Abstract: A method includes: generating an indicator of present operating conditions of an engine; determining a first amount of noise based on vibration measured during a first plurality of combustion events of a cylinder; storing the first amount of noise and a first value of the indicator in a mapping based on a first engine speed and a first engine load; determining the first value of the indicator from the mapping based on a second engine speed and a second engine load; generating a trigger signal when the first value is different than a second value of the indicator; and, when the trigger signal is generated: determining a second amount of noise based on vibration measured during a second plurality of combustion events of the cylinder; and replacing the first amount of noise and the first value in the mapping with the second amount of noise and the second value.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle having a hybrid powertrain with an engine and a motor/generator includes receiving data indicative of anticipated future vehicle operating conditions, and determining via a controller optimal operating parameters for the engine and for the motor/generator based at least partially on the data. A controller then commands a powertrain operating strategy for the engine and the motor/generator based on the determined optimal operating parameters. The data received can be from active onboard sensing systems and from vehicle telematics systems.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining a cylinder, a cylinder head, and an exhaust manifold operatively connected to the cylinder head and configured to exhaust post-combustion gasses from the cylinder. The engine also includes a turbocharging system configured to pressurize an airflow for delivery thereof to the cylinder. The turbocharging system includes a low-flow turbocharger having a first turbine housing and a high-flow turbocharger having a second turbine housing. Each turbocharger is configured to be driven by the post-combustion gasses from the exhaust manifold in order to pressurize the airflow and discharge the pressurized airflow to the cylinder. The turbocharging system also includes a flow control device for selectively directing the post-combustion gasses to the low-flow and high-flow turbochargers. The turbocharging system additionally includes a cooling module configured to cool the second turbine housing. A vehicle employing such an engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A selection module selects a gear ratio for a transmission, a turbine speed for a torque converter, and a torque request for an engine. A fueling determination module determines a first fueling rate based on a first cylinder firing fraction, the torque request, and an engine speed and determines a second fueling rate based on a second cylinder firing fraction, the torque request, and the engine speed. A mapping module selects one of the first and second cylinder firing fractions based on a comparison of the first and second fueling rates and stores the selected one of the first and second cylinder firing fractions in an entry of a mapping corresponding to the gear ratio, the turbine speed, and the torque request.

Abstract: A bar wound stator includes a stator core defining a plurality of slots. Bar-type conductors are disposed within each slot. Each slot includes a slot liner and an insulator cap. Each slot liner includes an end portion disposed against an inner wall surface, and side portions disposed against a first wall surface and a second wall surface respectively. Each insulator cap includes a base portion disposed against an outer wall surface, and side portions disposed against the first wall surface and the second wall surface respectively. The side portions of the insulator cap in each slot overlap the side portions of the slot liner in each slot along the first wall surface and the second wall surface respectively. Each slot includes a recessed feature in each of the first wall surface and the second wall surface to accommodate the overlapping side portions of the insulator cap and the slot liner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for roller hemming are disclosed herein. An example of a sheet metal roller hemming apparatus includes a first electrode to electrically connect to an electrical power supply and a sheet metal workpiece. The apparatus further includes a second electrode to electrically connect to the electrical power supply and the sheet metal workpiece to cause pulsed electric current to flow through a portion of the workpiece to locally increase formability in the portion of the workpiece. The apparatus still further includes a roller assembly to contact the workpiece to cause the workpiece to bend in the portion of the workpiece when the pulsed electric current is flowing through the portion of the workpiece, and to form a hem.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode ink containing nanostructured catalyst elements is described. The method comprises providing an electrocatalyst decal comprising a carrying substrate having a nanostructured thin catalytic layer thereon, the nanostructure thin catalytic layer comprising nanostructured catalyst elements; providing a transfer substrate with an adhesive thereon; transferring the nanostructured thin catalytic layer from the carrying substrate to the transfer substrate; removing the nanostructured catalyst elements from the transfer substrate; providing an electrode ink solvent; and dispersing the nanostructured catalyst elements in the electrode ink solvent. Electrode inks, coated substrates, and membrane electrode assemblies made from the method are also described.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding aluminum alloy workpieces together includes several steps. In one step a welding electrode is provided. The welding electrode has a weld face. In another step, the weld face of the welding electrode is shaped to have a desired radius of curvature. The shaped weld face is then textured to a desired surface roughness, and resistance spot welding using the welding electrode is performed to the aluminum alloy workpieces. In yet another step, the weld face is dressed to an extent sufficient to remove contamination build-up that may have accumulated on the weld face from the aluminum alloy workpieces.

Abstract: A gripping device is described and includes a holder including a base and a conformable jamming element that has a conformable releasable surface-adhesive element secured onto its surface.

Abstract: A system and a method for establishing short range wireless communication between two vehicle modules. The system determines the availability of a first vehicle module and a second vehicle module to establish a short range wireless communication connection. The determination may be based upon whether the first vehicle module is storing pairing data. The system validates the pairing data at the second vehicle module using a wired connection. If the pairing data is validated, the first and second vehicle modules may establish a wireless connection using at least a portion of the pairing data. When the wireless connection ends, the system may re-determine the availability and revalidate any pairing data via the wired connection before establishing a wireless connection.

Abstract: A product comprising a mixed material longitudinal rail system for a vehicle and a method of making the same.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a brake pad, a bracket supporting the brake pad and having a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a linkage interconnecting the first and second portions. The linkage is configured to transfer tensile loads between the first and second portion, but is characterized by the absence of any bending modes. The absence of bending modes prevents excitation of the linkage, thereby reducing sound generated during application of the brake assembly.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising a scooter with an integrated folding system, wherein the scooter further comprises a first folding mechanism which allows a first and a second handle bar to fold within the steerer unit, a second folding mechanism which allows a steerer unit to be folded around a first wheel, and a third folding mechanism which allows a deck to be folded around the first wheel.

Abstract: A method and system can control a speech recognition system in a vehicle. The method includes monitoring adaptive feature data about interactions between a user and the speech recognition system. The method includes determining a first group of samples of the adaptive feature data and creating a control chart based on the first group of samples. The control chart includes a control limit. The method further includes determining a second group of samples of the adaptive feature data after creating the control chart. Furthermore, the method includes calculating an arithmetic mean of each sample of the second group of samples to determine a sample mean, comparing the sample mean to the control limit in order identify unexpected performance of the speech recognition system. The method includes adjusting the speech recognition system based on the identified unexpected performance if the unexpected performance is identified.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carrier assembly of a stacked planetary gear set is provided. The method includes forming the inner and outer spiders and attaching the spiders to a back plate or to each other to form the carrier assembly. One or both of the inner and outer carrier spiders are formed from powdered metal, by precision casting, and/or by stamping. The stacked planetary gear set may be axially aligned or axially offset.

Abstract: A system and method of verifying data at a microcontroller using message authentication codes (MACs) includes generating at a microprocessor of the microcontroller a valid MAC using valid data; transmitting the valid MAC to a peripheral of the microcontroller along with the valid data; receiving an authentication message at the microprocessor from the peripheral in response to transmitting the valid MAC; generating at the microprocessor an invalid MAC, which is created by changing one or more bits of the valid MAC; transmitting the invalid MAC to the peripheral along with the valid data in response to the authentication message; and receiving a second authentication message at the microprocessor from the peripheral in response to transmitting the invalid MAC.

Abstract: A sulfur based active material has a core-shell structure including a hollow core and a porous carbon shell surrounding the hollow core. Sulfur is present in a portion of the hollow core. A polymer shell coating is formed on the porous carbon shell. The polymer shell coating includes nitrogen atoms that bond to carbon atoms of the porous carbon shell so that the porous carbon shell is a nitrogen-confused porous carbon shell.

Abstract: A variator assembly for a CVT or an IVT includes an input shaft that defines an axis of rotation, an input disc rotationally coupled to the input shaft and coaxial with the axis of rotation, and an output disc rotationally coupled to the input disc and coaxial with the axis of rotation. The output disc includes a distal portion having an axial width. A gear is connected to the distal portion of the output disc. The gear has a plurality of gear teeth each having a gear tooth face width that is greater than the axial width of the distal portion of the output disc.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs an on-line self-tuning algorithm that provides temperature control of a fuel cell stack in response to disturbances on the system. The system includes a thermal sub-system having a cooling fluid pump that pumps a cooling fluid through the fuel cell stack, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the cooling fluid out of the stack, a radiator that cooling the cooling fluid from the fuel cell stack and a by-pass valve that selectively controls how much of the cooling fluid flows through the radiator or by-passes the radiator. A controller controls the position of the by-pass valve in response to a temperature signal from the temperature sensor. The controller calculates a plurality of variables and a dead-time value, and determines whether the dead-time value should be increased, decreased or kept the same based on an estimate of a dead-time plant model.