Abstract: A porous discriminating layer is formed on a ceramic support having at least one porous wall by (a) establishing a flow of a gas stream containing highly porous particles through the support to deposit a layer of the highly porous particles of a ceramic or ceramic precursor onto wall(s) of the support and (b) calcining said deposited layer to form the discriminating layer. This method is an inexpensive and effective route to forming a discriminating layer onto the porous wall.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine knock control by accounting for a drop in charge cooling efficiency of a knock control fluid at higher temperatures. In response to the prediction of an elevated temperature of a knock control fluid at a time of release from a direct injector, a pulse width of the injection is adjusted. Any knock relief deficits are compensated for using alternate engine adjustments, such as boost or spark timing adjustments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a fuel system leak. While a system vacuum pump is operated to supply vacuum to a vacuum consumption device, air exhausted from the vacuum pump is routed to a fuel system to apply positive pressure thereon. A fuel system leak is identified based on a rate of decay of the pressure applied from the vacuum pump.

Abstract: Gate drive faults are detected for an inverter which comprises a phase switch having an insulated gate, such as an IGBT. A complementary transistor pair is adapted to receive a supply voltage and a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal to alternately charge and discharge the insulated gate. A comparator compares the voltage at the insulated gate with a reference voltage representing a gate drive fault to generate a first logic signal. A latch samples the first logic signal when the PWM signal has a value corresponding to charging the insulated gate. A logic circuit inhibits charging of the insulated gate when the latched logic signal indicates the gate drive fault. An insulated gate voltage less than the reference voltage is indicative of an under-voltage fault as well as other device failures of the IGBT or the complementary transistors.

Abstract: Provided is a filter module which includes: i) an elongated housing extending along an axis between a first and second end and defining an inner chamber; ii) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes comprising a semi-permeable cylindrical wall enclosing a lumen, wherein the membranes extend axially within the inner chamber between the first and second end; iii) a first end cap assembly comprising: a base secured to the first end of the housing, a feed port defining a passageway in fluid communication with the inner chamber, and a gas port adapted for connection to a source of pressurized gas and defining a passageway in fluid communication with the inner chamber; and iv) a second end cap assembly comprising: a base secured to the second end of the housing, a permeate port defining a passageway in fluid communication the lumens of the hollow fiber membranes, and a purge port defining a passageway in fluid communication with the inner chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle frame component for limiting the movement of the wheel of the vehicle toward the cab of a cab on frame vehicle including a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending outwardly and located proximal the wheel structure. In one embodiment the vehicle frame component is located forward of the wheel and includes a tire puncture device to deflate the tire during an offset front impact and in a second embodiment the vehicle frame component is located rearward of the wheel. The vehicle frame component has particular utility during an offset front impact where the offset is less than approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of the width of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a bike rack to a vehicle including a support member located behind an exterior wall of the vehicle. An attachment assembly, including a receiver operative to move between the first, stowed position any second, use position is connected to the support member. The exterior wall includes a removable portion wherein upon removal provides access to the attachment assembly. Once the removable portion is removed, the attachment assembly, including the receiver is moved from the first, stowed position to the second, use position wherein the bike rack then connects to the receiver. Additionally, the removable portion may include a detachable license plate bracket, which upon being detached from the vehicle, can be mounted to the rear of a bike rack. Sensors are mounted on the license plate bracket to allow for a functional back-up or park assist when the bike rack is attached to rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes providing a computer aided design model including a panel model having a panel model surface and an ornamentation model having an ornamentation model surface facing the panel model surface. A respective distance in the computer aided design model is calculated between the ornamentation model surface and the panel model surface at discrete points on the ornamentation model surface. Each distance is compared to a tolerance to identify the discrete points at which the respective distance is outside of the tolerance. The ornamentation model surface at the discrete points at which the respective distance is outside of the tolerance is adjusted to bring the respective distance within the tolerance. The method includes manufacturing an ornamentation including points on a surface of the ornamentation corresponding to the discrete points on the ornamentation model surface that were adjusted to bring the respective distance within the tolerance.

Abstract: A spring isolator for a wheel suspension may include a first side configured to rest on a spring plate of the suspension. The spring isolator may also include a second side, opposite the first side, configured to receive a last coil of a coil spring of the suspension to support the coil spring on the spring plate. The first side may have at least one cavity extending through a thickness of the isolator toward the second side. An elasticity of the isolator between the first and second sides may prevent the last coil from breaking contact with the second side during operation of the suspension.

Abstract: Crosslinkable polymeric compositions comprising (a) a polyolefin elastomer having hydrolysable silane groups, (b) a hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane, (c) a polyalkoxy silane compatibilizer, and (d) a condensation catalyst. Also described are methods for preparing such crosslinkable polymeric compositions, processes for crosslinking such polymeric compositions, and the resulting crosslinked polymeric compositions themselves. Such compositions can be employed in a variety of articles of manufacture, particularly in the wire and cable industry.

Abstract: An aluminum welding system includes a welding machine configured to weld a workpiece with an aluminum nugget and a measurement device configured to measure an attribute of at least one of the aluminum nugget and a welding process. The system further includes a processing device configured to output a weld quality signal representing a quality of an aluminum weld based at least in part on the attribute measured. A method includes measuring an attribute of at least one of an aluminum nugget forming a joint of a workpiece and a welding process, determining a quality of an aluminum weld based at least in part on the attribute measured, and outputting a weld quality signal representing the determined quality.

Abstract: A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a retractable step in connection with a panel of the vehicle. The retractable step comprises a tread portion. A light source is disposed proximate the panel and is configured to emit a first emission having a first wavelength. A first photoluminescent portion is disposed on the tread portion and is configured to emit a second emission having a second wavelength in response to receiving the first emission.

Abstract: Compositions containing an adhesive material, a release additive and a compatibilizer are suitable for temporarily bonding two surfaces, such as a wafer active side and a substrate. These compositions are useful in the manufacture of electronic devices where a temporary bonding of a component to a substrate is desired.

Abstract: A traction battery thermal plate assembly may include a structure having edge portions defining a cavity and configured to support a battery cell array, a thermal plate disposed within the cavity and adjacent to the array, and a spring assembly disposed within the cavity between the structure and the plate. The spring assembly may be configured to exert a force against the plate such that plate contacts the array to transfer heat between the array and the plate. The thermal plate disposed within the cavity may be below the array. The spring assembly may include a body defining a plurality of tabs configured to extend outward from a plane defined by the body. The spring assembly may include a base portion and an upper portion configured to support one or more compression springs therebetween.

Abstract: A thermoset resin, including the reaction product of: an epoxy resin mixture including at least one cycloaliphatic epoxy resins; a cycloaliphatic anhydride hardener; and a catalyst; wherein the reaction product has a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 210° C. Also disclosed is a process for forming a thermoset resin, including: admixing two or more epoxy resins and a cycloaliphatic anhydride hardener to form a curable composition, wherein the epoxy resins include at least one cycloaliphatic epoxy resin; thermally curing the curable composition at a temperature of at least 150° C. to result in a thermoset resin having a glass transition temperature of at least 210° C. Such curable compositions may include: 35 to 65 weight percent of an epoxy resin mixture having at least one cycloaliphatic epoxy resins; 35 to 65 weight percent of a cycloaliphatic anhydride hardener; and from greater than 0 to 10 weight percent of a catalyst.

Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a high pressure fuel pump to maintain one or more selectable, mechanically-regulated pressures. To reduce the cost and complexity associated with a fuel system that involves both port and direct fuel injection, a fuel and pump system is needed that removes complicated electronic control without degrading pump and engine performance. High pressure fuel pumps, associated systems, and methods are provided that involve adding one or more pressure relief valves and solenoid valves in order to maintain one or more discrete, substantially constant pressures of the high pressure fuel pumps and attached direct injection fuel rails.

Abstract: Various methods for determining the fully closed position of a wastegate valve are provided. In one example, a non-closed position command for a wastegate valve in a low-lift region relative to a valve seat is received. Prior to executing the position command, the wastegate valve is only temporarily closed to thereby determine a fully closed position.

Abstract: A method of controlling a fuel supply system of an engine 10 of a motor vehicle 50 is disclosed in which an engine driven variable output high pressure fuel pump is operated at a high demand level to charge a high pressure fuel accumulator with fuel during a shutdown of the engine and, during a subsequent start-up of the engine, use fuel from the accumulator while operating the high pressure fuel pump at a low demand level. This reduces the fuel consumption of the engine by using kinetic energy from the slowing engine to drive the high pressure fuel pump and increases the deceleration of the engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline oscillations are reduced during engine air-fuel ratio modulation. The driveline oscillations may be reduced via adjusting torque of a motor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an Eu2+ activated inorganic red phosphor is provided, wherein the phosphor exhibits an emission spectrum resolvable into a first Gaussian emission curve and a second Gaussian emission curve; wherein the first Gaussian emission curve has a first Gaussian emission curve peak, P1; wherein the first Gaussian emission curve peak, P1, has a peak 1 height, HP1, a peak 1 peak wavelength, P?P1, and a peak 1 area, AP1; wherein the second Gaussian emission curve has a second Gaussian emission curve peak, P2; wherein the second Gaussian emission curve peak, P2, has a peak 2 height, HP2, a peak 2 peak wavelength, P?P2, a peak 2 full width at half max, FWHMP2, and a peak 2 area, AP2; wherein P?P1<P?P2; and, wherein the peak 2 full width at half max, FWHMP2, is minimized.