Abstract: An automobile seat includes a cushion, a back coupled with the cushion, and a mounting unit. The mounting unit includes a mounting track and an actuator slidably coupled with the mounting track and coupled with the cushion. The actuator is extendable along an axis to move the cushion toward and away from the mounting track and is rotatable about the axis to rotate the cushion relative to the mounting track.

Abstract: An assembly includes a torque converter concentric with an axis and including a casing, a rotor hub drivably connected for rotation about the axis to an electric machine, a coupler connected to the rotor hub, and a flex plate coupled for elastic displacement between the coupler and a surface of the casing that faces away from the coupler.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the lift of a wastegate valve are provided. Methods comprise determining a relation between an actuator position and a lift of a wastegate valve at engine start-up in a temperature range. The relation may be modified based on a difference between a desired boost level and an actual boost level.

Abstract: A process to prepare an olefin from its corresponding alcohol is improved by reacting, under reaction conditions including a first temperature, an aliphatic alcohol and, optionally, diluent water, to form a reaction product including at least a dialkyl ether. The product is then reacted again, under higher temperature to complete the dehydration of the dialkyl ether to the desired olefin. This process is particularly suitable to prepare ethene from ethyl alcohol. The stepped temperature scheme serves to reduce the formation of byproduct aldehydes, which in turn reduces coke formation, fouling, and the need to handle large amounts of water, thereby lowering energy and capital costs.

Abstract: A biocidal composition comprising 2,2-dibromomalonamide and an oxidizing biocide, and its use for the control of microorganisms in aqueous and water-containing systems.

Abstract: A method for controlling a climate control system is disclosed. In one example, the climate control system includes an air mixing valve that is adjusted in response to a energy conversion device load demand. The method may provide improved climate control in a vehicle cabin during high energy conversion device load conditions.

Abstract: Impact modified compositions having good impact performance can be made from a thermoplastic (e.g., a polyolefin such as polypropylene or HDPE) and a multi-block ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer. The compositions are easily molded and often have particular utility in making, for example, automotive facia, parts and other household articles.

Abstract: A method and system for improving automatic engine stopping and starting is presented. In one example, the method adjusts conditions for engine stopping in response to operating conditions that are evaluated according to one or more cost functions. The method may improve vehicle fuel economy and limit driver annoyances.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine is provided. The method comprises adjusting an oil pressure in an oil circuit, the oil circuit including a pump in fluidic communication with a hydraulically adjustable cam follower and switching the hydraulically adjustable cam follower into a connected state to a disconnected in response to the oil pressure adjustment.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising at least one compound selected from the following Formulas A, B1, B2, B3, B4 or C: or a combination thereof (C). For each formula, the R groups are described herein.

Abstract: One approach to provide engine cooling for an internal combustion engine includes pumping coolant from a pump output, in parallel, directly to a block and a head upper coolant jacket; flowing coolant from the block directly to a head lower coolant jacket; discharging coolant from the upper and lower jackets only to a control block; and selectively directing cooling from the control block to each of: a cabin heater; radiator bypass line; and the radiator. In this way, an increased demand for pre-warmed coolant can be met, for example in the case of low outside temperatures.

Abstract: A process to prepare propionic acid comprises preparing a fermentation broth of water; at least 30 weight percent hydrolyzed corn mash solids, hydrolyzed sugar cane mash solids, or a combination thereof, based on the combined weight of the fermentation broth as a whole; and propionibacteria; without including the typical, frequently very costly supplementation with vitamin and mineral packages. Surprisingly, these mash solids, which must often be disposed of following syrup production, are capable of supplying the nitrogen, micronutrients, vitamins and minerals known to be needed for propionibacteria fermentation, making their sole or significant use as fermentation mediums far more economical and therefore desirable than other fermentation mediums which require supplementation.

Abstract: An e-bike center module includes a substantially straight first center module connecting surface that is releasably connectable to a substantially straight front module connecting surface. A substantially straight second center module connecting surface is releasably connectable to a substantially straight rear module connecting surface. the center module is part of a bicycle frame when the first center module connecting surface is connected to the front module connecting surface and the second center module connecting surface is connected to the rear module connecting surface.

Abstract: A system for applying regenerative braking during high friction coefficient braking of a vehicle includes at least one controller; at least one braking sensor interfacing with the at least one controller; a vehicle powertrain interfacing with the at least one controller; a brake pedal interfacing with the at least one controller; vehicle friction brakes interfacing with the at least one controller; and the at least one controller applies anti-lock braking torque to the vehicle brakes and simultaneously applies regenerative braking torque to the vehicle powertrain responsive to input from the at least one braking sensor. A method for applying regenerative braking during high friction coefficient braking of a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for monitoring the brake performance of a vehicle. A modeled deceleration of the vehicle may be calculated based on a master cylinder pressure of the vehicle brake system. The modeled deceleration may be compared to a measured deceleration of the vehicle. A notification may be initiated when a difference between the modeled deceleration and the measured deceleration exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A storage assembly for positioning between vehicle seats, includes an enclosable compartment that has opposing longitudinal sidewalls and opposing lateral sidewalls that are connected to the opposing longitudinal sidewalls to define an interior volume. A plurality of retention features are spaced along an upper edge of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing lateral sidewalls. A hanging storage module has a rigid panel suspended in the interior volume and a pair of support elements protrudes horizontally from opposing ends of the rigid panel to removably engage a corresponding pair of the plurality of retention features on a select one of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing longitudinal sidewalls. The rigid panel has a side portion configured to vertically hold at least one object.

Abstract: An exhaust system in an engine includes an exhaust passage including an outlet, in fluidic communication with at least one combustion chamber in the engine, and integrated into a cylinder head in the engine and a flow rotation element including at least one vane, the flow rotation element positioned in the outlet of the exhaust passage swirling exhaust airflow exiting the exhaust passage.

Abstract: Embodiments for controlling an exhaust back-pressure valve are provided. In one example, a method for operating an engine comprises closing an exhaust back-pressure valve in response to a component temperature, adjusting intake and/or exhaust valve operation in response to closing the exhaust back-pressure valve to reduce cylinder internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and while the exhaust back-pressure valve is closing, indicating degradation of an exhaust back-pressure system if a designated engine operating parameter remains constant. In this way, degradation of the exhaust back-pressure system may be diagnosed while maintaining combustion stability.

Abstract: A trailer backup assist system, according to one embodiment, includes a state estimator that determines a current position of a trailer relative to a plurality of waypoints. A trajectory planner may then incrementally generate a path from the current position to the plurality of waypoints. The trajectory planner has a first mode that generates first and second circular trajectories tangent to one another connecting between the current position and a waypoint of the plurality of waypoints. A second mode of the trajectory planner generates the second circular trajectory between the current position and the waypoint after the trailer traverses the first circular trajectory. Also, a third mode of the trajectory planner switches to the first operating mode when the trailer reaches the waypoint for guidance to a subsequent waypoint. A curvature controller guides the trailer based on a curvature of the respective first or second circular trajectories.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.