Abstract: A car body, for example, a front or rear frame is provided. The car body includes at least one crossmember and at least one pair of left and right braces that are arranged at least substantially symmetric to the crossmember. The car body also includes a shear element that is designed for absorbing shear forces during a collision and that is mounted on a brace of the pair, wherein no shear element is provided symmetrically thereto on the other brace of this pair.

Abstract: Implementing a resource tracking service includes searching a database in response to a request for a resource from a first vehicle, retrieving a record from the database that is identified with the resource, the record mapped to a second vehicle. Implementing a resource tracking service also includes determining a geographic location of the second vehicle, and populating a navigation system map at the first vehicle with an icon reflecting the geographic location of the second vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling torque on a vehicle wheel axle includes comparing a torque intervention request to a predetermined minimum axle torque for a current vehicle speed and a current direction of motion of the vehicle. The predetermined minimum axle torque decreases as vehicle speed in an operator-selected direction of motion increases. An arbitrated axle torque is calculated based on an operator-requested torque, the current vehicle speed, the current direction of motion, and the greater of the torque intervention request and the predetermined minimum torque. Axle torque is applied to the vehicle's wheel axle based at least partially on the arbitrated axle torque.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle, in particular an automobile, with a rear underbody structure is provided. The motor vehicle includes as base and two longitudinal beams, spaced apart from one another, connected with a transverse beam at least in the front and rear region. The motor vehicle includes spring plates for supporting spiral springs. At least the transverse beam arranged in the rear region of the underbody structure is constructed as a hollow profile, a covering wall of which is formed from at least two individual carrier profiles which are connected with one another.

Abstract: A method of applying varnish to a stator includes orienting a center axis of the stator substantially parallel to gravity, and orienting a crown end of stator windings upward and a weld end of the windings downward, relative to gravity. The crown end and the weld end of the stator are disposed on opposing sides of the core. The weld end is placed above a dip tank and varnish applied to the crown end of the windings with at least one nozzle. The nozzle is controlled along a first direction and a second direction, which are perpendicular to the center axis. The varnish substantially coats the crown end of the windings, runs through the slots, and drips from the weld end of the windings into the dip tank. The dip tank is raised to submerse the weld end of the windings but not the core.

Abstract: An active/passive system for managing the temperature of fluid within an automatic transmission includes two heat exchangers, an active solenoid valve and a passive wax motor valve. A first heat exchanger provides transmission fluid heating and receives a flow of engine coolant. A second heat exchanger provides transmission fluid cooling and is exposed to ambient air. The solenoid valve which is preferably driven by a signal from a transmission control module (TCM) and the wax motor valve cooperate to provide three states of operation: transmission fluid heating, that is, heat added, cooling, that is, heat removed and pass-through or bypass (without heating or cooling).

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a fuel control module and a voltage setting module. The fuel control module cuts off fuel to an engine during a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) event. During the DFCO event, the voltage setting module monitors a brake pedal position, sets a desired voltage to a first predetermined voltage when a brake pedal is not depressed, and sets the desired voltage to a second predetermined voltage when the brake pedal is depressed. The second predetermined voltage is greater than the first predetermined voltage. A regulator generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on the desired voltage and applies the PWM signal to an alternator.

Abstract: A conductor is provided for an electric machine having an axis, a radial direction extending outward from the axis, and a tangential direction perpendicular to the radial direction. The conductor includes a solid core, having radial faces substantially perpendicular to the radial direction of the electric machine and tangential faces substantially perpendicular to the tangential direction of the electric machine. At least one tangential depression is formed on at least one of the tangential faces. The tangential depression creates a tangential void within a rectangular envelope defined by the solid core. Therefore, the surface area of the solid core is greater than the surface area of the rectangular envelope.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body, a drive system, a plurality of wheels, a plurality of tires, and a plurality of protrusions. The body has a centerline and a front portion. The front portion comprises a front surface comprising a driver's side front surface and a passenger's side front surface. The drive system is disposed within the body. The wheels are coupled to the drive system, and include front wheels. Each of the tires is mounted on a respective wheel. The tires include front tires mounted on the front wheels. The protrusions extend outward from the front surface for protection of the front tires. The protrusions include a first pair of protrusions and a second pair of protrusions. The first pair of protrusions extend outward from the driver's side front surface. The second pair of protrusions extend outward from the passenger's side front surface.

Abstract: A control interface for inputting data into a controller and/or controlling a robotic system is displayed on a human-to-machine interface device. The specific configuration of the control interface displayed is based upon the task to be performed, the capabilities of the robotic system, the capabilities of the human-to-machine interface device, and the level of expertise of the user. The specific configuration of the control interface is designed to optimize the interaction between the user and the robotic system based upon the above described criteria.

Abstract: A method for forming a rotor assembly including a cast rotor frame includes positioning a preheated rotor core defining a plurality of passages in a mold cavity such that the mold cavity and the rotor core define the rotor frame including a plurality of conductor bars defined by the plurality of passages in fluid communication with first and second end portions of the mold cavity. Molten metal is quiescently introduced into the mold cavity through an ingate and simultaneously flowed through the plurality of passages prior to filling at least one of the first and second end portions of the mold cavity to form the cast rotor frame. Entrained air and impurities may be displaced from the passages by the flow of molten metal and vented or entrapped by a biscuit. The rotor frame and conductor bars thus formed may be characterized by high conductivity, negligible porosity, and minimal oxides.

Abstract: An ink composition for forming fuel cell electrodes includes a solvent system, an ion-conducting polymer dispersed within the solvent system, a supported catalyst dispersed within the solvent system; and an onium compound having a hydrophobic hydrocarbon moiety. The onium compound is substantially soluble in the solvent system.

Abstract: A back pressure valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve includes a solenoid disposed thereon, an energization of the solenoid causing a generation of heat in a valve flap to facilitate a melting of ice that has formed in the valve.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body, a drive system, and a plurality of protrusions. The body has a centerline, an undercarriage, and a front portion. The drive system is disposed within the body. The plurality of protrusions extend from the front portion, and are positioned around the centerline for protection of the undercarriage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining angular velocity of a vehicle. Systems include an array of accelerometers and a computing unit configured to determine angular velocity as a function of acceleration measured by the array of accelerometers. Angular velocity can then be used, for example, by stability systems to control the vehicle.

Abstract: A wax-type thermostat for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine (ICE) is provided. The cooling system includes a radiator and a coolant loop circuit linking the radiator to the internal combustion engine, and having a by-pass conduit. The thermostat includes a thermostat body with a radiator inlet, an ICE inlet, via the by-pass conduit, and an ICE outlet. The thermostat further includes a piston integral to a closure element that opens or close a thermostat internal pathway connecting the radiator inlet to the ICE outlet, and a wax chamber thermally connected to the coolant within the thermostat body. The thermostat includes a first spring to return the closure element towards its closing position, and means for moving the piston when a volume variation in the wax occurs.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine assembly that defines a bore, and a piston disposed and moveable within the bore. The piston and the engine assembly cooperate to define a combustion chamber therebetween. A direct injection fuel system directs a fuel spray into the combustion chamber along a linear path. The combustion chamber includes a contoured surface having a plurality of annular recesses. The contoured surface divides and re-directs the fuel spray from the linear path into each of the annular recesses to form a plurality of independent rotating vortices.

Abstract: A clamp includes a curved band having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end. The band is characterized by a substantially V-shaped cross-section in a radial plane of the band. The inner surface of the band defines the inside contour of the V-shaped cross-section. The clamp also includes a fastener configured to draw together the first and second ends such that the band may be tightened around adjacent flanges of objects to be clamped together. The inner surface is configured to squeeze the flanges together and clamp the objects. The band includes a reinforcement configured to stiffen the substantially V-shaped cross-section and minimize yielding of the cross-section when the objects are being clamped. An engine assembly that includes a first exhaust component and a second exhaust component having respective first and second flanges being squeezed and clamped together via the clamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A member has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines a first passageway, and the second surface defines a second passageway that intersects the first passageway at a first opening. An insert is at least partially disposed within the second passageway and extends into the first passageway. The insert defines a third passageway having a second opening that is within the first passageway.

Abstract: Implementing a ride share service includes determining a route for an operator of the vehicle and accessing user preferences of the operator, the user preferences including characteristics of a ride share event and prospective ride share individuals. The ride share service also includes comparing the user preferences with information provided by individuals seeking transportation, each of the individuals providing a request for the transportation. The ride share service further includes identifying qualified candidates for the ride share event from the comparing by determining a threshold level of characteristics matching information provided by the individuals. In response to receiving a selection of a qualified candidate from the qualified candidates, the ride share service includes transmitting a communication to the selected qualified candidate accepting the request.