Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising at least one olefin multi-block interpolymer; at least one functionalized olefin-based polymer; and optionally at least one thermoplastic polyurethane. The invention also provides for articles prepared from the inventive compositions and for methods for making the same.

Abstract: A composite part including a resin matrix and fibers reinforcing the resin matrix in a first portion of the matrix. A second portion of the resin matrix is substantially devoid of fibers. The fibers may be in the form of a woven mat that defines an opening. Alternatively, the fibers may be loose fibers that are deposited in a mold that includes predetermined areas that are shielded from the deposit of the loose fibers. A method of making the composite part is disclosed in which a woven mat having an opening is filled with resin. Another method is also disclosed in which loose fibers are shielded from being deposited in a portion of the mold that is subsequently filled with resin.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a fuel tank isolation valve coupled to a fuel tank in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a refuel request, actuating a fuel tank isolation valve to vent a fuel tank for refueling; and, in response to a pressure in the fuel tank below a threshold pressure after a predetermined time duration, discontinuing actuation of the fuel tank isolation valve to seal the fuel tank.

Abstract: An embodiment of an engine is described. The engine includes a first throttle valve. The first throttle valve is provided in a first intake passage coupled to an intake manifold. The first throttle valve has a default closed position. The engine further includes a second throttle valve. The second throttle valve is provided in a second intake passage coupled to the intake manifold. The second throttle valve has a default open position. The engine further includes a venturi pump that is provided between the second throttle valve and the intake manifold. When the second throttle valve is in the default open position, intake air flows through the venturi pump.

Abstract: Methods are provided for holding an engine steady during a drive cycle to complete one or more diagnostic routines. The engine may be held steady while an operator torque demand varies if a sufficient number of diagnostic routines need to be completed and are enabled for completion. By holding the engine steady, an accuracy and completion of the diagnostic routines is improved.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a phosphorus containing flame retardant which may be the reaction product of a reaction mixture where the reaction mixture includes at least one active hydrogen-containing compound and at least one phosphorus containing compound. The at least one active hydrogen-containing compound is selected from the group of a first polyol having a hydroxyl functionality of at least 3, a polyamine having an amine functionality of at least 2, and an amino alcohol having a combined amine and hydroxyl functionality of at least 2.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for recharging a storage catalyst of an internal combustion engine. A method is described, comprising: while operating an engine in a substoichiometric operating mode when the engine is under medium load and responsive to an LNT condition, assisting the engine with an electric machine connected to an engine crankshaft. The electric machine provides an auxiliary drive to assist the engine in maintaining the substantially steady state substoichiometric operating mode which may be used to reduce NOx or SOx build up in a storage catalytic convertor or to assay the condition of a storage catalytic convertor.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided that includes an engine, a reversible electric machine capable of generating and providing electric power, and a clutch for selectively engaging the engine to the electric machine. While the vehicle is traveling, an operator of the vehicle may release (“tip-out”) the accelerator pedal, indicating a desire for a reduction in speed and/or acceleration of the vehicle. If the clutch is engaged during the tip-out, the at least one controller is programmed to disengage the clutch and alter a commanded torque to the electric machine in response to the tip-out of the accelerator pedal to simulate compression braking of the engine. If the vehicle is operating in an electric-only mode of propulsion during the tip-out, and if a state-of-charge of the battery is relatively high, the controller is programmed to activate the engine and provide compression torque to the driveline in response to the tip-out.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation valve in an engine by determining errors in exhaust backpressure estimates and adapting EGR flow estimations based on these errors to meet target EGR dilutions in the engine. In one example approach, a method comprises adjusting valve position based on desired EGR flow and estimated EGR flow, where the estimated flow is based on estimated exhaust backpressure, and the estimated exhaust backpressure is updated based on errors between actual and desired intake oxygen concentration.

Abstract: An exhaust system, comprising a LP-EGR system that couples an exhaust system to an intake system and an exhaust pipe within the exhaust system with a turn greater 90 degrees and less than 270 degrees between front and rear tires and upstream of a LP-EGR exhaust inlet; and a muffler positioned in the exhaust system downstream of the LP-EGR exhaust inlet and forward of the front tires. By shortening the LP-EGR path, back pressure to sustain EGR flow can be maintained without the use of a back pressure valve.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to request vehicle sensor data upon crash detection. Further, the processor is configured to assemble the data into a graphic representation of a vehicle, including graphic representations of conditions represented by sensor data. The processor is also configured to send the graphic representation to an emergency operator in communication with a vehicle computing system.

Abstract: A driving pattern based plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) energy consumption preplanning process enables a PHEV trip-oriented energy management control (TEMC) to utilize scalable levels of available trip foreknowledge in order to optimize the onboard energy (fuel and electricity) usage. The preplanning process generates an optimal battery state-of-charge (SOC) depletion profile for a given trip to be traveled by a PHEV. The preplanning process may generate the battery SOC profile using a driving pattern based dynamic programming (DP) algorithm. The TEMC controls the onboard energy usage in accordance with the battery SOC profile, which is optimized for the trip. The preplanning process makes use of spatial domain normalized drive power demand (SNDP) (or S-NDP) distributions in which each set of distributions is indicative of a respective driving pattern. The trip foreknowledge is used to select the driving pattern best representative of the driving process for the trip.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle operates in an electric-drive-only mode and one or more modes using an internal combustion engine. A control pedal is movable to respective positions by a driver for indicating a desired vehicle motion. A controller selectably activates the engine according to instantaneous values of a variable wheel output demand and a variable pull-up threshold. The pedal position is converted to a respective instantaneous wheel output demand in response to an initial value from a mapping relationship that is modified in response to a difference between the initial value and the variable pull-up threshold. The pull-up threshold may preferably be dynamically determined according to a state of charge of a battery for powering the electric drive. The modification to the wheel output demand preferably reduces the slope of the mapping relationship near the pull-up threshold to reduce pedal position sensitivity in a region near the dynamically varying pull-up threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, an amount of water accumulating in the CAC may be based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC and ambient humidity. Further, engine actuators may be adjusted to purge condensate from the CAC and/or reduce condensate formation based on the amount of water inside the CAC.

Abstract: An example vehicle control method includes, among other things, controlling a towing vehicle based upon a trailered vehicle road grade.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for engine systems including a first multiple tap aspirator with a motive inlet coupled to an intake upstream of an air induction system throttle and a mixed flow outlet coupled to an intake manifold, and a second multiple tap aspirator with a motive inlet coupled to the intake upstream of a main throttle and a mixed flow outlet coupled to the intake downstream of the air induction system throttle. During non-boost conditions, intake air may be selectably diverted around a compressor and through the first and/or second aspirator based on desired vacuum generation. During boost conditions, the first and second aspirators may function as compressor bypass valves, and intake air may be selectably directed from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the compressor via the first and/or second aspirator based on a desired compressor bypass flow.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a throttle based on an intake oxygen sensor output. In one example, a method may include adjusting a position of a throttle based on a dilution threshold and a total aircharge dilution level, the total dilution aircharge level based on an output of an intake oxygen sensor. Additionally, spark timing may be adjusted based on the total aircharge dilution level.

Abstract: An imaging and reporting system includes a wireless communication device having a user-installed program for forwarding a received image to a remote monitor and a vehicle-based network that includes an impact event sensing system, an imaging module including a camera for capturing an image of the vehicle's interior, and a transceiver for sending the captured image to the communication device. Operating software controls the imaging and reporting system. Thereafter the wireless communication device automatically forwards an image to the remote monitor that may be part of a community's 911 system. The operator reviews the one or more images received by the remote monitor and takes necessary action in response. The imaging and forwarding steps are accomplished without the need for human intervention. The software associated with the imaging and reporting system and the software associated with the wireless communication device disallows the retention of any captured image.

Abstract: A lighting assembly that includes an LED source that generates a light cone (solid angle); and a transparent near field lens having a front surface, a collimating surface, and an aspherical groove. The collimating surface collimates the light cone into a beam that reflects off of the front surface toward the aspherical groove, and the aspherical groove directs the beam away from the lens as an exit cone from a virtual focal point, positive virtual focal ring or a negative virtual focal ring. The exit cone may be evenly distributed, substantially forward or substantially rearward from the virtual focal point or virtual focal ring. Parabolic or aparabolic reflectors can be employed with lighting assemblies having a virtual focal point or virtual focal ring, respectively, to reflect the exit cone in a vehicular exterior lighting pattern.

Abstract: An anti-pinch system for vehicle seating includes a front seat that has an actuator configured to automatically slide the front seat between the driving position and entry/exit position. A rear seat is fixed rearward from the front seat and has a seatbelt that releasably engages a clasp. A memory module prevents the front seat from automatically moving rearward to the entry/exit position when the seatbelt is engaged to the clasp.