Abstract: Disclosed here are processes for preparing carbonized polymers (preferably carbon fibers), comprising sulfonating a polymer with a sulfonating agent that comprises SO3 dissolved in a solvent to form a sulfonated polymer; treating the sulfonated polymer with a heated solvent, wherein the temperature of the solvent is at least 95° C.; and carbonizing the resulting product by heating it to a temperature of 500-3000° C. Carbon fibers made according to these methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for improving purging of fuel vapors from a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine is presented. In one example, the method adjusts engine operation to provide sonic flow between a canister and the engine. In this way, it may be possible to lower an amount of fuel vapors stored in a canister while the engine continues to operate efficiently.

Abstract: A cooling system for an engine is provided. In one embodiment, an internal combustion engine comprises a cabin heat exchanger circuit including a connecting line opening on an inlet side into a cylinder block coolant jacket, a main coolant pump arranged in the cabin heat exchanger circuit, an auxiliary coolant pump arranged in the connecting line, and a check valve. In this way, additional cooling and/or heating may be provided to the engine and associated components by the auxiliary coolant pump.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for a wheel of a motor vehicle includes a wheel guide arm to which a wheel of the motor vehicle may be rotatably mounted remotely from the vehicle structure of the motor vehicle. The wheel guide arm may be attached via a point of attachment to an articulation member. The articulation member may be connected to the vehicle structure via at least one connecting member and be movably mounted relative to the vehicle structure. The wheel guide arm may be attached at the point of attachment to the articulation member via a changeable rotary joint. The rotary joint may be rotatable in a first switch position and fixed in terms of rotation in a second switch position.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements provides between eight and ten forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio. Three planetary gear sets are located on the input axis and a fourth planetary gear set is located on an offset axis. Axis transfer gears convey power between the input axis and the offset axis. One axis transfer gear is supported by a front support while another is supported by a center support. The center support also supports a clutch module and supplies pressurized fluid to engage the clutches in the clutch module.

Abstract: A vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to establish a communication connection with at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices within a vehicle while enabling and determining infotainment control based on the location of the handheld device in the vehicle. The system may determine if the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver or non-driver handheld computing device based on a detected location of the communication connection. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a non-driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore enabling infotainment control from the non-driver handheld device. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore limiting infotainment control from the driver handheld device.

Abstract: A sensing and injury mitigation system for a vehicle to identify an object in an impact event is disclosed. The system includes an impact sensing unit comprising an impact sensor and a pressure sensing unit. The impact sensor has fluid-filled first and second tube portions. The pressure sensing unit has a housing and first and second pressure sensors located within the housing. The first tube portion of the impact sensor is attached to the first pressure sensor and the second tube portion of the impact sensor is attached to the second pressure sensor. The pressure sensing unit senses changes in fluid pressure within the tubes. In one embodiment, the tube portions of the impact sensor define a loop. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the first tube portion and at least a portion of the second tube portion share a common axis.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes first, second and third clutches, a housing including a first projection to which the first clutch selectively produces a connection, a second projection to which the second and third clutches selectively produce connections, clutch-apply circuits each circuit corresponding to one of the clutches, and a balance volume circuit for supplying fluid to each of the clutches, and a shaft rotatably supporting the housing.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomers are formed by curing a reaction mixture containing at least one polyisocyanate at least one polyol, an aliphatic diol chain extender and a small amount of a secondary amino compound that may have none or one or more hydroxyl groups. The reaction is catalyzed with a metal catalyst. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is an organozirconium, organotitanium or tertiary amine-based catalyst. The presence of the secondary amine compound in those cases provides for a good surface appearance and good physical properties.

Abstract: A two-component curable adhesive or sealant composition is provided. The first component may comprise a mixture of at least one polyol selected from the group comprising a polyester polyol, a polyester-polycarbonate copolymer polyol, and combinations thereof, a resin, and optionally a solvent. The second component may comprise a prepolymer obtained by reacting a polyester-polycarbonate copolymer polyol which is the reaction product of a polyester polyol which is the reaction product of one or more organic acids, and one or more glycols having a functionality of two or more and one or more polycarbonate polyols, at least one organic polyisocyanate component, and at least one chain extending agent and optionally a solvent. Alternatively, the first component may comprise a polyester-polycarbonate copolymer polyol, a resin, and optionally a solvent. The second component may comprise a polyisocyanate curative and optionally a solvent.

Abstract: An exemplary system for a vehicle having an object attached to it may include a user interface device, a controller, and a communication system. The user interface device may be configured to receive and transmit information relating to the object. The controller may be in communication with the user interface device, and may be configured to receive the information from the user interface device. The communication system may be in communication with the controller, and may be configured to transmit at least a subset of the information to at least one other vehicle.

Abstract: A charge air cooler, a system to control condensation within a plurality of cooling tubes of a charge air cooler, and a method are disclosed. The system includes an air flow control arrangement configured to selectively ensure a flow rate of charge air through each individual cooling tube is either essentially zero or above a predetermined minimum flow rate in accordance with predetermined operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle power generation mode control method includes initiating a vehicle power generation mode request; determining whether at least one of the following conditions exists: high engine revolutions per minute is allowed; high voltage or amperage draw is allowed; current fuel level supports power generation mode; and carbon monoxide readings are within acceptable limits; denying requests for engagement of a vehicle transmission if at least one of the conditions exists; and allowing or commanding the vehicle power generation mode.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pair of longitudinal frame rails and a bed above the frame rails. A plurality of roll-formed aluminum cross-members contact the bed and are disposed between the bed and the frame rails for additional support of the bed. Extruded aluminum spacers are disposed between and in contact with the one of the cross members and one of the frame rails. A crush tube is spin-welded to the spacer and contacts the underside of the bed for additional support to inhibit downward relative movement of the bed. The crush tube is formed with a longitudinal hole extending therethough to receive a fastener that extends from above the truck bed, through the crush tube hole, through the cross-member and spacer, and into the frame rail.

Abstract: A vehicle load floor assembly includes a vehicle seat that has a seatback that pivots between upright and stowed positions. A cargo floor extends rearward from the seat. A first panel pivotally couples with an upper portion of the seatback and pivots to a raised position away from the seatback in a forward stowed position. A second panel pivotally couples with the first panel and is pivotally deployable rearward to define a support surface together with the first panel that engages the cargo floor.

Abstract: A frontal passenger airbag module is provided in association with the forward part of the instrument panel adjacent the windshield. The module includes a passageway through which the airbag may be deployed. The module is movable between an operational position in which the airbag may be deployed through the a breakaway opening in the instrument panel and a stowed position in which the module is moved vehicle-rearward such that the passageway is no longer adjacent the breakaway opening and the module no longer encroaches on the crush space provided for pedestrian protection. The vehicle includes an impact sensor for determining if an impact event involves a pedestrian. If it is determined by the sensor that a pedestrian has been involved, the module is moved to its stowed position. If it is determined by the sensor that no pedestrian has been involved, then the module remains in its operational position.

Abstract: A method of assembling an airbag for a seatbelt restraint such that the deflated airbag lays flat when it is stacked and secured to a webbing of the seatbelt. The airbag is assembled from a plurality of material strips. The strips are edge joint welded together so that the joints lay flat between the individual strips comprising the airbag.

Abstract: A thin film composite membrane including a thin film polyamide layer positioned between a porous support and an outer coating, and a humectant; wherein the membrane has an A-value of at least 8 l/m2 hr/bar when tested at 25 l/m2 hr with pure water at 25° C. for one hour, and wherein the outer coating comprises a dissolvable cellulose polymer provided at coverage of at least 10 mg/m2 that substantially dissolves from the membrane after one hour of continuous cross-flow of water at 25 l/m2 hr and 25° C.

Abstract: A filtration element with a fiber-reinforced shell and a method for fabricating the same. The fabrication method including the steps of: i) coating a multi-strand fiber with a liquid resin, ii) winding the coated fiber about the cylindrical filtration element, and iii) solidifying the resin to form a fiber-reinforced shell. The method is characterized by utilizing a spliced fiber formed by: a) aligning an end of a first multi-strand fiber with an end of a second multi-stand fiber such that the aligned fibers extend along a common axis (X), b) wrapping a layer of a heat-shrinkable film about the outer diameter of the aligned ends of the fibers wherein heat-shrinkable film includes a layer of adhesive that contacts the overlapping strands of the fibers, and c) heating the film so that the film draws inward upon the aligned ends of each fiber and forms an integral bond such that the effective cross-sectional area of a section of fiber.

Abstract: A filter assembly (10) including a first (12) and second (14) filtration element positioned in an abutting end-to-end arrangement along a common axis (X). Both filtration elements (12, 14) include a cylindrical housing (16, 16?) enclosing a filtration media and extending along the axis (X) between opposing ends, and an end cap (18, 20, 18?, 20?) located at each of the abutting ends of the filtration elements (12, 14) and comprising an annular surface (28, 28?) co-extensive with the housing (16, 16?) and an annular stepped edge (29, 29?). The first (12) and second (14) filtration elements are positioned with their end caps (18, 20?) directly engaged with each other so that the stepped edges (29, 29?) collectively form a continuous annular groove (31) about the periphery of the filter assembly (10). The annular groove (31) provides an effective means for handling filtration elements without increasing the overall length of end cap.