Abstract: A vehicle seat back member includes a central web and a front wall that extends from the central web. A rear wall extends along a substantial portion of a rear edge of the central web. A shear center load path of the vehicle seat back member is disposed proximate an inside corner defined by the connection of the central web and the rear wall, and extends substantially along the longitudinal extent of the rear wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides shelf-stable, non-cementitious dry mix compositions of inorganic non-cementious materials, such as sand, and water redispersible polymer powder (RDP) containing particles of a multi-stage acrylic copolymer having a calcium methacrylate salt group containing alkali-soluble resin outer stage and one or more inner stage, the particles further containing each of one or more nucleating agent having a boiling point of 150° C. to 500° C. and a water solubility of 3.5% or less, and one or more colloidal stabilizer, wherein the colloidal stabilizer and the multi-stage acrylic copolymer are contained in the same RDP particle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle plastic body panel is disclosed having an opaque plastic panel and a plastic window pane formed as an integral part of the plastic body panel by co-molding it with the opaque plastic panel. A lightweight motor vehicle body panel made completely from plastic is therefore provided. The plastic body panel requires no window seals due to the integration of the plastic window pane as part of the plastic body panel.

Abstract: A vehicle reading lamp is provided. The vehicle reading lamp includes an outer lens and a first surface and a second surface positioned behind the outer lens. A first photoluminescent structure is coupled to the first surface and a second photoluminescent structure is coupled to the second surface. A first light source is included for exciting the first photoluminescent structure and a second light source is included for exciting the second photoluminescent structure.

Abstract: Acid generator compounds are provided that are particularly useful as a photoresist composition component. Acid generator compounds of the invention comprise 1) a cyclic sulfonium salt and 2) a covalently linked photoacid-labile group. In one aspect, thioxanthone acid generator compounds are particularly preferred, including acid generator compounds that comprise (i) a thioxanthone moiety; and (ii) one or more covalently linked acid labile-groups.

Abstract: A vehicle floor structure includes a cross member having a substantially constant cross section shape. A spacing member is disposed beneath the cross member for securing to a chassis frame. The spacing member is positioned relative to the cross member to define an enclosed cavity between the spacing member and the cross member. The floor structure also includes a first collar affixed within the enclosed cavity. A fastener extends through the spacing member and the cross member, and compresses the first collar when the floor structure is secured to the chassis frame.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for separately providing liquid-cooling to a cylinder head and a cylinder block. In one example, a method includes selectively pumping coolant with a single pump to each of a first cylinder head coolant jacket and a cylinder block coolant jacket based on engine temperatures. The method further includes discharging coolant from the first cylinder head coolant jacket to a heating circuit line including a vehicle interior heater and discharging coolant from the cylinder block cooling jacket and back to the single pump.

Abstract: A solar-activated body panel for a vehicle includes outer and inner panels with an internal cavity defined therebetween. The internal cavity includes first and second portions that correspond to first and second heat gain portions, respectively, on the outer surface, wherein the first heat gain portion retains solar energy at a first heat gain rate and the second heat gain portion retains solar energy at a second heat gain rate, the first heat gain rate being greater than the second heat gain rate. A thermal material is disposed on the outer surface, wherein when solar energy is radiated onto the outer surface, the first heat gain portion absorbs heat at the first heat gain rate and, in turn emits heat to the thermal material to alter the thermal material and define a predetermined indicia on the outer surface and within the thermal material.

Abstract: An active bolster for an automotive vehicle includes a bladder that inflates an interior trim area of the vehicle to provide a cushion to an occupant during an impact. The bladder has a first wall and a second wall cooperatively defining an interior cavity. The bladder has a two stage vent for venting inflation gas supplied into the cavity during an impact event. The vent has a first aperture defining a first predetermined flow area when a pressure difference across the vent is substantially zero. A bendable member defines at least in part the first aperture. A weakened seam joins the bendable member to an adjacent feature of the bladder. When there is a predetermined pressure difference across the vent, the weakened seam is ruptured and the bendable member deflects to a second position defining a second flow area greater than the first flow area.

Abstract: A locking sealing arrangement for providing a fluid tight seal between a cap or a spigot and an adjacent structure is set forth. The locking sealing cap includes a peripheral sealing member such as an o-ring to form the fluid tight seal. The locking sealing cap engages the inner surface of the adjacent support structure by a cam-lock arrangement. A locking tab extends from the surface of the support structure. A tab-receiving slot is formed in the locking sealing cap. Once the locking tab is aligned in the tab-receiving slot, rotational movement of the locking sealing cap causes engagement of the locking sealing cap with the support structure. One embodiment of the locking sealing cap includes an internal torque feature for receiving a tool to allow engagement. In another embodiment of the locking sealing cap an external, multi-sided tool engagement surface is provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising: a) one or more isocyanate functional prepolymers; b) one or more amorphous linear polymers having sufficient polarity to form a homogeneous mixture with the one or more isocyanate functional prepolymers and having a hydroxyl number of about 10 or less; c) one or more forms of carbon black; and d) one or more catalysts for the reaction of isocyanate moieties with active hydrogen atom containing groups.

Abstract: A grille assembly of a vehicle is provided herein and includes at least one grille bar. A first photoluminescent structure is provided at a first location of the at least one grille bar and is configured to luminesce when excited by light emitted from a light source. A second photoluminescent structure is provided at a second location of the at least one grille bar and is configured to luminesce when excited by light emitted from the first photoluminescent structure.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery charger and an exterior lamp assembly. The assembly includes a housing defining a cavity, and an electrical port including at least one electrical terminal disposed within the cavity, electrically connected with the battery charger, and configured to be electrically connected with an electrical power grid remote from the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for changing from a coasting or free-rolling mode of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an automatic clutch, which is disengaged during the coasting or free-rolling mode, to a fuel cut-off mode, in which the clutch is engaged, wherein before engagement of the clutch the internal combustion engine is brought to a revolution rate at which the engagement of the clutch induces no or only small changes in revolution rate in the drive train, and whereby the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine is reduced following engagement of the clutch. Under one or more predetermined conditions the increase of the drag torque of the internal combustion engine acting on the motor vehicle during the changeover from coasting or free-rolling mode to fuel cut-off mode takes place so slowly that the change is not usually noticed by the driver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque demand of a driveline after a shift is forecast to determine if it is desirable to start the engine early so that engine torque is available after the shift. The approach may improve vehicle torque response.

Abstract: A vehicle tow recovery eye includes a shaft between a towing end connectable to a towable item and an insertion end that is insertable in a vehicle opening, a resistance assembly mounted on the shaft; and a locking pin having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the shaft. The tow recovery eye can be used with a portion of a vehicle frame that includes a frame opening dimensioned to accommodate insertion of the shaft and the locking pin.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on shape of a distribution of extreme values of a plurality of sets of lambda differentials collected during selected operating conditions. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored in a non-intrusive manner.

Abstract: A method and system for testing an evaporative emission control system for leaks. The method begins by setting a variable reference orifice to a preselected diameter. Then, a vacuum pump evacuates a reference volume in the vicinity of the variable reference orifice. The reference volume is defined by the vacuum pump, and the reference orifice. Then, after a specified evacuation time, the method determines a pressure in the reference volume. That pressure is stored as the threshold test value. The method continues by evacuating the entire EVAP system for a predetermined time. A leak can then be identified if after the evacuation, the system pressure falls at least to the threshold test value. Switching the vacuum pump between the first and second positions is accomplished with a changeover valve having parallel airways configured for evacuating a small volume to the reference orifice and also evacuating the entire EVAP system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the regeneration of a catalyst comprising a titanium-containing zeolite, said catalyst having been used in a process for the preparation of an olefin oxide and having phosphate deposited thereon, said process for the regeneration comprising the steps: (a) separating the reaction mixture from the catalyst, (b) washing the catalyst obtained from (a) with liquid aqueous system; (c) optionally drying the catalyst obtained from (b) in a gas stream comprising an inert gas at a temperature of less than 300° C.; (d) calcining the catalyst obtained from (c) in a gas stream comprising oxygen at a temperature of at least 300° C.

Abstract: The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a bushing assembly to support a seat frame, where the bushing assembly includes first and second bushings connected to first and opposing second sides of the seat frame. The first and second bushings are comprised of first and second polymeric materials and include first and second support portions with first and second longitudinal lengths along a longitudinal direction, respectively, wherein the first longitudinal length differs than the second longitudinal length.