Abstract: A method for determining a value of an exhaust gas temperature in a predetermined position along an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes measuring a value of an exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust pipe with a temperature sensor and measuring a value of a pressure within a cylinder of the internal combustion engine with a pressure sensor. A value of an exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust pipe is estimated based on the measured pressure value. Whether the internal combustion engine is operating under a transient condition or not is detected. The value of the exhaust gas temperature in the predetermined position is determined based on the measured exhaust gas temperature value, if the transient condition is not detected. Otherwise, the value of the exhaust gas temperature in the predetermined position is determined based on the estimated exhaust gas temperature value.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes ascertaining an actual value of an operating temperature of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method of modifying the charging target for the state-of-charge (SOC) of a hybrid vehicle battery in response to a sudden power draw includes determining that the hybrid vehicle has entered a steep grade environment, adjusting a power management scheme of the hybrid vehicle from a standard charging mode to an aggressive charging mode, and operating the hybrid vehicle operated using the adjusted power management scheme. The charging target may include both an immediate charging target and an ultimate charging target, where the immediate charging target is less than the ultimate charging target, and where adjusting a power management scheme from a standard charging mode to an aggressive charging mode includes increasing the immediate charging target.

Abstract: A microencapsulated phase change material used in conjunction with a cooling fluid as part of a thermal management system for an automotive battery pack assembly. The microencapsulated phase change material is made to have enhanced latent heat transfer properties at lower (colder) temperatures and higher (elevated) temperatures such that a vehicle employing such an automotive battery pack assembly is more resistant to environments where freezing and overheating might otherwise be prevalent.

Abstract: An actuating system is provided for a vehicle having a body characterized by a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion defines an access opening. The system includes a tailgate arranged to selectively open and close to thereby respectively cover and uncover at least a portion of the access opening. The system also includes an actuator configured to selectively open and close the tailgate, and a window operatively connected to the tailgate and having an exterior surface. The system additionally includes a window wiper operatively connected to the tailgate and configured to wipe at least a portion of the exterior surface of the window. Furthermore, the system includes a motor mounted on the tailgate and configured to selectively operate the actuator and the window wiper. A vehicle employing such a system is also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, rotor temperature estimation is provided for estimating rotor temperatures of an electric motor in an electric vehicle. A method comprises estimating a rotor temperature in a controller for an electric motor of a vehicle using a fast-mode rotor temperature estimator for a time interval, and then deactivating the fast-mode rotor temperate estimator after the time interval and activating a normal-mode rotor temperature estimator in the controller for the electric motor of the vehicle. A system comprises an electric motor, a resistance rotor temperature estimator including a limit value limiting a temperature estimate increase for temperature estimates, and a controller for the electric motor, which uses the temperature estimate and is configured to temporarily increase the limit value of the resistance rotor temperature estimator providing a fast-mode rotor temperature estimate.

Abstract: A steering wheel alignment system for a vehicle having a steering wheel and steering unit that includes a first shaft operatively connected to the steering unit, a second shaft operatively connected to the steering wheel, and a coupling disposed between the first and second shafts to couple the shafts so that rotation of the steering wheel operates the steering unit to steer the vehicle. The coupling includes: a bolt, one of the shafts is hollow to telescope over the other shaft, and each shaft has a radial extending hole therethrough for receiving the bolt to attach the first and second shafts together. The radial extending hole through one of the shafts is elongated in the radial direction so that when the bolt extends through the holes of the first and second shafts the elongation of the hole defines a range of radial adjusting movement of the shafts relative one another until tightening of the bolt clamps the first and second shafts together against further relative rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length, and an active material disposed along the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material includes a shape memory alloy material with a crystallographic phase that is changeable between austenite and martensite, and is elastically deformable and operatively applies a spring force against a portion of the wiper blade when the crystallographic phase is martensite.

Abstract: Lithium salts with fluorinated chelated orthoborate anions are prepared and used as electrolytes or electrolyte additives in lithium-ion batteries. The lithium salts have two chelate rings formed by the coordination of two bidentate ligands to a single boron atom. In addition, each chelate ring has two oxygen atoms bonded to one boron atom, methylene groups bonded to the two oxygen atoms, and one or more fluorinated carbon atoms bonded to and forming a cyclic bridge between the methylene groups.

Abstract: A compressor apparatus for the turbocharger of a piston engine is provided. The compressor apparatus includes a compressor for compressing a flowing medium to produce a compressed medium and a return device by which at least a partial stream of the compressed medium is fed anew to the compressor.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid relative to a body of a vehicle includes a damping mechanism for damping movement of the decklid relative to the body. The damping mechanism includes a damping clip attached to a bracket of the hinge assembly, and a damping bumper attached to a hinge box of the hinge assembly. Movement of the bracket from a closed position into an open position brings the damping bumper into engagement with the damping clip. The damping bumper spreads and/or elastically deforms the damping clip to absorb energy and dampen the movement of the bracket and/or the decklid.

Abstract: A system for controlling access into a vehicle through an opening in a rear portion of the vehicle body includes a tailgate arranged to selectively open and close to thereby respectively cover and uncover at least a portion of the access opening. The system also includes a first actuator and a second actuator, wherein each of the first and second actuators operatively connects the tailgate to the vehicle body and is configured to selectively open and close the tailgate. The system additionally includes a flexible drive system configured to operate substantially simultaneously the first and second actuators. Furthermore, the system includes a motor operatively connected to the tailgate and configured to operate the flexible drive system to thereby substantially synchronize the operation of the first and second actuators. A vehicle employing such a system is also provided.

Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length and an active material actuator provided along a portion of the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material actuator is configured to impart a degree of motion to a portion of the wiper blade in response to an electrical actuation signal.

Abstract: A water separating container for a motor vehicle is provided. An air stream sucked in from outside the vehicle passes through the water separating container, which separates water present in the air stream. The water separating container includes an air inlet having an air inlet opening and an air outlet having an air outlet opening. An impact wall for separating the water present in the air stream is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine operatively disposed therein. The engine generates exhaust gases. The vehicle further includes an alternator operatively connected to the engine. The alternator produces DC power. An ultracapacitor is operatively connected to the alternator to receive electrical energy therefrom. The vehicle still further includes an exhaust gas treatment system operatively connected to the engine to receive exhaust gases therefrom. The exhaust gas treatment system includes an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) device electrically connected to the ultracapacitor to selectively heat a catalytic exhaust system component. The ultracapacitor stores energy converted by the alternator from vehicle kinetic energy and releases the stored energy to heat the EHC.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes an electrochemical cell having a first volume for receiving a liquid reactant negative electrode material, a second volume for receiving a liquid reactant positive electrode material, and a lithium ion exchange membrane positioned between the first and second volumes. Liquid reactant negative electrode material includes lithium or a material including lithium. The lithium ion exchange membrane facilitates a lithium ion exchange reaction between the liquid reactant materials to generate a lithium depleted negative electrode material and a lithium enriched positive electrode material.

Abstract: In-vehicle messaging includes intercepting an incoming communication on a mobile communication device. The incoming communication is received by a messaging application on the mobile communication device. The in-vehicle messaging also includes parsing the communication, associating elements of the communication with metadata of a digital music application, and transmitting the communication, as well as instructions for handling the communication, over a communication link between the mobile communication device and a vehicle stereo system for presentation on a component of the vehicle stereo system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the rear end of a motor vehicle with a fuel filler line and a compound crank which exhibits two trailing arms and a cross member connecting the trailing arms with each other, with the trailing arms being pivotably supportable in the direction of their longitudinal axis on their one end area by means of a connection element on the body shell of the vehicle, and having on their other end area a holder for a wheel bearing unit. Provision is made that the filler line crosses at least one of the trailing arms in the area between a connection site for the cross member and the connection element. The invention further relates to a compound crank for the rear end of a motor vehicle, and a rear end of a vehicle.

Abstract: A system for air dam actuation of a vehicle is provided having an object sensor, an air dam, an actuation mechanism, and a control module. The object sensor is for tracking external objects located in front of the vehicle. The air dam has a deployed position and a non-deployed position. The actuation mechanism is connected to the air dam, and actuates the air dam between the deployed and the non-deployed position. The control module is in communication with the object sensor and the actuation mechanism. The control module includes logic for monitoring the object sensor for a set of object data. The set of object data is data indicating if an external object is located in front of the vehicle.

Abstract: Passive verification of operator presence in handling requests for vehicle includes initiating activation of a power-operated vehicle component that is subject to a supervised control mechanism. The activation is initiated in response to a request from an operator-controlled device. The passive verification also includes verifying a presence of the operator-controlled device indicative of a presence of an operator of a vehicle, transmitting intermittent signals to the operator-controlled device, monitoring response signals received in response to the intermittent signals, and continuing activation of the power-operated vehicle component until the activation is complete so long as the response signals are received responsive to the monitoring.