Abstract: An ethylene-based polymer characterized as having a density from about 0.9 to about 0.94 grams per cubic centimeter, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) from about 4 to about 10, a melt index (I2) from about 0.05 to about 2 grams per 10 minutes, a gpcBR value greater than 0.05 as determined by a gpcBR Branching Index and a Y value greater than 0.4 is disclosed. This ethylene-based polymer is especially useful for blending with other polymers such as LLDPE. When converting the blends into film, especially shrink film, the film shows good optics, good shrink tension, high stiffness, high tensile modulus, and tensile strength. When this resin is blended at with a LLDPE on a blown film line, improvements are seen in haze, gloss, clarity, and MD and CD tear as compared to a comparative LDPE.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of using hydrogen includes forming a crystalline solid mixture of a metal halide M2(HL)y with a metal borohydride M1(BH4)x; and forming an amorphous liquid mixture from the crystalline solid mixture.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine in response to a waste gate position is presented. In one example, the method adjusts an actuator to reduce the possibility of misfire in an engine cylinder in response to waste gate position. In this way, it may be possible to adjust engine operation for varying engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A protective bracket for a compressed natural gas pressure regulator mounted in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The compressed natural gas pressure regulator is disposed between a natural gas pressurized tank and an intake system for an internal combustion engine within the engine compartment, and the protective bracket comprises a main body disposed essentially about the entire external volume of the compressed natural gas pressure regulator.

Abstract: A method for responding to conditions detected in an on-board diagnostic unit of a motor vehicle and signaling degradation of a component of the motor vehicle. The method includes providing a first response if the conditions signal degradation of the component due to tampering, and providing a second response if the conditions signal degradation of the component not due to tampering.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.

Abstract: An active bolster for an interior trim surface of a vehicle has a trim panel with a closed-loop bonding section on an inside surface. A first stud extending from an inside trim panel surface at the closed-loop bonding section, and a second stud extends from the panel inside surface radially outward of the bonding section. A thermoplastic expandable bladder member has a welding flange along an peripheral edge which is hot-welded with the bonding section. The welding flange has a stud aperture receiving the first stud. A stepped bracket comprises a first plate overlying the welding flange and a second plate overlying the trim panel. The first plate has a first aperture receiving the first stud. The second plate has a second aperture receiving the second stud. The studs have respective re-melted heads clamping the bracket in place.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine may be started in one of two ways depending on operating conditions. In particular, the engine may be started via a lower power output electric machine or a higher power output electric machine.

Abstract: A thermosettable (curable) epoxy resin composition including (A) a residual oligomeric product; wherein the residual oligomeric product comprises a polyfunctional aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin which has been isolated from an epoxy resin product formed as a result of an epoxidation process comprising the reaction of (i) an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydroxyl-containing material with (ii) an epihalohydrin, (iii) a basic-acting substance, (iv) a non-Lewis acid catalyst, and (V) optionally one or more solvents; (B) an epoxy curing material comprising (i) an epoxy resin curing agent, (ii) an epoxy resin catalyst, or both an epoxy resin curing agent (i) and an epoxy resin catalyst (ii); and (C) optionally, an epoxy resin compound other than the aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyfunctional epoxy resin (A). A thermoset may also be made from the above thermosettable composition.

Abstract: An engine is provided with an open deck cylinder block having an open water jacket that surrounds a plurality of cylinders that are joined together in a Siamese design by a cylinder bore bridge. The engine also includes a cylinder head gasket, and a cylinder head. For the purpose of removing excess heat from the cylinder bore bridge, cooling channels are provided that allow coolant to flow from the engine block water jacket, across the cylinder bore bridge, and into a cylinder head coolant passageway. In addition, coolant is prevented from flowing from the water jacket on one side of the cylinders, across the bore bridge, and into the water jacket on the other side of the cylinders.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system has an engine, a damper and an electric machine configured to be selectively mechanically coupled with the engine via damper. The vehicle powertrain system also has at least one controller programmed to filter a frequency content of a speed or torque command for the electric machine corresponding to a resonant frequency of the engine, damper and electric machine to reduce resonance of the engine, damper and electric machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether to alert a driver of a vehicle to the presence of a traffic sign in the vehicle's driving environment. An optical system on-board the vehicle detects the traffic sign and determine information related to the sign. Driving maneuvers carried out by the vehicle are monitored to determine driving situation information. The driving situation information and the traffic sign information are used to determine a probability that the sign is pertinent for the vehicle under the current driving conditions. If the probability is above a threshold, the driver is alerted to the traffic sign. The probability of the pertinence of the traffic sign may be further determined on the basis of lane-specific information such as vehicle position relative to a freeway exit ramp start or end, or performance of a lane change by the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery system includes a traction battery and at least one controller that implement a model of the traction battery. The system may monitor current input and voltage output of the traction battery. The at least one controller may inject a plurality of current signals into the battery when it detects the input current to be approximately zero and a corresponding terminal voltage to be generally constant. Each of the injected current signals has a discrete frequency. The controller may measure voltage responses to the injected currents indicative of impedances of the traction battery at the discrete frequencies. The controller may output parameters representing an equivalent circuit model of the traction battery based on the impedances, and operate the battery based on the parameters.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fascia, a bumper beam, and a sensor including a pressure chamber disposed between and along the fascia and bumper beam. The vehicle further includes a plurality of pusher blocks disposed between and along the fascia and bumper beam. The pusher blocks impinge upon the pressure chamber during fascia impact. Contact areas defined by the pusher blocks decrease toward a center of the pressure chamber and increase toward ends of the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle computing processor. The processor is configured to, through wireless communication with a phone, and after determining that a vehicle engine is not running, request and receive motion sensor data from the phone. The processor is further configured to determine if a phone is moving with a driver based on the motion sensor data. Also, the processor is configured to alert the driver if the phone is not moving with the driver.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine includes automatically stopping the engine in response to vehicle power demand dropping below currently available electrical power while trailering, and automatically starting the engine when vehicle power demand is at a first offset below currently available electrical power. A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a trailer hitch, and a controller configured to, in response to the vehicle trailering, command the engine to start at a torque offset below an unladen vehicle engine torque pull up schedule, where the torque offset is based on vehicle loading. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having a trailer hitch includes detecting the trailer hitch being in use, commanding an engine to stop, and commanding the engine to start in response to a torque to accelerate being within a predetermined offset below an unladen vehicle torque pull up schedule.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel has a pedestrian protection zone along a forward side. The instrument panel generally has a low stiffness that avoids impact forces in the pedestrian protection zone greater than a predetermined force. An accessory component mounted on the instrument panel within the protection zone has a stiffness that could generate an impact force above the predetermined force. A cover providing a trim surface of the instrument panel has an annular wall region between inner and outer tear seams which encompass the accessory component. An annular bladder wall joined to the annular wall region forms a substantially toroidal expandable chamber. An inflator is arranged to supply an inflation gas into the expandable chamber during an impact of a pedestrian to tear the tear seams and expand the expandable chamber above the instrument panel body to intercept the pedestrian prior to impacting the accessory component.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a crankcase vent tube pressure or flow sensor for diagnosing a location and nature of crankcase system integrity breach. The same sensor can also be used for diagnosing air filter plugging and PCV valve degradation. Use of an existing sensor to diagnose multiple engine components provides cost reduction and sensor compaction benefits.

Abstract: A system comprising one or more transceivers in communication with a vehicle computing system, the one or more transceivers are also in communication with at least one server. The at least one server is configured to receive an email including a subscriber identification and data formatted by a service provider. The at least one server is further configured to parse the email to retrieve the data formatted by the service provider and identify information usable by the vehicle computing system in the retrieved data. The at least one server is further configured to extract the identified information and transmit the information for communication to the vehicle computing system.

Abstract: A method for recovering nickel and cobalt from a PLS: (a) passing the PLS through an ion exchange bed to load nickel onto the ion exchange resin and produce a cobalt-containing raffinate solution, (b) passing sulfuric acid through the loaded bed to strip nickel from the resin and produce a nickel-containing eluate, (c) rinsing the stripped ion exchange bed, (d) adjusting the pH of the cobalt-containing raffinate solution to a pH of at least 2.3, (e) passing the cobalt-containing raffinate solution through an ion exchange bed to pre-load cobalt on the ion exchange resin, (f) repeating step (a) though (e) until the cobalt concentration of the cobalt-containing raffinate solution increases to >2× of the PLS, (g) removing a portion of the cobalt-containing raffinate solution of step (d) from the nickel recovery circuit, and (h) passing a portion of the cobalt-containing raffinate solution from step (d) to step (e).