Abstract: An engine is fueled with a fuel blend of diesel and bidiesel fuel. A feed forward fuel control term is provided corresponding to a 100 percent diesel fuel blend and a feedback fuel control term corrects for lambda deviations resulting in a final fuel control term. During regeneration of a lean Nox trap, the feed forward fuel control term is adapted with a factor as a function of the feed forward fuel control term and the final fuel control term.

Abstract: A system and method of for establishing a connection between a vehicle and an external network includes a plurality of personal electronic devices and a transceiver. The plurality of personal electronic devices are each configured for establishing a data connection to the vehicle. Each of the plurality of personal electronic have a mobile plan that includes a data limit and an amount of data used. At least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices are selected to be in communication with the external network. Selection of at least one of the plurality of personal electronic devices is based on a corresponding amount of data available in a mobile plan for each of the personal electronic devices.

Abstract: Filler particles of a moisture-permeable, organic polymeric material are used in a polymeric coating composition, and this composition can be applied to a surface of a molded, fiber-reinforced polymeric material, such as sheet molding compound (SMC), to enable the electrostatic application of a layer of a powder primer to the same surface overlying the polymeric coating. And, when the molded SMC is heated to cure the powder primer layer, the out-gassing of moisture from the heated SMC does not result in defects on the surface of the molded SMC.

Abstract: The surface composition of a metal article may be modified by depositing a coating layer material of a different composition from a consumable tool which is urged against the article surface while being rotated about an axis generally normal to the surface. The frictional heating resulting from rotation of the tool under applied pressure increases the temperature of the article-contacting portion of the tool so that it adheres to and bonds to the magnesium alloy article. In an embodiment the tool material is selected to be more corrosion-resisting than or sacrificial to the substrate metal alloy. In another embodiment the tool material is selected to react with the magnesium surface to form a more corrosion-resistant coating or a sacrificial layer. In another embodiment a holemaking cutting tool may be incorporated in to the consumable tool to enable fabrication of a hole with a surrounding, more corrosion-resistant annular surface.

Abstract: A method of bonding a metal to a substrate is disclosed herein. The method involves forming a nano-brush on a surface of the substrate, where the nano-brush includes a plurality of nano-wires extending above the substrate surface. In a molten state, the metal is introduced onto the substrate surface, and the metal surrounds the nano-wires. Upon cooling, the metal surrounding the nano-wires solidifies, and during the solidifying, at least a mechanical interlock is formed between the metal and the substrate.

Abstract: Data acquisition from a sampling of vehicle sensors includes identifying a vehicle population density for a defined region, calculating a proportional representation ratio from the vehicle population density, and transmitting a request for data over a network. The request includes the response criteria configured with the proportional representation ratio. The data acquisition also includes receiving the data from vehicles that are located in the defined region and that fall within the proportional representation ratio, and which meet the response criteria.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a method for determining a time to recharge a rechargeable battery system including providing impedance data over a frequency range, said impedance data characterizing operation a rechargeable battery within a selected time window; analyzing said impedance data for predetermined behavior of said impedance data indicating an approaching state of discharge of said battery; and, determining from said predetermined behavior of said impedance data whether a recharge of said rechargeable battery is indicated.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes an electric motor/generator unit. Upon detecting an open high-voltage switch associated with a high-voltage DC electrical bus, low-voltage electrical power is employed to energize the high-voltage DC electrical bus, control parameters are adjusted to operate the electric motor/generator unit in a fault tolerant electric generation mode, an internal combustion engine is operated to spin the electric motor/generator unit, and the electric motor/generator unit is operated in the fault tolerant electric generation mode.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a root cause of a fault in a serviced vehicle based on analytical symptoms. Parameter identification data associated with identified DTCs is retrieved. Parameter identification data from a plurality of vehicles experiencing the DTCs is collected. A first set of diagnostic rules is generated that identify vehicle operating parameters for executing a DTC algorithm or for triggering a DTC. A second set of diagnostic rules is generated that identify vehicle operating parameters used for selecting field failure data obtained when the DTC is triggered. Statistically significant rules are extracted from the second set of diagnostic rules. The first set of rules and the statistically significant rules are cooperatively applied to the parameter identification data for identifying a subset of the parameter identification data that represents anomalies. A subject matter expert analyzes the anomalies for identifying a root cause of the fault.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode of a lithium ion secondary battery includes combining a binder and active particles to form a mixture, coating a surface with the mixture to form a coated article, translating the article along a first plane, cutting a first plurality of carbon fibers, each having a first average length, to form a second plurality of carbon fibers, each having a longitudinal axis and a second average length that is shorter than the first average length, inserting the second plurality of fibers into the mixture layer so that the longitudinal axis of each of at least a portion of the second plurality of fibers is not parallel to the first plane to form a preform, wherein the second plurality of fibers forms a truss structure disposed in three dimensions within the mixture layer, and heating the preform to form the electrode. An electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system having a particulate filter is monitored by monitoring a particulate filter regeneration event and detecting an associated regeneration period. The particulate filter regeneration period is compared to a preferred event window. A fault is detected when the monitored particulate filter regeneration period extends beyond the preferred event window.

Abstract: A quick-return active material actuator adapted for more rapidly returning a load, so as to reduce the de-actuation time of a system, includes in a first aspect a thermally activated active material actuation element drivenly coupled to the load, an active material de-actuation element drivenly coupled to the load non-antagonistic to the actuation element, and a reconfigurable mechanism interconnecting the elements and load, wherein the de-actuation element and mechanism are cooperatively configured to return the load while the actuation element is still activated, and, in a second aspect a thermally activated active material actuation element drivenly coupled to a biased load and operable to autonomously release, so that the load is caused to be returned while the actuation element is still activated, and subsequently re-engage the load.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a fuel cell is described. One embodiment of the fuel supply system includes a fuel supply vessel; a fuel spending line in fluid communication with the fuel supply vessel and the fuel cell; a piezoelectric injector in fluid communication with the fuel spending line; and a pressure sensor connected to the fuel spending line and positioned between the fuel supply vessel and the fuel cell. A method for controlling the pressure to a fuel cell is also described.

Abstract: A casting apparatus and a method of forming a casting using the casting apparatus is disclosed, the casting apparatus comprising a ladle having a hollow interior adapted to receive a molten material therein; a nozzle in fluid communication with the hollow interior, the nozzle having a first portion disposed outside of the ladle and a second portion disposed within the hollow interio; an additive feeder in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the ladle; and a gas conduit in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the ladle.

Abstract: A method of bonding a metal to a substrate involves forming an oxide layer on a surface of the substrate, and in a molten state, over-casting the metal on the substrate surface. The over-casting drives a reaction at an interface between the over-cast metal and the oxide layer to form another oxide. The other oxide binds the metal to the substrate surface upon solidification of the over-cast metal.

Abstract: A manual transmission clutch protection apparatus includes a shift gate cylinder acted upon by the operator controlled shift lever having a first shift pattern that represents all possible shift positions and two or more additional but limited shift patterns corresponding to certain gears which limit the gears selectable and enagageable by the vehicle operator. Two or more actuators which may be solenoids or other electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators translate blocking pins or plungers into the additional or limited shift patterns to lockout or block motion of the shift lever and shift gate cylinder into certain gears. Engine speed and temperature sensors, a vehicle speed sensor and a current gear sensor provide data which is utilized to compute which gears, under current sensed operating conditions, should be locked out, that is, unavailable for selection by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a housing, a first rotor wheel, a second rotor wheel, a driveshaft, a first bearing and a second bearing. The housing defines a first region, a second region, an intake air inlet, an intake air outlet and an exhaust gas inlet. The first rotor wheel is located in the first region and the second rotor wheel is located in the second region. The first bearing is located on a first axial side of the first rotor wheel axially between the first and second rotor wheels and supports the driveshaft for rotation relative to the housing. The second bearing is located on a second axial side of the first rotor wheel and supports the first rotor wheel for rotation relative to the housing.

Abstract: Hierarchically porous graphitic carbon particles are prepared by an aerosol process using a aqueous solution of a carbon precursor compound in which different sized particles or clusters of silicon oxide species are dispersed. The aerosol is heated to evaporate the solvent. The solid residue is carbonized and non-carbon species removed to obtain small porous particles of graphitic carbon. The interconnected, different size pores in the small carbon particles make them very useful as electrode materials in electrochemical devices, such as supercapcitors, in which efficient ion transport through the pores or the particles is required.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing service diagnostics for root cause analysis of an identified problem in a vehicle. Service repair data of previously serviced vehicles is obtained from a memory storage device. The service data is compiled based on a service repair history for each vehicle. Each vehicle within the compiled service data having at least two service repairs performed within a predetermined period of time is identified. Combinations of parts serviced during each service repair are identified. A count is determined that indicates the number of times each combination appears in the compiled service data. The combinations having counts greater than a predetermined threshold are identified. A determination is made whether any of the combinations having counts greater than the predetermined threshold are present in the structural taxonomy database.

Abstract: A method of bonding a metal to a substrate involves forming a plurality of nano-features in a surface of the substrate, where each nano-feature is chosen from a nano-pore and/or a nano-crevice. In a molten state, the metal is over-cast onto the substrate surface, and penetrates the nano-features. Upon cooling, the metal is solidified inside the nano-features, where the solidification of the metal forms a mechanical interlock between the over-cast metal and the substrate.