Abstract: A system and a method are provided for calibrating a backup assist system for a trailer attached to a vehicle. The method includes driving the vehicle forward substantially straight above a threshold speed, sensing a yaw rate of the vehicle, and sensing a measured hitch angle of the trailer. A yaw sensor continuously senses the yaw rate of the vehicle and a hitch sensor continuously measures the hitch angle for determining an angle rate based on the measured hitch angle. Further, a controller determines an offset between the measured hitch angle and an actual hitch angle when the yaw rate and angle rate are substantially zero or otherwise the same.

Abstract: A center high mounted stop light assembly for use in a vehicle includes a stop light housing movable in a passage located center high on a rear end of the vehicle between a first closed position and a second extended position in which utility lights coupled to the stop light housing are deployable and operable to illuminate an area near the rear end of the vehicle. A position sensor detects and signals the position of the stop light housing within the passage. The stop light housing may be manually operated between the open and closed position or may use an automated device for push button operation including of the utility lights.

Abstract: A cooling system may be operable to cool a battery pack or other device through a heat exchange operation supported, at least in part, with cycling of a coolant relative to a coldplate or other thermally conducting surface of the device and/or attached thereto. The system may include a coldplate operable to exchange heat with a battery pack; and a coolant tank operable to exchange heat with the coldplate, the tank having a channel for directing a coolant flow in a direction from an inlet of the tank to at least one outlet of the tank and an inlet accumulator between the inlet and a beginning of the channel, wherein the inlet accumulator is wider along the coolant flow direction than the channel and the inlet and having a sloped side leading towards the channel configured to pool the coolant flow prior to entry into the channel.

Abstract: Flexible polyurethane foams are made using certain hydrolysable silane compounds in the foam formulation. The hydrolysable silane compounds contain at least one isocyanate-reactive group and at least one hydrolysable silane group. The presence of the hydrolysable silane compound in the foam formulation leads to improved tensile, tear and elongation properties without an adverse effect on other important foam properties such as resiliency and hysteresis loss.

Abstract: An article, for use in coupling a first member including a first material to a second member including a second material different than the first material, includes a clip having a first leg, a second leg, and a middle portion located between the first and second legs. The clip has an inner side including the first material and an outer side including the second material. The clip is aligned on one of the first and second members so the inner side of the clip contacts one of the first and second members and the outer side of the clip contacts the other of the first and second members.

Abstract: Transmissions with at least four gearing-arrangements and six clutches that produce nine forward speeds and one reverse. The gearing-arrangements may be simple planetary gearsets. The six clutches may include one to three brakes, and at least one clutch is an input clutch and one an output clutch. The input-shaft of each transmission may be associated with a carrier of one of the simple planetary gearsets. The input-shaft may be associated with carrier-1. The output-shaft of some transmissions may be associated with a carrier of another of the simple planetary gearsets. The output-shaft may be associated with carrier-4. Sun and ring gears in gearing-arrangements may be connected to a transmission housing. Sun-3 and ring-4 may be grounds.

Abstract: A ventilation system of a motor vehicle includes a first air control flap driven by a first mechanism, a second air control flap driven by a second mechanism, and a counterstop connected with the second mechanism. The counterstop is driven by the second mechanism between an operative position wherein it restricts movement of the first mechanism away from a reference position, and an inoperative position wherein it does not restrict movement of the first mechanism away from the reference position. The second mechanism has an idle region over which the counterstop may be moved without moving the second flap. The second mechanism may include an eccentric disk rotatable by an actuator to move the counterstop between the operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: A synergistic antimicrobial composition having two components. The first component is a hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound. The second component is one of the following biocides: hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine, 2,6-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl acetate or ortho-phenylphenol or its alkali metal or ammonium salts.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided herein. The lighting system includes a roof rack including at least one side rail having a photoluminescent portion configured to illuminate in at least one distinct color due to being excited by at least one wavelength of light. A light source is configured to emit the at least one wavelength of light directed toward the photoluminescent portion. A controller is configured to control a light output of the light source.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing patterned transparent conductor is provided, comprising: providing a silver ink core component containing silver nanoparticles dispersed in a silver carrier; providing a shell component containing a film forming polymer dispersed in a shell carrier; providing a substrate; coelectrospinning the silver ink core component and the shell component to form a core shell fiber, wherein the silver nanoparticles are in the core; depositing the core shell fiber on the substrate; selectively treating a portion of the deposited core shell fiber to provide a patterned transparent conductor, wherein the patterned transparent conductor has a treated region and a non-treated region; wherein the treated region comprises a plurality of electrically interconnected silver miniwires and wherein the treated region is an electrically conductive region; and, wherein the non-treated region is an electrically insulative region.

Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a head tube rotatably supporting first and second handlebars, and the handlebars each selectively pivot to a tow position extending away from the head tube. The bicycle frame includes first and second primary wheel mounts receiving first and second wheels, respectively, in a riding configuration of the bicycle frame, and one of the primary wheel mounts includes a first drive system coupling operably engaging one of the wheels with a bicycle control and power system. The bicycle frame further includes first and second secondary wheel mounts receiving the first and second wheels, respectively, in a towing configuration of the bicycle frame, and one of the secondary wheel mounts includes a second drive system coupling operably engaging one of the wheels with the bicycle control and power system.

Abstract: An attachment system for mounting a trim component to a vehicle body panel having an aperture includes a self-locating fastener affixed to the trim component. The fastener has a domed head that terminates at a shoulder and includes a plurality of legs separated by a gap and configured to resiliently deflect inward. The domed head is configured to provide for location of the trim component relative to the body panel during installation, and the shoulder is configured to engage the aperture upon installation.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a crosslinkable coating composition, and method of producing the same. The crosslinkable coating composition according to the present invention comprises: (a) one or more polycarbamates derived from one or more polyesters comprising the condensation reaction product of one or more polyols with one or more polyacids, wherein said one or more polyols comprise at least 25 percent by weight of one or more units having 4 or more hydroxyl groups; (b) one or more crosslinking agents; (c) one or more acid catalysts; and (d) optionally one or more organic solvents.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a catcher beam and a catcher beam support assembly including a catcher beam support to which the beam is attached. The support is movable between stowed and deployed positions. The apparatus includes a bumper energy absorber and a bumper beam. The assembly is positioned adjacent the absorber and is either substantially within or adjacent to the bumper beam. The apparatus includes a mechanical, electromechanical or pneumatic actuator to allow the support to move to its deployed position. A pedestrian impact sensor sends a signal to a control unit in the event of an imminent pedestrian impact. The control unit then signals the assembly to allow the catcher beam to move to its deployed position using the actuator. In the event of a false positive deployment, the actuator retracts the catcher beam to its stowed position.

Abstract: A lock assembly for selectively and releasably holding a pivoting armrest of a vehicle in place relative to an adjacent seat back is disclosed. The lock assembly includes a first locking element fixedly attached to the seat back and a second locking element movably attached to the armrest. Both locking elements have engagement surfaces whereby the second locking element is releasably engageable with the first locking element. The first locking element includes a cover that, together with a base, defines a pocket. The second locking element includes a spring loaded attachment assembly. The assembly provides operator-movable attachment to the armrest. The second locking element further includes an engagement portion on which the engagement surface is formed and an anchoring portion. An operator-manipulable release tab extends from the engagement portion and through the tab-passing slot of the first locking element when the first and second locking elements are engaged.

Abstract: A beam sub-assembly for a vehicle includes a beam member and at least one carbon-fiber prepreg bonded to a first portion of an exterior surface of the beam member so as to cover an entire length of the beam member along the first portion.

Abstract: A hidden camera system for a vehicle includes a cover, a camera, a drive motor and a linkage connecting the drive motor to the cover and the camera. A first stop establishes a repeatable and fully deployed position for the camera. An abutment engages that stop when the camera is fully deployed. A biasing element biases the camera into the fully deployed position to ensure that the camera is always fully deployed into the same position.

Abstract: A composition comprising: a) one or more isocyanate functional prepolymers; b) one or more catalysts for the reaction of isocyanate moieties with hydroxyl groups; c) one or more reinforcing fillers; and d) a stabilizing amount of one or more compounds comprising a dihydrocarbyl hydroxylamine, an alicyclic hydroxylamine, a nitrile oxide of a dihydrocarbyl hydroxylamine or a nitrile oxide of an alicyclic hydroxylamine. In another embodiment the invention is a method of bonding two or more substrates together which comprises contacting the two or more substrates together with a composition according to this invention disposed along at least a portion of the area wherein the substrates are in contact. The compositions of the invention are useful as an adhesive to bond substrates together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and process for olefin polymerization. The inventive system and process for olefin polymerization facilitate lower operating vacuum pressures in the polymer recovery system by requiring at least two sequential condensing units, wherein at least one of the condensing units operates at significantly lower temperature ranges than the temperature ranges at which the current systems operate.

Abstract: A bicycle chain stay coupling apparatus includes a first bracket component coupled to a seat tube of a bicycle frame, a connecting component of a chain stay of the bicycle frame, and a coupling component encasing the connecting component and coupled to the first bracket component. The coupling component is relatively more elastic than the first bracket component and the connecting component, and the coupling component is positioned in series between the first bracket component and the connecting component with respect to a common axle of the first bracket component, the connecting component, and the coupling component.