Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery having a thermal circuit, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) charge the traction battery using a maximum charging current defined by the lowest temperature cell while the traction battery is connected to the charger, and (ii) heat the traction battery if the lowest temperature cell is below a predetermined temperature while the traction battery is charging. A method for controlling an electric vehicle while connected to a charger includes charging the battery using a first portion of power from the charger while heating the battery using a second portion of power from the charger in response to a low cell temperature in a traction battery.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a lower seatback. An upper seatback is operably coupled to the lower seatback. The upper seatback is pivotally mounted to the lower seatback at a pivot axis. A manual articulation assembly operably couples the lower seatback with the upper seatback. The manual articulation assembly includes a housing member having a cam channel and an inner wall with a plurality of engagement recesses. A positional cam includes a cam pin engaged with the cam channel and an outer wall with a plurality of engagement teeth in removable engagement with the plurality of engagement recesses.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat member, a back member, and a base having a track and a guide with horizontal and vertical portions. The seat member is connected to the base by scissors linkage engaging the track to provide vertical and rearward translation of the seat member between use and stowed positions. The back member has a lower portion engaging the guide and providing horizontal and vertical translation of the lower portion of the back member, and rotation of the back member between upright and stowed positions.

Abstract: A halogen-free, flame retardant composition comprises: A. A polymer blend comprising: 1. Polypropylene, and 2. Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) other than the polypropylene of (A)(1), and B. An intumescent flame retardant comprising at least one of: 1. A compound of Formula 1 where M is at least one of melamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, alkyl hydroxyl and a triazine polymer of Formula 2 where D is a heterocyclic or polyamine moiety, and m and n are independently integers the sum (m+n) of which is less than 1000, and 2. A piperazine phosphate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes automatically activating a first mode of operation of a vehicle, determining if a driver does not prefer the automatically activated first mode of operation, and automatically transitioning to a second mode of operation based on the determination.

Abstract: Compatibilized blends comprising a first phase comprising a thermoplastic olefin polymer and a second phase comprising a crosslinked, thermoplastic polyurethane are provided. The first phase is a continuous phase and the second phase can be co-5 continuous with the first phase, or dispersed as a non-continuous phase in the first phase. The blends further include a phenolic resole resin which at least partially crosslinks the thermoplastic polyurethane and acts as a compatibilizer for the olefin polymer and the thermoplastic polyurethane.

Abstract: A frame portion for a vehicle includes a pillar component extending along a first direction and a beam component at least partially extending along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The beam component has a rear end proximate the pillar component. The frame portion further includes a bracket coupled between the pillar component and the rear end of the beam component. The bracket spaces the beam component from the pillar component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for discharging liquid from an intake tract of a turbocharger arrangement including a charge air cooler. As such, a charge air cooler may include a liquid collector including a switchable valve downstream of a charge air cooler. The switchable valve may be adjusted following the determination of an opening frequency and an opening duration based on a liquid collector temperature and a liquid collector pressure.

Abstract: An engine has a cylinder head with a deck face defining first and second chambers adjacent to one another and separated by a bore bridge. The body defines a first cooling jacket and a second cooling jacket configured to operate at a lower pressure than the first cooling jacket. The first cooling jacket is positioned substantially between the deck face and the second cooling jacket. The first cooling jacket has a series of passages intersecting the deck face and configured to receive coolant from a cylinder block cooling jacket. The second cooling jacket has an inlet passage intersecting the deck face adjacent to the bore bridge and configured to receive coolant from the cylinder block cooling jacket to cool the bore bridge.

Abstract: A process to prepare a relatively inexpensive utility fluid comprises contacting together ethylene and a coordination-insertion catalyst and, optionally, an alpha-olefin, in a continuously-fed backmixed reactor zone under conditions such that a mixture of a hyperbranched oligomer and a branched oligomer is formed. The hyperbranched oligomer has an average of at least 1.5 methine carbons per oligomer molecule, and at least 40 methine carbons per one-thousand total carbons, and at least 40 percent of the methine carbons is derived from the ethylene, and the average number of carbons per molecule is from 25 to 100, and at least 25 percent of the hyperbranched oligomer molecules has a vinyl group and can be separated from the branched oligomer, which has an average number of carbons per molecule of up to 20. The coordination-insertion catalyst is characterized as having an ethylene/octene reactivity ratio up to 20 and a kinetic chain length up to 20 monomer units.

Abstract: A suspension member having an arm member and a ball joint section. The ball joint section having an opening receiving a press fit ball joint. The material of the ball joint section having a smaller material thickness than the material of the arm member. The ball joint section connected to the arm member.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, useful for conversion of synthesis gas to olefins, is prepared from a catalyst precursor composition including iron oxide and an alkali metal on a substantially inert support, and then treated by a process including as ordered steps (1) reduction in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a pressure of 0.1 to 1 M Pa and a temperature from 280° C. to 450° C.; (2) carburization in a carbon monoxide-containing atmosphere at a pressure from 0.1 to 1 M Pa and a temperature from 200° C. to less than 340° C.; and (3) conditioning in a hydrogen- and carbon monoxide-containing atmosphere at a pressure from 0.1 to 2 MPa and a temperature from 280° C. to 340° C.

Abstract: A control arm or transverse link having a ball joint seat for receiving a press-fit ball joint. The material of a portion of the ball joint seat in a region provided for press-fit contact with the ball joint having a reduced material thickness. A method for producing the control arm or transverse link includes reducing a wall thickness of the ball joint seat by deformation or material severing.

Abstract: A low-fat whippable topping composition comprising: (a) 7 to 24% by weight of water-soluble carbohydrates, (b) 8 to 16% by weight of fat, (c) 0.3 to 1.5% by weight of emulsifier, (d) 0.2 to 1% by weight of optionally methylated hydroxypropyl cellulose, preferably hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, (e) 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of carboxymethyl cellulose, (f) 0 to 1% by weight of non-protein hydrocolloid stabilizer different from components (a), (d) and (e), (g) 0 to less than 0.2% by weight of protein, and (h) 53 to 84% by weight of water, wherein the weight ratio of optionally methylated hydroxypropyl cellulose (d) to carboxymethyl cellulose (e) is within the range of from 1.7:1 to 3.5:1.

Abstract: An alarm system for a vehicle, such as a bicycle, includes a touch sensor electrically connected to a vehicle frame. The touch sensor outputs an alarm signal based on a proximity of a person to the vehicle frame. A communication module receives signals from a remote device. A controller is programmed to selectively enable and disable the touch sensor in response to signals received from the remote device.

Abstract: An assembly includes a sheet component, a joint base, and a brazed bond therebetween. The sheet component includes aluminum and an aperture, and the joint base has first and second portions and a fastener coupling. The first portion of the joint base overlaps the aperture and engages a first side of the sheet component, and the second portion of the joint base extends through the aperture and engages a second side of the sheet component. The fastener coupling is larger than the aperture.

Abstract: A suspension member for a motor vehicle including a control arm or transverse link having a ball joint seat for receiving a press-fit ball joint. The ball joint seat including a reinforcement section formed from the material of the suspension member in a region thereof provided for friction or press-fit contact with the ball joint. A method for producing the control arm or transverse link includes increasing the material thickness of the reinforcement section by deformation.

Abstract: A vehicle has a restraint system with at least two restraint devices. A sensor detects a potential collision object and outputs a signal representing a relative position of the potential collision object to the vehicle. A processing device suppresses deployment of at least one of the restraint devices based at least in part on the signal output by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle method for barometric pressure identification, including adjusting engine operation responsive to barometric pressure, the barometric pressure based on a pressure change at a sector of the fuel system when the sector is sealed with the vehicle travelling. The method may utilize a pressure change at the sealed sector of the fuel system, such as a sealed fuel tank, to identify barometric pressure, even with the engine off for extended durations of vehicle travel. As such, in a hybrid-vehicle application, including during hill descents in which the engine is maintained off, barometric pressure can still be updated.

Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. The transmission includes a return to park feature and a controller including at least three memories. The controller is configured to write a remembered mode state into each memory. The remembered mode state is one of a Normal mode state that allows the transmission to automatically shift to Park, a hold mode state that causes the transmission to remain in Neutral and not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event or other mode states. The controller reads each memory and, when at least two of the remembered mode states are the same mode state, causes the transmission to enter a mode state corresponding to the same mode state.