Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for compensating an instantaneous fuel economy reading for stored energy. One method comprises, when a vehicle undergoes a sufficient change in one or more of square of vehicle speed and vehicle altitude, estimating a conversion factor for fuel due to stored vehicle energy and adjusting the instantaneous fuel economy reading by the estimated conversion factor. The adjusted instantaneous fuel economy reading may be displayed to an operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed comprising a battery and a controller. Projected battery impedance parameters are calculated based on predetermined parameter values and historical parameter values generated by a battery parameter estimation model. The values may be weighted according to time data associated with the historical impedance parameter values and a temperature of the battery. Recent historical impedance parameter values may affect the projected battery impedance parameter values more than older historical impedance parameter values. The model is initialized with projected parameter values at vehicle initialization. Battery power capability is calculated using the projected parameter values for a period of time following vehicle initialization. After the period of time following vehicle initialization, battery power capability is calculated using impedance parameters generated by the model. The period of time following vehicle initialization may end when the model output has converged to a stable solution.

Abstract: A traction battery assembly for a vehicle is provided. The traction battery assembly may include a plurality of battery cells and a thermal plate positioned beneath the battery cells. The thermal plate may be configured for thermal communication with the plurality of battery cells. The thermal plate may define a plurality of multi-pass channel configurations, each corresponding to one of the battery cells. The multi-pass channel configurations may each include a channel inlet and channel outlet on opposite side portions of the thermal plate. The multi-pass channel configurations may each be configured to direct thermal fluid flowing therein to an outlet port of the thermal plate without directing fluid to the channel inlet of another channel configuration.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first clutch including a cam plate, a pocket plate and axially pivoting struts that driveably connect the plates for rotation in a first rotary direction, and disconnect the plates when the cam plate rotates in a second direction relative to the pocket plate, and a second clutch including a first cam plate, a first pocket plate, a coil and first struts that driveably connect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate for rotation in the second direction and disconnect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate when the coil is energized and the first cam plate rotates in the first direction relative to the first pocket plate.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a composite support structure formed by a lower pressure compression mold and defines at least one open section. A subassembly is disposed over the composite support structure and includes a trim piece integrally formed on the subassembly and defines a center seat and at least one cushion attachment support is disposed adjacent to the at least one open section. A seat cushion insert is operably coupled to the at least one cushion attachment support and is disposed over the at least one open section and defines a side seat.

Abstract: A method for controlling restart of an engine in a hybrid electric powertrain, includes engaging a gear of a transmission, releasing a brake pedal, maintaining fluid pressure at an adaptively determined magnitude in a wheel brake, initiating a restart the engine, and reducing fluid pressure in the wheel brake when the engine restarts.

Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement has four simple planetary gear sets and five or six shift elements. One embodiment has three brakes and three clutches and produces nine forward speeds by selective engagement of various combinations of three of the shift elements. A second embodiment has two brakes and four clutches and produces nine forward speeds by selective engagement of various combinations of three of the shift elements. A third embodiment has two brakes and three clutches and produces seven forward speeds by selective engagement of various combinations of two of the shift elements. Each embodiment may optionally include a passive one way brake that simplifies the control of certain shifts.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a fuel concentration in engine oil in an engine crankcase. In one example, an engine controller may adjust engine operation such as EGR flow and engine fueling based on the estimated fuel concentration in engine oil. The fuel concentration may be based on an output of an intake oxygen sensor when purge and EGR flow are disabled, engine oil temperature, and fuel composition.

Abstract: A pillar assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel, a reinforcement and an inner panel. The outer panel extends from a roof to a rocker. The reinforcement is attached to the outer panel and extends from the roof to a lower end that is spaced from the rocker. The reinforcement defines an opening in one side extending upwardly from the lower end of the reinforcement to a hip seating reference point level. The inner panel encloses the lower end of the reinforcement in conjunction with the outer panel. The pillar reinforces the assembly to facilitate inwardly collapsing a lower portion of the pillar to a greater extent than an upper portion of the pillar in a side impact collision.

Abstract: A service warm-up feature warms transmission fluid to normal operating temperature faster than normal idle without requiring continuous technician attention. This facilitates checking the transmission fluid level. The feature increases the warm-up rate by commanding an increased line pressure and an increased idle speed, which causes more heat to be generated as the fluid flows through restrictions at an increased flow rate with an increased pressure drop. The warm-up rate may be further increased by holding the turbine shaft stationary to increase torque converter heat generation. Various precautions prevent accidental vehicle movement.

Abstract: A universal refueling funnel for a capless refueling system is provided. In one example approach the refueling funnel comprises a funnel body with a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposing the first end, the first opening larger than the second opening, and cross-sections of the funnel body decreasing from the first end towards the second end; and at least two opposing tabs at the second end, the opposing tabs deformable from a first position to a second position, a distance between outer surfaces of the opposing tabs at the second end being a first amount in the first position, the distance being a second, smaller amount, in the second position. Such a universal funnel may be used for both petrol and diesel size capless inserts, for example.

Abstract: Semi-tubular self-piercing rivets and solid rivets are provided with surface features such as recesses or lobes. The recesses or lobes engage the panels that are joined by the rivet to prevent rotation of one or both panels after rivet insertion. The recesses or lobes may be provided at the head end or tip end of the rivet or may be provided at both the head end and the tip end of the rivet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle, including: a connector configured to receive a charging plug; and an ejection mechanism positioned with respect to the connecter, configured to eject the plug under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A seatback is operably coupled to a rear of the seat base. First and second independently moveable thigh supports include a top side, a bottom side, an exterior side, and an interior side. A slide assembly is operably coupled to each of the thigh supports. Each of the thigh supports are independently laterally translatable forward relative to the seat base. A button assembly operably secures each of the thigh supports at any of a multitude of lateral positions. The button assembly is disposed on the exterior side of each thigh support. A spring assembly urges each thigh support to a fully forward lateral position. A pivot member operably couples each of the thigh supports to the seat base. Each of the thigh supports are rotatable relative to the seat base.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine selectively coupled to the engine via a disconnect clutch. At least one controller issues commands to control the engine, the electric machine, and the clutch. During cruise control, the controller controls the torque output of the engine and electric machine, as well as the slipping of the clutch, such that the speed of the vehicle is attempted to be maintained at the cruise control set speed. For example, when the engine is off and additional torque is necessary to maintain the speed, the controller can issue a command to change the state of the engine from off to on. When the vehicle experiences oscillations in road load, the controller delays or inhibits changing the on/off state of the engine for an amount of time that is based on the oscillation associated with road load.

Abstract: A power management system for a vehicle having wheels and an electric machine operable to provide torque to drive at least one of the wheels includes a first energy storage system capable of supplying power to operate the electric machine. The system also includes a second energy storage system capable of supplying power directly to at least one vehicle load at a lower voltage than the first energy storage system. A voltage conversion device is operable to reduce a voltage of the power supplied by the first energy storage system to the lower voltage to charge the second energy storage system when the vehicle is in a key-off state.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising at least the following: A) an ethylene/a-olefin interpolymer with a density ?0.90 g/cc, and an I2 greater than 10; B) a functionalized olefin-based polymer; and C) an olefin-based polymer with a density greater than 0.90 g/cc, and selected from the group consisting of the following: a) an ethylene homopolymer, b) an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer, c) a propylene/ethylene interpolymer, and d) a propylene/?-olefin interpolymer; and wherein the [density (C)?density (A)] is greater than, or equal to, 0.017; and wherein the weight ratio of [(A+C)/B] is greater than, or equal to, 3.0.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an electric vehicle is provided. The thermal management system includes a thermal circuit for regulating a battery temperature. A filter is located upstream of the battery for filtering liquid coolant. The thermal management system also includes a second thermal circuit in fluid communication with the battery thermal circuit. The second thermal circuit provides thermal control to a vehicle system other than the battery. The battery thermal circuit includes a plurality of battery cells. Pluralities of heat exchanger fins are located between each of the battery cells to provide the coolant to regulate the battery temperature. The filter has a filtration transfer function based on a filter characteristic of the fins.

Abstract: A loading rail has a cross-sectional profile which is uniform over at least part of the length of said loading rail, has, on an upper side, a longitudinal groove for receiving at least one sliding block, the longitudinal groove being constricted in an upper region by at least one web, which is attached to a side wall of the longitudinal groove, to form a longitudinal slot, and the web bearing at least one downwardly projecting projection, wherein the projection forms an undercut on a side facing away from the longitudinal slot, as seen from below. The disclosure also relates to a sliding block for a loading rail.

Abstract: A discontinuous pulse width modulation technique is used in a controller to control an inverter that converts DC battery power to AC power to operate an electric motor, e.g., in a hybrid electric vehicle. The discontinuous pulse width modulation technique uses only one of the two zero state voltage vectors in its calculations whereas traditional pulse width modulation uses both zero state voltage vectors. The use of a single zero state voltage vector can result in one of a group of switches in the inverter remaining in a constant state during a complete duty cycle while still providing the commanded voltage vector to the electrical motor. As a result losses due to switching can be reduced.