Abstract: In some examples, reduced engine displacement reduces an engine's ability to provide brake booster vacuum. The present application relates to intake systems including a vacuum aspirator to generate vacuum.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes a pump housing including an inner surface, a pump inlet and an excess flow passage, a filter assembly including a spout extending into the housing, and an insert located within and secured to the housing, and including a first surface spaced from the inner surface and producing therebetween an annular nozzle communicating with said excess flow passage, the nozzle directing a first fluid stream exiting the excess flow passage toward a second fluid stream exiting the spout, the fluid streams flowing toward the pump inlet.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a liquid supplied to an engine of a motor vehicle by a pump when the temperature of the liquid is low, thereby reducing the operating efficiency of the engine. The method comprises inefficient operation of the pump by constricting flow to create heat that is transferable to the liquid. Inefficient operation of the pump is enacted when service brakes are applied and the vehicle is decelerating to minimize negative impact on fuel economy and overall engine efficiency.

Abstract: Vehicle apparatus adjusts a vehicle powertrain of the vehicle in response to a speed setpoint. An optimizer selects a control policy to periodically generate speed adjustments for applying to the speed setpoint to operate at increased efficiency. The control policy is based on a value function providing an optimized solution for a cost model and a transition probability model. The transition probability model corresponds to a driving state defined according to a plurality of dimensions including a time-of-day dimension and a geographic region dimension. The transition probability model and the control policy have inputs based on road grade and speed. The optimizer collects road grade data during routine driving of the vehicle to construct a observed transition probability model and uses divergence between the observed transition probability model and a set of predetermined transition probability models to identify a control policy for use during the routine driving.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon trap is provided for reducing cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. The trap contains an acidic absorption material for improving absorption of low molecular weight hydrocarbons. The acidic absorption materials may be used either alone or in combination with zeolites which are integrated into and/or supported on a monolithic substrate. The hydrocarbon trap may be positioned in the exhaust gas passage of a vehicle such that hydrocarbons are adsorbed on the trap and stored until the engine and exhaust reach a sufficient temperature for desorption.

Abstract: A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having sensitivity control based on a user selected sensitivity input. The switch includes a proximity sensor such, as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. The proximity switch also includes control circuitry for processing the sense activation field to sense user activation of the switch by comparing the sense activation field to a threshold. The proximity switch further includes a user sensitivity input for receiving a user selected sensitivity input. The control circuitry controls sensitivity of the comparison based on the user selected sensitivity input.

Abstract: Vehicle apparatus includes a speed control for adjusting a vehicle powertrain of the vehicle in response to a speed setpoint. A grade estimator determines a road grade of a roadway where the vehicle is traveling. A traffic density estimator determines a density of traffic traveling on the roadway in the vicinity of the vehicle. An optimizer executes a selected control policy to periodically generate speed adjustments for applying to the speed setpoint to operate the vehicle powertrain at increased efficiency. The control policy is based on a value function providing an optimized solution for a cost model responsive to the determined road grade to generate an initial speed offset. The optimizer reduces the initial speed offset in proportion to the determined traffic density to generate the speed adjustments. The system minimizes negative impacts to overall traffic flow as well as any negative contribution to reduced fuel efficiency of surrounding traffic.

Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a piston operable to reciprocate in a cylinder, a crankshaft rotatably coupled to the piston, and a supercharger rotatably coupled to the crankshaft. The supercharger has an unequal distribution of mass along a longitudinal plane of the supercharger to provide a rotational counterbalance to reduce engine imbalance.

Abstract: An air induction system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of a conduit configured to convey intake air to the engine; and a fitting arranged at an inlet end of the conduit, the fitting formed from a different material than the conduit, the fitting configured to interface with a structural support element of the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include compositions for use in enhanced oil recovery, and methods of using the compositions for recovering oil. Compositions of the present disclosure include a nonionic, non-emulsifying surfactant having a CO2-philicity in a range of about 1.5 to about 5.0, carbon dioxide in a liquid phase or supercritical phase, and water, where the nonionic, non-emulsifying surfactant promotes a formation of a stable foam formed of carbon dioxide and water.

Abstract: Provided is a surfactant composition comprising an oligoglycerol compound of formula I, wherein R and m are as defined above. The compounds exhibit favorable surfactancy properties. Advantageously, the compounds may be prepared from renewable materials.

Abstract: A vehicle sensing system may include a plurality of sensing components, each component including a housing configured to maintain a first sensor and a second sensor, an interface connected to each of the first sensor and the second sensor, and a first module and a second module connected to the interface, each configured to receive data from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a plasticizer composition, polymeric compositions containing the plasticizer composition, and conductors coated with the polymeric composition. The plasticizer composition includes a first plasticizer comprising epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters and a second plasticizer comprising an epoxidized natural oil. The plasticizer composition, first plasticizer, and/or second plasticizer can undergo one or more color-reducing treatment processes, such as distillation, filtration, and/or peroxide treatment.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly may include an actuation lever coupled to a brake pedal, and a push rod of a brake booster. The push rod may have a clevis on an end portion thereof. The actuation lever is configured to be pivotally supported between two prongs of the clevis via a clevis pin. The assembly may further include at least one alignment device configured to guide and position the clevis on the push rod into alignment with the actuation lever during construction of the brake assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photovoltaic cell where all metal components used in the electrical connection/electrical collection system are similar enough to avoid corrosion that may be caused by a galvanic cell effect. Specifically, all the metal components should be the same or should have very similar electric potentials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for learning torque estimate errors and updating torque estimation models are presented. In one example, torque errors are learned during an engine shut-down, after a disconnect clutch coupled between an engine and an electric machine has been released. An updated torque estimation model is then used to control torque during subsequent engine operation to improve drive feel and vehicle performance.

Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement produces nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. Two planetary gear sets are configured to rotate about an input axis while two planetary gear sets are configured to rotate about a second axis. Power is transferred from the input axis to the second axis by two pairs of axis transfer gears. The output element is located on the second axis.

Abstract: A side-support structure mounted over an upper side portion of a vehicle includes an upper horizontal portion attached to a portion of the roof of the vehicle. A central arcuate portion of the side-support structure is attached to a portion of the vehicle between the roof and the side-pillar of the vehicle. The side-support structure also includes a lower vertical portion attached to an upper portion of the side-pillar of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polymeric composition. The polymeric composition includes: (A) a propylene-based polymer; (B) an ethylene/a-olefin polymer; (C) a block composite comprising: i) a propylene-based crystalline polymer; ii) an ethylene/a-olefin polymer; and iii) a block copolymer comprising a propylene-based crystalline block and an ethylene/a-olefin block. The polymeric composition provides improved heat seals when formed into film, film layer, or flexible containers such as retort pouch.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.