Abstract: A light bar is provided and includes an elongated carrier having a surface extending along the carrier. Capacitive sensors are spaced along the carrier and positioned below the surface. Light sources are included for illuminating the surface, each associated with at least one capacitive sensor and positioned proximate thereto. A controller is included for detecting capacitive changes in the capacitive sensors, wherein when the controller detects a capacitive change in a capacitive sensor, the controller alters an illumination state of a light source associated therewith.

Abstract: Regenerative torque is limited for a hybrid electric powertrain of a vehicle. A transmission controller determined torque limit is validated by a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller validates the torque limit using, individually or in combination, an actual status of a torque converter clutch, a detected status of the torque converter clutch, or a speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for slowly rotating an engine, unfueled, via a motor prior to an imminent engine restart to heat the engine. By rotating the engine so that heat generated in the compression stroke of a cylinder can be transferred to cylinder walls, thereby expediting engine warm-up. By warming the engine before a restart, particulate emissions generated during an engine cold-start due to direct injection of fuel can be reduced.

Abstract: A system may include a message publisher and a message recipient. The message publisher may be configured to identify a message to be published to a topic of a topic tree maintained by a message broker, the topic being associated with a type of the message identified to be published and an intended recipient of the message; pack data elements into the message according to a name/value pair message schema of the system; and publish the message via the message broker to the topic.

Abstract: An example separator includes a spacer section that fits between a first battery cell and a second battery cell, a projection from the spacer section that contacts a structure to limit upward movement of the spacer section, and a restraining tab from the spacer section that limits upward movement of the first battery cell, the second battery cell, or both relative to the spacer section.

Abstract: A method for controlling a diesel engine is disclosed in which the diesel engine is controlled to produce less soot when the operating state of an associated emission control device such as a diesel particulate filter or the amount of a contaminant such as fuel or soot in the oil used to lubricate the diesel engine exceed predetermined respective thresholds.

Abstract: An estimated fuel consumption may be determined for a route for a vehicle. At least in part based on the estimated fuel consumption, it may be determined that an amount of fuel in the vehicle is insufficient for the vehicle to traverse the route and/or one or more waypoints may be identified within a predetermined distance of the route, e.g., waypoints for refueling the vehicle. The estimated fuel consumption may be determined in a computer system included in the vehicle.

Abstract: In a convertible mirror assembly for a vehicle visor, a flexible mirror is operably coupled to a housing and is operable between first and second display states. A slider mechanism is slidably supported on the housing and operably coupled to the flexible mirror. The slider mechanism is adapted to move along the housing between retracted and extended positions, whereby the flexible mirror is in the first display state when the slider mechanism is in the retracted position, and in the second display state when the slider mechanism is in the extended position. When moved to the extended position, the slider mechanism urges the flexible mirror to an outwardly curved or convex configuration to define a conversation mirror configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rack system for use on a roof of a vehicle which may include a moonroof the roof rack system includes first and second side rail members adapted to be mounted to the roof of the vehicle, the first and second side rail members each including a first channel located proximal a bottom side, a second channel located proximal a top side, a third channel extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second channels, and a fourth channel extending substantially angularly between the first and second channels and a plurality of crossbows extending between the side rails and movable between a use position and a storage position at a plurality of locations along the side rails and also movable to channels in the rails located proximal the rear of the vehicle for storage of the rails and to provide an unobstructed view out the moonroof.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are presented to determine high voltage cable connectivity between an inverter module and a remote electric machine. A high frequency (HF) interlock module can be configured to inject a high frequency excitation signal that can be superimposed on inverter drive signals. High frequency current components can be determined and used to determine connectivity status. The sum and difference of positive and negative sequence component values can be compared to predetermined limitations to detect one or more open phases. An example method can include enabling a HF detection strategy under predetermined conditions. In response to an open phase detection a fault flag can be set.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rocker panel and a pillar reinforcement extending in a direction transverse to the rocker panel. The vehicle further includes a door having a bracket disposed over an intersection of the rocker panel and the pillar reinforcement when the door is in a closed position. The bracket is configured to reduce intrusion propagation of the door toward a passenger compartment and redirect an impact load laterally along the rocker panel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catalyst assembly includes a substrate including a base and a number of rods extending from the base; a catalyst layer including a catalyst material; and a first intermediate layer including a first coating material disposed between the substrate and the catalyst layer, the first coating material having a higher surface energy than the catalyst material. In certain instances, the number of rods may have an average aspect ratio in length to width of greater than 1. The catalyst assembly may further include a second intermediate layer disposed between the catalyst layer and the first intermediate layer, the second intermediate layer including a second coating material having a higher surface energy than the catalyst material. In certain instances, the first coating material has a higher surface energy than the second coating material.

Abstract: A vehicle front end assembly includes a radiator assembly, a fascia component overlapping the radiator assembly, and a grill laterally aligned with the radiator assembly. The grill and radiator assembly define an airflow space longitudinally therebetween. The vehicle front end assembly further includes an airbag coupled between the fascia component and the radiator assembly, and the airbag is disposed outside of the airflow space in both deflated and inflated configurations.

Abstract: A vehicle power system may include a signal driver system electrically connected with a signal receiver system, and a traction battery electrically connected with contactors responsive to the signal receiver system. The electrical connections may be routed through a common interface. A voltage associated with a control signal commanding the signal receiver system to cause the contactors to close and driven into the electrical connection between the signal driver and signal receiver systems by the signal driver system may indicate whether the electrical connection between the traction battery and contactors at the common interface is faulty.

Abstract: A method for determining soot mass oxidized during a particulate filter oxidation procedure is disclosed. In one example, soot mass is determined via an Arrhenius equation. The approach may provide cost savings and reliability improvements as compared to other ways of determining soot mass.

Abstract: The invention is directed at devices, systems, and processes for managing the temperature of an electrochemical call including a device 10 comprising an inlet for receiving a heat transfer fluid; one or more electrochemical cell compartments 12 for receiving one or more electrochemical calls 20; one or more thermal energy storage material compartments 14 containing one or more thermal energy storage materials 18; and one or more heat transfer fluid compartments 16 for flowing the heat transfer fluid through the device; wherein the space between the one or more heat transfer fluid compartments 16 and the one or more electrochemical cell compartments 12 preferably includes one or more first regions 22 (i.e. portion) that are substantially free of the thermal energy storage material 18; and the space between the one or more heat transfer fluid compartments 16 and the one or more thermal energy storage material compartments 14 preferably includes one or more second regions 24 (i.e.

Abstract: An assembly including a plurality of parts fastened together with a flow drill screw. An indentation is formed on one side of a first part and a second part is assembled into engagement with the side of the first part with the indentation facing the second part. The flow drill screw is inserted through the indentation and material is displaced from the part into the indentation. Two or more panels or parts may be joined by aligning a flow drill screw with the indentations that are formed by embossing one or more panels.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing a diaryl ether compound through the dehydration of an aromatic alcohol compound in the presence of a dehydration catalyst. The dehydration catalyst is an oxide of a heavy rare earth element, wherein the heavy rare earth element is terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A bicycle frame component includes a yoke member, a driveside arm fixed to the yoke member, and a pivot arm coupled to the yoke member opposite the driveside arm. The pivot arm includes a first portion rotatably coupled to the yoke member with a first hinge and a second portion rotatably coupled to the first portion with a second hinge. The pivot arm extends along the driveside arm in a first position, and the pivot arm has a second position including the first portion extending along the driveside arm and the second portion rotated away from the driveside arm and interfacing with the first portion. A first primary wheel mount portion is disposed within the driveside arm, and a second primary wheel mount portion is disposed within the second portion of the pivot arm. The pivot arm substantially axially aligns the primary wheel mounts in the first position.

Abstract: A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch. The door latch release system may include a movable linkage assembly engageable with the release cable, a motor including an output shaft having a pinion engageable with a rack affixed to or formed with the linkage assembly to move the release cable to unlatch the door latch, and an electronic control unit for controlling the motor. The electronic control unit may operate the motor upon receiving an actuation signal. The invention also provides a vehicle including the door latch release system described above, and various embodiments thereof.