Abstract: A reinforcement assembly for a liftgate system includes vertical and horizontal portions. The horizontal portion includes a protuberant portion that includes a top wall configured to be affixed to an outer panel of the liftgate system, and to form a space with an inner panel of the liftgate system. The vertical portion is configured to be affixed to a vertical portion of an inner panel.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner attachment system includes a moonroof assembly having a peripheral structure surrounding at least one glass panel. A headliner has an upper surface surrounding an opening that aligns with at least one glass panel. A select one of a plurality of carriers and a pair of longitudinal rails protrudes down from laterally opposing sides of the peripheral structure. The other of the plurality of carriers and the pair of longitudinal rails coupled with the upper surface of the headliner proximate the opening. The plurality of connectors each have a connector slidably engaged with a select one of the pair of longitudinal rails and a resilient element biasing carrier away from the select one of the pair of longitudinal rails.

Abstract: A cover, sample tray and base may form a hydrogen storage engineering properties analyzer. In at least one embodiment, the sample tray includes a plurality of cooling fins, each of which includes a sample well therein. A variety of hydrogen storage materials may be loaded into and unloaded from each sample well by way of a respective sample well opening. The combined cover and sample tray define at least one plenum which may be in fluid communication between a source of pressurized hydrogen gas and each sample well. The cooling fins may be received by a cooling chamber defined within the base and configured to receive a through-flow of heat-exchange fluid. Certain embodiments may include one or more pressure transducers in fluid communication between the plenum and hydrogen source, and thermal transducers connected to portions of the cooling fins.

Abstract: An interpolymer of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin is claimed, wherein the ethylene interpolymer is characterized as having an average Mv and a valley temperature between the interpolymer and high crystalline fraction, Thc, such that the average Mv for a fraction above Thc from ATREF divided by average Mv of the whole polymer from ATREF (Mhc/Mp) is less then about 1.95 and wherein the interpolymer has a CDBI of less than 60%. The interpolymer of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin can also be characterized as having a high density (HD) fraction and an overall density such that % HD fraction<?2733.3+2988.7x+144111.5 (x?0.92325)2 where x is the density in grams/cubic centimeter. Fabricated articles comprising the novel interpolymers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine, the method comprising identifying cylinder stroke during the engine start responsive to a fuel rail pressure.

Abstract: A rotor for a brushless motor is resistant to degradation in alternative fuels and has desirable magnetic properties. A stator for a brushless DC motor includes coils wound both clockwise and counterclockwise around teeth of a back iron. Pairs of the coils are electrically connected in parallel.

Abstract: A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension support structure including a lower arm (17) formed by, for example, a lower arm 17 rotatably supporting a knuckle for a front wheel, and a shock absorber attenuating vibration of the lower arm (17), wherein a lower end of the shock absorber is rotatably supported by a support bracket 32 that is welded to an upper face of the lower arm (17) formed by, for example, the lower arm 17, and wherein in the upper face of the lower arm (17), a bulged portion 40 is formed where a weld target portion to which an end of the support bracket 32 is welded is formed to bulge upwards as compared to the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a driver of a vehicle includes positioning a cellular telephone within a vehicle such that a camera of the cellular telephone views a driver's head, executing application software on the cellular telephone to capture images of the head using the camera, categorizing a pose of the head from the captured images, and affecting at least one safety system of the vehicle based on the categorization.

Abstract: A beam sub-assembly for a vehicle includes a beam member and at least one carbon-fiber prepreg bonded to a first portion of an exterior surface of the beam member so as to cover an entire length of the beam member along the first portion.

Abstract: A camera mounted in a motor vehicle cabin monitors an upper body and/or face of a vehicle occupant. A computer unit applies pattern recognition methods to compare an image from the camera with reference data stored in a database, and to determine based on the comparison that the occupant is experiencing neck discomfort. The neck discomfort determination is made based on the comparison indicating a change in occupant posture, a change in occupant facial expression, and/or a relaxation movement of the upper body and/or of a head of the occupant. If neck discomfort is detected, warm air and/or infrared light is directed toward the affected neck area to alleviate the discomfort.

Abstract: A composition is provided, comprising microcapsules, wherein said microcapsules comprise a core and an outer shell, wherein said core comprises one or more water-insoluble compound having melting point above 15° C., wherein said outer shell comprises one or more amino resin that is a reaction product of reactants comprising one or more polyamine and formaldehyde, and wherein said composition further comprises one or more formaldehyde scavenger, one or more reaction product of said amino resin with a formaldehyde scavenger, or a mixture thereof. Also provided is a method of making such a composition.

Abstract: An article, for use in coupling a first member including a first material to a second member including a second material different than the first material, includes a clip having a first leg, a second leg, and a middle portion located between the first and second legs. The clip has an inner side including the first material and an outer side including the second material. The clip is aligned on one of the first and second members so the inner side of the clip contacts one of the first and second members and the outer side of the clip contacts the other of the first and second members.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting an asymmetric degradation response of an exhaust gas sensor to a more symmetric degradation response. In one example, a method includes adjusting fuel injection responsive to a modified exhaust oxygen feedback signal from an exhaust gas sensor, the modified exhaust oxygen feedback signal modified by transforming an asymmetric response of the exhaust gas sensor to a more symmetric response. Further, the method may include adjusting one or more parameters of an anticipatory controller of the exhaust gas sensor based on the modified symmetric response.

Abstract: A method of parking a running vehicle includes measuring a length of a parked vehicle that is proximate to a desired parking location, and estimating the width of the parked vehicle based on a regression equation. The running vehicle is parked based on the estimated width.

Abstract: A vehicle frame includes an outside rail section having an upper flange, a lower flange, and an inward facing cavity between the upper and lower flanges. An inside rail section is coupled along the upper and lower flanges of the outside rail section and has an outward facing cavity that aligns with the inward facing cavity to enclose an interior volume. A pair of hydroform tubes extending vertically through apertures at spaced longitudinal locations in the upper flange and engage a bottom surface of the inward cavity to define a pillar for supporting a vehicle roof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting ignition timing to one or more cylinders of a variable displacement engine responsive to a knock indication are described herein. In one particular example, during a partial cylinder mode, ignition timing to one or more cylinders may be adjusted responsive to a knock indication based on the number of cylinders deactivated; whereas during the full cylinder mode, ignition timing for all cylinders are adjusted responsive to a knock indication. Thereby, the systems and methods described allow a larger partial cylinder operating window that has a benefit of enhancing a vehicle's fuel economy.

Abstract: A dielectric fluid composition for electrical apparatus comprises a functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid having desirable properties including a pour point less than ?30° C. and a fire point greater than 250° C. It may be prepared by a process wherein 12-hydroxy methyl stearate is transesterified by reaction with a C3-C20 alcohol to form an alkyl-12-hydroxy stearate, followed by esterification thereof with a linear or branched C4-C20 carboxylic acid. This acid may be a free acid chloride, a fatty acid, a carboxylic acid anhydride, or combination thereof. The resulting functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid exhibits improved thermoxidative capability, low temperature flowability, and increased fire point.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a calcium carbonate slurry comprising the steps of (a) forming a mixture comprising water, an acidic dispersant system, and calcium carbonate, (b) grinding said mixture to form a preliminary slurry of particles of said calcium carbonate, wherein 50% or more by weight of said calcium carbonate in said preliminary slurry, based on the total weight of said calcium carbonate in said preliminary slurry, is in the form of particles having diameter of 2 micrometers or less, and wherein the pH of said preliminary slurry is 9.0 or below, and (c) after step (b), adding one or more organic neutralizing agent to bring the pH of said preliminary slurry to 9.4 or above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing two or more thin-film-based interconnected photovoltaic cells (100) comprising the steps of: a) providing a photovoltaic article comprising: a flexible conductive substrate, at least one photoelectrically active layer, and a top transparent conducting layer; b) forming one or more first channels (140) through the flexible conductive substrate to expose a portion of the photoelectrical]?—active layer; e) applying an insulating segment to the conductive substrate and spanning the one or more first-channel; d) forming one or more second channels off set from the one or more first channels—‘through—the photoelectrically active layer to expose a conductive surface of the flexible conductive substrate; I) forming one or more third channels (170) off set from both the first channels and the second channels, through the top transparent conducting layer and to the photoelectrically active layer: and g) applying an electrically conductive material (180) above t