Abstract: A drive system includes first and second power sources, a planetary gearset including an output, and first and second inputs driveably connected, respectively, to the first and second power sources, a pinion supported for rotation, and a synchronizer for alternately releasing a drive connection between the pinion and output and substantially synchronizing a speed of the pinion and a speed of the output before driveably connecting the pinion and the output.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag assembly includes first and second walls sealably connected to define an inflatable bladder having an interior volume that is operable between inflated and deflated states. At least one pleat is defined within at least one of the first and second walls, and defines an expanded portion of the interior volume. First and second slits are defined within the first wall that define a vent in communication with the expanded portion of the interior volume, wherein the vent defines an open position with the inflatable bladder in the deflated state, and wherein the vent moves to a closed position as the inflatable bladder operates to the inflated state.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing pad is provided having a polishing layer; and an endpoint detection window incorporated into the chemical mechanical polishing pad, wherein the endpoint detection window is a plug in place window; wherein the endpoint detection window comprises a reaction product of ingredients, comprising: a window prepolymer, and, a window curative system, comprising: at least 5 wt % of a window difunctional curative; at least 5 wt % of a window amine initiated polyol curative; and, 25 to 90 wt % of a window high molecular weight polyol curative.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an electric heater to determine heater functionality is based on actual heater power consumption relative to expected heater power consumption during operating conditions where electrical power consumption by other system components can be accurately estimated. One or more components, including a second heating source, may be controlled based on the heater functionality. The system may include a hybrid vehicle having an engine, an electric heater and heater core, a valve positioned to route coolant through the engine and/or the electric heater, and a controller configured to store a diagnostic code and/or start the engine when the electric heater is commanded on and when the actual energy consumption of the electric heater is below a corresponding threshold.

Abstract: A deflector member comprises opposing first and second walls and a plurality of sidewalls arranged adjacent to each other and between the first and second walls, the sidewalls having a cross-sectional shape between the first and second walls that is at least three-sided. The deflector member is adapted to mount to a vehicle frame. The deflector member is further adapted to extend distally from the first wall to the second wall relative to the vehicle frame, and away from a centerline of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel delivery apparatus, having: a surge chamber configured to store fuel; a fuel filter distally positioned with respect to and connected to the chamber; and a fuel level sender positioned between the filter and surge chamber.

Abstract: A method for operating an automatic stop/start system in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a manually operated gearbox and a pedal-operated clutch, wherein the internal combustion engine is automatically stopped or restarted under predetermined conditions even with a gear engaged. The conditions under which the internal combustion engine is automatically restarted include two indicators that indicate that an automatic restart of the internal combustion engine is safe and desired, namely an indicator that indicates that a restart is safe and an indicator that indicates that the driver wants a restart.

Abstract: A gasket for use with in an internal combustion engine having lubricating oil drainback passageways and an integrated exhaust manifold formed in the cylinder head is disclosed. The gasket includes at least one drainback passageway opening to fit substantially around the drainback passageways formed in the cylinder block. A loose component-capturing constraint feature is integrally formed with the gasket and effectively provides a bridge over the drainback passageway opening of the gasket. The constraint feature does not restrict the flow of lubricating oil and may be of any of several designs including, for example, a rib. The cylinder head gasket is preferably of a multi-layer construction and is preferably steel. The constraint feature may be a single gasket layer. The cylinder head gasket includes both active and non-active areas. The constraint feature may be either or both an active and a non-active area of the gasket.

Abstract: An approach for supplying spark to a spark ignited engine having activated and deactivated engine cylinders is disclosed. In one example, the approach increases ignition energy supplied to spark plugs of deactivated cylinders to reduce the possibility of spark plug fouling for the deactivated cylinders while continuing to supply spark to activated cylinders.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a crankcase vent tube pressure or flow sensor for diagnosing a location and nature of crankcase system integrity breach. The same sensor can also be used for diagnosing air filter plugging and PCV valve degradation. Use of an existing sensor to diagnose multiple engine components provides cost reduction and sensor compaction benefits.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of formulae (I) and (II) and salts, hydrates, or solvates thereof, where R1, R2, R3, R5, and R6 are defined herein, compositions containing these compounds, methods of preparing these compounds, and methods of using these compounds in a variety of applications, such as a surfactant or additive in personal care products.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a hybrid electric vehicle having a brake pedal arm and a cam follower extending from the brake pedal arm is provided. The cam follower is configured to cooperate with a stamp bracket having a cam surface to provide brake pedal feel resistance as the brake pedal arm is actuated by a user of the hybrid electric vehicle. This brake pedal feel resistance increases as the cam follower traverses along the cam surface of the stamp bracket.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging a multi-port canister into an engine intake. Air is circulated through the canister and a resulting purge air is directed to an intake passage upstream of a throttle in engine configured with a throttle body. An amount of fresh intake air received at the intake passage is corresponding decreased.

Abstract: A cooperative catalyst system includes a Lewis acid and a Lewis base for the formation of non-isocyanate based polyurethane using a cyclic carbonate and an amine. A method of forming non-isocyanate based polyurethane includes providing a cyclic carbonate, an amine, and a cooperative catalyst system that has a Lewis acid and a Lewis base.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a static mixer (1) with a plurality of nozzles, and more generally, to a mixer and method of use thereof for mixing phosgene and amine with shaped jets or at least two rows of nozzles (15,16) where the second row (16) is used to enrich an area of deficit of the phosgene flow within the static reactive jet mixer (1). Configurations of enriching secondary flow include the use of concentric, eccentric, or offset jets of amine/phosgene, and the use of nozzles with different and irregular geometries to help focus amine/phosgene to a specific area of the principal phosgene flow.

Abstract: A user gesture is detected based on received data from one or more motion sensors. User gesture attributes are identified including at least one of hand vectoring, wrist articulation, and finger articulation from the gesture including respective movements of each of a plurality of a user's fingers. Based on the gesture attributes, a user and an action to be performed in a vehicle are identified. The action is performed in the vehicle to control at least one vehicle component based on the gesture.

Abstract: A console assembly includes a console housing with a storage compartment having a member in a wall that is rotatable between a plurality of positions. The member includes an electronic port for connecting an electronic device that is accessible from within the compartment when the member is rotated to a first position and accessible from outside the compartment when the member is rotated to a second position. A second port may be added to the member such that the member can rotate to an intermediate position where one port is accessible from within the compartment while the second port on the member is simultaneously accessible from the outside of the compartment.

Abstract: A camshaft for a multiple cylinder four-stroke internal combustion engine is described wherein peak lift of a first exhaust lobe is angularly displaced relative to peak lift of a second exhaust lobe by an angle of cam rotation greater than an angle defined by a full revolution of the camshaft divided by the number of cylinders of the engine. By increasing the angle between peak lift of exhaust lobes associated with physically adjacent and successive firing cylinders, the exhaust port of an earlier firing cylinder begins to close earlier than a conventional symmetric arrangement and opening of the exhaust port of the subsequently firing cylinder may be delayed. As such the crossover or overlap period when two exhaust ports are open may be reduced, which thereby reduces the transfer of exhaust gas from one cylinder to another.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust emissions by adjusting an injection profile for different fuels injected into an engine cylinder from different fuel injectors during engine start and crank. By splitting fuel injection during start and cranking so that fuel of lower alcohol content is port injected and fuel of higher alcohol content is direct injected as one or multiple injections, the soot load of the engine can be reduced and fuel economy can be improved.

Abstract: A system for controlling an internal combustion engine. The system includes engine shutdown/restart means and energy storage means configured for supplying power to an associated active vehicle suspension system when the engine is shut down. A controller is configured for controlling the shutdown/restart means responsive to an energy state of the energy storage means.