Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a vehicle restraint is provided herein having a track and a restraint support configured to slide along the track. A positioner is coupled to the restraint support and a motor, coupled to the positioner, is operable to adjust a position of the restraint support. A switch is in communication with the motor and the motor is operable to adjust the position of the restraint support in response an input to the switch. An apparatus for identifying the occupant and automatically positioning of a vehicle restraint is also provided.

Abstract: A method of signaling an operator of a motor vehicle to optimize stopping distance including determining a vehicle speed, and determining a preferred time to stop based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed. A maximum acceptable time to stop is determined based, at least in part, on the vehicle speed. A coast rate for the vehicle is determined, and an optimal distance to begin coasting is also determined. The method further includes providing a signal to an operator of the vehicle to begin coasting when the vehicle is at the optimal distance.

Abstract: A metallized optical fiber comprises: A) An optical fiber, and B) A conductive metal over and in contact with the optical fiber and having a thickness that is at least 0.15 times the thickness of the optical fiber. The metallized optical fiber can form a component of a hybrid optical fiber/coaxial cable, and it provides good protection against interference with the data signal traveling along the optical fiber from electrical current from an adjacent or near-by electrical conductor.

Abstract: A low-temperature catalyst is provided for reducing cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. The catalyst comprises a platinum group metal impregnated onto an oxygen storage material. The catalyst may be used alone or may be included in a hydrocarbon trap containing a hydrocarbon adsorption material therein. The catalyst/hydrocarbon trap is positioned in the exhaust system of a vehicle downstream from a close-coupled catalyst such that the exhaust temperature at the catalyst location does not exceed 850° C. during normal vehicle operation and when combined with a hydrocarbon adsorption material in a trap, the exhaust temperature does not exceed 700° C.

Abstract: A steering wheel is locatable between an operational position at a driver seat of a vehicle and a stowed position in the vehicle. A first airbag is coupled to the steering wheel, and a multi-stage airbag laterally overlaps the driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle next to the driver seat. A controller includes instructions for detecting a frontal collision, locating the steering wheel, deploying the first airbag at the driver seat and the multi-stage airbag at the passenger seat when the steering wheel is in the operational position, and deploying the multi-stage airbag at the driver and passenger seats when the steering wheel is in the stowed position.

Abstract: In one or more embodiment, a method is provided for forming an insulating article from an insulating material having a first thickness, the method including the step of: compressing the insulating material to form a compressed insulating material having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness; and subsequent to the step of compressing, subjecting the compressed insulating material to a vacuum to form the insulating article.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material, cured manufactured article comprising the crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material, semipermeable membrane comprising the crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material, method of using the semipermeable membrane to separate an acid gas from a separable gas mixture comprising the acid gas and a permeation-resistant gas, and method of preparing the cured manufactured article from a curable manufactured article comprising a shaped reactive silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material.

Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a disconnect clutch is operated in response to an engine stop request to adjust an engine stopping position during an engine shutdown. The approach may reduce engine starting time after the engine stop.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing condensate accumulation at a charge air cooler (CAC) during cold ambient conditions. A wastegate may be held closed while a compressor recirculation valve is held open during an engine cold start so as to use compressor heating and increased compressor recirculation to expedite CAC heating. EGR delivery is delayed until the CAC is sufficiently warm to reduce the propensity for condensation.

Abstract: A method and system for parking assistance for a vehicle, wherein the parking of said vehicle on a parking space at least partly occupied by a second vehicle is enabled by transmitting a maneuver request to the second vehicle. The method includes the steps of: allocating a priority to the driver of the first vehicle, wherein said priority implements a classification of said driver with respect to the extent to which the driver is entitled to the prioritized use of the parking space; and transmitting the maneuver request to the second vehicle based on said priority.

Abstract: The invention is a method of forming a layered-open-network polishing pad useful for polishing at least one of magnetic, semiconductor and optical substrates. Exposing a first and second polymer sheet or film of a photocurable polymer creates an exposure pattern in the first and second polymer sheet. The exposure pattern has elongated sections exposed to the energy source. The light exposure is of an exposure time sufficient to cure the photocurable polymer, but insufficient to cure adjacent elongated sections together. Attaching the first and second polymer sheets forms a polishing pad with the patterns of the first and second polymer sheets crossing. Curing the layered-open-network polishing pad to secure the layered-open-network polishing pad with the first and second sheets having sufficient stiffness to reduce sagging and maintain an orthogonal relationship between the elongated channels and the parallel planes of the polymer sheets.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for controlling the vehicle includes identifying an electric vehicle (EV) priority zone for the vehicle along a trip path, determining the position of the vehicle with respect to the expected upcoming EV-priority zone; implementing an electric-only mode of operation of the vehicle based on the position of the vehicle and a current operating mode of the vehicle; and implementing a charging mode of operation of the vehicle based on the position of the vehicle and a current operating mode of the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments for injecting air into exhaust ports of an engine are provided. In one example, a multi-cylinder engine method comprises combusting a rich air-fuel mixture, injecting air into a first cylinder's exhaust port and not into a second cylinder's exhaust port during the first cylinder's exhaust stroke, and injecting air into the second cylinder's exhaust port and not into the first cylinder's exhaust port during the second cylinder's exhaust stroke. In this way, injection into each exhaust port may be timed with exhaust release into each exhaust port.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements provides a plurality of forward speed ratios and one or more reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of shift elements in various combinations. Three simple planetary gear sets are located on the input axis. One of the simple planetary gear sets may have either a split-ring arrangement in which two ring gears are provided with one carrier and one sun gear, or a split-sun arrangement in which two sun gears are provided with one carrier and one ring gear.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to nine forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six elements. Two of the arrangements feature planetary gear sets that are separated radially and are particularly suited to applications that require reduced axial length.

Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one example, the method adjusts application of vehicle brakes to reduce the possibility of impact between gear teeth after engine starting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a driveline disconnect clutch is adjusted to compensate for clutch wear and manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for controlling a wastegate in the presence of a degraded wastegate valve sensor. In one example, responsive to feedback from a wastegate valve sensor being unavailable, a wastegate valve is moved to an at least partially open position in part via exhaust pressures responsive to a desired boost being within a first range. Responsive to feedback from the wastegate valve sensor being unavailable, the wastegate valve is moved toward a fully closed position at a rate responsive to boost pressure dynamics responsive to the desired boost being within a second, different range.

Abstract: A method for vaporizing fuel is provided. The method comprises heating the fuel in a cylinder of an engine via radiation to vaporize the fuel without ignition. In this way, the fuel may be heated to increase vaporization efficiency prior to ignition.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fuel vapor canister purging in boosted engines are described. In one example, vapors are purged from the canister into an engine intake passage downstream of a throttle via an ejector during vacuum conditions, whereas during boost conditions, vapors are purged from the canister into an upstream inlet of a compressor via the ejector, the compressor arranged in the intake passage upstream of the throttle.