a filtrate chamber (46), a fluid pathway (28) extending from the fluid inlet (14) and about the filter assembly (26) which is adapted to generate a vortex fluid flow about the filter assembly (26), wherein the filtrate chamber (46) is in fluid communication with the filtered fluid outlet (16) such that fluid passing through the filter assembly (26) enters the filtrate chamber (46) and may exit the tank (12) by way of the filtered fluid outlet (16), and ii) an effluent separation chamber (30) in fluid communication with the vortex chamber (24) and which is adapted for receiving unfiltered fluid th

Abstract: A vehicular instrument panel having a reinforcement that includes a plurality of chopped carbon fibers within a nylon resin, and a substrate coupled to the reinforcement comprising a plurality of chopped carbon and chopped glass fibers within a nylon resin. The plurality of chopped carbon and glass fibers in the substrate are segregated such that the carbon fibers and the glass fibers are each substantially concentrated within respective driver-side and passenger-side portions of the substrate. The substrate can also include a boundary region such that the plurality of chopped carbon and glass fibers in the substrate are substantially mixed in the boundary region.

Abstract: A collision detection system for a vehicle includes a sensor and a camera. The sensor measures a first data set of an object relative to the vehicle. The camera measures a second data set of the object relative to the vehicle and separately measures an image-based time-to-collision with the object based on scalable differences of captured images. A fusion module matches data from the sensor and the camera and estimates a collision threat based on the matched data. A plausibility module generates a signal if the measured image-based time-to-collision is less than a calculated steering-based time-to-collision and a braking-based time-to-collision with the object. A countermeasure module actuates a countermeasure device, such as an autonomous braking system, if the collision threat exceeds an actuation threshold and the signal from the plausibility module is received, thereby statistically reducing the rate of false actuations of the countermeasure device.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback and a seat base pivotally coupled with the seatback. An upper link is pivotally coupled between an upper portion of the seatback and a rear support. A front link and a rear link are pivotally coupled between the seat base and a floor. A bottom end of the front link is moveable on the floor between a forward position and a rearward position, adjusting the seatback respectively between a reclined position and an upright position.

Abstract: A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle operates the engine and/or traction motor in response to energy costs or prices received from an external source, such as a user or network. The vehicle can include a battery; an engine; an electric motor; a memory to store a battery charge point, and a controller to modify the battery charge point in response to arbitration criteria to control battery charging from the engine. The arbitration criteria can be based at least partially on fuel cost for the engine. The arbitration criteria can be based at least partially on electricity cost. The arbitration criteria can also include location of the vehicle. The controller may alter a deadband between charging the battery with the engine and discharging the battery to power the traction motor based on the arbitration criteria.

Abstract: A PWM strategy can be implemented to reduce device power losses and hotspot temperature in an inverter circuit that drives a synchronous motor. A method includes migrating a phase current from a power device with higher losses to a power device with lower losses. A PWM modulation signal can be modified to alter the inverter duty cycle and migrate phase current in the direction of lower losses. As an example, a PWM reference signal can be shifted to a lower value. A PWM loss reduction strategy can be performed while a motor is in a rotor-lock state to reduce device hotspot temperature. The PWM loss reduction strategy can also be performed when a motor is operating in a normal state, pushing PWM to DPWM, reducing switching and overall losses. The strategy can be practiced while a PMSM is operating as a motor, and can also be practiced during regenerative braking.

Abstract: A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this way, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available.