Abstract: A vehicle including a powertrain system that includes an electric machine electrically connected to a power inverter is described, wherein the powertrain system is operative in an electric vehicle mode to generate propulsion torque. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a vehicle speed, and determining a preferred audible sound to be generated by the powertrain system when operating in the electric vehicle mode at the vehicle speed. A control signal for the power inverter is determined, and is associated with operating the powertrain system in the electric vehicle mode at the vehicle speed. The preferred audible sound is incorporated into the control signal for the power inverter, and the power inverter is controlled to operate the electric machine employing the control signal and the preferred audible sound.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-cleaning film system includes depositing a perfluorocarbon siloxane polymer onto a substrate to form a first layer. The method includes removing a plurality of portions of the first layer to define a plurality of cavities in the first layer and form a plurality of projections that protrude from the substrate. The method includes depositing a photocatalytic material onto the plurality of projections and into the plurality of cavities to form a second layer comprising: a bonded portion disposed in the plurality of cavities and in contact with the substrate, and a non-bonded portion disposed on the plurality of projections and spaced apart from the substrate. The method also includes, after depositing the photocatalytic material, removing the non-bonded portion to thereby form the self-cleaning film system.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first end configured to face oncoming airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface and an opposing second. An underbody extends between the first and second ends of the vehicle body and defines a space between the vehicle body and the road surface and includes a first lateral edge, an opposing second lateral edge and a central region defined therebetween. One or more wheel wells are formed in the underbody proximate the front end of the vehicle body. At least one aerodynamic member is disposed adjacent the one or more openings in the underbody. The at least one aerodynamic member includes a leading portion positioned proximate the one or more openings, a trailing portion positioned proximate the central region of the underbody and at least one aerodynamic surface extending therebetween.

Abstract: A work support includes a mounting plate and a mechanical lock coupled to the mounting plate. The mechanical lock includes a base coupled to the mounting plate and a support pin. The support pin is movably coupled to the base. As such, the support pin can move relative to the base. The work support further includes a locking collar at least partly disposed inside the base. The locking collar surrounds the support pin and includes a first collar portion disposed around the support pin. The first collar portion has an outer tapered surface facing away from the support pin. The locking collar further includes a second collar portion disposed around the support pin. The second collar portion has an inner tapered surface facing toward the support pin and can move relative to the first collar between an unlocked position and a locked position.

Abstract: An electrodynamic apparatus for separating electrically conductive, non-ferrous, blanks includes a linear induction machine (LIM) stator, a polyphase power source, and a controller. Stator slots are wound with polyphase AC windings. The power source outputs a polyphase voltage or current. The controller supplies the windings with the voltage or current via the power source to induce an electric current in an uppermost blank and produce a traveling wave magnetic field. The electric current and magnetic field generate a force on the uppermost blank sufficient for separating the uppermost blank from an adjacent blank in the stack. A method for separating the blanks includes positioning the stack with respect to the apparatus and supplying the windings with AC voltage or current via the power source to generate the traveling wave magnetic field and induce the electric current, and ultimately generate the force on the uppermost blank.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a floor cooperating with the first and second sidewalls to at least partially define a cargo area. A cargo system is provided on an upper surface of at least one of the first and second sidewalls of the storage compartment. The cargo system includes at least one rail disposed on and extending longitudinally along an upper surface of one or more of the first and second sidewalls, the at least one rail having an elongate rail body including one or more slots provided therein. At least one support mechanism including at least one member is adjustably positioned on the rail body between a stored position wherein an inner surface of the at least one member at least partially covers the rail body and a deployed position wherein the inner surface is positioned to receive and support one or more items.

Abstract: An assist mechanism, attachable to a frame, includes an assist bezel and an assist handle. The assist bezel has a clip attachable to the frame. A first arm and a second arm extend from the clip. A first hub is formed on the first arm and second hub is formed on the second arm. A twist-lock housing is defined in the assist handle, and includes a first receptacle configured to retain the first hub and a second receptacle configured to retain the second hub. The first hub of the assist bezel enters the first receptacle via a first ramp and the second hub enters the second receptacle via a second ramp. The assist handle is rotatable about the assist bezel between a plurality of positions.

Abstract: A vehicle including a cooling fan that is rotatably coupled to an electric motor that is electrically powered by a DC power source via an inverter is described. A method for controlling the cooling fan includes monitoring, via a first controller, a vehicle speed, and selecting a preferred operating state for the electric motor based upon the vehicle speed. The preferred operating state includes one of a first command associated with controlling the cooling fan to force air through the cooling system, a second command associated with a fan brake request, and a third command associated with an energy recovery mode. A discrete message from the first controller is communicated to an inverter controller, wherein the discrete message is based upon the preferred operating state for the electric motor. The inverter controller controls the inverter to control the electric motor in response to the discrete message.

Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a method of estimating battery health including using a charging resistance equivalent.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating for a component includes an insulating layer applied to a surface of a substrate. The insulating layer comprises a plurality of ceramic microspheres. A sealing layer is bonded to the insulating layer. The sealing layer is non-permeable such that the sealing layer seals against the insulating layer. A method for applying a thermal barrier coating to a surface of a substrate of a component includes providing a plurality of ceramic microspheres and applying the plurality of ceramic microspheres to the surface of the substrate. At least one heat treatment is applied to the plurality of ceramic microspheres on the surface of the component to create an insulating layer on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A high-voltage battery assembly includes a high-voltage battery electrically connected to a high-voltage bus including a positive rail and a negative rail, wherein the negative rail includes a controllable contactor switch. A boost charging module includes a DC-DC boost converter, a low-voltage power input line, a boost switch and a boost controller. The DC-DC boost converter is electrically connected to the low-voltage power input line via activation of the boost switch. The DC-DC boost converter connects to the positive rail. A low-voltage electrical connector is electrically connected to the low-voltage power input line of the DC-DC boost converter. The boost controller detects low-voltage power from the low-voltage electrical connector, detects that the controllable contactor switch, closes the boost switch, and controls the DC-DC boost converter to convert the low-voltage power on the low-voltage power input line to high-voltage power to charge the high-voltage battery.

Abstract: A system and method for computationally estimating a directional velocity of a vehicle in real time under different configurations and road conditions for use in vehicle antilock braking, adaptive cruise control, and traction and stability control by correcting measured accelerations with respect to the estimated road angles. A time window is used to provide reliable mapped acceleration for the transient regions and maneuvers on gravel surfaces with high fluctuations in the acceleration measurement. Longitudinal and lateral accelerations are mapped from the vehicle's CG into the tire coordinates using the vehicle's geometry, lateral velocity, yaw rate, and the steering wheel angle to generate system matrices of the combined kinematic-force estimation structure.

Abstract: A powertrain system employing multiple propulsion torque actuators is described. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes interpreting a driver request, including determining a driver torque request and a regenerative braking request based upon driver inputs to an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. A desired request is determined based upon the driver torque request and the regenerative braking request. Torque limits for the powertrain system are coordinated based upon the desired request, the driver torque request, and a previous driver torque request to determine upper and lower output torque limits, and the upper and lower output torque limits are combined with system constraints to generate a final torque request. The final torque request is employed to determine torque commands for the propulsion torque actuators, and the propulsion torque actuators are controlled based upon the torque commands for the propulsion torque actuators.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a vehicle seatback support pivotally connected to the vehicle body, and wherein the seatback support includes an integrated storage cavity.