Abstract: A hydro-formed body side rail is assembled by a bracket to a front header. The front header is an extruded cross-car structural support that is joined to the body side rail by a framed joint. A gap is defined between the body side outer panel and the hydro-formed side rail relative to a lateral end of a front header. Side impact test loads are applied initially to the body side rail and compress the bracket. Compression of the bracket closes the gap and the impact loads are applied to the cross-car structural support.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection in a variable displacement engine. One method for a deactivatable cylinder comprises, before deactivating the cylinder responsive to operating conditions, disabling a port injector and fueling the cylinder only via the direct injector. The method further comprises, when reactivating the cylinder from deactivation, enabling both the port injector and the direct injector, and injecting a higher amount of fuel via the direct injector while simultaneously injecting a lower amount of fuel via the port injector.

Abstract: Torque ripple produced by a traction motor of an electric vehicle when the motor produces torque from a motor current is compensated for by modifying operation of the motor according to a difference between an expected position of the motor to produce a desired torque from the current and the actual position of the motor when producing torque from the current.

Abstract: A plurality of pads are configured to be arranged in a vehicle seat. A plurality of passive movement devices are provided to be respectively arranged behind, and to cause movement of, the plurality of pads. The passive movement devices are configured to be actuated independently of one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a twin scroll turbocharged engine with a junction configured to selectively control exhaust gas delivery to an exhaust gas recirculation system and a twin scroll turbine are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a communication interface and a processing device. The communication interface is programmed to pair with at least one mobile device. The processing device is programmed to receive a data file, which includes occupant information, sent from the mobile device. The processing device is further programmed to update at least one vehicle setting based on the occupant information.

Abstract: Methods of forming an electronic device comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a porous feature on a surface thereof; (b) applying a composition over the porous feature, wherein the composition comprises a polymer and a solvent, wherein the polymer comprises a repeat unit of the following general formula (I): wherein: Ar1, Ar2, Ar3 and Ar4 independently represent an optionally substituted divalent aromatic group; X1 and X2 independently represent a single bond, —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)NR1—, —NR2C(O)—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO2— or an optionally substituted C1-20 divalent hydrocarbon group, wherein R1 and R2 independently represent H or a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group; m is 0 or 1; n is 0 or 1; and o is 0 or 1; and (c) heating the composition; wherein the polymer is disposed in pores of the porous feature. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for forming low-k and ultra-low-k dielectric materials.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for modeling a reductant temperature and storage distribution of a SCR catalyst axially and radially. In one example, a method may include modeling an expected distribution of stored reductant among a plurality of axial zones and a plurality of radial zones of an SCR catalyst arranged in an engine exhaust passage and comparing the expected distribution with a reductant storage setpoint of each zone to adjust radial and axial storage locations.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises adjusting an engine operating parameter based on exhaust pressure, the exhaust pressure estimated based on wastegate actuator motor current.

Abstract: An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system also indicates how close the engine is to turning on due to an engine on reason by displaying a proximity indicator representing a value associated with the engine on reason and a threshold demarcating values which cause the engine to be on.

Abstract: An insulated electric conductor and method for making such a conductor are disclosed. The conductor comprises a copper core, a layer of aluminum formed over the copper core, an aluminum oxide dielectric layer formed over the layer of aluminum, and a thin polymeric layer formed over the aluminum oxide dielectric layer. The thin polymeric layer is preferably between about 30 microns (0.001?) and about 500 microns (0.02?) and is more preferably between about 45 microns (0.0015?) and about 250 microns (0.01?). The polymeric layer may be any polymeric material selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins. Other polymeric materials may be used. The polymeric layer may be formed by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, spraying, brushing, dipping, and powder coating.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a vehicle seatback includes a plurality of air bladders defining a lumbar support. A valve body has an inlet and a plurality of outlets that are coupled with the associated plurality of air bladders. A selection device is operably coupled with the valve body for engaging a select one of the plurality of air bladders with the inlet. A manually compressible air chamber is coupled with the inlet for inflating the select one.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for recycling internal combustion engine feedgas exhaust emissions during cold-start conditions. By adjusting a restriction valve provided in an exhaust passage upstream of a catalytic converter, an amount of engine exhaust flowing through the catalytic converter prior to the catalytic converter reaching its operational temperature may be reduced.

Abstract: A high capacity aluminum spot welding trans-gun includes a pair of opposed electrodes, a weld control that controls the operation of the trans-gun, and a transformer that regulates the voltage to the trans-gun having a primary input voltage and secondary output voltage. A liquid-cooled high voltage primary conductor electrically connects the weld control to the transformer primary input and a low voltage secondary conductor electrically connects the transformer secondary output to the welding gun to energize the opposed electrodes.

Abstract: A method includes controlling operation of a vehicle in response to an estimation of a capacity loss and capacity of a lithium-ion battery module of the vehicle. The estimation is a function that includes a state-of-lithiation swing and fracture of a solid-electrolyte interphase of an electrode of the lithium-ion battery module. The methodology can be implemented in a vehicle that includes a lithium-ion battery module and a controller that controls operation of the vehicle in response to such an estimation.

Abstract: Data is collected from vehicle sensors to generate a virtual map of objects proximate to the vehicle. Based on the virtual map, an in-vehicle computer determines a traffic condition in front of and behind a host vehicle. The in-vehicle computer determines collision avoidance maneuvers. The computer instructs vehicle control units to implement the collision avoidance maneuvers. The computer may additionally or alternatively communicate the collision avoidance maneuvers to a driver via an interface. In the case of unavoidable collisions, the computer determines and initiates damage mitigation actions.

Abstract: A secondary battery including a positive and negative electrode, a separator, an electrolyte, and a gas mitigation device is disclosed. The gas mitigation device may include a catalyst configured to catalyze a reaction to form a solid phase material from one or more gases generated during operation of the battery. The battery may also include a protective enclosure surrounding the catalyst, the protective enclosure being gas permeable and liquid impermeable and preventing contact between the catalyst and the electrolyte. The battery may further include a seed material configured to react with the one or more gases to form the solid phase material, which may also be included within the protective enclosure. The catalyst may include nickel nanoparticles or carbonic anhydrase and the seed material may include iron, magnesium, or calcium. In one embodiment, the solid phase material formed is a metal carbonate.

Abstract: A sill reinforcement assembly is provided for a sill area of a pick-up truck bed that is supported on and connected to a pair of frame rails. A unitary one-piece aluminum reinforcement is secured to the frame rails below the pick-up truck bed by a frame bolt fastener. The unitary reinforcement includes a continuous tubular receptacle for the frame bolt. One or more transverse walls of the reinforcement are connected by one or more bridging walls to the tubular receptacle. The transverse walls are connected by one-sided fasteners to a laterally extending wall of transverse beams. The frame bolt extends through the truck bed floor, the tubular receptacle, the transverse beam and is secured to the frame rails below the pick-up truck bed.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition comprising a) a stable aqueous dispersion of polymer particles having one or more structural units of i) a polyurea macromer; and ii) an acrylate, a methacrylate, a vinyl ester, or a styrene monomer, or a combination thereof; and/or b) an 5 aqueous mixture of a i) polyurea macromer polymer particles; and b) acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl ester, or styrenic polymer particles, or a combination thereof, wherein the polyurea macromer is characterized by the following formula I: 10 where A1, A2, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein. In another aspect, the present invention is the compound of Formula I. Compositions prepared using the compound of the present invention can be used to form coatings with excellent balance of low temperature film formation, hardness, and flexibility.

Abstract: Olefins are produced by the reductive dehydroxylation of vicinal polyols or esters thereof, or a combination thereof, in a liquid reaction medium, under a hydrogen atmosphere, at a temperature from 50° C. to 250° C., in the presence of a halogen-based, preferably iodine-based, catalyst. Examples of the catalyst, which may be included independently or generated in situ, are iodine (I2), hydroiodic acid (HI), iodic acid (HIO3), lithium iodide (LiI), and combinations thereof.