Abstract: A system includes a cylinder control module that determines target numbers of cylinders of an engine to be activated during a period, determines, based on the target numbers and an engine speed, N predetermined sequences for controlling the cylinders of the engine during the period, determines whether a transition parameter is associated with at least one of the N predetermined subsequences and selectively adjusts at least one of the N predetermined subsequences based on the determination of whether a transition parameter is associated with at least two of the N predetermined sequences. The system further includes a cylinder actuator module that, during the period, controls the cylinders of the engine based on the N predetermined sequence and based on the at least one selectively adjusted predetermined sequences.

Abstract: One variation may include a product comprising a piston oil squirting system comprising at least one piston oil squirter operatively communicating with at least one engine oil channel and which is constructed and arranged to squirt oil at at least one piston; and at least one mechanism which is constructed and arranged to control a flow rate and a timing of at least one oil jet stream from the at least one piston oil squirter so that the oil jet stream flows at single or multiple intervals from a zero to a maximum flow rate within an engine cycle or a crankshaft revolution.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system, for welding together two workpieces wherein at least one of the workpieces includes a polymeric composite, comprising an energy applicator positioned along an action axis so that, in operation, ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the energy applicator during a welding routine, are transmitted to the workpieces generally at and/or adjacent the axis. The system also includes a primary, course-control, actuator positioned along action axis so that a first load, output by the primary actuator, acts along the system action axis. The system further comprises a secondary, fine-control, actuator positioned along the system action axis so that a second load output, by the secondary actuator, acts along the axis. And the system comprises a controller for providing first command signals and second command signals to the primary actuator and second actuator to control them to effect loads on the workpieces, during the welding routine and along the axis.

Abstract: A system comprising a processor and comprising computer-executable instructions that cause a processor to perform operations comprising determining that user-system location data is needed by an application running at a user device. Operations of the system further include determining a first user-system location and determining a privacy parameter based on a location-accuracy requirement associated with the application. The operations further include generating, based on the privacy parameter and the first user-system location, privacy-adjusted location data indicating a second user-system location being less accurate than the first user-system location by an amount corresponding to a value of the privacy parameter. The operations also include providing the privacy-adjusted location data to a destination for use in providing a location-dependent service by way of the application at the user device.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a wheel including a spoke portion radially supporting a rim portion about a central axis, wherein the rim portion presents a radial outer surface relative to the central axis. A tire is mounted to the wheel and cooperates with the wheel to define a tire cavity between the radial outer surface of the rim portion and the tire. A foamed aluminum portion is supported by the wheel, and includes a plurality of pores arranged to define an open-cell foam. The plurality of pores of the foamed aluminum portion is disposed in fluid communication with the tire cavity to absorb noise from within the tire cavity. The foamed aluminum portion may be integrally cast with the wheel, or otherwise affixed to the wheel.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a method comprising fixing a wheel cover on a wheel so that the wheel cover remains static as the wheel rotates on a horizontal axis and turns with the wheel as the wheel turns on a vertical axis comprising attaching a bearing system to a knuckle of a wheel; and attaching the wheel cover to the bearing system and the knuckle.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a rotating assembly having a turbine wheel disposed inside a turbine housing and a compressor wheel disposed inside a compressor cover. The turbocharger also includes a waste-gate assembly configured to selectively redirect at least a portion of the engine's post-combustion gases away from the turbine wheel. The waste-gate assembly includes a valve, a rotatable shaft connected to the valve, and a bushing fixed relative to the turbine housing and disposed concentrically around the shaft such that the shaft rotates inside the bushing for opening and closing the valve. The bushing is defined by a length, an outer surface in contact with the turbine housing, and an inner surface in contact with the shaft. The inner surface includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves configured to counteract friction between the bushing and the shaft and avoid seizure of the shaft relative to the bushing.

Abstract: A cargo tray assembly for a vehicle includes first and second trays. The first tray has a translatable planar section in a first plane, and a first hinged section moveable between upright and flattened positions with respect to the first plane. The second tray has a fixed planar section arranged in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane. The fixed planar section connects to the interior, e.g., a wall of a rear cargo area, and the first hinged section connects to a seat in the interior. The translatable planar section translates in response to an applied force, such as when the seat is moved forward or aft. The first hinged section pivots about an axis orthogonal to the direction of translation, e.g., when the seat is stowed flat or deployed into an upright position. A vehicle having the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A door for a vehicle having a body controller includes a vehicle interior-facing surface. The door locking system includes a latch mechanism configured to alternately attain a first state that locks and a second state that unlocks operation of the latch mechanism. The door locking system also includes a control switch on the interior-facing surface for generating a signal to alternatively select one of the first and second latch mechanism states. The door locking system additionally includes an indicator light integrally mounted on the control switch and configured to provide a visual signal indicative of the selected latch mechanism state. The controller is configured to receive the signal from the control switch, command the latch mechanism to attain one of the first and second states in response to the signal, and trigger the indicator light when the latch mechanism has attained one of the first and second states.

Abstract: A torque transmission device for a powertrain system includes a continuously variable transmission (CVU) arranged in parallel with a transfer gear set. The CVU variator includes a first pulley rotatably coupled to a first rotating member and a second pulley rotatably coupled to a second rotating member. The transfer gear set includes a first gear selectively rotatably coupled to a second gear via activation of a clutch. The clutch includes a first rotating element and a second rotating element that rotate in concert when the clutch is activated. The first rotating element rotatably couples to the first rotating member and the second rotating element rotatably couples to the first gear. The first gear rotates in a fixed ratio with rotation of the second gear when the clutch is activated. The second gear rotatably couples to the second rotating member.

Abstract: New magnetic materials containing cerium, iron, and small additions of a third element are disclosed. These materials comprise compounds Ce(Fe12?xMx) where x=1-4, having the ThMn12 tetragonal crystal structure (space group I4/mmm, #139). Compounds with M=B, Al, Si, P, S, Sc, Co, Ni, Zn, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, and W are identified theoretically, and one class of compounds based on M=Si has been synthesized. The Si cognates are characterized by large magnetic moments (4?Ms greater than 1.27 Tesla) and high Curie temperatures (264?Tc?305° C.). The Ce(Fe12?xMx) compound may contain one or more of Ti, V, Cr, and Mo in combination with an M element. Further enhancement in Tc is obtained by nitriding the Ce compounds through heat treatment in N2 gas while retaining the ThMn12 tetragonal crystal structure; for example CeFe10Si2N1.29 has Tc=426° C.

Abstract: A flexible binary pump system for a motor vehicle transmission includes a shaft, a first vane pump mounted on the shaft and having a first rotor with a first diameter and a first width and a second vane pump mounted on the shaft and having a second rotor with a second diameter and a second width. The first vane pump provides hydraulic fluid to the transmission at a first pressure, and the second vane pump provides hydraulic fluid to the transmission at a second pressure. The first diameter, first width, second diameter, and second width are selected to optimize power consumption of the binary pump system and hydraulic fluid budget for the transmission.

Abstract: A product is disclosed that may be used in a vehicle and may include a subwoofer speaker driver mounted in an enclosure which is attached to the vehicle's body. A volume of space may define an acoustic chamber in a closure of the vehicle. A duct may be provided between the enclosure and the acoustic chamber. The size of the enclosure may be minimized by using available space in the closure to serve as part of the bass chamber volume for the subwoofer.

Abstract: A linear magnetic sensor shield system comprises first and second shield parts. The system may include first and second field sensor assemblies, each having field sensors disposed therein. The first shield part may be disposed adjacent to a first side and a third side of the first field sensor assembly, and the second shield part may be disposed adjacent to a second side of the second field sensor assembly. The shield parts may be formed of mu metal, by of example, or they may have a curved shape or a thickness in the range of about 0.015 inch to about 0.030 inch. A torque transmitting device is also provided.