Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosing a multiple speed, relay controlled engine cooling fan system. One method includes measuring the change in current drawn from a battery-alternator system when fan speed is modified. A degradation in cooling fan operation is flagged when measured current change differs from an expected change.

Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a steering spindle and a cover. The steering spindle may include an input shaft configured to rotate with a steering wheel, an output shaft rotatably mounted in a steering gear housing, and a swivel joint arranged between the shaft and the output shaft. A portion of the steering spindle within a footwell of the vehicle may be covered by the cover. The cover may include a fastening device and an opening on a side facing away from the footwell. The opening of the cover may extend across a portion of the output shaft, the swivel joint, and a portion of the input shaft. The cover may be fastened to the steering gear housing by the fastening device so the cover does not rotate with the steering spindle.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a system includes a cutter for cutting a composite material to form composite pieces, an ultrasonic welding device for connecting two or more of the composite pieces to form a composite stack, and a compression molding device for forming a composite article from the composite stack. The system may further include a transfer arm for delivering the composite pieces to the ultrasonic welding device. The system may further include a forming device to generate a composite preform which is then delivered to the compression molding device. Excess material may be trimmed off before, during or after the forming step to deliver a net-shape for the subsequent molding step.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rocker panel and a pillar reinforcement extending in a direction transverse to the rocker panel. The vehicle further includes a door having a bracket disposed over an intersection of the rocker panel and the pillar reinforcement when the door is in a closed position. The bracket is configured to reduce intrusion propagation of the door toward a passenger compartment and redirect an impact load laterally along the rocker panel.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane comprising a porous support and a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method includes the step of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the step of applying the polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to the porous support includes the step of combining the polyfunctional acyl halide monomer with a non-polar solvent at a concentration of at least 0.18 weight percent to form a coating solution which is applied to the surface of the porous support, and wherein the interfacial polymerization is conducted in the presence of a tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound which is provided in a molar ratio of at least 0.5:1 with the polyfunctional acyl halide monomer. Many additional embodiments are described including membranes made from the subject method and applications for such membranes.

Abstract: The invention provides a film comprising at least two layers, a first layer and a second layer; and wherein the first layer is formed from a first composition comprising a polyester, a polylactic acid, or a combination thereof; and wherein the second layer is formed from a second composition comprising at least the following: A) functionalized ethylene-based polymer, and B) ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer; and wherein the first layer is adjacent to the second layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating barometric pressure based on a reference barometric pressure and manifold pressures at two different altitudes. In one example, a method may include adjusting an operating condition of the engine based on barometric pressure during engine operation at throttle angles less than a threshold, the barometric pressure based on a current manifold pressure relative to a reference manifold pressure at a current throttle angle and reference barometric pressure. Further, the method may include adjusting a manifold pressure sensor output based on an offset of the manifold pressure sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining an offset of a manifold pressure sensor. In one example, an engine method may include indicating degradation of the manifold pressure sensor based on a sensor offset, the sensor offset based on a manifold pressure measured at a first throttle angle, a barometric pressure at a second throttle angle, a reference manifold pressure at the first throttle angle and reference barometric pressure, and the reference barometric pressure. Further, the method may include adjusting an output of the manifold pressure sensor by the determined sensor offset.

Abstract: A footrest assembly includes a reinforcement plate mounted on a foam block of a foam member. The footrest assembly is disposed in a vehicle footwell and the foam member is operably coupled to a portion of the footwell in assembly. A carpet mat is at least partially disposed over the foam member and the reinforcement plate in assembly. A footrest pad includes a plurality of clips which are received in a plurality of associated slots disposed on the reinforcement plate, thereby retaining the carpet mat between the reinforcement plate and the footrest pad in assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain having a transmission to improve shift quality to detect the start of a torque phase of the shift based on a measured transmission input shaft torque. A torque sensor provides a signal to a controller that monitors initial rise time of the measured transmission input shaft torque. The torque sensor may be implemented by a strain gauge, a piezoelectric load cell, or a magneto-elastic torque sensor. The system may include a vehicle powertrain having an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine via a torque converter and a controller configured to initiate torque phase control when the slope of the transmission input shaft torque exceeds a predetermined threshold after initiation of the shift preparatory phase.

Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first cylinder unit supports the first wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body and a second cylinder unit supports the second wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body. Each cylinder unit includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder connected in series. Each first cylinder has a first diameter and each second cylinder has a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The first and second cylinder units are fluidly connected to each other. Fluid is transferable between cylinder units between a first cylinder of the one cylinder unit and a second cylinder of the other cylinder unit.

Abstract: A supervisor monitoring system for autonomous test supervision is presented. A system can include a first supervisor monitor (SM) and a second SM, each configured to simultaneously monitor one or more tests conducted by one or more testing apparatus. First and second SMs can be configured to verify the other's integrity throughout a testing procedure, providing a failsafe system. The first and second SMs can be interlocked so that if the first SM detects a fault at the second SM, the first SM can interrupt testing monitored at the first SM, and can also interrupt testing monitored at the second SM, and vice versa. An SM can be configured to control a safety relay configured to couple a power channel of a battery exerciser to a battery cell, and be configured to monitor input at the battery exerciser from the cell to determine whether a test constraint has been violated.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly for a vehicle having a seat back and a seat. Bolsters extend laterally from one of the seat back and the seat and include a static projection, a cushion, and a dynamic projection disposed between the static projection and the cushion. The dynamic projection is operably coupled to one of the seat back and the seat. An articulation feature is disposed between the dynamic projection and the static projection and is operable between articulated and unarticulated conditions. A control is operably coupled to the articulation feature and is operational to move the articulation feature between the articulated and unarticulated conditions, which consequently move the dynamic projection relative to the static projection, respectively, thereby adjusting the angle of the cushion relative to one of the seat back and the seat.

Abstract: A catcher bracket disposed between a powertrain and a sub-frame of a vehicle. The catcher bracket defines a load path in a collision that is sufficient to displace the powertrain that directs the force of the impact through the catcher bracket to a sub-frame of the vehicle. The sub-frame is connected to the body structure of the vehicle by fasteners that fracture to decouple the powertrain and sub-frame from the body structure of the vehicle to reduce the collision pulse.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to air intake systems and methods for manufacturing the same. Systems include an air inlet that defines a slope equal to a vertical distance between a surface of a fascia shield and a surface of the engine intake channel, divided by a longitudinal distance between the shield and engine intake channel. Unwanted moisture and debris is filtered from the engine intake channel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a drawn panel and a die set. The method includes clamping a blank between a binder and a die that defines a cavity. A first draw punch contacts the blank in advance of a second punch that subsequently engages the blank. A central area of the blank is drawn by the first draw punch that clamps a central area of the blank against a lower die. Side areas of the blank are drawn into the cavity by the side punches while the central punch clamps the blank again the lower die.

Abstract: A roof support for a vehicle is provided containing a first side roof rail; a transverse roof bow fixed to and extending from the first side roof rail; and a first brace fixed to the first side roof rail at a forward point on the first side roof rail, wherein the first brace extends to the transverse roof bow and is fixed to a first aft point on the transverse roof bow, thereby advantageously defining a first angle between the first side roof rail and the first brace. The roof support may further include a second side roof rail opposite the first side roof rail such that the roof bow laterally extends from the first side roof rail to the second side roof rail, wherein a second brace is connected in like manner.

Abstract: The invention provides a process to form an ethylene-based polymer composition, the process comprising at least the following: Step 1: polymerizing a first ethylene-based polymer in the presence of at least one molecular catalyst and a hydrocarbon chain transfer agent, and at a polymerization pressure of at least 14,000 psi; Step 2: polymerizing a second ethylene-based polymer.

Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a pillar having inner and outer members and an interior surface defining a cavity. A first reinforcement is disposed in the cavity and welded to the interior surface. A second reinforcement includes first and second edges and a channel extending therebetween. The first and second edges are welded to the first reinforcement and the channel is positioned distal from the first reinforcement proximate a deflection area of the pillar.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.