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.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a time delay and line length of each sample of a set of exhaust gas sensor responses collected during a commanded change in air-fuel ratio. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored utilizing robust parameters in a non-intrusive manner.

Abstract: A method of balancing a crankshaft includes connecting a torsion-absorbing pendulum to a cheek of the crankshaft, which is coupled to a crankpin. As the pendulum connected to the cheek has insufficient mass to balance the crankshaft, a lightening bore is formed through a bisection plane of the cheek. In forming the lightening bore, enough material is removed from the cheek so that the mass of the pendulum becomes sufficient to balance the crankshaft.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for fuel systems including a gaseous fuel. Fuel rail over-pressure may be addressed by temporarily closing a fuel tank valve of the gaseous fuel and initiating diagnostics routines to determine if a pressure regulator is degraded. If the pressure regulator is degraded, one or more fuel system components may be adjusted to enable fuel rail pressure control.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for a variable geometry turbine. In one example, a turbine nozzle comprises a central axis and a nozzle vane. The nozzle vane includes a stationary vane and a sliding vane. The sliding vane is positioned to slide in a direction substantially tangent to an inner circumference of the turbine nozzle and in contact with the stationary vane.

Abstract: An electrode dresser is provided. The electrode dresser includes a face cutting segment having a top surface and a face rake surface. The top surface intersects the face rake surface and forms a face cutting edge. The face cutting edge is configured to remove deposits located on a face of an electrode. The face rake surface forms a face rake angle with a line generally perpendicular to the top surface. A side cutting segment extends from the face cutting segment and has a top surface and a side cutting surface. The top surface intersects the side cutting surface thereby forming a side cutting edge. The side cutting edge is configured to dress a distorted tapered side of an electrode tip. The side cutting surface forms a side rake angle with a line perpendicular to the top surface. The face rake angle is different from the side rake angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides strategies for improving the adhesion among two or more of transparent conducting oxides, electrically conductive grid materials, and dielectric barrier layers. As a consequence, these strategies are particularly useful in the fabrication of heterojunction photovoltaic devices such as chalcogenide-based solar cells. When the barrier is formed and then the grid is applied to vias in the barrier, the structure has improved moisture barrier resistance as compared to where the barrier is formed over or around the grid. Adhesion is improved to such a degree that grid materials and dielectric barrier materials can cooperate to provide a hermetic seal over devices to protect against damage induced by environmental conditions, including damage due to water intrusion. This allows the collection grids to be at least partially exposed above the dielectric barrier, making it easy to make electronic connection to the devices.

Abstract: A laminated vehicle glazing comprising: at least two glazing panes laminated together by at least one interlayer therebetween; at least one sensor which is manually operable by the presence of a user's hand contacting or proximal to at least one of the panes; at least one shield associated with the at least one sensor whereby the at least one sensor is manually operable by the presence of a user's hand from only one side of the vehicle glazing; and at least one connector electrically connected to the at least one sensor connectable to an external device for control of the external device by manual operation of the at least one sensor.

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: The present disclosure provides a flexible, halogen-free, flame retardant composition. The composition includes from about 25 wt % to about 95 wt % of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % of an olefin block copolymer (OBC); and from about 30 wt % to about 70 wt % of a flame retardant. The flame retardant is selected from resorcinol bis(diphenyl 5 phosphate) (RDP), bis diphenyl phosphate (BDP), bisphenol-A bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BPADP), aluminum trihydrate (ATH), a nitrogen/phosphorus-based halogen-free flame retardant, epoxidized novolac resin, and combinations thereof. The composition requires no compatibilizer for the TPU and OBC. The composition finds application in wire and cable structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an impact modified composition comprising ethylene/?-olefin interpolymers. The ethylene/?-olefin interpolymers are characterized by an average block index, ABI, which is greater than zero and up to about 1.0 and a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, greater than about 1.3. In addition or alternatively, the block ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer is characterized by having at least one fraction obtained by Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation (“TREF”), wherein the fraction has a block index greater than about 0.3 and up to about 1.0 and the ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, greater than about 1.4.

Abstract: A vehicle's dynamic handling state, driver inputs to the vehicle, etc. may be examined to determine one or more measures of driver workload. Driver interface tasks may then be delayed and/or prevented from executing based on the driver workload so as to not increase the driver workload. Alternatively, driver interface tasks may be schedule for execution based on the driver workload and caused to execute according to the schedule, for example, to minimize the impact the executing driver interface tasks have on driver workload.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is started and idled before engine torque is required so that driveline torque response may be improved.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle controller having a processor and in communication with a communications device and vehicle display, the controller configured to receive a sensor input containing at least one of a fault trigger and a contextual data captured during the fault trigger. The controller may analyze, via the processor, the fault trigger to determine a fault event. The controller may determine an appropriate service center and transmit, via the communications device, the fault event and contextual data to the service center. The controller may be configured to receive an analysis report and an appointment request and output the analysis report and appointment request to a vehicle display device.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a low-molecular-weight (LMW) ethylene polymer component and a high-molecular-weight (HMW) ethylene polymer component coupled with a polysulfonyl azide. Preferably, the LMW polyethylene component and the HMW polyethylene component co-crystallize in the composition such that it exhibits a single or substantially single peak in a lamella thickness distribution (LTD) curve. The ethylene polymer for the LMW and the HMW polyethylene components can be either homopolymer or ethylene copolymer. Preferably, both components are an ethylene copolymer of the same, or different, composition (that is, with the same or different comonomers). A method of making a pipe that includes selecting a polymer composition having a substantially single peak in the LTD curve is described. Compositions comprising a chromium-catalyzed ethylene polymer, coupled with a polysulfonyl azide are also described herein.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system is provided herein. The PCV system includes an engine assembly, the engine assembly including an engine block, a cylinder head, a valve cover, and an intake manifold and a PCV passage providing fluidic communication between a crankcase of the engine assembly and a cylinder intake port of the engine assembly without hoses or conduits external to the engine assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to cellulose ether compositions for film-forming coating applications. A coating composition is provided which contains an aqueous solution of either a very low viscosity cellulose ether or a low-hydroxypropyl cellulose ether, the coating composition having low color, The low viscosity of the cellulose ether component enables the coating composition to contain a high concentration of cellulose ether. Provision of these high concentration cellulose ether coating solutions improves production efficiency by reducing the time required to coat a substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for producing a very low viscosity cellulose ether having little or no discoloration and cellulose ether products resulting therefrom. The method includes contacting a cellulose ether with an oxidizing agent and an acid to form a mixture. The mixture is then heated and neutralized. The method includes adding a second oxidizing agent to the mixture and forming a very low viscosity cellulose ether having a viscosity from 1.2 cP to less than 2 cP. The very low viscosity ether may also have an APHA color value of 1 to 100.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer suitable for use in shrinkage film applications, and articles made therefrom. The ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer according to the present invention has a CDBI of less than 60%, and comprises at least two fractions in crossfractionation of the ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer, eluting from 85° C. to 90° C. and from 90° C. to 95° C., comprising a weight fraction ratio of >0.68 and a molecular weight homogeneity index of greater than 0.65; wherein the weight fraction ratio is the ratio of the weight of polymer in each fraction divided by the weight of polymer eluting between 95° C. and 100° C. and the molecular weight homogeneity index is the ratio of the weight average molecular weight of the polymer in the fraction divided by the weight average molecular weight of the polymer eluting between 95° C. and 100° C., and wherein the ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer has a density in the range of 0.920 to 0.940 g/cm3.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a method for transitioning between regenerative braking and providing positive torque to a driveline is presented.