Abstract: Embodiments include polymer polyol dispersions which include a polyol liquid phase and solid particle phase. Embodiments include methods of making the polymer polyol dispersions. The polymer polyol dispersions are essentially free of tin, have a solid content of between about 20 and 50 wt % based on the total weight of the polymer polyol dispersion, and have a viscosity at 20 C. of less than 9000 mPas. The solid particle phase has more than 90% by weight of particles in the solid particle phase having a particle diameter of less than 5 ?m.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a windshield, a cowl and an engine hood is provided. The apparatus includes a deployable hood extender, movable between a stowed position within or beneath the hood and a deployed position, wherein the hood extender substantially overlaps the cowl or an area of increased component stiffness rearward of the vehicle hood and beneath at least a portion of the windshield. The hood extender may include a positional control portion, an energy absorbing portion, a bending control feature, and softened edges. The hood extender may be a single moveable panel or may comprise a plurality of moveable panels, strips or rod-like elements, wherein the plurality of elements may be rigidly or pivotally attached to one another for linear or rotational displacement between stowed and deployed positions. The hood extender may be an expandable lattice structure. An actuation lock is included.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of refurbishing sputter targets comprising: providing a sputter target comprising a temperature sensitive alloy, having regions depleted of material; providing a powder having a first phase comprising the desired temperature sensitive alloy onto the surface; and pressing the powder onto the surface to form a refurbished target, at temperatures lower than that which would damage the temperature sensitive alloy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining degradation of a particulate filter in an exhaust conduit. In one example, a method may include diverting exhaust gas to a secondary flow assembly comprising a filter and determining degradation based on time intervals between subsequent filter regenerations of the filter in the secondary flow assembly.

Abstract: A method for determining cylinder blow-through air via engine volumetric efficiency is disclosed. In one example, the method provides a way to adjust cylinder blow-through to promote and control a reaction in an exhaust after treatment device. The approach may simplify cylinder blow-through calculations and improve engine emissions via providing improved control of constituents reaching an exhaust after treatment device.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag system comprising an airbag. The airbag may include at least one tether attached to first and second walls of the airbag, wherein each tether includes a tear seam configured to detach when the airbag is inflated with a pressure higher than a predetermined pressure. The airbag may include at least a first tether and a second tether, each tether attached to first and second walls of the airbag, wherein the first tether includes a tear seam configured to detach when the airbag is inflated with a pressure higher than a predetermined pressure. The system may further comprise a controller that may be used for determining whether to inflate an airbag with one of a high pressure and a low pressure depending on whether a detected impact is oblique.

Abstract: A control system for a modular hybrid electric vehicle operates an internal combustion engine at a torque level above the driver demanded torque improving the engine's efficiency. A traction motor driveably connected to the engine is operated at a torque level such that the combined torque satisfies the driver demand. The traction motor torque is limited to avoid inefficient combinations of speed and torque at which the motor is inefficient. During idle operation, the traction motor is operated at a torque determined from a battery state of charge and the engine is operated to maintain a predetermined speed. If the engine speed drops below a threshold, motor torque is adjusted to reduce the load on the engine to avoid stalling.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, engine operation is adjusted in response to a change in engine operating conditions that result in a fractional amount of cylinder charge comprised of exhaust gas changing by more than a threshold percentage. The approaches describe may improve vehicle drivability and fuel economy.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A first extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the first leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second leg support is adjacent to and independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A second extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the second leg support and is operable between extended and refracted positions.

Abstract: Air/fuel imbalance monitoring systems and methods for monitoring air/fuel ratio imbalance of an internal combustion engine are disclosed. In one embodiment, adjusting engine operation responsive to cylinder air/fuel imbalance based on a determined total number of instances where sensed peak-to-peak exhaust air-fuel ratios differentials are less than a threshold normalized to a total number of peak-to-peak oscillations. The approach can be used to indicate air/fuel ratio imbalances between engine cylinders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a start/stop vehicle are presented. One method includes deactivating an engine start/stop mode in response to an electrical load of a trailer coupled to a vehicle. By deactivating the engine start/stop mode, it may be possible to conserve consumption of electrical energy and maintain state of battery charge to ensure the vehicle has sufficient electrical energy to restart the engine.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting leak detection in an evaporative emission control system. The method performs a pressure-based leak test at selected intervals. The pressure-based test includes pressurizing the system, using a pump. Then, the system monitors pressure for a selected period. If system pressure falls below a threshold value during the selected period, the system identifies an initial leak. Upon identifying the initial leak, the system substitutes a vacuum-based leak test at each selected interval. The vacuum-based test includes evacuating the system, using the pump. The system then monitors system pressure for a selected period. If system pressure rises above a threshold value during the selected period, then the system identifies a subsequent leak. Upon receiving notification that the initial leak has been repaired, the system returns to pressure-based leak testing. Where a single pump is used, that pump is configured both for system pressurization and evacuation.

Abstract: An interior arrangement for a vehicle including a front passenger seat having a head restraint, a rear seat, seat occupant sensors fitted to the seats, a head restraint position sensor, a motor for moving the head restraint between its functional position and its lowered position, and a central controller operatively associated with the sensors and the motor. The front passenger head restraint is moved up to its functional position from a stowed position each time a front seat passenger presence is detected according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment the front passenger head restraint is moved from a functional or upright position to a stowed or hidden position if the front seat is unoccupied and the rear seat is occupied.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine with variable displacement engine (VDE) operation coupled to a twin scroll turbocharger. One method comprises directing exhaust from a first outer cylinder and a first inner cylinder of four cylinders to a first scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, directing exhaust from a second outer cylinder and a second inner cylinder of the four cylinders to a second scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, and during a first condition, firing all four cylinders with uneven firing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving hybrid vehicle torque control are presented. The system and methods included may estimate driveline torque via springs of a dual mass flywheel. The estimated driveline torque may provide feedback for adjusting operation of a driveline disconnect clutch and/or engine torque.

Abstract: A method for an engine, comprising: during a first condition comprising a high engine temperature, injecting a first quantity of liquid petroleum gas into a first engine cylinder at a first timing during an intake stroke; and injecting a second quantity of liquid petroleum gas into the first engine cylinder at a second timing during a compression stroke following the intake stroke. In this way, combustion knock and cylinder pre-ignition may be mitigated without retarding spark ignition and/or limiting engine load, thereby allowing for maximum engine performance.

Abstract: An illuminated device storage apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The storage apparatus comprises a console forming an elongated opening leading to a cavity. At least one support member extends along the elongated opening and is configured to engage a device. The storage apparatus further comprises a light source disposed proximate the cavity and configured to emit a first emission of light upward to illuminate the at least one support member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flame-resistant composition, a fiber-reinforced polyurethane composite comprising the flame-resistant composition and the use thereof. In particular, the invention describes a flame-resistant polyurethane-composite forming composition and a combustion-modified, fiber-reinforced polyurethane composite comprising the flame-resistant polyurethane-composite forming composition, for applications in vehicles and for building products. The invention also describes a long-fiber injection molding process for the preparation of the combustion-modified, fiber-reinforced polyurethane composite. The fiber-reinforced polyurethane composite of the invention show improved fire-reaction behavior, measured as Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI), and a reduced smoke production.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a sensor configured to output an impact signal and a processing device programmed to calculate an acceleration envelope from the impact signal, calculate a velocity envelope from the acceleration envelope, determine a threshold value based at least in part on a vehicle speed, and compare the acceleration envelope to the threshold value. The processing device is further programmed to output a control signal to deploy a pedestrian protection countermeasure if the acceleration envelope exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards functionalized oligomers. As an example, a functionalized oligomer can be represented of Formula (I): (Formula I) in which R1 is a structure of Formula II: (Formula II) and R2 has a formula —CxHyO—, wherein n is an integer having a value from 2 to 6, m is an integer having a value from 2 to 10, X independently is an integer having a value from 1 to 12, and Y is an integer having a value from 2 to 24.