Abstract: An internal permanent magnet machine has multiple rotor sections, each section having multiple rotor laminations. Permanent magnets are placed asymmetrically in lamination openings to attenuate oscillations in torque caused by harmonic components of magnetic flux. Asymmetry is achieved by placing adjacent permanent magnets or magnet sets on the rotor periphery with different rotor magnetic pole arc angles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include insulated units and methods of producing the insulating units. The insulating units include a first surface, a structural seal disposed on at least portions of the first surface, and a second surface disposed on the structural seal. The structural seal includes the reaction product of at least one first isocyanate, at least one isocyanate reactive side, and at least one adhesion promoter including a reaction product of at least one secondary aminoalkoxy silane and at least one second isocyanate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include cleaning processes, closed loop cleaning machines, and methods of cleaning an article. The cleaning process includes contacting a surface of an article with a cleaning composition in a cleaning chamber, where the cleaning composition includes at least about 85 percent by weight organic solvents, based on total weight of the cleaning composition, and where at least about 5 percent by weight of the organic solvents is propylene glycol, based on total weight of the organic solvents, to clean the surface of the article, collecting the cleaning composition including contaminants, and recovering the cleaning composition via distillation, where a distillation apparatus removes the contaminants from the cleaning composition and is connected to the cleaning chamber by a process stream.

Abstract: An improved process for making ethoxylated amine compounds such as ethanolamines. The improvement comprises the addition of an acid to the amine compound prior to the addition of ethylene oxide to a reactor wherein the ethoxylated amine compound is prepared. The improvement reduces the concentration of undesirable glycol ether and/or vinyl ether ethoxylate byproducts which may contribute to undesirable properties, such as color and foaming, of the ethoxylated amine compounds.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams are made using a biuret-modified MDI and/or PMDI as the isocyanate component. The isocyanate is characterized by having a high content of biuret-containing oligomers and, preferably, a low proportion (if any) of biuret-urea oligomers. Flexible, resilient foams made using this biuret-modified isocyanate perform well on flammability tests such as the UNI 9175 CS. E. RF4 test, even without added flame retardants.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electric vehicle having a traction motor connected to a driveline includes controlling traction motor output torque through a region surrounding the vehicle wheel torque reversal to mitigate torque disturbances in a driveline, wherein the region is determined using a relationship between driveline input torque and driveline output torque and is bounded by a zero input torque and a zero output torque. A hybrid electric vehicle has a traction motor, a driveline connected to a vehicle wheel, and a controller configured to control traction motor output torque through a region surrounding a vehicle wheel torque reversal to mitigate torque disturbances in the driveline. A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes a traction motor and a controller. The controller is configured to control traction motor output torque through a region surrounding a vehicle wheel torque reversal to mitigate torque disturbances in the driveline.

Abstract: A method for distributing fuel in a fuel system of a motor vehicle. The method may be applied in a fuel system having a first fuel tank, where fuel is confined at a first pressure, and a second fuel tank, where fuel is confined at a second pressure greater than the first pressure. The method comprises releasing fuel already resident in the second fuel tank to the first fuel tank, and admitting fuel to the first and second fuel tanks simultaneously.

Abstract: A head restraint includes a base bracket with support posts that are configured to easily engage a seatback during vehicle assembly and to provide an electrical connection for adjustment actuation of the head restraint. A front link and a rear link pivotally couple with an upper portion of the seatback. A head support member is pivotally coupled with the front and rear links to define a four-bar linkage. The head support member is moveable between fore and aft positions via the front and rear links. A cushion is slidably coupled with a base portion of the head support member and is thereby moveable between upper and lower positions. Separate actuators are contained within a trim enclosure of the head restraint to effectuate adjustments of the cushion between fore and aft positions and upper and lower positions.

Abstract: A pendulum damper fixed to a rotating element of an engine comprises a pendulum anchor, a pendulum, and a flexible metal strap attaching the pendulum and pendulum anchor. The strap is wound around the pendulum and pendulum anchor to define a bifilar pendulum. A pendulum clamp is attached to the pendulum such that part of the strap is captured between the pendulum clamp and the pendulum. A pendulum anchor clamp is attached to the pendulum anchor such that a portion of the strap is captured between the pendulum anchor clamp and the pendulum anchor. The pendulum includes a pendulum anchor-facing, flexible strap-supporting cam surface. The pendulum anchor includes a pendulum-facing, flexible strap-supporting cam surface. The surfaces of the pendulum and the pendulum anchor that face each other are mutually conjugant so that at all positions of normal pendulum motion there is only a small running clearance between the two surfaces.

Abstract: A vehicle including an active front steer system including a locking mechanism having a solenoid actuated locking pin and a spring for biasing the pin toward an extended or locked position for engaging a locking disc of the active front steer system wherein the active front steer system further includes a current sensor for sensing the motion of the pin of the solenoid when the engine of the vehicle is shut down and pulse width modulated current to the solenoid is reduced and when the pin movement is sensed, the pulse width modulated current is increased (fed forward duty cycle) to reduce the movement of the pin to reduce the noise made when the metal pin makes when contacting the metal locking disc. The end of the pin and/or the locking disc may also include an insulating material to further reduce any remaining noise made when the metal pin makes when contacting the metal locking disc.

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: A system for measuring and compensating for tire windup occurring in road wheels during parking events. A controller receives data comprising a steering motor current and steering system component movement, from that data determines the amount of tire windup is present, and controls the motor to turn a road wheel to an initial position that allows the tire windup to turn the road wheel to a final position. The final desired position of the road wheel may be one for the desired location of the road wheel itself, for the steering wheel, or for a combination of the two. Final desired angular positions of the steering wheel may be one such that an ignition may have greater visibility or one such that the steering wheel is not locked under load.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining degradation of an EGR cooler based on differential pressure across the EGR cooler during EGR flow. In one example, the differential pressure across the EGR cooler may be based on differential pressure across an EGR valve and a pressure downstream from the EGR valve with and without EGR flow. The pressure downstream from the EGR valve may be a compressor inlet pressure or an intake manifold pressure in a low pressure EGR system or high pressure EGR system, respectively.

Abstract: Various systems and method for detecting exhaust NOx sensor degradation are disclosed. In one example, degradation of the NOx sensor is indicated responsive to reductant injection in an exhaust passage under engine off conditions. For example, degradation of the NOx sensor is indicated when an actual NOx sensor output differs from an expected NOx sensor output by more than a threshold amount.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for detecting exhaust reductant injector degradation based on an exhaust NOx sensor are disclosed. In one example, degradation of the reductant injector is indicated when an actual NOx sensor output differs from an expected NOx sensor output by more than a threshold amount under engine off conditions.

Abstract: A curtain airbag system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a curtain module substantially embedded in the roof rail in its normal, non-inflated state. The module includes an inflatable curtain attached to an inflator. The inflatable curtain has a forward portion. An elongated and inflatable extension is attached to the forward portion of the curtain. When the curtain is inflated in an impact event the elongated and inflatable extension extends from the curtain and at least partially overlaps the A-pillar and at least part of the grab handle. The elongated and inflatable extension is a first extension and extends from the forward portion of said curtain. The inflatable curtain may include a second, triangular-shaped extension extendable from the forward portion of the curtain when the curtain is inflated.

Abstract: A powered head restraint includes a base bracket with elongate supports that are configured to easily engage a seatback guide during vehicle assembly and to provide an electrical connection for adjustment actuation of the head restraint. A first electrical connector is fixedly attached to the elongate support of the head restraint. A second electrical connector is operably connected to an upper portion of the seatback such that engagement of the elongate support with a support guide occurs simultaneously with engagement of the first electrical connector with the second electrical connector.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing the generation and transmission of objectionable noise from an aspirator to a vehicle cabin during vacuum production. During selected conditions, motive flow through an intake aspirator may cause a hissing noise to be produced at the aspirator, and transmitted through an open check valve in a bypass path between the aspirator and a vacuum reservoir, into a vehicle cabin. During these conditions, an aspirator shut-off valve is closed to reduce motive flow through the aspirator, thereby reducing the hissing noise.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting purging of LP-EGR from an air intake system during conditions of decreasing engine load. During a tip-out, an EGR valve is closed while the engine is shifted to a VDE mode of operation to improve engine tolerance to EGR at lower engine loads and until the EGR is sufficiently purged. A non-VDE mode is resumed if higher engine loads are restored, else, a deceleration fuel shut-off mode is selected if the tip-out continues to zero load.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating sufficient vacuum to enable a leak detection routine. While a fuel tank pressure is within mechanical limits, fuel vapors are purged from a canister to an engine with an isolation valve open to generate a desired level of vacuum in the fuel tank. Thereafter, the fuel tank is isolated and leak detection is performed concurrent to the purging.