Abstract: A battery assembly, or module, for a vehicle having a battery compartment that defines an opening in the floor. The battery module is disposed partially within the battery compartment and extends through an opening in the floor of a battery compartment to be partially disposed below the floor of the vehicle. A method of installing a battery module into a vehicle is also disclosed. The battery module is inserted partially into an opening in a floor of a battery compartment with a lower portion of the battery module being retained below the floor and an upper portion of the battery module being retained above the floor. A seal is attached between the battery module and the opening in the floor.

Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a central longitudinal axis extending through the vehicle. A front seat is configured for use by a driver and defines a front seat central longitudinal axis. A rear seat is configured for use by a passenger and defines a rear seat central longitudinal axis. The front and rear seats are substantially arranged on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis in a staggered relationship. The central longitudinal axis of the front seat is arranged at a different angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the central longitudinal axis of the rear seat. At least one of the seats is positioned such that the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat measured at a rear edge of the seat is mounted closer to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than is possible with a symmetrical side-by-side seating arrangement.

Abstract: The invention provides an insulation material comprising an epoxy-terminated prepolymer and an amine curing agent. The reaction production of the epoxy-terminated prepolymer and amine curing agent provides for an elastomer that combines the processing and mechanical properties of polyurethane elastomers with improved thermal-hydrolytic stability. The insulation material is particularly useful as thermal insulation and coating for subsea oil and gas applications.

Abstract: There is described a process for reducing the concentration of formate based heat stable salts formed in a physical solvent acid gas absorption process (12) wherein acid gas contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are removed from gas mixtures (30) which include these contaminants. The process comprises the step of contacting the physical solvent containing formate based heat stable salts (46) with a metallic and/or organometallic catalyst (52), preferably the catalyst comprises palladium, zinc, platinum, nickel, or rhodium, and/or salts thereof and/or oxides thereof. The process is particularly suited for physical solvents such as refrigerated methanol, dialkyl ethers of polyethylene glycols, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidones, propylene carbonate, blends of N-acetylmorpholine and N-formylmorpholine, 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, and the like and particularly gas mixtures containing ammonia as a contaminant.

Abstract: A backrest for a vehicle includes a head restraint which can be adjusted to a higher position. The head restraint includes a head part and a support, which is guided displaceably in the backrest, for the head part being transferable from a use region, which is delimited by an upper use position and a lower use position, into a lower not-in-use position in which the backrest is blocked by an interfering structure against use, wherein the support triggers the interfering structure upon transfer of the head restraint into the lower not-in-use position.

Abstract: A deployable pedestrian protection lower leg stiffen apparatus includes a left and a right linear actuator mountable adjacent to respective left and right forward frame members of a vehicle and a lower leg stiffener attached to and movable by the actuators. The actuators are extendable along respective deployment axes extending forward and downward relative to the vehicle to move the stiffener between a retracted position rearward of a forward surface of a front bumper beam and above a ground clearance plane and a deployed position forward of the retracted position and below the ground clearance plane. The actuators have rotational joints defining a horizontal pivot axis about which at least the forward portions of the piston may rotate upward along with the stiffener to prevent damage to the system if it strikes a road obstacle.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and formulations for reducing or inhibiting increase in the concentration of microbes in a water-based fluid. The methods and formulations of the present invention use glutaraldehyde and a hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salts, C1-C3 alkyl- and alkenyltris(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salts and tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine, in a ratio of hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound to glutaraldehyde in the range of about 2:1 to about 7:1, or about 3.5:1 to about 7.5:1. The methods and formulations of the present invention can be useful in treating water contaminated with aerobic or anaerobic bacteria in oilfield and other industrial applications.

Abstract: A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.

Abstract: An example method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, at least one intake line for supplying charge air to the at least one cylinder, and a device for controlling charge-air flows conducted via a charge-air cooler and via a bypass line around the charge-air cooler is described, the device including a two-stage switchable shut-off element and a continuously adjustable shut-off element. In one example provided, the two-stage switchable shut-off element is arranged parallel to the bypass line in the at least one intake line, and is switched between an open position and a closed position, and the bypass line is opened up or shut off to a greater or lesser extent by the shut-off element which is continuously adjustable between an open position and a closed position. In this way, shuddering of the engine during shut down is prevented.

Abstract: A process for incorporating water insoluble biocides in latex paint products. The process comprises adding the biocide to the dispersion phase.

Abstract: A vehicle system providing a temporary validation authorization request for one or more processors configured to transmit a signal from the vehicle system to a server once the one or more processors are installed in the vehicle. Once the server receives the installation signal, the processor may receive an in-vehicle authorization message from the server. The in-vehicle authorization message may be accepted by a user-input acceptance transmitted to the server. The system may determine temporary validation authorization if it is determined that the user accepted the in-vehicle authorization message within a predetermined amount of time following transmission of the signal to the server indicating that the processor was installed. Once authorized, the system may initialize to allow for assembly line testing. The temporary validation authorization initializes the vehicle system for temporary communication with the server while on a vehicle manufacturing assembly line for testing to ensure a quality product.

Abstract: A method for operating a condensed natural gas engine, comprising injecting a mass of additive into the engine, the mass of additive a function of a mass-of-soot desired and producing a mass-of-soot during combustion, mass-of-soot produced a function of the mass of additive injected into the engine. By this method additional soot may be produced for heightened lubrication and valve protection.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle has a traction motor, a driveline connected to a vehicle wheel, and a controller. The controller is configured to control motor torque through a region surrounding vehicle wheel torque reversal, control driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of driveline output torque, and control motor torque during a torque reversal of at least one driveline component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the driveline component. A method for controlling a vehicle having a traction motor includes controlling the traction motor torque through a region surrounding a vehicle wheel torque reversal, controlling driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of output torque, and controlling traction motor torque during a torque reversal of a powertrain component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the component.

Abstract: A seat belt arrangement includes a vehicle floor, a seat, and a latch assembly including a deformable element. Shoulder and lap belt webbings are attached to the latch assembly. The shoulder belt webbing is associated with the deformable element. According to one embodiment the latch assembly includes a latch plate to which the shoulder belt webbing is attached at an attachment point. This point includes the deformable element that may be a deformable pin or an insert fitted to the latch plate, or may be a relatively soft material. Alternatively the latch assembly includes a movable element and a fixed element having a deformable element fitted there between. When deformed, the deformable element allows movement of the movable element toward the fixed element, thereby limiting the forces of an impact applied by the shoulder belt to the lower portion of the chest of a vehicle occupant wearing the disclosed belt system.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided comprising an anode having an active material including MSb2O4 having a purity level of greater than 93 percent by weight, wherein M is a metal. The metal may have an oxidation state of 2+ and may include transition metals and/or alkali-earth metals. The anode active material may be synthesized using metal acetates or metal oxides. The synthesis may include heating at a first temperature to remove oxygen and water and reacting at a second temperature to form the MSb2O4 structure, which may be a spinel crystal structure.

Abstract: A grommet assembly for sealing an opening through a floor pan and a reinforcement panel that are spaced apart is disclosed. The grommet assembly also seals around cooling lines that pass through the grommet assembly. The grommet assembly defines hollow sealing legs having extended and inverted positions in which the cooling lines are sealed when the hollow sealing legs are in the inverted position. The grommet assembly seals on the floor pan and is attached to the reinforcement panel. A mounting bracket for the grommet is disclosed having recessed and slotted apertures to aid in receiving the mounting post and aligning the grommet in the opening.

Abstract: A camera system includes a lens that directs light onto an image sensor, an actuator that vibrates the lens, and a charge generator that charges a surface of the lens. The camera system further includes a controller that can determine a change in transparency of the lens and selectively activate the actuator based at least in part on the change in transparency. A method includes electrically charging a surface of a camera lens, determining a change in transparency of the camera lens, comparing the change in transparency to a predetermined threshold, and selectively activating an actuator to vibrate the camera lens if the change in transparency is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base and a seat back. A cover stock is disposed over the seat back and the seat base. An inflatable bladder is disposed in at least one of the seat base and the seat back and is configured to be in a first position, wherein the bladder is deflated, and a second position, wherein the bladder is inflated. The bladder includes at least one orifice extending completely through the inflatable bladder. A fan is operably coupled to the at least one orifice and is configured to move air through the at least one orifice and the cover stock, thereby providing air flow to a vehicle passenger.

Abstract: A process to produce polycarbamate comprising providing urea in liquid form; and adding the urea in liquid form to a polyol in a reduced gradient profile to form polycarbamate product is provided. Also provided are: (a) a reaction product of the process and (b) an apparatus for operating the process.

Abstract: During operation of a vehicle, usage data is received from one or more data collectors related to operation of the vehicle. A driving score is determined based on the one or more data collector inputs. A remote computer is queried for data relating the driving score to an insurance policy. During operation of the vehicle, a message is provided via a user interface based on the data relating the driving score to an insurance policy.