Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging condensate from a charge air cooler to an engine intake. During an engine deceleration event, the vehicle is downshifted into a lower gear to increase RPM and airflow through a charge air cooler to purge stored condensate to the engine intake. By delivering condensate while an engine is not fueled, misfire events resulting from ingestion of water are reduced.

Abstract: Catalytic composition for producing an alpha-olefin and methods of making same. The catalytic composition includes a gamma-alumina substrate dopes with at least one element consisting of bismuth, copper, gallium, phosphorus, tin, and zinc, an amount of each element being within a range of from 150 parts per million to 1000 parts per million relative to a total doped weight of the gamma-alumina substrate. Additionally, at least one element is combined with at least one element consisting of cesium, lithium, and magnesium, an amount of each element being within the range of from 150 parts per million to 1000 parts per million relative to the total doped weight of the gamma-alumina substrate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing auxiliary heat to a pre-compressor duct wall to reduce condensate formation. A coolant valve may control the delivery of heated engine coolant to the pre-compressor duct wall. The coolant valve may be adjusted based on condensate formation at the pre-compressor duct wall.

Abstract: A door arrester for vehicle doors of motor vehicles, comprising a retaining part for fastening to a door or door pillar and a housing. A door retaining bar passes through a through-opening in the housing in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The door retaining bar is pivotably fastened to the door or door pillar and has a contact surface which comprises at least one first contact portion and at least one ramp-shaped second contact portion. At least one retaining body is pretensioned in the direction of the door retaining bar by a spring element and guided in the housing. The retaining body comprises at least two contact elements, wherein the contact elements have different coefficients of friction relative to the operative connection with the contact surface of the door retaining bar.

Abstract: An inertial lockout mechanism is coupled to a latch mechanism, such that, during a collision event, the inertial lockout mechanism will move to an interference position such that the latch mechanism will be retained in a locked position as an inertial force is realized on the latch mechanism. Specifically tailored compression spring configurations ensure that the inertial lockout mechanism will move to the interference position before the latch mechanism can move to the unlocked position.

Abstract: Road grade is modeled over a region in which a vehicle is driven on roadways having a grade that varies over a plurality of predetermined grade ranges. A succession of grade values are generated while operating the vehicle at a predetermined rate, wherein each grade value identifies a respective grade range then being encountered. A Markov chain road-grade model is updated in response to the succession of grade values, wherein the model represents respective elements of probability in a matrix of transition events from each predetermined grade range to a respective next-in-succession grade range. Each element of the matrix has a value ?i,j representing a weighted frequency of transition events from a first respective grade value to a second respective grade value divided by a weighted frequency of transition events initiating from the first respective grade value, so that the matrix successively approximates the road grade of the region.

Abstract: A biocidal composition comprising 2,2-dibromomalonamide and a surface active biocide, and its use for the control of microorganisms in aqueous and water-containing systems.

Abstract: In a method of forming a polyacetal or polyketal, a specific acetal- or ketal-containing bis(aryl)acetal is coupled with itself or a comonomer in the presence of a catalyst and a base. The polymerization reaction tolerates hydroxyl and other functional groups on the bis(aryl)acetal. Among other applications, the polyacetals and polyketals are useful components of photoresist compositions.

Abstract: A check assembly for a visor assembly of a vehicle is coupled with a headliner of a vehicle roof near a center portion of the vehicle, away from the vehicle door or windows. A clip on the check assembly is adapted to secure small lightweight items and deter such items from being exposed to weather or wind conditions near vehicle door windows, a vehicle sunroof, or an exposed top. The visor portion may engage a clasp on the check assembly and operate between deployed and non-deployed positions, whereby the clip of the check assembly may be concealed in the non-deployed position. According to one embodiment, the check assembly includes a resilient clip protruding rearward from a body portion thereof over a depressed area on the headliner for holding a lightweight item therebetween.

Abstract: An exhaust system is described including an exhaust manifold having different length runners, with an emission control device housing a plurality of catalyst bricks, at least one of which having a multi-cell density. In this way, uneven exhaust mixing may be addressed without modifying packaging of the exhaust system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using compressor recirculation flow via a venturi to enhance low pressure EGR flow. The opening of a compressor recirculation valve can be adjusted based on EGR flow demand to recirculate cooled compressed air through a venturi while generating vacuum for drawing EGR. The approach allows for concurrent EGR control and surge control.

Abstract: A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib extends laterally outwardly from the central body.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, an amount of water in charge air exiting the CAC may be based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC. Further, engine actuators may be adjusted to increase combustion stability and/or reduce condensate formation based on the amount of water exiting the CAC.

Abstract: A vehicle front end structure including a fender support rail that includes a plurality of slots defined by an outer wall of the rail that facilitates bending the rail in a transverse vehicle direction. A plurality of circular holes may be provided that are defined in the rail adjacent a bend in the rail to facilitate fracturing the rail in a collision event. A bracket is attached to the rail adjacent the circular holes to inhibit the rail in that area from bending in an outboard direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinder during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combustion stability.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, engine operation may be adjusted responsive to water storage parameters at the CAC, the water storage parameters based on an output of a first oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC and a second oxygen sensor positioned upstream of the CAC. Further, operation of the first oxygen sensor and the second oxygen sensor may be diagnosed during certain engine operation conditions wherein no condensate is forming in the CAC.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an engine that is supplied a fuel having a low super critical temperature is presented. In one example, the method supplies excess fuel to a direct injection fuel rail to cool a portion of the fuel system that is near direct fuel injectors. The heat is drawn from the direct injection fuel rail to a fuel tank where the heat is removed via injecting fuel vapors to the engine.

Abstract: An engine system including an air intake duct positioned upstream of an engine cylinder may include an ice ingestion feature for retaining condensation. An ice ingestion feature may include indents formed in the bottom of an air intake duct wall. As such, the ice ingestion feature may include compartments and/or grooves of varying depths, widths, and/or angles such that the ice retention rate may be based on the surface area of the compartment or grooves.

Abstract: A system and method are described for reducing NOx emissions following deceleration fuel shut off (DFSO). The method comprises: cutting off fuel to the engine during a deceleration event; open loop operating the engine air/fuel ratio rich of stoichiometry for a predetermined time after the deceleration event; feedback controlling the air/fuel ratio on average near a value rich of stoichiometry for a preselected time after said predetermined time; and feedback controlling the air/fuel ratio returning to stoichiometry after the preselected time.

Abstract: A device and a system are provided. The system may include a perforated barrier disposed within an exhaust stream downstream from the combustion chamber(s). The barrier may divide the exhaust stream radially and longitudinally. A mixing surface may be coupled with the perforated barrier which may define a path within the exhaust stream to impart a swirl to the exhaust stream.