Abstract: A method for treating liquefied hydrocarbons including acid gases to remove the acid gases while minimizing loss of amine species, the method comprising the step of contacting the liquefied hydrocarbons with an absorbent aqueous solution of a first amine compound, the first amine compound having the structure wherein R1 is hydrogen, propane-2,3-diol, and mixtures thereof and R2 is propane-2,3-diol.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of tagging resin product such that it can be identified. The method involves adding a series of tracer elements to a resin in specific amounts. The relative amounts of one or more of such tracer elements for each desired unit of production are varied, such that each unit of production has a unique combination of ratios of the various tracer elements.

Abstract: An active bolster for an interior trim surface of an automotive vehicle has a plastic-molded outer trim panel with a closed-loop bonding section on an inside surface. A plastic-molded expandable bladder member has a central attachment section configured to attach to a support structure of the vehicle, a bonding flange along an peripheral edge, and a baffle section between the central attachment section and the bonding flange. The closed-loop bonding section and the bonding flange are configured to define a substantially closed toroidal region therebetween. An attachment body is molded in-situ to substantially fill the toroidal region. As a result of the in-situ molding of the attachment body in the toroidal region, the trim panel and bladder member become bonded via the attachment body resulting in a high bonding strength.

Abstract: A cargo step pad comprising a container having a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls defining an opening and a lid coupled to the container and operable between a closed position, wherein the lid extends laterally beyond the opening, and an opened position, wherein at least a portion of a back wall of the container is positioned within a volume defined by the inner surface of the lid.

Abstract: A vehicle engine, electric machine and battery are operated, in certain examples, such that a predetermined route is segmented based on varying criteria to determine target battery state of charge at the segment endpoints along the route. The endpoints are a superposition of endpoints defined by predicted powertrain operating mode transitions, predicted vehicle acceleration transitions or predicted road grade transitions along the route.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) flow based on outputs of an intake manifold oxygen sensor. For example, during engine operation when exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and fuel canister purge are disabled, PCV flow may be estimated based on a difference between a first output of the sensor with boost enabled and a second output of the sensor with boost disabled. Then, during subsequent operation wherein EGR is enabled, PCV flow is enabled, and purge is disabled, a third output of the sensor may be adjusted based on the estimated PCV flow.

Abstract: A dispersion having from one to sixty percent by weight of total dispersion of a solids component dispersed in an organic continuous phase is useful as a coating for substrates. The solids component contains 40-95 weight-percent of a polyolefin containing only carbon and hydrogen and that has a number average molecular weight that is greater than 400 gram per mole, 5-40 weight-percent of an amine salt of a functionalized polyolefin; and 0-20 weight-percent of optional additives, wherein weight-percent is based on total weight of solids and wherein the dispersed particles have an average particle size of less than 35 micrometers and the organic phase is a dispersion support medium for the polyolefin and amine salt of a functionalized polyolefin.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a volume control valve attached to a branch of a split exhaust manifold in a boosted engine system. Volume control valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. One example method includes closing the volume in response to a tip-in when increased boost is needed for exhaust turbine spool-up.

Abstract: A linerless label or tape comprises a substantially biodegradable, natural or synthetic, woven or non-woven substrate impregnated with a formulation including at least 90 weight percent of a polyester amide segmented block copolymer. This label or tape may be conveniently prepared above the melt temperature of the copolymer and is printable. It offers the advantage of being able to be prepared such that it is substantially non-tacky at room or storage temperatures, and yet may be easily affixed to a substrate when heated to a temperature above the melt temperature of the impregnant, preferably ranging from 60° C. to 150° C. “Linerless” is defined as not requiring a separable, wastable layer, and a release coating to facilitate rolling or stacking is also not required.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a vehicle-off fuel system leak test. A vehicle controller may be woken up after a vehicle has been in a key-off condition for a sufficient amount of time to monitor a fuel tank for pressure and temperature stabilization. If the pressure and temperature of the fuel tank is stable, a fuel pump may be operated to raise a fuel tank vapor pressure, and fuel system leaks are identified based on a rate of pressure decay from the fuel tank.

Abstract: A process for reductive amination of aliphatic cyanoaldehydes to aliphatic diamines comprising (1) providing a mixture of 1,3-cyanocyclohexane carboxaldehyde and/or 1,4-cyanocyclohexane carboxaldehyde; (2) contacting said mixture with a metal carbonate based solid bed or a weak base anion exchange resin bed at a temperature from 15 to 40 ° C. for a period of at least 1 minute; (3) thereby treating said mixture, wherein said treated mixture has a pH in the range of 6 to 9; (4) feeding said treated mixture, hydrogen, and ammonia into a continuous reductive amination reactor system; (6) contacting said treated mixture, hydrogen, and ammonia with each other in the presence of one or more heterogeneous metal based catalyst systems at a temperature from 80 ° C. to 160 ° C. and a pressure from 700 to 3500 psig; (7) thereby producing one or more cycloaliphatic diamines is provided.

Abstract: A High Voltage Interlock Strategy (HVIS) uses feedback current to detect cable connectivity status for a high-voltage cable configured to connect a power conversion circuit with a remote permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM). One or more feedback factors are calculated based on detected feedback current. Various algorithms for calculating a feedback factor, and for determining connectivity status based on calculated feedback factors, can be practiced, according to the PMSM operational mode. Fault detection action can be performed in response to detecting a cable disconnect. The HVIS can be implemented by software, making it a safe, economical solution for cable connectivity detection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a fuel tank isolation valve coupled to a fuel tank in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a refuel request, actuating a fuel tank isolation valve to vent a fuel tank for refueling; and, in response to a pressure in the fuel tank below a threshold pressure after a predetermined time duration, discontinuing actuation of the fuel tank isolation valve to seal the fuel tank.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation valve in an engine by determining errors in exhaust backpressure estimates and adapting EGR flow estimations based on these errors to meet target EGR dilutions in the engine. In one example approach, a method comprises adjusting valve position based on desired EGR flow and estimated EGR flow, where the estimated flow is based on estimated exhaust backpressure, and the estimated exhaust backpressure is updated based on errors between actual and desired intake oxygen concentration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a phosphorus containing flame retardant which may be the reaction product of a reaction mixture where the reaction mixture includes at least one active hydrogen-containing compound and at least one phosphorus containing compound. The at least one active hydrogen-containing compound is selected from the group of a first polyol having a hydroxyl functionality of at least 3, a polyamine having an amine functionality of at least 2, and an amino alcohol having a combined amine and hydroxyl functionality of at least 2.

Abstract: An embodiment of an engine is described. The engine includes a first throttle valve. The first throttle valve is provided in a first intake passage coupled to an intake manifold. The first throttle valve has a default closed position. The engine further includes a second throttle valve. The second throttle valve is provided in a second intake passage coupled to the intake manifold. The second throttle valve has a default open position. The engine further includes a venturi pump that is provided between the second throttle valve and the intake manifold. When the second throttle valve is in the default open position, intake air flows through the venturi pump.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided that includes an engine, a reversible electric machine capable of generating and providing electric power, and a clutch for selectively engaging the engine to the electric machine. While the vehicle is traveling, an operator of the vehicle may release (“tip-out”) the accelerator pedal, indicating a desire for a reduction in speed and/or acceleration of the vehicle. If the clutch is engaged during the tip-out, the at least one controller is programmed to disengage the clutch and alter a commanded torque to the electric machine in response to the tip-out of the accelerator pedal to simulate compression braking of the engine. If the vehicle is operating in an electric-only mode of propulsion during the tip-out, and if a state-of-charge of the battery is relatively high, the controller is programmed to activate the engine and provide compression torque to the driveline in response to the tip-out.

Abstract: A composite part including a resin matrix and fibers reinforcing the resin matrix in a first portion of the matrix. A second portion of the resin matrix is substantially devoid of fibers. The fibers may be in the form of a woven mat that defines an opening. Alternatively, the fibers may be loose fibers that are deposited in a mold that includes predetermined areas that are shielded from the deposit of the loose fibers. A method of making the composite part is disclosed in which a woven mat having an opening is filled with resin. Another method is also disclosed in which loose fibers are shielded from being deposited in a portion of the mold that is subsequently filled with resin.

Abstract: A signal assembly is provided that includes a chamber defined by isotropically luminant back and side surfaces, and a front surface having a lens and a diffuser. The signal assembly also includes LED light sources having a beam angle ?70° coupled to the back surface. The back and front surfaces are separated by a depth, and each source is located at a spacing from the other sources ?the depth divided by a predetermined factor. The predetermined factor may be set to approximately 2.5 or 2.0 when the divergence angle of the diffuser is ?20° or ?30°, respectively. The signal assembly and its components can be configured to operate as a vehicular signal lamp.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing each of a plurality of engine cooling system components including various valves and grill shutters. Each valve may be individually closed and opened for a specified duration, and corresponding changes in coolant temperature may be monitored. If all the components are functional, the various valves may be adjusted to stagnate coolant at the engine and expedite engine warm-up during a cold-start.