Abstract: A latching system includes a striker defining an outer width and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a support structure including a first side plate, a second side plate spaced from the first side plate, and a top plate fixedly attached to and extending between the first side plate and the second side plate. The first side plate and the second side plate are spaced from each other a separation distance that is greater than the outer width of the striker such that the outer width of the striker is completely disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate when the latch assembly is in a lock position.

Abstract: An exhaust mounting device for attaching an exhaust device to a vehicle body element of a motor vehicle is provided. The exhaust mounting device includes a holder. The holder has an outer side and a fastening element on the outer side. The holder is configured for fastening the exhaust mounting device on the vehicle body element. A damper device is arranged in the holder.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input and output member, two planetary gear set assemblies each having first, second, third, and fourth members, one interconnecting members continuously interconnecting a member of the first planetary gear set assembly with a member of the second planetary gear set assembly and six torque transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first members, second members, third members, and fourth members with at least one of the input member and a stationary member. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate of an airstream through a compartment includes a panel configured to cover the compartment. The system also includes a first opening defined by the compartment and configured to permit the airstream to enter the covered compartment from the ambient when the compartment is covered by the panel. The system also includes a second opening defined by the panel and configured to permit at least a portion of the airstream to exit the covered compartment to the ambient. The system additionally includes a selectable position shutter assembly configured to control the size of the second opening and adjust a flow rate of the airstream through the covered compartment. A vehicle employing the shutter assembly to vary a flow rate of at least a portion of an airstream through the vehicle's under-hood area is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system of enabling slave software applications from a portable device via a vehicle interface system. The vehicle includes a first communication channel for exchanging data communications between the portable device and the vehicle interface system and a second communication channel configured to transmit video to the vehicle interface system. A mutual authentication is performed between the portable device and the vehicle interface system using the first communication channel based on identifying the portable device as an entity authorized to execute approved slave software applications. The portable device is authenticated over the second communication channel for verifying that the portable device is the authorized entity to transmit video over the second communication channel. The video is transmitted to the vehicle interface system over the second communication channel conditioned upon a successful authentication of the portable device over the second communication channel.

Abstract: A crash structure for attachment to a front subframe for a motor vehicle is provided. The crash structure includes an attachment area and a stiffening structure that reinforces the crash structure in the attachment area for the front subframe. The stiffening structure connects the crash structure to the front subframe in a friction-locked and/or formfitting manner.

Abstract: A method for controlling actuation of a torque converter clutch includes monitoring a transmission input speed, comparing the monitored transmission input speed to a threshold input speed, and, when the transmission input speed is less than the threshold input speed, controlling an engine speed based upon a desired minimum engine speed. Controlling the engine speed based upon the desired minimum engine speed includes monitoring a minimum engine speed critical parameter, determining the desired minimum engine speed based upon the minimum engine speed critical parameter, comparing the engine speed to the desired minimum engine speed, and controlling actuation of the clutch device based upon a result of the comparing the engine speed to the desired minimum engine speed.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a fault of an oil piston cooling jets valve of an internal combustion engine are provided. A method includes sensing a pressure value in a main oil gallery and checking whether the oil piston cooling jets valve is commanded in a state for opening a communication between the main oil gallery and an auxiliary oil gallery or in a state for closing the communication. A pressure value in the auxiliary oil gallery is checked to as to whether it exceeds a predetermined threshold value thereof, above which a jet nozzle of the auxiliary oil gallery automatically opens. A fault of the valve is identified if the pressure value in the main oil gallery exceeds the predetermined threshold value by a predetermined quantity and if a pressure value in the auxiliary oil gallery is different than expected on a basis of the state of the valve.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes injecting a quantity of fuel in the engine per engine cycle. A total value of the fuel quantity is evaluated as the sum of a fuel quantity base value and a fuel quantity correction value. The fuel quantity base value is determined based on a requested value of engine torque to be generated in the engine cycle. The fuel quantity correction value is determined based on an engine torque error in a previous engine cycle, which is calculated as a difference between a value of engine torque generated in the previous engine cycle and the requested value of engine torque for the previous engine cycle.

Abstract: A vehicle collision warning system and method may be used to detect a potential or impending collision with another vehicle and to send a corresponding warning to the driver. In an exemplary embodiment, the collision warning system uses one or more target vehicle readings (e.g., a relative velocity reading (?v), a target vehicle acceleration reading (aTAR), and a relative distance reading or range (?d)) to solve a unified collision warning algorithm. If the unified collision warning algorithm determines that there is a potential collision with the target vehicle, then the system sends a corresponding warning to the driver.

Abstract: An energy conversion system includes a first core section, a tank, a flexible structure, and an output coil. The tank contains a volume of fluid having a high magnetic permeability. The flexible structure is fluidly coupled to the tank and movable from a retracted to an extended position in response to the injection of the fluid from the tank. The output coil is in electrical communication with the first core section. A charging station includes a second core section and an input coil. The first and second core sections are in alignment to define an air gap therebetween. The air gap is reduced when the flexible structure is in the extended position within the air gap such that the flexible structure transmits magnetic flux between the second core section and the first core section. The magnetic flux in the first core section induces electrical current in the output coil.

Abstract: A damper mass damper assembly includes a rod, and a casing disposed annularly about the rod and defining a primary fluid chamber therebetween. The rod includes an annular wall that defines a first and a second expansion chamber disposed at a first and a second end of the rod respectively. The rod further defines a first and a second expansion port connecting the first and the second expansion chambers respectively with the primary fluid chamber in fluid communication. As fluid within the primary fluid chamber expands from heating, the fluid may weep into the first and/or second expansion chambers through the first and/or second expansion ports respectively to maintain the integrity of a first and second cap bearing seal, which seal the fluid within the primary fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method for measuring electrical resistance of a joint includes supplying a first current between a first end of a first member of the joint and a first end of a second member of the joint. The method also includes measuring a first voltage between a second end of the first member and a second end of the second member. The first ends of the first member and the second member are oriented or situated opposite of the joint from the second ends of the first member and the second member. The method also includes calculating a first joint resistance of the joint from the supplied first current and the measured first voltage.

Abstract: A battery cell has a main body including active material configured to generate power from an electrochemical reaction. A first terminal is disposed on the main body and includes an integrated busbar. The integrated busbar is configured to place the battery cell in electrical communication with a second terminal of an adjacent battery cell.

Abstract: An intake manifold assembly for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes a plenum, a plurality of lower runners coupled to and in fluid communication with the plenum, and a plurality of upper runners. Each of the upper runners is coupled to and in fluid communication with one of the lower runners. The plurality of upper runners includes a single dedicated upper EGR runner configured for supplying combustion air to at least two dedicated EGR cylinders. A primary throttle body is coupled to the plenum and configured for regulating a flow rate of compressed combustion air through the plenum. An EGR throttle body is coupled to the dedicated upper EGR runner and configured for regulating a flow rate of the compressed combustion air through the dedicated upper EGR runner to control the flow rate of the compressed combustion air to the dedicated EGR cylinders.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold assembly includes a first manifold member and a second manifold member. The first manifold member includes a first group of runners joining to define an exhaust treatment outlet, and a second group of runners. The second manifold member includes a primary passage and an inlet runner in fluid communication with each runner of the second group of runners and the primary passage. A bypass control valve opens fluid communication between the primary passage of the second manifold member and the exhaust treatment outlet to allow the internal combustion engine to operate in a normal mode where all exhaust gas is discharged through the exhaust treatment outlet, and closes fluid communication between the primary passage of the second manifold member and the exhaust treatment outlet to direct exhaust gas from the second group of runners to an intake manifold to establish a dedicated EGR system.

Abstract: An air outlet for ventilating the interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The air outlet is fluidly connected with a module of a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning system. The air outlet includes a linkage region having an opening. An insulating structure is held in the linkage region with the air outlet in a fluidically-connected state. A retainer is configured to fix the insulating structure on the air outlet in the linkage region.

Abstract: A method to control a clutch in a transmission includes monitoring a frequency response of the clutch including monitoring a response repeating one time per revolution of the clutch a response repeating more than one time per revolution of the clutch. A ratio of the response repeating more than one time per revolution of the clutch to the response repeating one time per revolution of the clutch is determined and compared to a first threshold ratio. A likely shudder condition is indicated based upon the comparing.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine a state of charge (SOC) of a battery using confidence values. SOC estimations are determined using a voltage-based estimation strategy and a current-based estimation strategy. Confidence values are also generated for the voltage-based SOC estimation and the current-based SOC estimation to quantify the amount of uncertainty associated with the SOC estimations. An overall SOC estimation is determined by comparing the confidence values and selecting the SOC estimation having the least amount of uncertainty.

Abstract: A method for determining initial or starting temperatures for a dry dual clutch mechanism at vehicle start-up includes as determining a time lapse from shut-down to start-up. The method determines a housing air start temperature of the housing air within a bell housing case of the dry dual clutch mechanism at vehicle start-up, reads a first clutch stop temperature of a first clutch at vehicle shut-down, reads a housing air stop temperature of the housing air at vehicle shut-down, and determines a heat transfer coefficient between the first clutch and the housing air. The method includes determining a first clutch start temperature from, at least: the heat transfer coefficient between the first clutch and the housing air; a temperature differential between the first clutch stop temperature and the housing air stop temperature; and the housing air start temperature.