Abstract: Methods and system for operating a vehicle climate control system are described. In one example, the vehicle climate control system includes high and low temperature coolant loops that operate in conjunction with a heat pump. The systems and methods may be incorporated into electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine propelled vehicles.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (a) an epoxy resin composition comprising: (i) a first epoxy component comprising an epoxy resin having at least one oxazolidone ring structure; and (ii) a second epoxy component selected from the group consisting of a liquid epoxy resin, a divinylarene dioxide, and combinations thereof; (b) a core-shell rubber comprising a rubber particle core and a shell layer, and (c) a hardener, is disclosed.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a coated connecting-rod includes a first head including a first aperture, a second head including a second aperture, and a body connecting the first and second heads along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first head further includes face and back thrust surfaces abutting the first aperture, and an anti-friction coating partially contacting at least one of the face and back thrust surfaces.

Abstract: A method for a vehicle, comprising: following a refueling event, venting a capless refueling assembly to a fuel tank; and then executing an evaporative emissions leak test. In this way, residual fuel trapped in the capless refueling assembly may be removed. This, in turn will prevent a pressure build-up in the capless refueling assembly which could lead to the downstream door opening during a leak test, thereby confounding results.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base and a seat back. A coverstock is disposed over the seat base and the seat back. A plurality of button-tufts are disposed on a top surface of at least one of the seat base and the seat back and are operably coupled with the coverstock. The plurality of button-tufts include an orifice extending through the button-tufts. A fan is in communication with the orifice and is configured to move air through the orifice, thereby providing air flow to a vehicle passenger resting on the coverstock.

Abstract: An electrical socket cap includes a tether between the cap and an electrical socket, wherein the tether provides power to the cap. The cap is adapted to close an opening to the electrical socket in a closed position, and further adapted to allow access to the electrical socket in an open position. The cap further includes inner and outer surface which include one or more electrical ports disposed thereon. Electrical ports disposed on the inner surface are not accessible when the cap is in the closed position, while ports disposed on the outer surface of the cap are accessible when the cap is in the closed position. Electrical ports disposed on the inner surface are accessible when the cap is in the open position while the electrical socket is also accessible. The tether is electronically coupled to the electrical socket.

Abstract: A vehicle computing system enables one or more processors to control a plurality of vehicle features. The vehicle computing system may control a plurality of vehicle features while determining and selecting occupant preferences for those features. The vehicle computing system may receive input including occupant selections of an application requesting user control. The vehicle computing system may receive context variables at the time of occupant selections. The vehicle computing system may store in memory the occupant selections of the vehicle feature settings and/or controls with the associated context variables. The vehicle computing system may determine an occupant preference to an input request using an associative rule filter based on the occupant selections stored in memory. The vehicle computing system may assign a predetermined amount of time after the application input is requested to allow control of the vehicle feature based on an associative rule filter output.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, two or more devices may interface with a computing system over multiple communication channels. A connection may be established between a computing system and two or more devices communicating data using different communication protocols. The communication protocol of the two or more devices may be determined and a general transport protocol for communicating data with the two or more devices based on the respective communication protocols may be imposed on the communication protocol of the two or more devices. Data may be communicated with the two or more devices based on the general transport protocol. An event may be performed at the vehicle computing system or the two or more devices based on the data.

Abstract: A method for roughening and thermally coating a surface, in particular a cylinder running surface of an internal combustion engine, the roughening being the preparation of the surface for the thermal coating of the surface with a coating. The method is characterized in that different roughening profiles are introduced into the surface during the roughening and the coating has different properties distributed over the surface. This allows the coating or spraying process during the later thermal coating to be carried out with substantially constant spraying parameters. The different properties of the coating, such as hardness, porosity, machinability, chemical composition, oxidation and adhesion, are then obtained just on the basis of the differently roughened surface.

Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels, with two of the wheels being assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is configured to be coupled to the second wheel control part via a first gearwheel mechanism, and the second wheel control part is configured to be coupled to the first wheel control part via a second gearwheel mechanism. The first and second gearwheel mechanisms each have a negative transmission ratio between a drive shaft and an output shaft. The laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may be a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a panel end cap includes a housing having an aperture, wherein the aperture opens into a storage compartment which laterally extends into an instrument panel of a vehicle. A cover is pivotally coupled to the housing for covering the housing aperture in a closed position and allowing access to the storage compartment in an open position. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the housing and the cover to bias the cover to the closed position.

Abstract: A seat belt arrangement includes a vehicle floor, a seat, and a latch assembly including a deformable element. Shoulder and lap belt webbings are attached to the latch assembly. The shoulder belt webbing is associated with the deformable element. According to one embodiment, the latch assembly includes a latch plate to which the shoulder belt webbing is attached at an attachment point. This point includes the deformable element that may be a deformable pin or an insert fitted to the latch plate, or may be a relatively soft material. Alternatively, the latch assembly includes a movable element and a fixed element having a deformable element fitted there between. When deformed, the deformable element allows movement of the movable element toward the fixed element, thereby limiting the forces of an impact applied by the shoulder belt to the lower portion of the chest of a vehicle occupant wearing the disclosed belt system.

Abstract: A deployable or fixed armrest support for a vehicle includes an elongate body operable between a vertical stowed position and a horizontal deployed position. The elongate body is configured to support the weight of a passenger in the vehicle. An extendable support is configured to be withdrawn from a cavity in the elongate body. The extendable support is operable between a deployed position and a stowed position. A plurality of spokes are disposed on and configured to rotate about a distal end of the deployable armrest support. The plurality of spokes including polymeric pads configured to support a portable computing device. One of a power port and a data port is disposed on the elongate body.

Abstract: A cargo bed assembly for a pickup truck includes an aluminum truck bed above a pair of frame rails. A plurality of roll-formed 6000-series aluminum cross-members extend along a width of the truck bed and contact the underside of the truck bed. The cross-members include longitudinal channels. Each cross-member contacts a pair of extruded 6000-series aluminum spacers underneath the cross-member at spaced locations to align with the frame rails. The spacers contact the frame rails and at least partially surround a portion of the outer surface of the cross-members to separate the cross-members from the frame rails.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a throttle plate to adjust airflow to the engine are provided. A transmission having an input speed and an output speed and including a clutch and a driver-selectable transmission lever is controlled to adjust engine speed to a synchronous speed in a future gear ratio in response to driver foot pedal positions and driver-selectable transmission lever positions.

Abstract: A mullite body comprising: a plurality of crystals, wherein about 70 percent or greater of the crystals have a crystal diameter that is within about 3 microns or less of an average diameter of the plurality of crystals, and a porosity of 55 percent or greater; and made using a process comprising: mixing precursor materials together with an average aggregate particle size of about 3 microns or smaller measured using a particle size analyzer; heating greenware in air to a first temperature such that the greenware is dried and forms calcineware, heating the calcineware in a silicon tetrafiouride atmosphere to form flurotopaz, and heating to a second temperature so that a mullite structure is formed.

Abstract: The present invention a process and apparatus for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) isomer mixtures with a low 2,2?-MDI isomer content and a high 2,4?-MDI isomer content. The resulting mixtures have an increased reactivity and are acceptable in food grade application due to the reduction in primary aromatic amines formed during the curing process. The process and apparatus also include controlling the amount of 4,4?-MDI, which is the most reactive isomer in the mixture allowing use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a plurality of solar cells electrically connected to form a solar panel array having a minimum output voltage at a specified standard solar irradiance. The vehicle may also include a battery pack having an output voltage at least equal to the minimum output voltage of the array and configured to provide energy for moving the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a controller configured to selectively electrically connect the array and battery pack to trickle charge the battery pack.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method for creating a molded-in-color vehicle panel is provided. The mold may have at least first and second mold members, each having a forming surface for forming a portion of the vehicle panel. One mold member may translate relative to the other to collectively receive a heated resin with a molded-in-color to form the vehicle panel. The resin may be formed into a solid molded-in-color interior vehicle panel. After allowing the resin to partially cool, an aperture may be formed by punching through in the molded-in-color resin with a punch.

Abstract: A motor vehicle dual hood latch mechanism for engaging a striker of a hood having a closed latched position and a released position is disclosed. The dual hood latch assembly includes a master latch and an auxiliary latch, each having a latching ratchet engaging a hood striker, and an intermediate cable extending between the latches adapted to unlatch the latching ratchet of the auxiliary latch in response to the latching ratchet of the master latch being unlatched.