Abstract: Embodiments include a coated paper or paperboard with a multilayer coating and methods of forming a coated paper or paperboard with the multilayer coating. The multilayer coating includes a first water vapor barrier layer, a biopolymer barrier layer, and a second water vapor barrier layer and provides the paperboard with improved oil and grease resistant properties, oxygen barrier properties, and water vapor barrier properties.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a melt process for preparing a functionalized olefin multiblock interpolymer, said process comprising grafting onto the backbone of the olefin multiblock interpolymer at least one compound comprising at least one “amine-reactive” group to form a grafted olefin multiblock interpolymer, and reacting a primary-secondary diamine or an alkanolamine with the grafted olefin multiblock interpolymer, without the isolation of the grated olefin multiblock interpolymer.

Abstract: A water redispersible polymer powder is produced by drying an aqueous mixture of a carboxylated styrene butadiene polymer and a colloidal stabilizer which includes a polyvinyl alcohol modified with an alkyl end chain. The alkyl modified polyvinyl alcohol provides excellent redispersibility of the redispersible polymer powder without adversely affecting spray drying. Cement compositions such as mortars, which contain the redispersible polymer powder with the alkyl modified polyvinyl alcohol exhibit unexpectedly superior stability and an unexpectedly lower rate of mortar viscosity buildup which is advantageous for workability or troweling.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a control system for reducing oversteer by controlling an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD). The eLSD has one or more clutches configured to selectively distribute a controlled and varied amount of drive torque between a pair of wheels during a turn. At least one controller is programmed to operate the eLSD in (i) a tow-mode in response to the vehicle towing an object and (ii) a non-tow-mode in response to the vehicle not towing an object. When operated in the tow-mode, the eLSD is controlled by the controller to actively reduce a difference in speed between the wheels compared to when the eLSD is operating in the non-tow-mode or is not operated in the tow-mode.

Abstract: A system includes a camera module disposed on a vehicle. The camera module records an image and generates an image signal representing the image. The system further includes a processing device that receives the image signal generated by the camera module and determines whether a vehicle tailgate is open based on the image. A method includes receiving an image signal representing an image captured from a vehicle, processing the image signal, and determining whether a vehicle tailgate is open based on the image.

Abstract: A self-adjusting seat stiffness system that uses a tension member and tensioning device to maintain or increase tension in a seat component during a perceived vehicle dynamic event. The system may use an inertial latching spool for the tensioning device as an example of a way to maintain tension at a target acceleration of the spool by locking up the tension member, or may have a controller to control the tensioning member to provide variable tensions depending on varying perceived vehicle parameters. The tensioning of the tension member helps to avoid submarining of an occupant under a seatbelt due to unacceptable seat compression during a vehicle dynamic event.

Abstract: A battery pack for a vehicle may include a cell array defining an upper surface and a housing defining a raised portion extending along and above a length of the array such that the raised portion and upper surface define a vent manifold therebetween which may be configured to collect gases generated by the array. The housing may define a discharge opening configured to allow gases to exit the manifold. A pair of end plates may be disposed at opposing ends of the array. One of the end plates may define a pass through portion in at least partial registration with the discharge opening. An outlet tube may be configured to facilitate fluid communication between the vent manifold and exterior of the vehicle. The battery pack may also include spacers located between upper edges of adjacent cells and may be configured to prevent cooling gases from entering the vent manifold.

Abstract: An individual driving value is set as a function of an accelerator pedal position. In turn, a powertrain characteristic is set as a function of the individual driving style. The set powertrain characteristic may be modified on the basis of a feedback value corresponding to learned preferences of a driver. The modified powertrain characteristic is then either automatically implemented for operation of a powertrain or communicated as a choice for implementation. The feedback value is updated per a response to automatic implementation or choice communication.

Abstract: A charging system for charging a vehicle includes a charging station and a vehicle. The charging station includes a wireless charging coil, a sonic receiver oriented to receive sonic signals generated proximate the coil, and a first wireless communications device. The vehicle includes a charge plate, a first emitter configured to generate a first sonic signal, a second wireless communications device in communication with the first wireless communication device, an in-vehicle display, and at least one controller. The controller is configured to present positional information via the display. The positional information corresponds to a vehicle position detected in response to the first sonic signal being received by the sonic receiver.

Abstract: A transmission in a vehicle includes a gearbox and a differential. Torque is transferred from an output of the gearbox to an input of the differential via a drive member. This transfers torque to enable the differential to distribute the torque amongst wheels of the vehicle. A transmission housing and a torque converter housing are mounted to one another to at least partially house the gearbox and the differential, respectively. A transmission fluid sump is provided between the housings where transmission fluid gathers. A fluid pump pressurizes the fluid and distributes it amongst working parts in the transmission. A baffle assembly partially contains the drive member and segregates the fluid sump from the drive member. One of the baffles in the assembly includes a lip engaging a portion of an outer flange of the pump to provide a seal between the fluid pump and components within the transmission.

Abstract: A method comprising: applying a brake force to all four wheels of a motor vehicle to stop the vehicle while torque continues to be applied to its driven wheels; and preventing wheel slippage of the driven wheels by reducing the applied torque when the vehicle is stopped or nearly stopped from moving in a forward direction. In this way, unintentional lateral movement of the vehicle due to creep torque applied to the driven wheels on slippery surfaces can be prevented or corrected.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system provides lubrication fluid to a gearbox via two flow paths in parallel. One of the flow paths includes a passive thermal valve in series with a heat exchanger. When the fluid temperature is elevated, the thermal valve opens such that fluid flows through the heat exchanger for cooling. The thermal valve restricts flow to the heat exchanger when transmission fluid is in a normal operating temperature range, reducing flow demands. When the flow demands are reduced, a variable displacement pump requires less torque improving fuel economy. The thermal valve may also open when the fluid is below the normal operating temperature such that the heat exchanger heats the fluid. The parallel path may include a regulator valve. When the pressure of fluid in the lubrication circuit is elevated, the regulator valve reduces flow through the parallel path and may also divert flow to a sump.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.

Abstract: A headlight assembly including a plurality of low-beam modules and a plurality of high-beam modules are enclosed in a housing. The low-beam modules include a top reflector disposed above a low-beam LED light source that projects a height limited first beam of light through the low-beam lens. The high-beam modules include a bottom reflector disposed below a high-beam LED light source that projects a second beam of light through a high-beam lens above the first beam of light. Each module has an aspect ratio of 2:1 with the height of the lens being twice the width of the lens.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating ambient humidity based on a wet bulb temperature and a dry bulb temperature during precipitation, and estimating ambient humidity based on the dry bulb temperature and not based on wet bulb temperature when precipitation is absent.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a processor of a vehicle configured to communicate with an update server hosting software updates; and a software update management module connected to the processor and vehicle modules over a vehicle bus and configured to send an update command over the vehicle bus to invoke a software update mode for one of the vehicle modules identified by a software update, and apply the software update to the one of the vehicle modules. A computing system of a vehicle may be configured to request consent from a user to install a software update, when consent is received, install the software updates using a software update management module configured to invoke software update mode for a vehicle module identified by the software update, and apply the software update to the vehicle module, and when consent is not received, display an indication that software updates are available.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a vehicle based on a learned energy consumption efficiency. The energy consumption efficiency may be learned in an energy domain by periodically filtering a ratio of a distance traveled to an energy consumed.

Abstract: A charging system for charging a vehicle includes a charging station and a vehicle. The charging station includes a wireless charging coil, at least one ultrasonic sensor oriented to detect a vehicle proximate the coil, and a first wireless communication device. The vehicle includes a charge plate, a second wireless communications device in communication with the first wireless communication device, an in-vehicle display, and at least one controller. The controller is configured to present positional information via the display. The positional information corresponds to a vehicle position detected by the at least one sensor and transmitted via the first and second wireless communications devices.

Abstract: An assembly for discharging a battery using an adjustable variable resistor. A battery is connected to the assembly. An operating sequence for the connected battery is selected from a plurality of predetermined operating sequences for different batteries. The predetermined operating sequences are presented as a function of a battery characteristic. The selected operating sequence adjusts the resistor and the battery is discharged using the adjusted resistor.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a waterborne polyolefin based coating layer that has improved features as compared to epoxy coatings. The coating composition of the present disclosure include 40 to 80 weight percent (wt. %) of a base polymer; 10 to 30 wt. % of a polymeric stabilizing agent; 5 to 15 wt. % of a polymeric coupling agent; 0 to 35 wt. % of a polymeric performance improving agent; a neutralizing agent that partially or fully neutralize the polymeric stabilizing agent; and a fluid medium, where the wt. % values are based on the total weight of the base polymer, the polymeric coupling agent, the polymeric stabilizing agent and, when present, the polymeric performance improving agent (as used herein, this total weight of the base polymer, the polymeric coup ling agent, the polymeric stabilizing agent and, when present, the polymeric performance improving agent may be referred to as the “solid content” of the coating composition).