Abstract: Catalyst compositions for producing mixed alcohols from a synthesis gas feed. The catalyst composition comprises a catalytic metal combination on a catalyst support, a first optional promoter and a second optional promoter, where the catalytic metal combination consists essentially of iridium, vanadium, and molybdenum.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a locking mechanism on a fuel cap for refueling a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises venting a fuel tank into a vapor absorbent canister in response to a request to refuel and unlocking the fuel cap in response to a predetermined temperature change in said canister.

Abstract: Air is supplied from a passenger cabin of a vehicle to an intake passage between the passenger cabin and a battery of the vehicle. The vehicle may be an electric vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a battery-only electric vehicle (BEV). A signal indicating a blockage of air flow through the battery is generated in response to a difference in temperature exceeding a predetermined magnitude. The difference in temperature is between (i) the intake passage and (ii) the passenger cabin.

Abstract: An assembly includes a shell fixed against axial displacement, a clutch including first plates secured to the shell by a spline, a member fixed against axial displacement, supporting the shell and secured to the shell by the spline, a retainer for limiting axial movement of the first plates and member along the spline, and a piston for forcing the plates along the spline toward the retainer.

Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one serpentine fluid circulation tube that extends around part of the periphery of a plurality of electric cells. First and second segments of the tube are disposed adjacent a first and a second edge of a first set of the plurality of electric cells. The sets of electric cells are disposed in an alternating arrangement. A first fin and a second fin are provided between each of the electric cells. The fins have a reverse turn wrapped around the segments of the tube. The fins have internal ends that are disposed between the electric cells and the tube segments. The battery pack may be assembled by folding the fins around the electric cells and the tube or by preforming folded sheets that define thermal fins and assembling the folded sheets over segments of the tube from opposite sides of the electric cells.

Abstract: A fire retardant and antistatic polyurethane elastomer free of mercury and having a Shore A hardness of at least 30 is prepared from a polyol component and a prepolymer (e.g., an isocyanate) component. The polyol component comprises (A) a saturated polyester polyol of ethylene/butane/adipate of a nominal molecular weight and with a functionality of 2 or more, (B) a polyester polyol of ethylene/trimethylol propane/neopentyl adipate of nominal molecular weight and with a functionality of 2.5 or more, (C) an optional glycol chain extender, (D) an optional polymethyl alkyl siloxane defoamer, (E) an optional desiccant paste, (F) an optional polybutadiene oligomer, (G) an antistatic agent, (H) an optional surface modified fumed silica, (I) tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)phosphate flame retardant, (J) ammonium polyphosphate flame retardant, and (K) an organometallic catalyst other than a mercury-based organometallic catalyst, e.g., a tin-based catalyst.

Abstract: A vehicle system has a sensor array and a processing device. The sensor array includes a first group of sensors and a second group of sensors. The sensors of the first group are offset relative to the sensors in the second group. The processing device is configured to determine a general shape of an impact object based at least in part on signals received from the sensor array.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an oil pump mounting structure that provides accessibility and removal of the oil pump without removing a balancer shaft. While periodically servicing or replacing the oil pump may be necessary throughout the lifetime of an engine, it is desirable to allow for easy removal of the oil pump without removing and reassembling other engine components. To provide alignment and a rigid connection between the oil pump and engine frame while allowing for removal of the oil pump without removing other components, dowel bolts with unthreaded, threaded, and dowel portions are used to mount the oil pump to the engine frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and a method for cementing a casing in a borehole of a well using an aqueous cementing composition comprising (a) water, (b) a cementing composition comprising (i) a hydraulic cement, (ii) a hydrophobically modified polymer, (iii) a dispersant, and optionally (iv) one or more other additives conventionally added to aqueous cementing compositions useful in cementing casings in the borehole of wells. Preferably the hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose has an ethylene oxide molar substitution of from 0.5 to 3.5, a hydrophobe degree of substitution of from 0.001 to 0.025, and a weight-average molecular weight of from 500,000 to 4,000,000 Daltons and the dispersant is sulfonated polymer, melamine formaldehyde condensate, a naphthalene formaldehyde condensate, a branched or non-branched polycarboxylate polymer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a crankcase vent tube pressure or flow sensor for diagnosing a location and nature of crankcase system integrity breach. The same sensor can also be used for diagnosing air filter plugging and PCV valve degradation. Use of an existing sensor to diagnose multiple engine components provides cost reduction and sensor compaction benefits.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having a lean NOx trap connected downstream is provided. The method comprises in a normal operating mode, operating the internal combustion engine with a lean fuel/air mixture, and in a special operating mode, operating the internal combustion engine with a rich fuel/air mixture in order to bring about regeneration of the lean NOx trap, wherein a changeover from the normal operating mode to the special operating mode takes place when switching off of the internal combustion engine is expected.

Abstract: A composition comprising: a) one or more isocyanate functional components; b) one or more compounds containing a cycloaliphatic tertiary amine: c) one or more low functional acrylate containing components having about 1 to 4 acrylate groups per molecule; d) one or more high functional acrylate containing components having 5 to about 10 acrylate groups per molecule; and e) one or more compounds containing a peroxide group; wherein the composition is a two component composition and components a) and b) are kept separate from component e) until cure is desired. The composition may be utilized as an adhesive.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine configured to automatically stop in response to an engine stop request and automatically start in response to an engine start request include selectively inhibiting an engine stop request based on an anticipated duration of an expected decreased driver power command state to reduce occurrence of successive automatic stops and automatic starts.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes an armature having a hub, a rim and at least two spokes extending between the hub and the rim, and a damper. The damper connects the at least two spokes and the hub and prevents contact between the spokes and hub. The at least two spokes and hub may include interdigitating projections which the damper prevents from contacting one another. The damper substantially fills a gap between the interdigitating projections and envelops the interdigitating projections. In one embodiment, the damper is annular and the interdigitating projections extend radially and include a base and a distal end having a length greater than a length of the base.

Abstract: A vehicle computing system comprising at least one controller configured with a transceiver to connect with a server via a communication network connection. The controller may be configured to login to the server via a vehicle identification comprising at least one of a user-name and password for access to profile data. The controller is further configured to transmit at least one of contact identification, a message to communicate with a contact, and vehicle information. The controller is further configured to receive at least a portion of a contact and vehicle profile based on at least one of the contact and vehicle identification. The controller is further configured to transmit the at least a portion of the contact and vehicle profile to one or more systems.

Abstract: A dielectric fluid composition for electrical apparatus comprises a functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid having desirable properties including a pour point less than ?30° C. and a fire point greater than 250° C. It may be prepared by a process wherein 12-hydroxy methyl stearate is transesterified by reaction with a C3-C20 alcohol to form an alkyl-12-hydroxy stearate, followed by esterification thereof with a linear or branched C4-C20 carboxylic acid. This acid may be a free acid chloride, a fatty acid, a carboxylic acid anhydride, or combination thereof. The resulting functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid exhibits improved thermoxidative capability, low temperature flowability, and increased fire point.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising: during a first condition, opening a fuel tank isolation valve while maintaining a canister purge valve closed; and indicating degradation of the canister purge valve based on an output of a universal exhaust gas oxygen (UEGO) sensor. The UEGO sensor output will indicate whether any fuel vapor vented from the fuel tank reaches intake through the commanded closed canister purge valve. In this way, canister purge valve degradation may be diagnosed in vehicles that do not include a functional fuel tank pressure sensor or canister vent valve.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a bumper, and a crush can that secures the bumper to the frame. The crush can includes a plurality of cells that are arranged in a fanned configuration relative to the frame such that walls of the cells deform during offset impact events to deflect objects away from the frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving hybrid vehicle performance and efficiency attributes are presented. In one example, an electric machine maximum available torque is controller limited so as to improve conservation of battery charge and driveline performance consistency. The electric machine torque may be limited as a function of driveline speed, battery discharge limit, and other parameters.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of injecting a compressed “comonomer/compound mixture,” comprising a “comonomer comprising a carboxylic acid,” and at least one compound, into at least one reactor; said method comprising, adding the at least one compound to the comonomer to form the “comonomer/compound mixture,” prior to compressing and injecting the mixture into the reactor; and wherein the crystallization temperature, at pressure P, of the “comonomer/compound mixture” is at least 5° C.