Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising the following: A) an ethylene/?-olefin/diene interpolymer; B) an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer with a Mooney Viscosity [ML(1+4) at 125° C.] greater than 40; and C) a peroxide; and wherein the ?-olefin of the ethylene/?-olefin copolymer of component B comprises at least four carbon atoms; and wherein component A is present in an amount from 50 to 95 weight percent, based on the sum weight of components A and B.

Abstract: A method of monitoring catalyst performance may comprise applying a set of parameter readings for a given sample to a support vector machine to generate a classification output, clustering the set of parameter readings to reduce a number of support vectors, computing a total fuel mass following a deceleration fuel shut-off event and an exhaust gas oxygen sensor switch and indicating catalyst degradation based on the total fuel mass.

Abstract: The invention is a method of forming a cadmium sulfide based buffer on a copper chalcogenide based absorber in making a photovoltaic cell. The buffer is sputtered in two steps the first being at low rates or relatively high pressures and the second at high rates or relatively low pressures. The resulting cell has good efficiency and according to one embodiment is characterized by a narrow interface between the absorber and buffer layers. The buffer is further characterized according to a second embodiment by a relatively high oxygen content.

Abstract: A predictive enhanced maneuverability system providing enhanced timely delivery of vehicle performance selection of chassis, and steering modes for potential predicted safety collisions is disclosed. The primary inputs of the disclosed invention include a determination of the proximity to a preceding vehicle, the density of the surrounding traffic, a forward collision warning alert, and the predictive enhanced maneuverability decision sub-system for vehicle mode selection. The system of the disclosed invention provides a customized vehicle dynamics chassis and steering dynamic mode output, based on a predicted decision about vehicle potential for collision, for improved driver maneuverability and safety. In addition, the disclosed invention provides an improved system and method for incorporating the time dependent headway, forward collision warning alert, and the traffic density for chassis collision-mode embedded decision-making.

Abstract: The invention provides a high pressure polymerization process to form an ethylene-based polymer, the process comprising at least the following steps: feeding ethylene to a first reaction zone and to one or more subsequent reaction zones, and wherein for each subsequent reaction zone that receives fresh ethylene, the ratio, Rn (n=reaction zone number, n>1), of “mass fraction of fresh ethylene fed to the first reaction zone (RZ1)” to “mass fraction of fresh ethylene fed to the nth reaction zone (RZn)” is (Rn=RZ1/RZn) greater than 1, or is from 0 to 0.

Abstract: A transmission park-brake system includes a transmission park brake, a solenoid, first, second and third pressure sources, and a servo valve for disengaging the park-brake using the first and second pressure sources, holding the park-brake disengaged using a force produced by the solenoid and one of the first and second pressure sources, and engaging the park-brake using the third pressure source.

Abstract: A system may include at least one sensor configured to detect at least one vital signal, wherein the sensor is positioned proximate to a driver within a vehicle seat. At least one contact element may be configured to detect at least one reference signal, wherein the contact element surrounds a vehicle steering wheel. At least one resistor may be coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to receive the reference signal from the contact element.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an engine is disclosed herein. The exhaust system includes a catalytic converter, a heat collector downstream from the catalytic converter, and a heat transfer system receiving waste exhaust heat via a thermosyphon evaporator for storage and/or use in a cabin heating system. In this way, waste heat is utilized to provide better cabin heating, particularly at engine cold start.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting catalyst heating and generating vacuum by controlling an EBV to direct exhaust through an ejector arranged in parallel with the EBV. A position of the EBV may be controlled to achieve a desired exhaust backpressure for current engine operating conditions and stored vacuum level. Compensation for the effect of EBV position on engine airflow may be provided by adjustment of other parameters such as intake throttle position and spark timing.

Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission fluid circuit includes a lube circuit, a source of control pressure, a first valve for engaging and disengaging a control element whose engagement produces desired forward gears, and a control valve, responsive to control pressure, that alternately connects the lube circuit to a sump and disconnects fluid feed to the first valve, and disconnects the lube circuit from the sump and feeds fluid to the first valve.

Abstract: A turbocharger is provided herein. The turbocharger includes a housing and an adjustable core at least partially circumferentially surrounded by the housing, the adjustable core having a turbine rotor coupled to a compressor rotor via a shaft. The turbocharger further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to the adjustable core configured to adjust an axial position of the housing relative to the adjustable core in response to adjustment commands.

Abstract: A system for supplying vacuum to a vacuum consumption device of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes an electrically driven vacuum pump selectively routing air to an air intake system upstream and downstream of a turbocharger.

Abstract: A method of supplying fuel vapor to an exhaust aftertreatment device of a motor vehicle is provided. The method includes evaporating fuel on a voltage-biased, resistive heating element, the element set in an enclosure configured to release fuel vapor to the exhaust-aftertreatment device, and indicating that the element is degraded if a current flowing through the element is less than a threshold current. In some embodiments, the threshold current is based on the ambient temperature and/or the amount of fuel in the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a foaminess characterization method for characterizing liquid foams and defoamers and a foam generation method for generating the liquid foams.

Abstract: A cylinder head of an engine with an integrated exhaust manifold is provided. In one example, the inner exhaust runners and outer exhaust runners have different cross-sectional areas. This arrangement may be beneficial to maintain exhaust flow rates in the integrated exhaust manifold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conditioning a throttle command so that, on average, a difference between an actual airflow rate and a commanded airflow rate is substantially zero. A commanded throttle position is modified with a correction factor to also reduce a throttle angle error. By reducing engine air disturbances, engine performance is improved.

Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic brake system is described. A method of operating a hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle having a mechatronic brake booster to boost a hydraulic pressure generated in a brake master cylinder of the brake system by a brake pedal of the motor vehicle determines whether a propulsion request is present during operation of the motor vehicle and actuates the mechatronic brake booster when a propulsion request has ended or been substantially reduced. During a predetermined time interval after the propulsion request has ended or been reduced, the mechatronic brake booster is operated at a minimum intensity such that no braking effect occurs during the predetermined time interval, unless a braking request occurs.

Abstract: An air extractor optimized for reducing closing efforts when closing a vehicle door is provided. The air extractor includes one or more openings that allow air flow between the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the vehicle exterior. The air extractor also includes a closure member that is movable between an open and closed position, wherein the open position allows air flow through the one or more openings and the closed position inhibits air flow through the one or more openings. The air extractor further includes an actuator that moves the closure member to the open position when one or more vehicle doors are opened and subsequently moves the closure member to the closed position once all doors have been closed.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback having a panel movable to a reclined position and a cushion slidably coupled with the panel to slide down in the reclined position. A base is pivotally supporting the panel and has a concave portion. A seat has a bottom portion slidably coupled with the concave portion for sliding the seat to an upward angle when the panel moves to the reclined position.

Abstract: Various bulkhead inserts having a cracked cap are provided. In one example, a cylinder block includes a plurality of cylinder bores, a crankcase disposed below the cylinder block in a vertical direction, and a plurality of inserts, where each adjacent pair of inserts of the plurality of inserts partitions each cylinder bore of the plurality of cylinder bores. Each insert of the plurality of inserts has an upper portion and a cap disposed below the upper portion, the cap cracked from the upper portion and rejoined to the upper portion by one or more fastening devices, the upper having one or more upper bosses, each upper boss having a surface with extruded, circumferentially-extending serrations.