Abstract: A method for monitoring a transmission range selector connected to a transmission of a powertrain system is described. The transmission range selector indicates one of a plurality of ranges including Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. The method includes, upon detecting a change in a target transmission range, monitoring whether a signal output from an on-board sensor indicates an achieved range position of the transmission. When the signal output from the on-board sensor does not indicate that the target transmission range has been achieved, monitoring a transmission incorrect direction metric, monitoring a transmission unintended propulsion metric, and monitoring a metric associated with achieving the target transmission range. A fault is detected when any one of the transmission incorrect direction metric, the transmission unintended propulsion metric and the target range achievement elapsed time metric is exceeded.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively providing cellular offload services to mobile user data devices via vehicle-based access points. Subscribers and affiliates of vehicle-related online services register their user data devices for authorized connections. Vehicle metrics are used to determine the state of a vehicle (being driven or parked), and the metrics of the user device can be compared with the vehicle metrics to determine if the user device is inside the vehicle. Limiting access to authorized user devices reduces load on the vehicular access points and allows preventing the vehicular access points from being erroneously included on access point maps and thereby infecting the maps.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a misfire detection module and a fuel control module. The misfire detection module detects misfire in a cylinder of an engine. The fuel control module controls a first fuel system to deliver a first fuel to the cylinder and controls a second fuel system to deliver a second fuel to the cylinder. The first fuel and the second fuel are different types of fuel. The fuel control module selectively switches from delivering the first fuel to the cylinder to delivering the second fuel to the cylinder when misfire is detected in the cylinder.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided that includes a fuel cell stack and an air compressor in communication with a cathode inlet, a hydrogen source in communication with an anode inlet, and a start-up battery adapted to power the air compressor. The start-up battery is at least one of a low-voltage battery and a high-voltage battery. A pressure sensor is in communication with the air compressor and adapted to measure a compressor outlet pressure. A power conversion module is in electrical communication with the start-up battery and the air compressor. A controller is in communication with the power conversion module and adapted to set an air compressor speed based on an available electrical energy. A closed-loop method of operating the fuel cell system at start-up is also provided, wherein an anode purge is scheduled based on an air flow rate calculated from the compressor outlet pressure and the actual speed.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing and a bearing bore defined by the bearing housing. The bearing bore has an annular bearing groove configured to receive a fluid. A journal bearing is disposed within the bore such that the annular bearing groove encircles the journal bearing and feeds the fluid thereto. The turbocharger also includes a rotating assembly having a shaft with a turbine wheel and a compressor wheel. The shaft has a longitudinal axis and is supported by the journal bearing for rotation within the bore about the axis. The annular bearing groove is characterized by a trapezoidal shape in a cross-sectional view of the bearing bore taken along and through the longitudinal axis. The trapezoidal shape is configured to generate Taylor vortices in the fluid for capturing debris carried by the fluid and keeping the debris from being fed to the journal bearing.

Abstract: A transmission includes a torque converter including a pump and a turbine, and an input hub. A pump lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the input hub for directly communicating torque therebetween when the lock-up clutch is engaged. A first pump damper interconnects the pump lock-up clutch and the input hub for damping torsional vibration between the pump and the input hub when the pump-lock up clutch is engaged. A turbine damper interconnects the turbine and either the pump or the input hub. The turbine damper is operable to dampen torsional vibration between the turbine and ether the pump or the input hub when the pump lock-up clutch is engaged. A turbine lock-up clutch selectively connects the turbine and either the input hub or the pump for directly communicating torque between the turbine and the one of either the input hub or the pump.

Abstract: A startup/shutdown control module selectively generates an engine startup command when an engine of the vehicle is off. A starter control module applies power to a starter motor when the engine startup command is generated. A valve control module, in response to the generation of the engine startup command: operates intake valves of cylinders of the engine in a low lift mode when an engine temperature is less than a predetermined temperature; and operates the intake valves of the cylinders of the engine in a high lift mode when the engine temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A battery management method includes the following steps: (a) reading, via a battery management processor, a non-volatile memory to determine if the non-volatile memory contains data indicative of a brownout in the auxiliary battery module; (b) receiving, via the battery management processor, at least one input signal from at least one brownout detector of at least one smart device having a device processor in order to determine a brownout condition in at least one smart device; (c) determining, via the battery management processor, that a triggering event has occurred if the non-volatile memory contains data indicative of the brownout in the auxiliary battery module or the at least one smart device exhibits a brownout condition; and (d) commanding, via the battery management processor, the main battery module to electrically charge the auxiliary battery module of the hybrid vehicle if the triggering event has occurred.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The pump assembly includes a housing defining a cavity extending along a central axis to present a wall disposed radially relative to the central axis and a base transverse to the central axis. The pump assembly also includes a first gear disposed in the cavity. The first gear has a first side and a second side each extending along the central axis. The first side faces the wall and the second side opposes the first side. The first side of the first gear is complementary to the wall. The wall defines a recess adjacent to the cavity and spaced from the base. The recess is in fluid communication with the cavity for providing lubrication between the wall and the first side of the first gear.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method of rapidly predicting at least one of residual stress and distortion of a quenched aluminum casting. Input data corresponding to at least one of topological features, geometrical features and quenching process parameters associated with the casting is operated upon by the computer that is configured as a neural network to determine output data corresponding to at least one of the residual stress and distortion based on the input data. The neural network is trained to determine the validity of at least one of the input data and output data and to retrain the network when an error threshold is exceeded. Thereby, residual stresses and distortion in the quenched aluminum castings can be predicted using the embodiments in a tiny fraction of the time required by conventional finite-element based approaches.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell includes a positive electrode disposed in an electrolytic compartment, a negative electrode disposed in another electrolytic compartment, and a cell membrane positioned between the electrolytic compartment and the other electrolytic compartment. An electrolyte solution is disposed inside the electrolytic compartment and inside the other electrolytic compartment. The electrolyte solution is also in contact with the cell membrane. A transducer, which is directly attached to any of the negative electrode or the positive electrode, is capable of selectively transmitting vibrational energy to the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode. The vibrational energy selectively transmitted to the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode causes bubbles to form and to separate i) hydrogen gas bubbles from a surface of the negative electrode, ii) oxygen gas bubbles from a surface of the positive electrode, or iii) both i and ii.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention concerns a motor vehicle seat (10), especially a folding motor vehicle seat (10), comprising a backrest structure (210) and a seat structure (310) hinged to the backrest structure (210) by an adjustment device (100), wherein the adjustment device (100) has at least one adjustable fitting device (150) with a backrest section (16) for connecting to the backrest structure (210) and a seat section (18) for connecting to the seat structure (310), wherein the backrest section (16) and the seat section (18) are arranged on different sides of the backrest structure (210) and/or the seat structure (310). Moreover, the subject matter of the present invention concerns a method for this.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a position of a vehicle relative to other vehicles on a road is provided. The method includes controlling a position of a host vehicle travelling in a lane of a road using an automated driving system and monitoring positions of one or more side vehicles located on either side of the host vehicle and traveling in adjacent lanes. The method further includes detecting a condition in which the host vehicle is or will be positioned in a blind spot of a side vehicle disposed on in an adjacent lane and adjusting the position of the host vehicle in response to the condition using the automated driving system such that the amount of time the host vehicle is or will be positioned in the blind spot of the side vehicle is reduced.

Abstract: An energy absorber is disclosed herein. The energy absorber includes a structure defining a hollow interior portion. The energy absorber also includes a working volume defined in at least a portion of the hollow interior portion. The energy absorber further includes shape memory alloy (SMA) particles positioned within the working volume. The SMA particles have an Austenite finish temperature (Af) that is lower than a temperature encountered in an application in which the energy absorber is used so that the SMA particles exhibit stress-induced superelasticity.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an air intake opening disposed at a forward end of a body, and a duct, having an air inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The air inlet is disposed adjacent the air intake opening. The first outlet is configured for directing the flow of air across a brake system. The second outlet is configured for directing the flow of air across an exterior surface of a wheel. A shutter is disposed within the duct, and is moveable between a first position and a second position. When disposed in the first position, the airflow control mechanism is configured for directing the flow of air through the first outlet and blocking airflow through the second outlet. When disposed in the second position, the airflow control mechanism is configured for directing the flow of air through the second outlet and blocking airflow through the first outlet.

Abstract: A method for estimating the volumetric efficiency in an internal combustion engine in real time includes the following steps: (a) monitoring an oxygen percentage of gases in the intake manifold using an oxygen sensor coupled to an intake manifold; and (b) determining, via a control module, a volumetric efficiency of the internal combustion engine in real time based, at least in part, on the oxygen percentage of the gases in the intake manifold.

Abstract: A method includes providing a vehicle door having an inner panel, an outer panel, and a bracket assembly. The inner panel and the outer panel cooperate to define a door cavity and a window opening. The bracket assembly is mounted with respect to the inner panel inside the door cavity. The method further includes inserting the division post into the door cavity through the window opening, and engaging the division post with the bracket assembly such that the bracket assembly secures the division post to the inner panel. A corresponding door assembly is also provided.