Abstract: A computer implemented trip-planning method includes accessing one or more destination elements of a matrix of driver information, the accessing based at least in part on a trip start time and day of week. Each accessed element has a probability associated therewith, indicating the likelihood of the element being the destination at which a vehicle trip will end, based at least the start time and day of week. The method also includes selecting, from the one or more elements, a destination having the highest probability of being the destination at which the vehicle trip will end. Further, the method includes utilizing the selected destination as an end destination for the purposes of trip planning.

Abstract: A system for non-contact color harmony analysis is provided. The system may include an image acquisition system and an image analysis system. One or more cameras may take images of two regions of an object (e.g., a vehicle). The images may be transferred to the image analysis system, which may compare color values from each region and determine a color value difference. The color value difference may be compared to a predetermined threshold value to identify a possible color mismatch. The system may be used to analyze color harmony of adjacent vehicle components, for example, a front fascia and a fender or a rear fascia and a quarter panel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft, a transmission having an input, and an electric machine mechanically coupled to the transmission input. The vehicle further includes a clutch configured to mechanically couple the electric machine and engine crankshaft, and at least one controller. The at least one controller, in response to an engine start condition and subsequent partial engagement of the clutch, outputs a torque command for the electric machine to increase the speed of the crankshaft to a speed of the electric machine before commanding fuel injection of the engine. The torque command is based on driver demanded torque and a change in speed of the crankshaft caused by changes in pressure to the clutch.

Abstract: An electric vehicle powertrain according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a thermal barrier secured relative to an engine, a transaxle, or both to retain thermal energy generated during operation of an electric vehicle.

Abstract: An exemplary system for a vehicle having an object attached to it may include a user interface device, a controller, and a communication system. The user interface device may be configured to receive and transmit information relating to the object. The controller may be in communication with the user interface device, and may be configured to receive the information from the user interface device. The communication system may be in communication with the controller, and may be configured to transmit at least a subset of the information to at least one other vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous alkanolamine solution for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from gaseous mixtures. The aqueous alkanolamine solution comprises (i) an amino compound with the formula: R1R2NCH2CH(OH)CH2OH wherein R1 and R2 independently represent lower alkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and (ii) an acid or acid-forming material having a pKa equal to or less than 8, optionally (iii) another amino compound, and optionally (iv) a physical solvent. Further, the present invention relates to a process for removing acid gases from a gaseous mixture, preferably hydrogen sulfide, comprising the step of contacting the gaseous mixture with the aqueous alkanolamine solution, preferably wherein the temperature of the aqueous alkanolamine solution is equal to or greater than 140° F. Examples of the gaseous mixtures include natural gas, synthesis gas, tail gas, and refinery gas.

Abstract: An intake silencer device is described herein. The intake silencer device includes an outer housing and a plurality of sequential arranged expansion chambers separated by walls. The intake silencer device further includes an inner tube positioned in each of the sequential chambers, each of the inner tubes including an opening providing fluidic communication between an interior of the tube and the corresponding expansion chamber, a size of the openings increasing in size sequentially in a downstream direction.

Abstract: A wall insulation system includes a thermoplastic polymer foam board, ribs of melt barrier material extending horizontally across the width of the thermoplastic polymer foam board and a metallic facing bonded to the outside surface of the thermoplastic polymer foam board and covering the outside primary surface of the thermoplastic polymer foam board and any ribs exposed along the outside primary surface of the thermoplastic polymer foam board. A rib of melt barrier material extends across the width of the thermoplastic polymer foam board in any 50 centimeter distance along the height of the foam board.

Abstract: A method for repairing or resurfacing an inner cylindrical surface of a workpiece having an original coating applied over an original-roughened surface. The original workpiece has The method includes repair-boring the surface to a repair-bored diameter greater than a maximum diameter of the original-roughened surface. Next, the repair-bored surface is repair-roughened. A repair-coating is then applied over the repair-roughened surface. Finally, the repair-coated surface is machined to a final-repaired diameter. The workpiece may be an engine block and the inner cylindrical surface may be a cylinder bore.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes at least one sensor that collects infrastructure information in real time and outputs sensor signals representing the collected infrastructure information. A processing device processes the sensor signals, predicts a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, and controls at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic. A method includes receiving infrastructure information collected in real time, processing the infrastructure information, predicting a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, and controlling at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic.

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 vehicle system includes at least one sensor and a processing device. The sensor is configured to output sensor signals representing infrastructure information collected in real time. The processing device is configured to predict a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluate a prediction error, adjust a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and control at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic. A method includes receiving infrastructure information collected in real time, predicting a future road characteristic based on the infrastructure information, evaluating a prediction error, adjusting a prediction horizon until the prediction error is within a predetermined accuracy range, and controlling at least one vehicle subsystem in accordance with the predicted future road characteristic.

Abstract: An example electric vehicle battery thermocouple includes a temperature sense lead of a first material, and an electric vehicle battery component of a second material different than the first material.

Abstract: A battery stack is provided having lower and upper battery tiers each formed of at least two battery cell arrays. A pair of brackets are provided for connecting the lower arrays along a top surface of the lower tier and connecting the upper arrays to a bottom surface of the upper tier. The lower and upper battery tiers are secured together by the brackets without hardware mounted to an exterior surface of the stack.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, pre-planning a route of a vehicle on a computing device separate from the vehicle including selecting a battery mode for operating the vehicle during each stage of the route and displaying a battery state of charge for each stage of the route. The vehicle is controlled based on route information associated with the pre-planned route.

Abstract: A drive system includes first and second power sources, a planetary gearset including an output, and first and second inputs driveably connected, respectively, to the first and second power sources, a pinion supported for rotation, and a synchronizer for alternately releasing a drive connection between the pinion and output and substantially synchronizing a speed of the pinion and a speed of the output before driveably connecting the pinion and the output.

Abstract: An example electric vehicle battery current communication device includes a terminal landing and a transition from the terminal landing having an area that is both bent and tapered.

Abstract: A vehicle high voltage system may include contactors/relays, wires, a traction battery, electrical components, and at least one controller. The at least one controller may open the contactors to interrupt current flow to the components if anyone of a plurality of amp?hour measurement associated with the traction battery exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback having a forward cushion surface and a back panel. An airbag deployment system is operably coupled to a crash pulse module. A side airbag is disposed between the forward cushion surface and the back panel proximate a side portion of the seatback. A bolster airbag is disposed between the forward cushion surface and the back panel proximate a lower portion of the back panel. A single inflator is in communication with both the side airbag and the bolster airbag. A valve assembly is operably coupled with the single inflator and is in communication with the crash pulse module. The valve assembly is configured to activate at least one of the side airbag and the bolster airbag during a collision event.

Abstract: A vehicle damper monitoring system of the present disclosure may include at least one height sensor and at least one controller configured to receive signals from the at least one height sensor and generate a notification if the signals indicate that one or more suspension dampers of a vehicle need to be serviced.