Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a request for temporary vehicle usage. The processor is also configured to associate a requesting user with an available vehicle and generate a temporary vehicle access code and start code, usable during a predetermined time period. The processor is further configured to send the access code and start code to both the user and the vehicle.

Abstract: An insulating composite for powder transmission and distribution containing a continuous reinforcing fiber embedded in a thermoset resin, wherein the thermoset resin is a reaction product of a curable epoxy resin composition comprising (a) at least one bisphenol A-type epoxy resin, (b) at least one oxazolidone ring containing epoxy resin, and (c) at least one anhydride hardener and wherein the curable epoxy resin composition has a viscosity of 6,000 millipascals·second or less at 25° C.; and a process for preparing the insulating composite.

Abstract: A brake caliper for a brake system of a vehicle includes a caliper body, a piston, and a brake insulator. The piston may be positioned at least partially inside the caliper body. The brake insulator includes a fabric and is positioned adjacent to a face of the piston. The brake insulator may have a thickness of about 0.75 mm to about 1.5 mm. The brake insulator may include a fabric connected to the piston and the fabric may include polymeric elements. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a brake insulator for a brake caliper may include a fabric having a plurality of elements positioned relative to one another to create a plurality of interstices between the elements. The interstices may include air pockets and the brake insulator may have a thickness of about 0.75 mm to about 1.5 mm. A vehicle may include the exemplary embodiments of the brake insulator and the brake caliper.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a vehicle engine and a remote engine controller system configured to compare the measured engine temperature to a predetermined threshold. The engine controller selectively activates the engine based on the measured engine temperature relative to the predetermined threshold to prioritize the heating of the engine block over heating of the vehicle cabin. In some implementations, the remote engine controller system selectively activates the engine when the measured temperature is below a minimum temperature and deactivates the engine when the measured temperature is equal to or greater than a target temperature.

Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a thermal set composite cylinder block including a front engine cover attachment interface and a transmission attachment interface and a cylinder liner integrally molded with the composite cylinder block, the cylinder liner defining a portion of a boundary of a cylinder. The engine further includes a bulkhead insert extending through the thermal set composite cylinder block and is directly coupled to a cylinder head.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a stop/start system for an engine in a vehicle include auto starting the engine in response to a transmission gear lever being shifted out of DRIVE when the engine has been auto stopped while the gear lever is in DRIVE. The auto starting is further in response to the gear lever being shifted into another gear and a vehicle brake being released within a predetermined time interval after the gear lever is moved into the other gear.

Abstract: An aspirator coupled between an inlet of a compressor and an engine intake manifold may include sonic/supersonic expansion curves for both forward and reverse flow through the aspirator. Suction flow may enter a first entraining port coupling an ambient side of the aspirator with a vacuum source during reverse flow through the aspirator, whereas suction flow may enter a second entraining port coupling a manifold side of the aspirator with the vacuum source, the first entraining port counter sunk relative to a nominal slope of the aspirator to reduce flow disruption caused by the port during forward flow through the aspirator. A radial-flow aspirator shut-off valve arranged in series with the aspirator may be controlled to enable or disable motive flow through the aspirator, and motive flow may enter the valve in a direction perpendicular to a motive flow axis of the aspirator when the valve is open.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a heater for a passenger cabin of a vehicle. In one example, fan speed of an evaporator cooling fan is adjusted to improve heating efficiency. In particular, fan speed is incrementally increased and maintained at the higher speed if output power of a compressor is reduced by more than an amount of power used to incrementally increase the fan speed.

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, cooling a vapor canister based on an ambient temperature. In this way, bleed emissions may be reduced in PHEVs during conditions when the vehicle is parked and recharging at a high ambient temperature.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery arrangement includes a current sensor. The current sensor has a core and a magnetic field detector. An N-turn coil is wrapped around the core. A controller is configured to adjust an output of the detector indicative of current according to a comparison between a magnetic field caused by a given current in the coil as detected by the detector and a magnetic field expected to be caused by the given current in the coil.

Abstract: A battery discharge device according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sensor configured to sense a parameter of a high voltage source, a controller in communication with the sensor and a discharge circuit that discharges energy stored on the high voltage source in response to a command signal from the controller. The discharge circuit includes a plurality of resistors connected in parallel to one another.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a vehicle computing system, a notification that an incoming communication is being sent to a wireless device in communication with the vehicle computing system. The method also includes determining that a do not disturb function is active in the vehicle computing system and blocking a notification to a driver regarding the incoming communication. Finally, this method includes sending a command from the vehicle computing system to the wireless device to silence any notification that the wireless device provides in conjunction with the incoming communication.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system coupled to an engine in a vehicle. One example method comprises, controlling an amount of EGR according to a minimum of a first EGR amount corresponding to a temperature of a first location and a second EGR amount corresponding to a condensate formation of a second location.

Abstract: Prepare polymeric foam articles having low yellowing using a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer that contains less than 145 weight-parts acrylonitrile dimer and less than 8,500 weight-parts acrylonitrile trimer per million weight parts acrylonitrile copolymer.

Abstract: A hydroclone (10) including a tank (12) with a fluid inlet (14), a filtered fluid outlet (16), an effluent outlet (18), a process fluid outlet (20) and a chamber (24) including an inner peripheral wall (22) centered about a central axis (X). The hydroclone further includes: i) a filter assembly (26) located within the chamber (24) which has an outer membrane surface (44) symmetrically located about the central axis (X) and encloses a filtrate chamber (46) that is in fluid communication with the filtered fluid outlet (16), and ii) a cleaning assembly (50) concentrically located and rotatably engaged about the membrane surface (44). A fluid pathway (28) extends from the fluid inlet (14) and defines a vortex region (25) between the inner peripheral wall (22) of the chamber (24) and the membrane surface (44) and is adapted for receiving incoming fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle load floor includes a seatback pivotal to a stowed position. A cargo floor is rearward the seatback. A foldable panel assembly is movable between stored and deployed positions. The foldable panel assembly includes a first panel pivotally coupled with the seatback and a second panel coupled with the first panel. A hinge coupled between bottom surfaces of the first and second panels. The deployed position includes the seatback in the stowed position and top surfaces of the first and second panels defining a planar support surface spanning to the cargo floor.

Abstract: The following description relates to systems and methods for adjusting vehicle response parameters in response to indications of vehicle operator preferences. In one example approach, a method comprises, during a cruise control mode of operation, adjusting a vehicle response parameter from a default set-point based on an indication of vehicle operator preference.

Abstract: A roadside assistance system includes a vehicle computing system (VCS), an intermediate system, operable to communicate with the VCS and at least one backend system, and a backend roadside assistance processing system, operable to receive data from the intermediate system and operable to receive calls from the VCS. The VCS is operable to establish communication with the intermediate system. The VCS is further operable to transfer data to the intermediate system, to place a call to the backend roadside assistance processing system, and to relay at least a MIN to the backend roadside assistance processing system. The intermediate system is operable to process transferred data and relay data to the backend roadside system. The backend roadside system is operable to compare the MIN relayed from the VCS with data received from the intermediate system to formulate a dispatch order and to dispatch roadside assistance in accordance with the dispatch order.

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, cooling a vapor canister based on an ambient temperature. In this way, bleed emissions may be reduced in PHEVs during conditions when the vehicle is parked and recharging at a high ambient temperature.

Abstract: Cellulose ethers, wherein at least a part of the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose backbone are substituted by methoxy groups and hydroxyalkoxy groups, and optionally alkoxy groups being different from methoxy groups, having an unconventional distribution of methoxy substituents at the 2-, 3- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose units are described. Such cellulose ethers exhibit significantly higher thermoreversible gel strengths than any known hydroxyalkyl methyl celluloses of comparable viscosity and kind and level of substitution rendering them useful as additives for building compositions such as cement based tile adhesives. In particular, such cellulose ethers can be used to improve the attainable adhesion strength after heat storage conditioning and the temporal setting characteristics of a building composition.