Abstract: A vehicle powertrain including a planetary transmission including an output, a first member connected an a first power source and a second member connected to a second power source, a brake for alternately releasing the output and holding the output against rotation, a motor including a second output driveably connected to vehicle wheels, and a clutch for opening and closing a drive connection between the output and the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A load floor assembly for a vehicle includes a seatback that pivots between an upright position and a stowed position. A cargo floor extends rearward of the seatback, and a load panel is coupled with the cargo floor. The load panel moves between a rearward position and a forward position. In the forward position, the load panel extends over at least a lower portion of the seatback in the stowed position.

Abstract: A gas diffuser including a grid of aeration pipes spaced apart and in parallel alignment within a horizontal plane is provided. The aeration pipes have improved discharge hole placement along their lengths and around their circumferences to provide improved performance and reduced fouling of membrane filtration systems associated therewith.

Abstract: An exhaust system in an engine is provided. The exhaust system includes an exhaust passage including an outlet, in fluidic communication with at least one combustion chamber in the engine, and integrated into a cylinder head in the engine and a flow rotation element including at least one vane, the flow rotation element positioned in the outlet of the exhaust passage swirling exhaust airflow exiting the exhaust passage.

Abstract: A rearward viewing system for an automotive vehicle comprises an image display mounted proximate to a front windshield of the vehicle. An exterior image sensor captures a first image directed externally of the vehicle with a first field of view. An internal image sensor captures a second image directed internally of the vehicle with a second field of view. An image integrator merges the first and second images according to a predetermined alignment of the first and second fields of view, wherein the second image is muted in the merged image so that the first image is emphasized when displayed on the image display.

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. Some embodiment includes four simple planetary gear sets and six shift elements of which one is a brake. Another embodiment includes two axis transfer gear pairs in place of one of the planetary gear sets.

Abstract: A steering system to control a directional stability of a vehicle may include an active power steering assistance system, a sensor to detect vehicle dynamics data of the vehicle, a sensor to detect a torque of a steering system of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a torque value based on the vehicle dynamics data, calculate a torque component based on a difference between the torque value and the torque of the steering system, calculate a preliminary compensation torque on a basis of the torque component, calculate a final compensation torque by adding the preliminary compensation torque and the torque value, and actuate the active power steering assistance system based upon the final compensation torque. Systems and methods for controlling directional stability of a vehicle may compensate for short-term pull/drift and long-term pull/drift.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adjusting an engine powertrain component responsive to ambient humidity, the ambient humidity based on vehicle position in a region, clock time ambient temperature, and historical humidity data for that region for a current time of year. This may be accomplished without relying on a costly, and often, temperamental physical humidity sensor. Training modules and cloud updates may further increase the accuracy of the virtual humidity sensor of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A vehicle system, comprising an internal combustion engine, a transmission enclosed within a transmission case coupled to a gaseous fuel source, the transmission case having an amount of gaseous fuel located therein. Housing the transmission in a case containing low density gaseous fuel reduces the power losses from air resistance and increases fuel efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides functionalized block composites and crystalline block composites as compatibilizers. In particular, the invention provides compositions of at least three polymers and a compatibilizer. The compatibilizer comprises a functionalized olefin-based polymer formed from at least (A) and (B): (A) a crystalline block composite comprising: a block copolymer comprising a propylene-based crystalline block and crystalline ethylene-based block; a propylene-based crystalline polymer; and, a crystalline ethylene-based polymer; and (B) at least one functionalization agent or a functionalized olefin-based polymer formed from at least (A) and (B): (A) a crystalline block composite comprising: a block copolymer comprising a propylene-based crystalline block and crystalline ethylene-based block; a propylene-based crystalline polymer; and, a crystalline ethylene-based polymer; and (B) at least one functionalization agent.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide a hydromount, an inertial track and a method. The hydromount may a curvilinear inertial track fluidically coupled at a first end to a first fluid chamber, and fluidically coupled at a second end to a second fluid chamber. The hydromount may also include a choke disposed within the inertial track at a predetermined location to reduce a width of a flow path within the inertial track at the predetermined location.

Abstract: A vehicle climate control system is provided. The vehicle climate control system allows an occupant in the rear area of a vehicle to control the climate settings in the vehicle. It comprises a front climate interface, a rear climate interface, and a controller. When actuated, the controller disables the front climate interface and allows the rear climate interface to determine the climate settings. The controller is also operative to selectively restart a vehicle engine in order to reduce fuel consumption. The vehicle climate control system may be disabled when the engine is off and selectively enabled when the engine is operating.

Abstract: An interior arrangement for a vehicle including a front passenger seat having a head restraint, a rear seat, seat occupant sensors fitted to said seats, a head restraint position sensor, a motor for moving the head restraint between its functional position and its lowered position, and a central controller operatively associated with said sensors and said motor. The front passenger head restraint is moved up to its functional position from a stowed position each time a front seat passenger presence is detected according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment the front passenger head restraint is moved from a functional or upright position to a stowed or hidden position if the front seat is unoccupied and the rear seat is occupied.

Abstract: Methods for controlling a glow plug temperature in a diesel engine are herein described. In one example, a controller may adjust a first phase voltage coupled to the glow plug in relation to a parameter associated with engine start time, and couple a lower second phase voltage to the glow plug in order to control the cylinder temperature and thereby the engine start time. In one particular example, the reduced second phase voltage allows the operating cycle push phase to be extended, which increases glow plug durability and further allows for the useful life of the glow plug to be extended.

Abstract: An exhaust system in an engine is provided. The exhaust system includes an exhaust manifold include at least one exhaust runner having an inlet and a flow rotation element including at least one vane, the flow rotation element positioned in the inlet of the exhaust runner swirling exhaust airflow entering the exhaust runner.

Abstract: A method and tool for calibrating an extruded tube for use in a manufacturing operation. According to the method, the tube is stretched while in a clamping tool by approximately 3%. The tool encloses the tube while a stretching mechanism is clamped to opposite longitudinal ends of the tube and applies a stretching force to opposite ends of the tube. The tool includes a clamping mechanism that clamps the tube into a cavity and a stretching mechanism with clamps that are attached to opposite longitudinal ends of the tube to calibrate the tube by longitudinally stretching the tube.

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to detection of an end-stop position of a waste gate valve and calibration of a waste gate position sensor relative to the detected end-stop position are provided. In this way, it is possible to more accurately control the waste gate.

Abstract: A switchable engine mount is provided. The switchable engine mount includes an end plate including one or more openings in fluidic communication with a hydraulic source and a channel plate coupled to the end plate and including one or more hydraulic flow openings. The switchable engine mount further includes a decoupler including at least one decoupler plate at least partially enclosed by the channel plate and the end plate and a switching plate positioned adjacent to the decoupler and configured to axially actuate the decoupler in response to reception of an input force from an actuator, the input force non-parallel to the axially actuation.

Abstract: The invention provides a layered structure comprising at least two layers: A) a first layer A, formed from a composition A, comprising a polyurethane; and B) a second layer B, formed from a composition B, comprising at least one functionalized polymer B comprising the following: i) at least one polymerized monomeric unit comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of the following: a) an acid group, b) an anhydride group, c) a primary or secondary amine group, and d) combinations thereof; or ii) at least one reacted functionalization agent comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of the following: e) an acid group, f) an anhydride group, g) a primary or secondary amine group, and h) combinations thereof; or iii) combinations thereof; and wherein the functionalized polymer B has a number-average molecular weight greater than 1,000 g/mole, and/or a melt index (I2) less than, or equal to, 2500 g/10 min.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an ignition energy provided to an engine cylinder upon reactivation from a VDE mode of operation. Ignition energy is increased by increasing an ignition coil dwell time and/or an ignition coil strike frequency. The increased ignition energy improves combustion stability during the transition out of the VDE mode of operation.