Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using compression heating to heat a cylinder piston before cylinder combustion is resumed. Cylinder heating is achieved using combinations of slow unfueled engine rotation where the engine cylinders are heated via compression stroke heating, and slow compressor rotation where the cylinders are heated via compression heating. One or more intake or exhaust heaters may be concurrently operated to expedite cylinder heating.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack for generating power, a compressor providing an air stream to the stack, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to determining a mass air flow through the compressor from a lookup table using a speed of the compressor and a pressure ratio across the compressor, operate the fuel cell system based on the mass air flow. A method for controlling a fuel cell system includes receiving first and second signals at a controller indicative of air pressure upstream and downstream of a compressor respectively, and receiving a third signal at the controller indicative of a speed of the compressor. The fuel cell system is operated at a desired mass air flow based on an inferred mass air flow determined using the first, second, and third signals.

Abstract: A pendulum absorber fixed to the crankshaft of an engine comprises a pendulum and a pendulum carrier attached to the pendulum carrier attachment boss of the crankshaft. Each pendulum carrier has a pair of parallel ears extending therefrom. The carrier is tightly attached to the attachment boss such that the attachment boss is captured between the ears of the carrier. Attachment of the pendulum carrier to the sides of the attachment boss allows for feasibility in production, unlike known arrangements which require attachment of the pendulum carrier to the top of the crankshaft web. The fastener may be a pair of pressed-in pins, a single shrink-fit pin, shoulder bolts, Z-Form™ fastener assemblies, or rivets. Regardless of the type of fastener used, the side attachment arrangement of the disclosed inventive concept are sufficient to carry the load in sheer and prevent the pendulum assemblies from moving relative to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A hybrid or electric vehicle includes a traction battery. A battery measurement diagnostic system compares a measured voltage and an estimated voltage. The estimated voltage is based on impedance parameter estimates and an equivalent circuit model of a battery. When a magnitude of a difference between the measured and estimated voltages is greater than a threshold, the impedance parameter estimates are based on impedance parameter estimates from a previous time step. If the magnitude exceeds the threshold for a predetermined number of time steps, a voltage measurement diagnostic flag is output. The logic minimizes the impact of voltage measurement spikes on estimated quantities and may indicate the condition to an operator.

Abstract: A noise-reduction mechanism is coupled to a portion of an oil-pump system and includes various tunable components that are configurable to affect specific frequency ranges of noise within the system. The mechanism includes a series of channels that are coupled to a portion of the oil-pump system (e.g., outlet tube) and are coupled to a reservoir.

Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a high pressure fuel pump to maintain one or more selectable, mechanically-regulated pressures. To reduce the cost and complexity associated with a fuel system that involves both port and direct fuel injection, a fuel and pump system is needed that removes complicated electronic control without degrading pump and engine performance. High pressure fuel pumps, associated systems, and methods are provided that involve adding one or more pressure relief valves and solenoid valves in order to maintain one or more discrete, substantially constant pressures of the high pressure fuel pumps and attached direct injection fuel rails.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting vehicle operating modes in response to output of remote security token devices are described. In one example, a vehicle operating mode may be determined when two key fobs having different, but valid, security token assignments are present within a vehicle cabin. Further, one mode of a two mode key fob may be selectively deactivated and reactivated to provide system flexibility.

Abstract: A method for a fuel system, comprising: indicating a leak in a fuel tank following applying a vacuum to the fuel tank by running a vacuum pump in a first direction; then purging a fuel vapor canister to the fuel tank by running the vacuum pump in a second direction, opposite the first direction. In this way, the fuel vapor canister may be purged of its contents following a fuel system leak check. This may reduce bleed emissions while increasing the efficiency of the vehicle, as the engine does not need to be turned on in order to purge the canister.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle armrest includes an armrest substrate extending between a door frame and a door trim and defining an opening therebetween. The opening has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the door frame. A plurality of support bands extends co-planar across the opening and parallel with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of stubs extends across each gap defined between adjacent support bands. Each stub is free of alignment with each other of the plurality of stubs in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of support bands. A cover member extends over the armrest substrate and the plurality of support bands, wherein the cover member is vertically supported proximate the opening by the plurality of parallel support bands and the plurality of stubs.

Abstract: A polymeric foam article with a polymer matrix defining multiple cells therein has a polymer component with a first polymer that is a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane grafted polymer that has a weight-average molecular weight of two kilograms per mole or higher and 200 kilograms per mole or lower.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for generating vacuum within an engine intake. An intake throttle including a hollow throttle plate having a plurality of perforations along its circumference is mounted on a hollow shaft, which in turn may be coupled to a vacuum consumption device. When vacuum is demanded by the vacuum consumption device, the opening of the throttle plate may be decreased and vacuum may be generated by flowing intake air past the perforated edge of the throttle plate.

Abstract: Methods and system for controlling conditions within an enclosure housing a vehicle propulsion energy source are described. In one example, vehicle windows, vents, and shades may be operated to reduce an amount of energy used to maintain conditions within an enclosure housing a vehicle propulsion source. The systems and methods may be at least incorporated into electric and hybrid vehicles.

Abstract: A modular battery and power control system provides a range of electrical power to high voltage and low voltage power demand systems in a hybrid vehicle. The modular battery and power control system provides a dual voltage modular battery pack that provides both a high voltage output and a low voltage output. The modular battery pack is selectively connected to high voltage and low voltage demand systems by a switch system. The switch system is controlled by an ignition switch module which determines the electrical demands of the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A bus bar assembly includes a deformable bus bar including a bus bar positive terminal flange, a bus bar negative terminal flange spaced-apart from the bus bar positive terminal flange and a flange connecting portion connecting the bus bar positive terminal flange and the bus bar negative terminal flange. A deformable bus bar frame includes a bus bar frame positive terminal flange carried by the bus bar positive terminal flange of the deformable bus bar and a bus bar frame negative terminal flange carried by the bus bar negative terminal flange of the deformable bus bar. A method of installing a deformable bus bar on positive and negative terminals of a battery cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Calibration of an engine disconnect clutch for a hybrid electric powertrain. The clutch is prestroked while an engine and machine are stopped. A machine torque is increased until the machine starts rotating. A pressure of the clutch is adjusted as a function of a torque produced by the machine when the machine started rotating.

Abstract: A modular battery and power control system provides a range of electrical power to high-voltage and low-voltage power demand systems in a hybrid vehicle. The modular battery and power control system provides a single high-voltage modular battery pack that is selectively connected to high-voltage and low-voltage demand systems by a switch system. The switch system is controlled by a voltage controller module which monitors power demand and charge states of the electrical system and determines the switch positions to effect the indicated electrical demands of the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. First and second independent thigh supports are pivotally coupled to the seat base. A support rod extends below the first and second independent thigh supports and is operably coupled to each of the first and second independent thigh supports by a gasket member and a bracket. A first spring member includes a body portion in abutting contact with an underside of the first independent thigh support and includes legs engaged with the support rod. The first spring member biases the first independent thigh support to a raised position. A second spring member includes a body portion in abutting contact with an underside of the second independent thigh support and includes legs engaged with the support rod. The second spring member biases the second independent thigh support to a raised position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a navigation system and a processing device. The navigation system is configured to identify a current location of the vehicle, a destination location, and a distance between the current location and the destination location. The processing device is configured to identify a task, associate the task to the destination location, and schedule the task according to the distance from the destination location.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly having a first trim piece including a flange having a first side with intermittently-spaced elongate protrusions and a second side with intermittently-spaced attachment elements. A second trim piece including an inner wall having intermittently-spaced retention windows and an outer wall having an elongate channel disposed on an inner wall surface thereof, the inner and outer walls defining a cavity therebetween. The flange engages the cavity such that the intermittently-spaced elongate protrusions are removably engaged with the elongate channel and the intermittently-spaced attachment elements are removably engaged with the intermittently-spaced retention windows. An airbag deployment system is positioned proximate the first and second trim pieces and configured to deploy an airbag between the first and second trim pieces.

Abstract: A trailer brake controller for a motor vehicle may include a control unit configured to be mounted to a spoke of a steering wheel of the vehicle, and a brake lever coupled to the control unit and extending along a longitudinal axis of the control unit. The brake lever may be configured to be actuated by a driver of the motor vehicle by being pulled in a forward motion toward the driver. The brake lever may be further configured to transmit a force applied to the lever by the driver to the control unit. The control unit may be configured to generate a manual trailer brake control signal based on the force applied to the lever.