Abstract: A powertrain for a hybrid vehicle includes a clutch interconnecting an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The electric motor is coupled to a manually operated gearbox operable in at least one electric only drive position and at least one hybrid drive position. A latch is coupled to the clutch and is moveable between a closed position inhibiting the clutch from interconnecting the internal combustion engine and the electric motor when the gearbox is disposed in the electric only drive position, and an open position allowing the clutch to interconnect the internal combustion engine and the electric motor when the gearbox is disposed in the hybrid drive position.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical drive unit connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member, a stationary member, a gear-train, and a torque-transmitting device. The drive unit also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement having a first, second, third, and fourth junction points. The power sources include a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The second motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the first junction point via the gear-train and the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point. Additionally, the first motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the fourth junction point. Furthermore, the torque-transmitting device is engageable to ground the third junction point to the stationary member.

Abstract: A movement system includes a rail, a trolley, and a braking system. The trolley is movably attached to the rail and configured to support the payload. The braking system is operatively attached to the rail. The braking system includes a braking module having a base, operatively attached to the trolley, and a wheel assembly, operatively attached to the base. The wheel assembly has a shaft, a clutch, and a braking wheel. The clutch is rigidly attached to the shaft and configured for rotation with the shaft about the rolling axis. The braking wheel axially surrounds the clutch and is in continuous rolling contact with a surface of the rail. The clutch is configured to selectively allow rotation of the braking wheel relative to the shaft in only one direction of rotation to decelerate movement of the trolley along the rail.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system for securing a first work piece to a second work piece includes a welding assembly and a loading assembly disposed adjacent to the welding assembly. The welding assembly includes an ultrasonic controller, an ultrasonic transducer, and a welding tip. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to impart an ultrasonic vibration to the welding tip in response to an electrical signal received from the ultrasonic controller. The loading assembly is configured to generate a pressure load between the welding tip and the first work piece, and includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator is configured to apply a substantially constant load to the welding assembly, and the second actuator is configured to apply a dynamically variable load to the welding assembly.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a support device is provided for at least one covering element, in particular of a bumper device of a motor vehicle having at least one support body, on which at least one covering element can be arranged or is arranged, and having at least one support unit, which can be fixed or is fixed to the support body and to a vehicle structure or an impact device, which supports the support body when a load acting on the support body is less than a defined load and which releases the support body for a movement when the load acting on the support body exceeds the defined load.

Abstract: A light-weight and sound-damped brake rotor for a vehicle braking system includes a rotor hat and a rotor cheek supported by the rotor hat. The rotor hat includes an axially-protruding central hub and a flange that extends radially from and circumferentially around the central hub. The rotor cheek, which provides at least one braking surface, is formed from two or more separate and distinct pieces which are fixedly secured to the flange of the rotor hat. Located within the rotor cheek underneath the at least one braking surface is a vibration damping element. The brake rotor derives its vibration-deadening and sound-damping effects from the vibration damping element through the occurrence of relative frictional contacting movement.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for localizing a vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect an object disposed in a generally upward direction from the vehicle while the vehicle is travelling. A processor is coupled to the sensor. The processor is configured to correlate the object with information from a map database, thereby generating a correlation, and determine a geographic location of the vehicle based on the correlation.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system and method that may be used to prevent, avoid and/or mitigate a collision between a host vehicle and a target vehicle by engaging in autonomous braking once an imminent crash is detected. Unlike other methods that are only capable of autonomous braking according to predetermined and static brake commands, the present method may use dynamic brake commands throughout an autonomous braking event so that the deceleration of the host vehicle can be continuously adjusted such that it concludes at a reasonable distance away from the target vehicle. According to one example, the collision avoidance system maintains a relative distance (?d) and/or a relative velocity (?v) between the host and target vehicles during the autonomous braking event.

Abstract: A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A support pin assembly for supporting and/or locating a fixture on a tooling plate is provided. The support pin assembly includes a stanchion with a bore configured to secure the support pin assembly to a locating surface on the tooling plate. A sleeve is included within the stanchion bore, such that the sleeve is infinitely adjustable between two positions and lockable with respect to the stanchion. The assembly additionally includes a locator pin engaged at a first end thereof with the sleeve, and configured to mate at a second opposing end thereof with the fixture. Furthermore, the assembly includes a stopper pin operatively connected to the sleeve and configured to selectively extend and retract relative to the locator pin. The locator pin is free to displace relative to the locating surface when the stopper pin is retracted and is blocked from displacing when the stopper pin is extended.

Abstract: A system and method for employing a mechanism for unlocking a vehicle ECU. The ECU stores a unique ECU identification value that identifies the particular ECU and a secure server stores the ECU identification value and a unique ECU security key value, where the identification value identifies the security key value in the server, and where the secure server stores the unique ECU identification value and the unique security key value for many ECUs. A service tool that wants to gain access to the ECU for software reprogramming or service requests the ECU identification value and a challenge from the ECU and sends them to the secure server, which then identifies the security key value associated with that ECU identification value and the response for the challenge. The secure server then sends the response to the service tool, which provides it to the ECU to unlock it for programming.

Abstract: A method of replacing or exchanging non-metal charge balancing cations located at ion-exchanges sites within SAPO frameworks with cations of a transition metal using a solid state ion-exchange process. Transition metal-containing particles are formed on surfaces of SAPO particles, and thereafter the particles are heated in air to initiate the solid-state ion-exchange process. The transition metal-containing particles and the SAPO particles are heated to a temperature and for an amount of time to produce transition metal cations, and for the transition metal cations to replace at least a portion of the non-metal cations located within the SAPO frameworks.

Abstract: A system includes a host machine and a status projector. The host machine is in electrical communication with a collection of sensors and with a welding controller that generates control signals for controlling the welding horn. The host machine is configured to execute a method to thereby process the sensory and control signals, as well as predict a quality status of a weld that is formed using the welding horn, including identifying any suspect welds. The host machine then activates the status projector to illuminate the suspect welds. This may occur directly on the welds using a laser projector, or on a surface of the work piece in proximity to the welds. The system and method may be used in the ultrasonic welding of battery tabs of a multi-cell battery pack in a particular embodiment. The welding horn and welding controller may also be part of the system.

Abstract: A configurable antenna element comprises a conductor encased in a foam substrate with a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to a surface of the foam substrate for application of the configurable antenna to a surface.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, an air intake assembly and a crankcase ventilation assembly. The engine structure defines a cylinder bore, an intake port and a crankcase. The air intake assembly is in communication with the intake port. The crankcase ventilation assembly includes a housing and a baffle located within the housing. The housing defines an inlet in communication with the crankcase and an outlet in communication with the air intake assembly. Apertures in the baffle define a first characteristic flow rate and spacing between the baffles and housing defines a second characteristic flow rate. In one arrangement, the first and second characteristic flow rates are offset from one another. In another arrangement, the first and second characteristic flow rates are equal to or offset from one another and are each greater than a maximum blowby flow rate of the engine assembly.

Abstract: A control method for monitoring a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device is provided. A control method includes adjusting an existing efficiency threshold based on a dosing adaptation value to determine an efficiency threshold. The dosing adaptation value represents an adjusted value of a supply of reductant based on a determined deviation of a downstream NOx concentration value to an expected NOx concentration. The control method includes comparing the efficiency threshold with a determined efficiency of the SCR device. The control method includes generating a message based on comparing the efficiency threshold with the determined efficiency of the SCR device.

Abstract: A welded assembly characterized by improved structural integrity includes a first component disposed along a first plane. The first component includes first and second substantially parallel surfaces, and also includes a channel arranged on the first surface. The welded assembly also includes a second component disposed along a second plane, wherein the second component includes a leading edge. The leading edge of the second component is inserted into the channel of the first component such that an interface is formed between the first and second components. A weld generated on the second surface joins the first component with the second component at the interface such that the assembly is formed. The subject weld may be a friction-stir type of a weld. The subject welded assembly may be a vehicle bumper support. A method of forming such a welded assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: The various embodiments a safety device for a motor vehicle is provided. The safety device includes an elastic membrane, which partially or completely delimits a hollow space, which is provided for an accident-initiated filling subject to elastically expand the membrane. The elastic membrane is covered by a separate envelope in a gas-tight manner, which provides an opening through the expansion of the membrane.

Abstract: A one-piece fiber reinforcement for a reinforced polymer is described. In an embodiment, a one-piece reinforcement is fabricated by first assembling an interior randomly oriented fiber layer between two exterior aligned fiber layers. With all layers in face to face contact, a preselected number of fibers from the aligned layer is conveyed out of its aligned layer and threaded into at least the random fiber layer so that the conveyed fibers engage and mechanically and frictionally interfere with the random fibers. The fibers may be conveyed from one aligned layer to the other for yet greater interference. The interfering fibers serve to secure and interlock the layers together, producing a one-piece reinforcement which, when impregnated with a polymer precursor, shaped and cured may be incorporated in a polymer reinforced composite article.

Abstract: An automotive battery module with one or more battery cells and a heat exchange member placed in thermal communication with the battery cell. Heat generated within the battery cell by, among other things, electric current that can be used to provide motive power for the automobile may be removed by the heat exchange member that is made up of a flexible substrate and one or more graphene layers disposed on the substrate. The construction of the substrate and graphene layer is such that multiple heat transfer paths are established, each defining different levels of thermal conductivity and related transfer of heat away from the battery cells.