Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an electric machine and a storage device. The electric machine is configured to provide drive torque and the storage device is configured to supply power to the electric machine. The vehicle includes a variable voltage converter (VVC) that is connected between the storage device and the electric machine. The vehicle also includes a controller that is configured to receive input indicative of a VVC input current and a VVC output voltage. The controller is further configured to selectively disable drive torque responsive to the input.

Abstract: The invention provides functionalized block composites and crystalline block composites as compatibilizers. In particular, the invention provides compositions of at least three polymers and a compatibilizer. The compatibilizer comprises a functionalized olefin-based polymer formed from at least (A) and (B): (A) a crystalline block composite comprising: a block copolymer comprising a propylene-based crystalline block and crystalline ethylene-based block; a propylene-based crystalline polymer; and, a crystalline ethylene-based polymer; and (B) at least one functionalization agent or a functionalized olefin-based polymer formed from at least (A) and (B): (A) a crystalline block composite comprising: a block copolymer comprising a propylene-based crystalline block and crystalline ethylene-based block; a propylene-based crystalline polymer; and, a crystalline ethylene-based polymer; and (B) at least one functionalization agent.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a performance issue in a vehicle system having a diesel engine, a fuel system, and an on-board diagnostic system. The method includes cranking the engine, and, if a pressure sensed in the fuel system during or after the engine cranking differs by a threshold amount from the pressure sensed during a previous operation of the engine, indicating excessive fuel viscosity in the on-board diagnostic system.

Abstract: A machine for forming a bonded edge fold on a headliner is disclosed. The headliner includes a ceiling and an edge flange that has a wall section and a backing section. The machine includes a lower die that receives the headliner and an upper die disposed above the lower die. The machine further includes a slide connected to the upper die and at least one actuator operable to move the slide. Movement of the slide causes the slide to engage with the backing section and fold the backing section over the wall section forming a bonded edge fold. A method of forming a headliner is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting exhaust gases from an exhaust gas recirculation system proximate to a trailing edge of a compressor wheel of a compressor. In one example, a compressor of a turbocharger may include an exhaust gas recirculation inlet volute within a casting of the compressor. The exhaust gas recirculation inlet volute may include an injection port positioned downstream of the trailing edge of the compressor wheel for injecting exhaust gases into intake air flow.

Abstract: Impeller speed, which is difficult to measure when a torque converter includes an impeller clutch, is estimated based on a known relationship among impeller speed, turbine speed, and turbine torque. Turbine torque may be directly measured by a turbine torque sensor or estimated based on other measurements such as output shaft torque or vehicle acceleration. The relationship is stored in a controller in terms of the coefficients of a second order polynomial relating turbine torque to impeller speed and turbine speed. A slip speed is calculated based on a measured input shaft speed and the estimated impeller speed. Closed loop control is used to adjust the impeller clutch torque capacity to maintain a target slip.

Abstract: An air extractor is provided for reducing wind throb in a vehicle. The air extractor includes a support having a first opening. A first flap is pivotally mounted to support frame in the first opening. The first flap is displaceable between a fully outwardly open position, a fully inwardly open position and an intermediate closed position. Further, the flap is tuned to a resonance frequency of between 12 and 18 hertz characteristic of the wind throb generated by the vehicle in which the air extractor is mounted.

Abstract: A vehicle computer system configured to communicate with a mobile device, comprising a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the mobile device. The vehicle computer system also includes a processor in communication with the wireless transceiver and memory. The processor is configured to monitor activity occurring at the wireless transceiver, receive a message from the wireless transceiver that includes information related to one or more software states of the wireless transceiver, determine an error has occurred at the wireless transceiver, save the information related to the one or more software states of the wireless transceiver in the memory, and send the information related to the one or more software states.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request to enable a privacy screen. The processor is further configured to receive a privacy screen engage trigger. Also, the processor is configured to change a current radio station to a predefined station, upon receipt of the engage trigger when a privacy screen is enabled.

Abstract: A method for operating a turbocharger arrangement of an internal combustion engine, the turbocharger arrangement comprising a low-pressure and a high-pressure turbocharging stage arranged sequentially, the low-pressure turbo-charging stage comprising a low-pressure turbine with a sensorless low-pressure turbine bypass valve, is provided. The method comprises evaluating at least one sensor signal of the turbocharger arrangement for detecting a failure mode of the sensorless low-pressure turbine bypass valve. In this way, the low-pressure turbine bypass valve may be monitored for degradation without utilizing a position sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting degradation of a crankcase ventilation tube. Humidity sensed from a humidity sensor in the crankcase ventilation tube may provide an indication of crankcase ventilation tube disconnection during different engine operating conditions. The humidity sensor may further provide diagnosis of humidity sensor function and engine degradation.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle is disclosed having a compressible fluid system including at least one sensor configured to determine a fluid pressure present within the compressible fluid system, and a circulator configured to circulate air in the engine compartment. The vehicle is configured to activate the circulator in response to a decrease in the fluid pressure, and in some approaches may also open a grill shutter or other fluid passage into the engine compartment. Exemplary methods may include providing a circulator configured to selectively circulate airflow, e.g., into an engine compartment of a vehicle, and detecting a fluid pressure decrease within a compressible fluid system in the engine compartment. The circulator may be activated to circulate air in the engine compartment in response to at least the detected fluid pressure decrease.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle having a traction battery with a plurality of cell groups each having a plurality of serially connected battery cells include balancing each cell of each cell group with a corresponding autonomous cell balancing circuit, and coupling a single output associated with each cell group to an associated battery monitoring circuit. An integrated driver and switch circuit adapts the voltage from an associated cell group for powering battery monitoring integrated circuits with a voltage range corresponding to a single cell voltage range to facilitate use of an existing battery monitoring integrated circuit design and subsequent input to a microprocessor-based battery controller. Cell balancing is performed at each cell with a battery monitor circuit associated with each group of cells.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using compressor recirculation flow via a venturi to enhance low pressure EGR flow. The opening of a compressor recirculation valve can be adjusted based on EGR flow demand to recirculate cooled compressed air through a venturi while generating vacuum for drawing EGR. The approach allows for concurrent EGR control and surge control.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for wirelessly communicating electronic mail messages at a vehicle. A computer processor is in communication with a memory device having software for an e-mail service, and electronic mail account credentials enabling access to one or more electronic mail accounts. A transceiver is in communication with the computer processor, and is capable of pairing with one or more wireless communication devices (e.g. cellular phone, etc.) for wirelessly communicating data between the processor and electronic mail servers located remotely from the vehicle. The processor operates the transceiver to wirelessly access the one or more electronic mail accounts at the electronic mail server(s) to wirelessly send or receive electronic mail messages at the vehicle. The computer processor convert received electronic mail messages to speech signals for playback.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a composite die includes a die face defining a protrusion and including a first metal, and a die base supporting the die face, the die base including a housing, a first filler positioned within the housing and contacting the protrusion, and a bridging member reinforcing the housing, the housing including a second metal different than the first metal.

Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle hydraulic braking system having at least one electric motor-operated braking pressure generator. The output power of the electric motor-operated braking pressure generator is restricted during normal driving/braking situations and the restriction is temporarily deactivated upon identification of a critical driving situation, such as an overstressing of the brake system to include brake fade.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and/or diagnosing an emission control system of a vehicle having a first SCR region upstream of a second SCR region are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, indicating degradation based on a first SCR region performance during a first condition; and indicating degradation based on a second SCR region performance during a second condition, the first condition different than the second condition. In this way, different levels of degradation among different SCR regions may be used to indicate emissions levels have increased above a threshold value, for example.

Abstract: A method for a PFDI engine may comprise, during a first condition, comprising direct-injecting fuel to the PFDI engine, estimating a fuel vapor pressure, and setting a fuel lift pump pressure greater than the fuel vapor pressure by a threshold pressure difference, and during a second condition, comprising port-fuel-injecting fuel to the PFDI engine, setting a DI fuel pump command signal greater than a threshold DI fuel pump command signal without supplying fuel to a DI fuel rail.

Abstract: The invention is directed at new process and systems for preparing composite materials that include a polymer phase and a fiber phase.