Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of an engine are presented. In one example, a threshold torque at which deactivated engine cylinders are reactivated is adjusted in response to a varying engine compression ratio. In other examples, the torque threshold is adjusted in response to a rate of change in engine torque and engine compression ratio.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery pack and at least one controller programmed to implement a model of the battery pack. The model includes parameters representing an internal resistance and charge transfer impedance of the battery pack, and identified from an extended Kalman filter having an augmented state vector. The augmented state vector is at least partially defined by a time constant associated with the charge transfer impedance and a variable representing a proportionality between the internal resistance and a resistance term of the charge transfer impedance to reduce observed variability of the parameters.

Abstract: A vehicular cargo retention system includes a first cargo retention rail pivotally coupled with a load floor. A second cargo retention rail is pivotally coupled with the load floor. The first cargo retention rail is configured to rotate to a position above the second cargo retention rail. First and second shelves are operably coupled to a vehicle seatback. The first and second shelves are operable between a stowed position, wherein each of the first and second shelves is generally coplanar with the seatback, and a deployed position, wherein the first and second shelves extend generally horizontally.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a manual transmission having a clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to receiving a signal indicative of a deceleration event initiated by the controller when the vehicle is operating with the clutch engaged, command the engine to shut down before an engine stall threshold to prevent a stall. A method of controlling a vehicle having an engine and a manual transmission with a clutch includes, in response to receiving a signal indicative of a deceleration event above a threshold value when the vehicle is operating with the clutch engaged, shutting down the engine before an engine stall threshold to prevent a stall.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly for maintaining the vehicle door in a closed position including during an angled impact to the door latch of the vehicle. The latch assembly includes a catch, a pawl, and an actuator coupled to a door latch base. The catch is movable to and from a closed position wherein the catch is configured to grasp a portion of a striker coupled to the vehicle to maintain the door closed. The catch is also movable to and from an open position wherein the catch is configured to release the striker to allow the door to open. The pawl is configured to maintain the catch in the closed position until the door handle is actuated. The latch assembly includes a blocking plate including an extension member which is deformable during an impact to align with one of or both a pawl lifter and the pawl member to prevent their rotation and thereby maintain the latch assembly and the vehicle door in a latched position during such an impact.

Abstract: A front module disposed between an engine and a torque converter, and a method for coupling or decoupling the front module to the torque converter is provided. The front module has a housing that defines a cavity and has at least one access window, but preferably two access windows. The access windows may each include a notch. Disposed in the housing of the front module is a motor/generator and an engine disconnect clutch. A flexplate connects an output of the front module to the torque converter. The flexplate has a plurality of notches located on a periphery of the flexplate, and the flexplate is connected to the torque converter by a plurality of fasteners. Both the notches on the periphery of the flexplate and the plurality of fasteners are accessible through the access windows.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a composite support structure formed by a lower pressure compression mold and defines at least one open section. A subassembly is disposed over the composite support structure and includes a trim piece integrally formed on the subassembly and defines a center seat and at least one cushion attachment support is disposed adjacent to the at least one open section. A seat cushion insert is operably coupled to the at least one cushion attachment support and is disposed over the at least one open section and defines a side seat.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine of a vehicle during high engine loads are presented. In one example, fuel may be conserved at higher driver demand torques by limiting engine torque when the engine is operated in an economy mode. Additionally, two accelerator pedal position based fuel enrichment schedules are provided for operating the engine in different operating modes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of separating an oil-in-water emulsion formed during crude oil production into a water phase and an oil phase that includes adding 1 part-per-million (ppm) to 10000 ppm of a cationic vinyl imidazolium-based copolymer to the oil-in-water emulsion, based on the total volume of the oil-in-water emulsion, to form a water phase and an oil phase, and separating the water phase from the oil phase.

Abstract: The hydration of clays and shale in drilling operations may be inhibited by employing an aqueous based drilling fluid comprising a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbons, R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbons, and X is an anion. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in the aqueous based drilling fluid in sufficient concentration to reduce the reactivity, such as swelling, of clays and shale when exposed to water-based drilling fluids.

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: An assembly for a vehicle and a method of making an assembly including more than three panels stacked together and joined by self-piercing rivets or by clinch joints. A first panel and a second panel are joined together at a first attachment point. A third panel and the first panel are joined together at a second attachment point. A fourth panel and the third panel are joined together at a third attachment point. The first, second and third attachment points are spaced apart to avoid interference between the self-piercing rivets or the clinch joints.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a computer in a vehicle, and the computer includes a processor and a memory. The computer is configured to determine an operational state of a vehicle, calculate a road grade value from data from a first sensor, calculate an effective road grade value from a torque demand value, update modeling variables to map the road grade value substantially to the effective grade value when the operation state is determined to be a steady-state condition, and calculate a road grade characteristic with the road grade value and the modeling variables.

Abstract: Compositions are provided that comprise: (1) a polymer selected from the group consisting of: (A) an ethylene/?-olefin multiblock interpolymer; (B) a propylene based plastomer or elastomer; and (C) a mixture of (A) and (B); (2) from about 1 to about 75 weight percent filler based on the weight of the composition; and (3) an effective amount of tackifier.

Abstract: A vehicle armrest includes an inner armrest substrate having at least one buckling member extending to an outer armrest substrate. A gap is defined by the inner and outer armrest substrates and the at least one buckling member. A fabric member extends across the gap and is attached to the inner and outer armrest substrates. A cover member extends over and is vertically supported by the fabric member.

Abstract: A front module housing an electric motor/generator and an engine disconnect clutch for a modular hybrid transmission includes a valve body that houses a hydraulic valve which operates the engine disconnect clutch. The valve body is located at an angle relative to the bottom of the front module, providing fastener clearance for mounting the front module to an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of separating an oil-in-water emulsion formed during crude oil production into a water phase and an oil phase that includes adding 1 part-per-million (ppm) to 10000 ppm of an N-vinylpyrrolidone based cationic copolymer to the oil-in-water emulsion, based on the total volume of the oil-in-water emulsion, to form a water phase and an oil phase, and separating the water phase from the oil phase.

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 lamp assembly having an area of heat concentration is provided with a conductive surface such as an aluminized coating or an insert that increases the emission of heat from the area of heat concentration. An absorptive surface is applied within the housing or on the bezel to increase thermal absorption at a location disposed above the area of heat concentration. Convective air flow within the lamp assembly is induced between the conductive surface to the absorptive surface. Methods disclosed include applying the conductive surface to the area of heat concentration and applying an absorptive surface coating within the lamp assembly.

Abstract: A body frame for mounting to a base frame of a vehicle includes a body mount assembly including an aluminum, tubular cross member having an inner passage and an aluminum collar support received in the inner passage for supporting the tubular cross member once it is coupled to the base frame of the vehicle. The collar support member has a multi-hollows design including an inner and outer, cylindrically-shaped portions and a plurality of equi-angularly spaced, radially extending walls interconnecting the inner and outer portions for providing the body mount the required flexibility during assembly and the required structural support and performance during vehicle use.