Abstract: A punch including a shearing edge formed on an outer periphery of the punch, a cutting edge formed on the distal end of the punch and at least two ramp surfaces provided between the shearing and cutting edges. Each of the ramp surfaces extend at an angle from the distal end to a recessed portion of the shearing edge. The shearing edge, cutting edge and ramp surfaces cooperate to partially form a hole in a part and retain a slug in the hole. A method of forming a hole and a slug control system for a hydro-piercing operation is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for indicating brake booster degradation when braking is suspended may include comparing expected brake booster vacuum with measured brake booster vacuum, and indicating a fault when the difference between the two values exceeds a threshold. In one example, the expected brake booster vacuum is computed differently depending on whether intake manifold vacuum or vacuum from one or more vacuum-powered pumps dominates evacuation of the brake booster. Expected brake booster vacuum may be computed based on expected brake booster mass air flow and brake booster volume; when measured brake booster vacuum is less than intake manifold vacuum, expected brake booster mass air flow may be computed as a function of intake manifold vacuum and measured brake booster vacuum, whereas expected brake booster mass air flow may be computed based on flow characteristics of the pump(s) when measured brake booster vacuum is not less than intake manifold vacuum.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a titanium silicalite catalyst by contacting the fouled titanium silicalite catalyst with a regeneration solution that includes at least one oxidizing agent.

Abstract: The invention provides polyolefin blend compositions of polar and/or non-polar polymers, with at least one functionalized polyolefin polymer selected from the group consisting of: amine functionalized, hydroxyl functionalized, imide functionalized, anhydride functionalized, or carboxylic acid functionalized polyolefin polymers. The invention also provides methods for making the functionalized polyolefin polymer. The invention also provides for materials and articles containing at least one component prepared from such compositions.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon and NOx trap and related apparatus and methods for reducing cold-start NOx emissions from an engine are provided. In one embodiment a trap includes a first, topmost layer, exposed to an exhaust gas flow path of exhaust gases from an engine, the first layer comprising a zeolite, a second layer, substantially covered by the topmost layer, the second layer comprising a NOx adsorbing material and a monolithic substrate, directly supporting the second layer and indirectly supporting the first layer, the substrate providing a substantially rigid structure of the trap. In this way, engine emissions, such as NOx and hydrocarbons may be adsorbed over the exhaust trap at low temperature and then thermally released, limiting cold start emissions beyond engines that only include a lean NOx trap.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas aftertreatment system (1) for a motor vehicle having a turbocharged internal combustion engine (2) comprises a large-volume lean NOx trap (5) which is connected by means of a short connecting pipe (4) to an outlet of the turbocharger (3), wherein the lean NOx trap (5) has a first region (6) for the storage and/or reduction of NOx and oxidation of NO to form NO2 and/or reduction of hydrocarbon and/or carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas, and a downstream second region (7) for the storage and/or reduction of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An approach for controlling a turbocharger bypass valve is disclosed. In one example, the turbocharger bypass valve is opened during engine cold start conditions to reduce turbocharger speed. The approach may reduce noise produced by the turbocharger during engine start and warm-up.

Abstract: A drive device includes a first one-way coupling including a cam plate, pocket plate and struts, a second one-way coupling including a second cam plate driveably connected to the pocket plate, second pocket plate extending in a partial circular arc and secured to the cam plate, and second struts for opening and closing a drive connection between said second plates, and electromagnets for causing the second struts to close said drive connection.

Abstract: A status indicator and reminder system for a temporary mobility kit for use in a vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system. A tire sealant containing temporary mobility kit is fittable within the vehicle. A controller coupled to the temporary mobility kit and the tire pressure monitoring system will generate a service warning signal for the temporary mobility kit in response to information provided by the tire pressure monitoring system. The service warning signal will be provided at a message center in the vehicle to apprise the driver of the need to service the temporary mobility kit. The status indicator and reminder system may also utilize inputs from a power load monitor and a trailer brake controller system to generate and display a service warning signal at the message center.

Abstract: The cutting of semiconducting crystals with a wire saw is facilitated with a cutting fluid comprising a polyalkylene glycol neutralized with an un-neutralized or partially neutralized polymeric acid that has a molecular weight of 500 to 1,000,000 and contains more than three acid groups per molecule.

Abstract: A storage compartment in a vehicle is covered by closing a vehicle door over the storage compartment. The storage compartment may be disposed in an end cap, the door, or part of the door frame. An electronic locking system with mechanical latches, a cinching door system, or an electronic latching system with fully electronic latches may be adapted to include a lock override control. The lock override control may be actuated by a graphic view interface, a portable radio frequency switch, or a telematics controller.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon a connector device and method that can more easily electrically connect a plurality of PV devices or photovoltaic system components and/or locate these devices/components upon a building structure. It also may optionally provide some additional sub-components (e.g. at least one bypass diode and/or an indicator means) and may enhance the serviceability of the device.

Abstract: A light guide system includes a light guide and a carrier substrate having a barrier layer disposed therebetween. The barrier layer is introduced during a dual injection process to provide a permeable barrier between a first resin, used to form the light guide, and a second resin used to form the carrier substrate. The barrier layer allows for the first and second resins to bond, while acting as a wet-out inhibitor between the resins. The molded dual injection light guide system of the present invention provides for a unitary light guide and carrier substrate that has been molded with a barrier layer such that wetting out of a surface of the light guide is prevented along with the deleterious effects wetted out surfaces have on light transmission.

Abstract: Vehicle data concerning characteristics of one or more types of vehicle is obtained. Vehicle usage data concerning operation of one or more vehicles is also obtained. A value is predicted for at least one datum for at least one characteristic of the type of vehicle for the user. The at least one datum is used to generate at least one powertrain recommendation for at least one type of vehicle.

Abstract: An induction passage noise attenuator and a system are provided. The induction passage noise attenuator may include a series of surfaces arranged within an enclosure upstream from a clean side air duct on an induction inlet for an internal combustion engine. Each surface of the series of surfaces may have a diametric extent being substantially in line with an inner diameter of the clean side air duct.

Abstract: A method for controlling air flow through a compressor recirculation passage, comprising: during a first condition: reducing air flow through the compressor recirculation passage based on a margin, the margin based on a rate of air flow at a compressor inlet, a rate of air flow through the compressor recirculation passage, and a rate of EGR flow. In this way, the CRV recirculation flow may be controlled to be less than the amount that could potentially backflow into an air filter disposed in the air intake passage, thus preventing EGR contained in the CRV recirculation flow from fouling the air filter with soot, oil and water.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle, comprising: a tank pressure control valve coupled in a first conduit between a fuel tank and a fuel vapor canister; a refueling valve coupled in a second, different, conduit between the fuel tank and the fuel vapor canister, the second conduit in parallel to the first conduit. In this way, two smaller, less complex valves may be utilized to control fuel tank vapor purging and fuel tank depressurization during refueling. This in turn may lower system cost and increase system functionality.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a plurality of on-board diagnostic (OBD) interfaces, in communication with the processor. The exemplary apparatus also includes a configurable housing, adapted to flexibly present an orientation of an OBD interface. The apparatus further includes persistent and non-persistent memory, in communication with the processor and a non-OBD I/O interface, in communication with the processor.

Abstract: An aluminum welding system includes a welding machine configured to weld a workpiece with an aluminum nugget and a measurement device configured to measure an attribute of at least one of the aluminum nugget and a welding process. The system further includes a processing device configured to output a weld quality signal representing a quality of an aluminum weld based at least in part on the attribute measured. A method includes measuring an attribute of at least one of an aluminum nugget forming a joint of a workpiece and a welding process, determining a quality of an aluminum weld based at least in part on the attribute measured, and outputting a weld quality signal representing the determined quality.

Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of a paraffinic hydrocarbon compound, such as an alkane or alkylaromatic hydrocarbon compound to produce an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound, such as an olefin or vinyl aromatic compound or mixture thereof, in which a dehydrogenation catalyst contacts gaseous reactant hydrocarbons in a reactor at dehydrogenation conditions.