Abstract: A method and system for managing tire pressure in a vehicle are disclosed. The system is a tire pressure monitoring system associated with the tire pressure sensors. The method includes the general steps of informing the operator that air pressure in a tire is below a desired level, causing the sensor to undertake a rapid sampling of pressure of the tire during an interim state while the vehicle is being driven, advising the operator to manually add pressure to the tire in discrete increments of, for example, between 5 and 10 seconds, causing the sensor to undertake a rapid sampling of tire pressure while air is being manually added to the tire, and causing the sensor to transmit tire air pressure data until the operator stops adding air. The method may also include the step of providing the operator with feedback when a predetermined tire air pressure is reached.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a traction motor, and a transmission selectively coupled in series by a clutch include modulating engine torque while the clutch is disengaged and while engine speed is less than motor speed to increase the engine speed. The clutch is engaged to connect the engine to the motor in response to the engine speed exceeding the motor speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods that are used to decolorize compositions containing one or more amines in the presence of one or more weak acids. Significantly, the weak acids, particularly organic acids such as glacial acetic acid, when used in combination with a heat treatment produce dramatically less by-products than do the stronger mineral acids, making heat treatments and subsequent separation techniques more effective while producing less waste. In some modes of practice, the weak acids do not need to be neutralized, eliminating neutralizing steps and waste streams associated with neutralization. Low color products can be obtained easily at very high yield as a consequence.

Abstract: An air conditioning method is provided. The method comprises when a refrigerant circuit is in operation and a temperature of an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is lower than a temperature of a heat exchanger of a heating circuit, transferring heat from the heat exchanger to air passing through the heat exchanger, and when the refrigerant circuit is not in operation and the temperature of the evaporator is higher than the temperature of the heat exchanger, transferring heat from the air passing through the heat exchanger to the heat exchanger. In this way, the heat exchanger functions to augment the cooling capabilities of the evaporator.

Abstract: A low cost fault detection and protection method and embodiment circuit can detect short circuit faults between an inverter system control (ISC) circuit outputs and a chassis, an electrical machine winding and a chassis, and a DC bus and a chassis. A fault protection unit (FPU) can monitor chassis voltage with respect to a DC bus to detect the presence of a short circuit fault, and provide status output indication of whether a fault is detected. By way of example, an FPU can include a window detector and a signal transmitter. An FPU can provide status output to an ISC controller configured to terminate ISC operation when any of the aformentioned faults is present, thereby preventing damage to devices contained in the ISC circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is a method comprising depositing a metal oxide layer as part of the production of an optoelectrically active device and exposing the metal oxide layer to a reactive agent to form a relatively hydrophobic surface. The invention also includes device so made, preferably a photovoltaic device, which shows improved stability as compared to devices not subject to the treatment.

Abstract: A process comprising: A) contacting one or more of sources of silicon oxide, selected from water sol-uble.silica sources arid alkali metal silicates, with an aqueous reaction medium, comprising one or more nonionic surfactants and thereby forming mesoporous structures comprising crosslinked silicon oxide units, wherein said cross-linked silicon oxide units have pores of about 1 to about 100 nanometers and wherein the aqueous reaction medium exhibits a pH of about 0 to about 4.0; B) exposing the aqueous reaction medium containing the mesoporous structures to elevated temperatures for a time sufficient to achieve the desired structure and pore size. Preferred water soluble silica sources comprise silicic acid, or po!ysilicic acids, The aqueous reaction, medium is prepared by combining one or more nonionic surfactants and water, theteby forming an aqueous, reaction medium. comprising micelles. Preferably, the aqueous reaction medium further comprises, a.

Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement includes four simple planetary gear sets arranged in two planes to reduce axial length. Six shift elements, including two input clutches, two output clutches, and two brakes, are engaged in combinations of three to establish nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The two output clutches may be assembled into a module suitable for testing before installation.

Abstract: A composition comprising a) one or more isocyanate functional components, one or more oligomers or prepolymers containing isocyanate functional groups and alkoxysilane groups, or prepolymers having a flexible backbone and silane moieties capable of silanol condensation: b) one or more catalysts for the reaction of isocyanate moieties with active hydrogen atom containing groups or for silanol condensation; c) one or more compounds comprising a dihydrocarbyl hydroxyl amine, an alicyclic hydroxyl amine, a nitrile oxide of a dihydrocarbyl hydroxyl amine or a nitrile oxide of an alicyclic hydroxyl amine in a sufficient amount to enhance the ultraviolet stability of the composition in a cured state; and d) a pigment that does not have reinforcing properties or the composition contains one of one or more oligomers or prepolymers containing isocyanate functional groups and alkoxysilane groups, or prepolymers having a flexible backbone and silane moieties capable of silanol condensation.

Abstract: A method and system improving vehicle operation is presented. In one example, the vehicle data is transmitted between a vehicle and a cloud computer. The cloud computer adjusts engine control parameters and the vehicle is operated based on the adjusted engine control parameters.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode having a first gas diffusion layer and a first catalyst layer, an anode including a second gas diffusion layer and a second catalyst layer and a proton exchange membrane disposed between the cathode and anode. A microporous layer is disposed between the first gas diffusion layer and the first catalyst layer. The microporous layer defines a plurality of domains extending between opposite surfaces of the microporous layer. Under freezing conditions the microporous layer is arranged to concentrate ice formation within the domains to reduce an amount of frozen water within the catalyst layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating fuel volatility. During a vehicle-off condition following a refueling event, fuel volatility may be estimated. Based on estimated fuel volatility, fuel injection amount and leak test thresholds may be adjusted.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for draining condensate from a charge air cooler during a compressor bypass valve event. In one example, an engine controller may open a drain valve in the charge air cooler in response to potential compressor surge conditions. Opening the drain valve may be further based on an amount of condensate in the charge air cooler and a required decrease in pressure at an outlet of the compressor during the compressor bypass valve event.

Abstract: A method, comprising: operating an engine cylinder with fuel from a first injector and not a second injector and activating the second injector in response to a rail pressure increase of a fuel rail, the fuel rail coupled to the second injector. In this way, degradation of the second injector may be reduced by activating the second injector and allowing fuel flow through the second injector to reduce the pressure and temperature of the fuel rail.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust emissions by adjusting an injection profile for fuel injected into an engine cylinder from a plurality of fuel injectors during engine start and crank. By splitting injection of fuel during start so that a portion of fuel is port injected and a remaining portion is direct injected as one or multiple injections, the soot load of the engine can be reduced and fuel economy can be improved. The injections are adjusted based on the alcohol content of the injected fuel to take advantage of the charge cooling properties of the fuel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust emissions by adjusting an injection profile for different fuels injected into an engine cylinder from different fuel injectors during engine start and crank. By splitting fuel injection during start and cranking so that fuel of lower alcohol content is port injected and fuel of higher alcohol content is direct injected as one or multiple injections, the soot load of the engine can be reduced and fuel economy can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate comprising coated or uncoated paperboard coated with a film that comprises a polymeric binder, TiO2, and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate. Paper or paperboard coated with a film containing tetrapotassium pyrophosphate shows excellent optical properties.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine system is provided. The method includes maintaining an intake volume positioned upstream of a throttle and downstream of air cleaner within a selected operating pressure range through adjustment of a balance purge valve positioned upstream of the intake volume and a gas discharge source.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to homogeneous liquid low molecular weight ethylene/alpha-olefin polymers having a number average molecular weight (Mn) as determined by gel permeation chromatography, of less than 25,000, a total crystallinity, as measured by DSC, of less than 10%, and a pour point, as measured by ASTM D97, of less than 50° C. The subject invention also pertains to homogeneous gel-like low molecular weight ethylene/alpha-olefin polymers having a number average molecular weight (Mn) as determined by gel permeation chromatography, of less than 25,000, a total crystallinity, as measured by DSC, of less than 50%, and a pour point, as measured by ASTM D97, of less than 90° C.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes determining whether a time of day corresponds to a charging window, responsive to a determination that a vehicle is in a non-charging state. The method also includes retrieving a start time and charge requirement for an upcoming journey. The method further includes determining if sufficient time remains to charge a vehicle to the charge requirement, responsive to a determination that the time of day corresponds to the charging window. Also, the method includes alerting a user to the non-charging state, responsive to a determination that insufficient time remains to charge the vehicle to the charge requirement.