Abstract: An electric vacuum pump backup control system includes a brake on/off switch, a primary electric vacuum pump control interfacing with the brake on/off switch, a secondary electric vacuum pump control interfacing with the brake on/off switch and the primary electric vacuum pump control and an electric vacuum pump interfacing with the primary electric vacuum pump control.

Abstract: A method for enacting DFSO in a motor vehicle having an engine and a transmission. The method includes, during a condition of normal engine-braking efficiency, disabling the DFSO below a higher gear of the transmission. During a condition of reduced engine-braking efficiency, by contrast, the DFSO is disabled below a lower gear of the transmission.

Abstract: An intake assembly in an engine is provided. The intake assembly includes a compressor and a plenum in fluidic communication with the compressor, the plenum having an integrated charge air cooler including a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet in fluidic communication with a coolant passage and cooling plates extending into a plenum enclosure and coupled to the coolant passage. The intake assembly further includes a throttle body coupled to the plenum.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for a vehicle, for height adjustment of a vehicle superstructure, which at one end has a first means for pivoting on a sprung mass (2) of the vehicle and at the other end a second means for pivoting on an unsprung mass (3) of the vehicle, a vibration damper (4) damping a relative movement of the sprung mass and unsprung masses (2, 3), and a self-pumping air spring (5) which supports the sprung and unsprung masses (2, 3) against each other in a sprung fashion. The vibration damper (4) according to the invention has a damping characteristic which is adjustable during operation, preferably steplessly adjustable. The invention also concerns a method for height adjustment of a vehicle superstructure by means of such a device.

Abstract: Prepare a polymeric nanofoam using a continuous extrusion process by providing a polymer melt of a polymer composition in an extruder, introducing carbon dioxide to a concentration above the solubility in the polymer melt, cooling the polymer melt without increasing the pressure to achieve conditions where all of the carbon dioxide is soluble in the polymer composition and then extruding the polymer composition and carbon dioxide mixture through an extrusion die so as to experience a pressure drop of at least five MegaPascals at a rate of at least ten MegaPascals per second and allowing the polymer composition to expand into a polymeric nanofoam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a driveline disconnect clutch is based on temperature conditions of a catalyst. The driveline disconnect clutch may not be opened if catalyst temperature is greater than a threshold temperature so that the catalyst may be cooled.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a motive power source, a transmission, and a clutch system. The vehicle further includes a controller that causes the clutch system to generate a generally constant clutch pressure to mechanically couple the motive power source and transmission as a line pressure associated with the transmission varies.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor and a processing device. The sensor is configured to output sensor signals representing infrastructure information collected in real time. The processing device is configured to predict a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluate a prediction error, adjust a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and control at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic. A method includes receiving infrastructure information collected in real time, predicting a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluating a prediction error, adjusting a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and controlling at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic.

Abstract: A system for securing and wirelessly charging a chargeable device on a charger, particularly in a vehicle, is provided. The system includes at least one transmitting coil in proximity to a charging surface and an adjustable retaining assembly configured to substantially engage at least a portion of a perimeter of the chargeable device to position the chargeable device on the charging surface.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to ten forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of various combinations of three or four shift elements. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six shift elements. Two of the shift elements can be brakes.

Abstract: The invention provides halogen-free, flame-retardant flexible polyolefin-based formulations.

Abstract: A system for attenuating vehicle audio for mobile application audible statements, the system comprising a vehicle computing system having one or more processors for playing audio in the vehicle from a plurality of different audio sources. The system also includes a wireless transceiver for communicating signals from a mobile computing device for processing by the vehicle computing system. The vehicle computing system is configured to receive a wireless signal from the mobile computing device representative of an audible statement to be played in the vehicle. If the vehicle computing system is playing audio in the vehicle at the time the wireless signal is received from the mobile computing device, determine an amount to attenuate the audio based on the source of the audio. Attenuate the audio and play the audible statement based on the determination.

Abstract: A torque sensor assembly is used to measure torque in a powertrain of a motor vehicle, the powertrain including a power source and a transmission. A sensor is coupled to an oil seal housing, which is coupled to the engine. Each of the sensor and the oil seal housing has a mounting hole formed therein. The sensor is coupled to the oil seal housing, and the oil seal housing to the engine, by inserting one fastener into both mounting holes. The sensor measures an amount of torque exerted on a drive plate of the transmission. The drive plate includes a central disk, made of a magnetizable material, and an outer ring coupled to the central disk. The sensor is a magnetic torque sensor, which determines an amount of torque exerted on the central disk of the drive plate by sensing a magnetic flux passing through the drive plate.

Abstract: A vehicular charging system is provided that includes a battery and a charger region. The system also includes a wireless charger for generating an electric charging signal in the charger region to charge the battery, and a plurality of sensors located to sense foreign objects and living beings in proximity to the charger region. The system further includes a controller for controlling the charger to at least reduce the charging signal when a foreign object or a living being is in proximity to the charger region. The controller may be configured to terminate the charging signal and/or activate an alarm element when a foreign object or a living being is in proximity to the charger region.

Abstract: An engine cover assembly having an integrally attached captive or part-in-assembly fastener for attachment to an engine is disclosed. The engine cover assembly includes an engine cover having a fastener aperture formed in a recessed area thereof and a captive fastener assembly integrally attached to the engine cover. The captive fastener assembly includes an elongated fastener having a head or shoulder, a load limiting spacer disposed next to the shoulder of the elongated fastener, and a load limiter positioned next to the load limiting spacer. The load limiter has shoulders formed at both ends. The elongated fastener has a threaded end for attachment to a threaded insert positioned in the engine. Insulators are attached to the load limiting spacer and are positioned to either side of an area of the engine cover adjacent the fastener aperture, thus capturing the engine cover between the elongated fastener head and the load limiter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for preventing condensation on a windshield and other windows of a parked vehicle. One method includes following the vehicle shut down, and when a temperature of a windshield is lower than ambient dew point, transferring heat from a powertrain of the vehicle to the windshield via a coolant if a powertrain temperature is higher than the windshield temperature, and transferring heat from ambient air to the windshield via the coolant if the powertrain temperature is lower than the windshield temperature, and ambient temperature is higher than the windshield temperature.

Abstract: Vehicle trajectory data is obtained. A variance of the trajectory data is recursively determined. A speed-dependent weighting function is computed to obtain a speed-dependent weight. An anomaly index is determined based at least on part on application of the speed dependent weight to the recursively determined variance.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosed body defining a chamber therein. The body includes a rearward portion, a forward portion opposite the rearward portion and a first portion extending between the rearward and forward portions. The first portion has a stiffness less than at least one remaining portion of the body. The apparatus further includes at least one pressure sensor coupled to the body and the chamber to detect deformation of the first portion of the body.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for heating a powertrain prior to an engine start. One method includes heating a coolant by circulating the coolant through a radiator and operating an electric radiator fan, and flowing the coolant across the powertrain. The coolant is heated and circulated across the powertrain when a temperature of the powertrain is lower than ambient temperature.

Abstract: A camouflage sheet comprises a reflector layer. The sheet has formed thereon a plurality of three-dimensional shapes. The camouflage sheet, and possibly also one or more other camouflage sheets, may be affixed to a product such as a test vehicle.