Abstract: An apparatus for trimming scrap from an aluminum sheet metal blank is provided. The apparatus includes a clamping base comprising a clamping base engagement surface positioned between a clamping base upper surface and a clamping base bottom surface. The clamping base engagement has a clamping base vertically orientated portion and a clamping base angled portion. A steady blade is mounted to the clamping base. The steady blade and the clamping base form a contiguous angled engagement surface. The steady blade engagement surface forms a steady blade trimming edge. An elastic scrap support and an upper clamping element are included. A moving blade includes a moving blade trimming edge formed by the intersection of the moving blade blade-side surface and the moving blade engagement surface. The moving blade engagement surface distributing strain on the aluminum blank as the moving blade trimming edge separates the scrap element from the aluminum blank.

Abstract: A method and system for controllably transferring energy from a high voltage bus to a low voltage bus in a hybrid electric vehicle. A vehicle system controller controls a DC/DC converter coupled between the high voltage bus and the low voltage bus to control the transfer of energy therebetween.

Abstract: A test apparatus for testing a wheel for a vehicle, including a wheel test spindle and a road simulation drum that is rotated by a motor is disclosed. The wheel test spindle may be supported on suspension components. The road simulation drum includes a chuck hole recess that may be provided in a replaceable module comprising a portion of the outer surface of the drum. The motor rotates the drum causing the tire and wheel to rotate on the test spindle to roll against the outer surface of the drum and through the chuck hole recess.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The sensor system and controller determine not only the magnitude of an impact upon the vehicle, but also track subsequent motion of the vehicle, as well as the time which has elapsed since an impact, so as to decide if and when the fire suppressant agent should be dispersed. Alternatively, the fire suppressant agent may be dispersed following activation of a manual switch.

Abstract: A method for controlling engine idle in a vehicle having a motor connected to the engine through a power transfer unit is provide. Upon receiving a neutral command, the engine torque is commanded to approximately zero. The motor torque is adjusted to maintain an approximately constant engine speed as the engine torque is reduced. The torque from the engine transferred to the vehicle wheels is at or near zero. When the torque at the vehicle wheels is non-zero, a second motor is used to cancel the torque output from the engine so the torque at vehicle wheels is zero. When the engine torque has reached approximately zero, or when a predetermined amount of time has past, both motors are shutdown, and all of the remaining engine torque is transferred to the first motor through the power transfer unit.

Abstract: A steering shaft coupling for an automotive vehicle includes first and second shaft sections which are both serrated and which may be telescopically engaged. The shaft sections are locked together with an elastically deformable locking ring which is positioned within internal and external grooves formed on the shaft sections. The shaft sections are resiliently biased so as to resist unwanted vibration while in use in a vehicle by means of an elastomeric load and seal ring positioned between the assembled shaft sections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating and transferring a workpiece to a forming press for superplastic forming. The apparatus includes a heater assembly, having upper and lower heated platens, mounted to a frame. The heater assembly heats the workpiece to a predetermined temperature. A shuttle assembly operates to remove the heated workpiece from the heater assembly and transfer it to the forming press for forming.

Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an image sensor generating a plurality of image frames, and a controller coupled to the image sensor. The controller is programmed to detect an obstructed image frame from the plurality of image frames. The obstruction corresponds to a windshield wiper of the vehicle. In response to detecting an obstructed image, the controller optimizes the obstructed image for display or use by a vehicle system. The controller detects an obstructed image by at least one of object sensing confirmation, edge detection, negative shift detection or headlight illumination detection.

Abstract: A method and system of engine state determination includes a plurality of requestors each of which compares vehicle or environmental conditions to a requirement and outputs a request state variable. The requestors are grouped according to function or component and the request state variables are combined and simplified at the output of each group. A state machine receives the final combined and simplified request state, and evaluates it according to the active or inactive status of the requests. The state machine carries out the proper state transition and outputs the desired engine state to engine control algorithms that start or stop the engine as necessary.

Abstract: A controller and a control method for modifying battery discharge and charge power limits in a vehicle powertrain that includes an electric battery as a power source. The modification compensates for inaccurate estimates of battery discharge and charge power limits by using a closed loop feedback control based on error between a battery voltage set point and commanded battery voltage.

Abstract: A control system limits reactive torque in a powertrain that is generated when braking force is applied to traction wheels during a sudden stop or other sudden braking event. The reactive torque generated at the traction wheels is prevented from being transmitted upstream through the driveline and powertrain by using a slip type clutch in the driveline to limit the upstream transfer of the reactive wheel torque. The clutch is directly actuated by the reactive torque and therefore does not require special controls or monitoring systems to sense the braking event. The clutch pressure may be automatically adjusted in response to certain operating conditions or events, thereby adjusting the point at which the clutch begins to slip due to reactive wheel torque.

Abstract: A method of forming deep holes and a gundrill therefore is disclosed. The gundrill has an elongate tubular shank and a cutting tip, each provided with a tubular central region supplying pressurized drilling fluid and a non-circular fluid cross-section defining a drilling fluid return path in conjunction with the hole being formed. The cutting tip flute defines a primary rake surface terminating in an offset point, and a secondary flank surface for forming an outlet with the hole being drilled, sized to maintain fluid pressure in the bottom end space to cool the cutting surfaces and to effectively remove chips as they are formed. A localized relief passage, sized relative to the outlet passage to cause a significant amount of drilling fluid to flow therethrough, is formed behind a peripheral rake edge of the primary rake surface for drilling fluid to exit the end space and cool the tip.

Abstract: The present invention is an automotive collision mitigation system comprising at least one sensor for sensing first and second detection zones. A controller, responsive to the at least one sensor, determines at least one countermeasure attribute for reducing occupant injury potential.

Abstract: A roll stability control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes an external environment sensing system, such as a camera-based vision system, or a radar, lidar or sonar-based sensing system (43) that generates image, radar, lidar, and/or sonar-based signals. A controller (26) is coupled to the sensing system and generates dynamic vehicle characteristic signals in response to the image, radar, lidar, or sonar-based signals. The controller controls the rollover control system (18) in response to the dynamic vehicle control signal. The dynamic vehicle characteristics may include roll related angles, angular rates, and various vehicle velocities.

Abstract: An active light source operating system (10,11) for a vehicle (14) includes a light source (50) that generates an initial illumination beam (54). A selective attenuation filter (27,52) forms an emitted illumination beam (56), with an associated light attenuation matrix (32,33), in response to the initial illumination beam (54). A sensor (31) detects an object and generates an object detection signal. A controller (35) is coupled to the selective attenuation filter (27,52) and said sensor (31). The controller (35) attenuates a pixel (104) in the light attenuation matrix (32,33) in response to the object detection signal.

Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing to during the start of an internal combustion engine. Valves that may be deactivated are controlled in a manner to reduce hydrocarbon emissions during the start of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system (11) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a rollover sensor (30) that generates a rollover signal. A seat (12) having a seat base (16) rotatably coupled to a seat back (18) may be included in the occupant restraint system (11). A controller (26) is coupled to the rollover sensor (30) and seat base (16). The controller (26) controls the seat back (18) to move relative to the seat base in response to the rollover signal. The rollover control module (26) may also control the operation of an inflatable seat belt (36) to maintain the occupant's position relative to the seat back (18).