Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements provides ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of shift elements in various combinations. Four simple planetary gear sets are provided, each having a sun gear, a planet carrier, and a ring gear. One carrier is coupled to the input. At least one planetary gear set provides an underdrive speed relationship between a shaft extending from the carriers of that gear set and the output. At least two brakes and four clutches provide selective coupling between other shafts in the transmission.

Abstract: Aluminum carboxylate salt having a formula of Al[OCO(CH2)nP(O)(OR1)(OR2)]3 where R1 and R2 are hydrocarbyl groups that can optionally be joined and n is independently an integer between one and four is useful for forming an article of manufacture comprising a polymer compounded together the aluminum carboxylate salt to form a flame retardant polymer article.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improved component temperature protection during individual cylinder knock control. Cylinder spark adjustments may be performed individually based on respective cylinder adaptive knock estimates. Bank to bank engine fueling may then be performed to control the exhaust temperature of each engine bank, independently.

Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein at least 10 volume percent of the cellulose ether particles have a particle length LEFI of less than 40 micrometers, is useful for preparing a batter by mixing the edible composition with water. The batter is contacted with a food to prepare a battered food. The battered foods have a reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried, as compared to fried non-battered food.

Abstract: A hydroclone including: a vortex chamber (24) in fluid communication with the inlet (14), a process fluid chamber (32) in fluid communication with the process fluid outlet (20), an effluent separation chamber (30) located between the vortex chamber (24) and process fluid chamber (32) and including an outer circumferential surface (23), a vortex flow barrier (34) located between the vortex chamber (24) and the effluent separation chamber (30), an effluent barrier (36) located between the effluent separation chamber (30) and the process fluid chamber (32) including at least one opening (42?) near the outer circumferential surface (23), and an effluent opening (38) centrally located within the effluent separation chamber (30) in fluid communication with the effluent outlet (18); wherein the effluent separation chamber (30) has a median distance (80) between the vortex flow barrier (34) and effluent barrier (36) which is adjustable.

Abstract: A controller, in response to a change from a first steady pedal condition to a second steady pedal condition, decreases a torque command during the second steady pedal condition based on a difference between a peak torque command achieved during the change and a steady torque command corresponding to the first steady pedal condition. The controller also operates a powertrain to satisfy the torque command.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine, both capable of propelling the vehicle. The electric machine provides creep torque to propel the vehicle at a slow speed or hold the vehicle when on an incline. At least one controller is programmed to cancel or otherwise inhibit the electric machine from generating the creep torque in response to a brake torque or brake torque request exceeding a calibratible threshold. The calibratible threshold varies based upon vehicle incline, vehicle mass, and/or vehicle speed.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a linear low density polyethylene composition suitable for cast film, films made therefrom, and packaging devices comprising one or more such film layers. The linear low density polyethylene composition suitable for cast film according to the present invention comprises an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer composition having a Comonomer Distribution Constant (CDC) in the range of from 40 to 200, for example from 40 to 150, a vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.12 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the ethylene-based polymer composition; a zero shear viscosity ratio (ZSVR) in the range from 1.2 to 5, for example from 1.5 to 4; a density in the range of from 0.910 to 0.935, for example from 0.915 to 0.925, g/cm3, a melt index (I2) in a range of from 1 to 10, for example from 2 to 6 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of from 2 to 3.5.

Abstract: A vehicle seat bar assembly having a seat with first and second engagement members. A rear seat bracket extends between the first and second engagement members of a seat. A torsion bar extends between the first and second engagement members and is operably engaged therewith. The torsion bar includes an intermediate bracket engagement portion and a first and second linear portion that extends between the first engagement member and the intermediate bracket engagement portion and the second engagement member and the intermediate bracket engagement portion. The torsion bar also includes a first and second distal end configured to engage the first and second engagement members, respectively, which induces a torsional resistance in the torsion bar when the seatback is at a fully reclined position and when the seatback is at a fully folded position.

Abstract: A seating arrangement for a passenger vehicle includes a vehicular central longitudinal axis. A front seat and a rear seat each include a central longitudinal axis. The respective central longitudinal axes of the front and rear seats are arranged on opposite sides of the vehicular central longitudinal axis in a staggered relationship. The front seat is mounted high and at least one of the seats is positioned such that the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat measured at a rear edge of the respective seat is mounted closer to the vehicular central longitudinal axis than is possible with a symmetrical side-by-side seating arrangement by mounting the respective seat such that a distance measured from the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat at a rear edge of the seat to the vehicular central longitudinal axis is less than half the width of the rear edge of the respective seat.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle occupant restraint system may include a side airbag attached to a side portion of a vehicle seat. The system may further include a rear airbag attached to a rear portion of the vehicle seat. The system can also have a single inflator connected to the side airbag and the rear airbag, such that the inflator is configured to cushion a first occupant and a second occupant during a crash event with the side airbag and the rear airbag, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle underbody structure includes a pair of longitudinal rails. A tunnel is spaced between the longitudinal rails. A number of nonintrusive support members span between the tunnel and the longitudinal rails. The support members have a hoop shape that surrounds an enclosed area. The hoop shape of the nonintrusive support members is adapted to deform into the enclosed area for preventing a side impact force from damaging the tunnel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.

Abstract: A cold charge duct, a system and method are provided for removing and controlling the reintroduction of a condensate in diesel or gasoline engine intake air. The duct may include an exterior wall which may define a passage configured to pass air from a turbocharger to an engine. The exterior wall may have one or more openings, and a separator formed to be substantially flush with an inner surface of the external wall. In this way, it is possible to utilize an edge-based separator to generate a sudden decrease in the flow rate thereby causing a water condensate to drop into the openings for later reintroduction into the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method for correcting a total cylinder air flow during scavenging by way of an oxygen sensor is disclosed. Additionally, cylinder trapped air amount and cylinder scavenging air amount are adjusted based on the corrected total cylinder air flow. The approach may reduce sensitivity between cylinder air flow estimates and fuel supplied for combustion.

Abstract: A vehicle front end structure including a fender support rail that includes a plurality of slots defined by an outer wall of the rail that facilitates bending the rail in a transverse vehicle direction. A plurality of circular holes may be provided that are defined in the rail adjacent a bend in the rail to facilitate fracturing the rail in a collision event. A bracket is attached to the rail adjacent the circular holes to inhibit the rail in that area from bending in an outboard direction.

Abstract: A nine speed transmission having six shift-elements. An input being selectively coupled with an interior-gear capable of being braked and an end-gear from a first gearing-arrangement and coupled with an interior-gear of a fourth gearing-arrangement. An opposite end-gear from the first gearing-arrangement being fixedly coupled with an interior-gear of a second gearing-arrangement. An end-gear of a third gearing-arrangement being a ground or capable of being braked. An output being coupled with an interior-gear from the third gearing arrangement and an end-gear from the fourth gearing-arrangement. An end-gear of the second gearing-arrangement being a ground and the opposite end-gear being coupled with opposite end-gears from the third and fourth gearing-arrangements. The opposite end-gear of the second gearing-arrangement also being selectively coupled to the interior-gear of the first gearing-arrangement. Coupled, as used here, may mean selectively or fixedly coupled.

Abstract: A method to control a hybrid electric vehicle includes operating a compression ignition engine based on an engine-on request, and performing an exhaust aftertreatment procedure when a fraction of an engine-on time is greater than an aftertreatment condition threshold. A vehicle has a compression ignition engine with an exhaust aftertreatment system, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) operate the engine based on an engine-on request, and (ii) perform an exhaust aftertreatment procedure for the vehicle when an engine-on fraction for a designated time is greater than an aftertreatment condition threshold. A computer readable medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a controller to control a vehicle includes instructions for operating the engine based on an engine-on request, and instructions for performing an exhaust aftertreatment procedure for the vehicle when an engine-on time fraction is greater than an aftertreatment condition threshold.

Abstract: A comfort system is provided for a motor vehicle. A seat occupancy sensor determines whether a third row zone is occupied. At least one flow controller is provided in the floor duct for controllably supplying the conditioned airflow to at least the third row outlet. If the third row zone is occupied, then a second row outlet and the third row outlet are turned on to supply a conditioned airflow to a front seat zone, a second row zone, and the third row zone. If the third row zone is not occupied, then the third row outlet is closed off. If the second row zone is not occupied, then the second and third row outlets are closed off. If occupied, then the second row outlet is turned on until a desired comfort level is achieved in the second row zone.