Abstract: An apparatus includes a closed body having a varied configuration between a first location and at least a second location. The apparatus further includes a pressure sensor coupled to the closed body at the first location. When forces with substantially equal magnitudes are respectively applied to the closed body at different locations between the first and second locations, the closed body respectively translates the forces to substantially equal pressure differentials at the first location.

Abstract: An apparatus for preconditioning a cabin of a non-electric vehicle uses power supplied from a source that is external to the vehicle, such as an electrical utility power grid. The non-electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a battery, and an electric machine drive unit that supplies electrical energy to the battery when driven by the internal combustion engine. A mechanically operated preconditioning device is provided that can be driven by the engine when the internal combustion engine is operating and that can be driven by the electric machine drive unit when the internal combustion engine is not operating. An AC/DC converter is adapted to receive electrical energy from an external source and to supply such electrical energy through the battery to power the electric machine drive unit to drive the mechanically operated preconditioning device when the internal combustion engine is not operating.

Abstract: A system for accommodating a variety of modular components on a truck bed tray that is assembled to a truck frame. A plurality of first engagement features are provided to secure a heavier attachment to the bed. Each of the first engagement features includes a first receptacle and a first plug that may be inserted in the first receptacle. A plurality of second engagement features are provided to secure a relatively lighter weight attachment to the bed. Each of the second engagement features includes a second receptacle and a second plug that may be inserted in the second receptacle.

Abstract: Methods are provided for rapid zero flow lubrication of a high pressure fuel pump, wherein a fuel rail pressure rapidly responds to commanded duty cycles. A method is needed to control operation of the high pressure pump during times when no direct injection is requested by an engine system and when operation of the high pressure pump is continued to maintain pump lubrication. To lubricate the high pressure pump while gaining zero flow rate data, methods are proposed that involve both open and closed loop control of the high pressure pump.

Abstract: An organophosphorus compound useful in a phosphorus containing flame retardant and a flame retardant polyurethane foam, where the organophosphorus compound is shown in Formula (I) where Y is selected from the group consisting of an —OH group, an —NH2 group, an —NHR3 group, and an —SH group, where R3 is a monovalent hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R is a divalent hydrocarbyl group; X is a heteroatom group; and R1 and R2 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, wherein R1 and R2 can be optionally joined to form a ring.

Abstract: A single wheel suspension is provided for a rear axle of a vehicle. The single wheel suspension may have a transverse leaf spring, a damper, and a wheel carrier. The wheel carrier can be connected to the vehicle via a transverse link connected to the wheel carrier in an articulated manner. The wheel carrier can be further connected to the vehicle via a tie rod. The transverse links may include a carrier link and a camber link. The carrier link may be connected to the wheel carrier via two connections, with the transverse leaf spring being coupled in an articulated manner to one of the transverse links or wheel carrier via a connection element, which permits relative movement between the leaf spring and the transverse link or wheel carrier the leaf spring is coupled to.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a transmission system of a vehicle by positioning a disconnect clutch at its stroke point in response to a commanded engine shutdown.

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 method for a fuel system, comprising: monitoring a fuel tank pressure during a refueling event; determining a fuel flow rate based on a steady-state portion of the monitored fuel tank pressure; and indicating an amount of fuel added to a fuel tank based on the fuel flow rate. In this way, a fuel tank fill level can be determined following a refueling event, even in a scenario where the fuel level indicator is stuck or malfunctioning.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide systems and methods for a vehicle component structural integrity assessment system, comprising a first connection and a second connection coupled to a conduction path, which is associated with a vehicle component. The conduction path has an initial resistance. A controller is configured to transmit a signal upon the detection of a change in the resistance of the conduction path from the initial resistance.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system which may be included in a motor vehicle may include a single pair of tube-and-plate heat exchangers arranged within a common vacuum enclosure, the heat exchangers selectively coupled with a heat source, a radiator, and an air-conditioning core. During an adsorbing/evaporating mode, coolant may circulate between a first heat exchanger and the radiator and vapor may evaporate from the surface of non-adsorbent-coated plates of the second heat exchanger and be adsorbed at adsorbent-coated plates of the first heat exchanger while coolant circulates between the second heat exchanger and the core. During a desorbing/condensing mode, coolant may circulate between a heat source and the first heat exchanger to effect desorption of vapor from the adsorbent in the first heat exchanger, while melting PCM in the core exchanges heat with air blown through the core to provide cooling.

Abstract: The rate of change of transmission output torque is computed based on the differential speeds of the axles and of the transmission output shaft adjusting for final drive ratio. The speed of the axle is measured by an anti-lock braking system and communicated to the transmission controller over a communications bus. To compensate for the delay introduced by the communications bus, a shift register delays the signal from the transmission output shaft speed sensor. The resulting estimate of rate of change of transmission output torque may be used directly to control the torque capacity of one or more transmission clutches. Additionally, the resulting estimate may be combined with an independent output torque estimate to yield a more accurate output torque estimate.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storable medium, storing instruction that, when executed by a processor, configure the processor to establish a communication connection with a vehicle navigation system. The processor may receive graphical moving map data from the navigation system at a primary interface. The processor may stream the graphical moving map data to a vehicle dash display and update the vehicle dash display based on the graphical moving map data. The processor may output the graphical moving map data at the vehicle dash display.

Abstract: A system may include a device configured to connect to a vehicle data port and a mobile device and including an alert manager. The alert manager may be configured to determine, according to a driver workload estimation, an alert mode indicative of how to process a vehicle user-interface request to access a mobile device feature for use via the vehicle user-interface, and access the feature of the mobile device in accordance with the alert mode.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for contact resistance failure includes estimating electrical contact surface resistance of at least one contactor, determining a faulted status of the at least one contactor and indicating the faulted status of the at least one contactor if the at least one contactor is in the faulted status.

Abstract: Vehicle state estimation methods include measuring torque, using the measured torque to formulate a vehicle state estimation for vehicle control and applying the vehicle state estimation to control the vehicle.

Abstract: An cooling apparatus and method for providing a cooling air flow in a region of a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint has a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first and second housing portions are coupled together by fasteners. The cooling device comprises a load-distributing portion and a fan-blade portion. The load-distributing portion is located between a head of each fastener and either the first or second housing portion, with each fastener inserted into a respective hole in the load-distributing portion. The load-distributing portion distributes a load applied by the fasteners to the first or second housing portion. The fan-blade portion is coupled to the load-distributing portion. The fan-blade portion is configured to create a current of air when the constant velocity joint housing rotates.

Abstract: A hybrid electric automotive powertrain includes an electric machine operable in propulsive and regenerative modes. The machine has positive and negative torque limits for the propulsive and regenerative modes, respectively, to reduce potential thermal damage to the machine due to overheating. The negative and positive torque limits are reduced independently as a temperature of the machine increases. The negative torque limit may be reduced at a greater rate than the positive torque limit.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an oil delivery system of an engine. In one method, oil is pumped via a lower pressure oil pump to piston cooling jets while oil is separately pumped via a higher pressure oil pump to a cylinder head, bearings, a turbocharger, or a variable valve operation system. Herein, the higher and lower pressure oil pumps each draw oil from a common, shared sump, and return oil back to the common, shared sump.

Abstract: A system includes a first battery configured to power at least one vehicle subsystem and a second battery configured to power an electric motor to propel a vehicle. A processing device is configured to detect an inadequate power level provided from the first battery to the at least one vehicle subsystem and selectively partition the second battery to power the at least one vehicle subsystem.