Abstract: A motor vehicle hood latch mechanism for engaging a striker of a hood having a closed locked position and a released position is disclosed. The mechanism includes a latch assembly attached to a chassis member. The latch assembly includes a latch having a locking cam and a pawl movable between a locked position engaging the locking cam and an unlocked position away from the locking cam. A sensor detects the presence of a pedestrian proximate the front of the motor vehicle and generates a signal in response thereto. A deployment spring having an energized position and a released position is retained in an energized position by a release mechanism responsive to the signal generated by the sensor, such that actuation of the release mechanism releases the resilient member and rotates the pawl to the unlocked position to release the latch.

Abstract: Prepare a thermoplastic polymer foam having a porosity of 70% or more and at least one of: (i) an average cell size of 200 nanometers or less; and (ii) a nucleation density of at least 1×1015 effective nucleation sites per cubic centimeter of foamable polymer composition not including blowing agent using a foamable polymer composition containing a thermoplastic polymer selected from styrenic polymer and (meth)acrylic polymers, a blowing agent comprising at least 20 mole-percent carbon dioxide based on moles of blowing agent and an additive having a Total Hansen Solubility Parameter that differs from that of carbon dioxide by less than 2 and that is present at a concentration of 0.01 to 1.5 weight parts per hundred weight parts thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A system and method for conserving vacuum within a vehicle is described. In one example, a vacuum level in a working chamber of a vacuum operated brake booster is controlled so as to limit vacuum consumption.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a motive power source, a transmission, and a clutch system. The vehicle further includes a controller that causes the clutch system to generate a generally constant clutch pressure to mechanically couple the motive power source and transmission as a line pressure associated with the transmission varies.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine in a vehicle includes measuring a current to or from a generator mechanically coupled with the engine and determining at least one operating parameter of the engine. The method also includes providing an amount of fuel to the engine based on the current and the at least one operating parameter.

Abstract: The invention provides halogen-free, flame-retardant flexible polyolefin-based formulations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for altering the drivability of a vehicle so as to alert a driver of the vehicle of a potentially hazardous condition. The vehicle has at least one sensor configured to detect the potentially hazardous potential. Additionally, the vehicle has a control system for directing a transmission of the vehicle to perform a transmission operation that catches the driver's attention by generating an acceleration or deceleration. The transmission operation is preferably an upshift, a downshift, an unlocking of a torque converter lockup clutch or a locking of the lockup clutch. In one embodiment, the control system directs the transmission to perform more than one transmission operation, the transmission operations defining a transmission operation cycle. In a preferred embodiment, more than one transmission operation cycle is performed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for a vehicle, for height adjustment of a vehicle superstructure, which at one end has a first means for pivoting on a sprung mass (2) of the vehicle and at the other end a second means for pivoting on an unsprung mass (3) of the vehicle, a vibration damper (4) damping a relative movement of the sprung mass and unsprung masses (2, 3), and a self-pumping air spring (5) which supports the sprung and unsprung masses (2, 3) against each other in a sprung fashion. The vibration damper (4) according to the invention has a damping characteristic which is adjustable during operation, preferably steplessly adjustable. The invention also concerns a method for height adjustment of a vehicle superstructure by means of such a device.

Abstract: A method for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, comprising: during a first condition, including an engine-off condition and the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle coupled to an external power source; heating a fuel vapor canister based on a fuel tank vacuum; and opening a fuel tank isolation valve to draw heated vapors into a fuel tank. In this way, a passive purge operation may be executed, thereby purging the fuel vapor canister without forcing the engine to turn on. Thus, the vehicle may be operated at peak fuel economy without increasing emissions.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor and a processing device. The sensor is configured to output sensor signals representing infrastructure information collected in real time. The processing device is configured to predict a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluate a prediction error, adjust a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and control at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic. A method includes receiving infrastructure information collected in real time, predicting a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluating a prediction error, adjusting a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and controlling at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for supplying heat to a passenger compartment during a filter regeneration event. In one example, a first phase of a filter regeneration event is initiated for a filter in an internal combustion engine based on one or more parameters, with heat produced by the engine then supplied to a heater core during the first phase, and the first phase extended if heating is requested for a duration based on ambient temperature. The engine may be operated at reduced efficiency during the filter regeneration event, and in some embodiments, the method may further include injecting an additional amount of fuel during a second phase of the filter regeneration event after the first phase ends to cause soot combustion in the filter.

Abstract: A two-part moisture curable coating compositions capable of forming polyurethane-polysiloxane networks is provided. The coating compositions which are useful in marine antifouling coatings provide a two-part moisture curable composition comprising: (a) a first part comprising at least one multifunctional polyol; (b) a second part comprising: (i) at least one polysiloxane polymer with at least two isocyanate or mercapto functional groups and (ii) at least one isocyanate functional organic compound; and (c) solvent. Also provided are methods of coating substrates with the curable composition and articles produced from such coated substrates.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a metal oxygen battery system includes a metal oxygen battery having an electrode compartment. The electrode compartment includes an electrode being formed of an oxygen storage material. In another embodiment, the oxygen storage material includes an ion conducting component. In yet another embodiment, the oxygen storage material includes an electron conducting component. In yet another embodiment, the oxygen storage material includes a catalytic component. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the ion conducting component, the electron conducting component, and the catalytic component is attached to the oxygen storage material via a linker or as a pendant group.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for a four-stroke internal combustion engine comprising: at least two cylinders; a fuel direct injection device; a variable valve timing system; an engine controller to control valve timing according to load; wherein, below a lower load threshold, a first cylinder is deactivated, an injection of fuel takes place into a combustion chamber of the first cylinder and an inlet valve of the first cylinder is open during a compression stroke. The opening of the inlet valve during a compression stroke of the first cylinder when deactivated allows the substantially homogenous air-fuel mixture therein to escape into the intake manifold and be made available to the second and active cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic cell assembly that include at least plurality of photovoltaic cells with a photoactive portion with a top surface, a top collection structure on the top surface and an opposing conductive substrate layer on a side of the photoactive portion opposite the top surface. Also including a first conductive element with a first surface and wherein the first conductive element is bent at least once and wherein the first surface is in contact with the top collection structure and/or the top surface of a first photovoltaic cell and the opposing conductive substrate layer of an adjacent second photovoltaic cell; further wherein at least a portion of the first surface is held in contact to the cells by an adhesive.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for preventing condensation on a windshield and other windows of a parked vehicle. One method includes following the vehicle shut down, and when a temperature of a windshield is lower than ambient dew point, transferring heat from a powertrain of the vehicle to the windshield via a coolant if a powertrain temperature is higher than the windshield temperature, and transferring heat from ambient air to the windshield via the coolant if the powertrain temperature is lower than the windshield temperature, and ambient temperature is higher than the windshield temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating disconnect clutch torque during engine start with the motor in vehicles having an engine selectively coupled to the motor and transmission may be configured to control motor torque based on a clutch torque estimated from a difference in a measured powertrain state and a predicted powertrain state using motor torque as an input. The powertrain states may include, for example, motor speed, turbine speed, engine speed and clutch torque. An adaptive gain may be used to drive the difference between measured and estimated clutch torque toward zero.

Abstract: A high voltage relay sticking control system for a vehicle having at least one contactor, a high voltage battery pack interfacing with the contactor and a weld diagnostic detection system interfacing with the high voltage battery pack and the contactor includes an increment counter adapted to interface with the contactor, the high voltage battery pack and the weld diagnostic detection system. The increment counter is adapted to transmit at least one set of coil power cycles through the contactor if a weld exists at the contactor. A high voltage relay sticking control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for heating a powertrain prior to an engine start. One method includes heating a coolant by circulating the coolant through a radiator and operating an electric radiator fan, and flowing the coolant across the powertrain. The coolant is heated and circulated across the powertrain when a temperature of the powertrain is lower than ambient temperature.

Abstract: A reinforcing fiber is provided comprising a carbon fiber having a length and outer and inner surfaces defining a wall. The wall has a first cross section which defines an outer diameter and an inner diameter and a wall thickness. The wall thickness of the cylindrical carbon fiber tube is greater than or equal to 2 um.