Abstract: A vehicle backlit assembly is provided and includes a support member and at least one backlit interactive member at least partially extending through an opening in the support member. An excitation source is operable to emit a primary emission for backlighting the at least one backlit interactive member. A photoluminescent structure is coupled to the at least one backlit interactive member and is formulated to convert the primary emission into a secondary emission. An opaque layer is coupled to the photoluminescent structure and defines an opening through which the secondary emission is transmitted.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting EGR purging in a hybrid vehicle during transient operations, such as tip-out to lower load conditions. In response to decreasing engine torque demand, engine fueling is disabled and a motor is used to spin the engine unfueled until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved. Alternatively, engine operation is maintained with EGR disabled until the desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, and the excess engine torque generated is stored in a system battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting EGR purging in a hybrid vehicle during transient operations, such as tip-out to lower load conditions. In response to decreasing engine torque demand, engine fueling is disabled and a motor is used to spin the engine unfueled until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved. Alternatively, engine operation is maintained with EGR disabled until the desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, and the excess engine torque generated is stored in a system battery.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment and a bench seat located in the passenger compartment. The bench seat has a bottom portion and a back portion and is configured to move from a front-facing position to a rear-facing position by moving the back portion toward a front of the passenger compartment for when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a secondary intake throttle based on condensate formation in a charge air cooler, the secondary throttle positioned upstream of the charge air cooler. In one example, a method may include decreasing an opening of the secondary intake throttle in response to increased condensate accumulation within the charge air cooler. The method may further include adjusting a primary throttle positioned in an intake manifold based on the condensate accumulation and torque demand.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering wheel located in a passenger compartment. The steering wheel is configured to be moved from an operational position to a stowed position. In the event of a collision, a first airbag is configured to deploy when the steering wheel is in the operational position and a second airbag is configured to deploy when the steering wheel is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided and includes a vehicle fixture, an excitation source for emitting at least one inputted electromagnetic radiation, and a photoluminescent structure coupled to the vehicle fixture. The photoluminescent structure includes an energy conversion layer having at least one photoluminescent material formulated to convert the at least one inputted electromagnetic radiation into at least one outputted electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A flexible optical impact detection sensor is mounted on an outboard portion of the front bumper for signaling an offset rigid barrier impact event to a forward corner of a motor vehicle and deployment of a small offset rigid barrier airbag mounted on the front rail. The airbag is attached proximate a distal end of a front rail. The flexible optical impact detection sensor, attached to a rear surface of an outboard portion of the front bumper, generates a signal upon a corner impact event, whereby a controller processes the signal generated by the impact detection sensor and electrically actuates an inflator upon a predetermined impact severity. The airbag in the inflated condition acts against the offset rigid barrier to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving detection and mitigation of engine misfire are presented. Engine misfire is determined by sampling exhaust pressure of a cylinder only during a time when an exhaust valve of the cylinder is in an open state. If misfire is indicated, an actuator is adjusted to reduce the possibility of misfire during a subsequent cylinder cycle.

Abstract: A flexible electro-resistive impact detection sensor is mounted on an outboard portion of the front bumper for signaling an offset rigid barrier impact event to a forward corner of a motor vehicle and deployment of a small offset rigid barrier airbag mounted on the front rail. The airbag, is attached proximate a distal end of a front rail. The flexible electro-resistive impact detection sensor, attached to a rear surface of an outboard portion of the front bumper, generates a signal upon a corner impact event, whereby a controller processes the signal generated by the impact detection sensor and electrically actuates an inflator upon a predetermined impact severity. The airbag in the inflated condition acts against the offset rigid barrier to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment and at least one seat located in the passenger compartment. The seat can be moved from a front-facing position to a rear-facing position for when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode. The vehicle may further include autonomous driving sensors and an autonomous controller that receives signals generated by the autonomous driving sensors and controls at least one vehicle subsystems according to the signals received.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a polymeric article includes a polymeric composition which in turn includes a volume of polymer intermixed with a number of color balloons, at least a portion of the number of color balloons each including a shell enclosing a colored agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing a molybdenum sulfide-based catalyst comprises drying a precipitated molybdenum sulfide-based catalyst precursor, for example, a wet filter cake, such that a particulate catalyst precursor, containing from 12 to 15 percent by weight water, is formed. The particulate catalyst precursor is desirably in the form of free-flowing particles. The particulate catalyst precursor is then auto-reduced. A rotary furnace that subjects the catalyst precursor to at least two zones having distinct temperatures may be conveniently used for drying, auto-reduction, or both. The staged drying and auto-reduction steps reduce the tendency of the precursor to self-heat, which is undesirable because it reduces both the activity and selectivity of the final catalyst.

Abstract: A solid dispersion comprising at least one active ingredient in at least one hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose having a DS of from 1.0 to 2.7 and an MS of from 0.40 to 1.30, wherein DS is the degree of substitution of methoxyl groups and MS is the molar substitution of hydroxyalkoxyl groups, can be produced by extrusion or spray-drying.

Abstract: An example voltage control method for a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle includes controlling a power supply system to vary a voltage limit based on temperature.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle front end structure may include an energy absorbing structure movable between deployed and non-deployed positions. The structure may further include an actuator system that moves the energy absorbing structure from the deployed position to the non-deployed position. The energy absorbing structure in the deployed position may be spaced apart from an engine support structure by a first distance that is greater than a second distance by which the energy absorbing structure in the non-deployed structure is spaced apart from the engine support structure.

Abstract: A steering wheel is locatable between an operational position at a driver seat of a vehicle and a stowed position in the vehicle. A first airbag is coupled to the steering wheel, and a multi-stage airbag laterally overlaps the driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle next to the driver seat. A controller includes instructions for detecting a frontal collision, locating the steering wheel, deploying the first airbag at the driver seat and the multi-stage airbag at the passenger seat when the steering wheel is in the operational position, and deploying the multi-stage airbag at the driver and passenger seats when the steering wheel is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes an electrically-powered latch and a user input feature that can be actuated by a user to cause the electrically-powered latch to unlatch. An electrical energy storage device is operably connected to the electrically-powered latch, and a piezoelectric device is mounted to the door. The piezoelectric device can be manually actuated by a user to charge the electrical energy storage device, and electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device can be utilized to actuate the electrically-powered latch to thereby unlatch the latch. The user input feature may comprise a switch or sensor located adjacent a door handle/latch release on an inside and/or an outside of the vehicle door. The electrical energy storage device may comprise an emergency battery, capacitor, or other electrical device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards oil recovery compositions. As an example, an oil recovery composition can include a dimeric non-ionic surfactant and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a vehicle in response to a diagnostic test performed to detect an incorrect cable connection of the vehicle.