Abstract: A method is provided for operating a motor vehicle traveling on a roadway. The method includes, but is not limited to determining data of the roadway in the area, which includes determining a number n of lanes. If it is determined that n?2, it is determined whether a lane in which the vehicle is located with data of an optical camera of the motor vehicle. In addition, it is determined whether a second motor vehicle is traveling in the lane, in which the motor vehicle is located, in a direction of travel opposite a first direction of travel with a determination apparatus of the motor vehicle. If a second motor vehicle is determined, a warning message and/or automatic actuation is generated from an apparatus of the motor vehicle, (e.g, a braking apparatus, a drive apparatus, or a steering apparatus).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products for adjusting regenerative braking torque in a vehicle having wheels and a regenerative braking system providing the regenerative braking torque are provided. A deceleration of the vehicle is determined. A wheel slip of the wheels is determined. The regenerative braking torque is adjusted for the regenerative braking system using the deceleration and the wheel slip.

Abstract: A polymer includes a reaction product of an epoxy resin, a first crosslinking agent, and a second crosslinking agent. The first crosslinking agent is reactive with the epoxy resin and has a first molecular weight. The second crosslinking agent is reactive with the epoxy resin and has a second molecular weight of at least 2.5 times greater than the first molecular weight. The polymer has a first phase having a first glass transition temperature at which the polymer is transformable between a first shape and a second shape. The second crosslinking agent is crystallizable within the polymer and thereby has a melting temperature that is detectable within the polymer.

Abstract: A cylinder head is provided with liquid cooling system and a method for cooling the cylinder head. The cylinder head includes, but is not limited to a liquid jacket in which a coolant flows along a main flow pathway from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet. The liquid jacket is interrupted between the coolant inlet and coolant outlet by portals to cylinders of an internal combustion engine. A second portal is arranged in a flow shadow of a first portal. The cylinder head in the liquid jacket exhibits a flow guide wall with a constriction of the flow cross section, and a baffle plate, which is arranged in the direction of the main flow pathway, downstream from the flow guide wall. The baffle plate is designed to divert a coolant flow branch in a direction of flow transverse to the main flow pathway, toward the second portal.

Abstract: A method of determining a state of health of a battery in real time includes estimating a parameter value associated with the state of health of the battery and determining one or more of a terminal voltage, an accumulated charge, a state of charge, and a temperature of the battery. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, a reserve capacity of the battery based at least in part on the estimated parameter value and one or more of the terminal voltage, the accumulated charge, the state of charge, and the temperature of the battery.

Abstract: A spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine is controlled at low loads through split fuel injections and spark discharges including one injection and spark during a negative valve overlap period and another injection and spark during a compression phase of the engine cycle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for assembling a flange joint for use in a driveline. In an exemplary embodiment the apparatus includes a first flange with a first recess. A second flange may be configured to join with the first flange for translating rotational motion between the first flange and the second flange, the second flange having a second recess corresponding in position to the first recess in the first flange. A shear force member may have a first part configured to contact the first recess and a second part opposite the first part configured to contact the second recess, the second part may have an inclined surface. Multiple fasteners may connect the first flange to the second flange such that the inclined surface of the shear force member is held in contact with the second recess.

Abstract: A decoring method and system is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the casting having a core material disposed in the internal passage; providing the decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting and selectively rotate the casting; securing the casting in the decoring apparatus; introducing a quantity of shot into the internal passage of the casting; oscillating the casting; and rotating the casting. A decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting along a first axis, rotate the casting about a second axis, and rotate the casting about a third axis, is also provided.

Abstract: A porous, sound absorbing structural foam load floor support is provided that defines an integral duct. The duct is configured as a ventilation air passage from the air outlet of a heat-emitting component, such as an energy storage system in a hybrid vehicle, so that the load floor support serves both to support the load floor as well as to provide a route for heat dissipation. By integrating the duct within the load floor support, a separate duct, which would have to route around other vehicle components located under the load floor, is not required. The structural foam load floor support is configured to absorb noise of a cooling system for the energy storage system. A porous expanded polypropylene foam is especially well-suited for noise attenuation and load floor support.

Abstract: A method of controlling a shape memory alloy actuator utilizing the change in resistance exhibited by the actuator over an actuation cycle, or a derivative thereof, to identify at least one event, such as, for example, a peak, valley, change in slope without reaching a valley, or a jump in resistance within the signal plot that corresponds to the start of actuation, end of actuation, an overload case, and the introduction of a resistive element respectively, and generating a response based upon the event.

Abstract: Mixed-metal automotive vehicle bodies-in-white comprising ferrous metal surfaces, zinc surfaces, aluminum alloy surfaces, and magnesium alloy surfaces are cleaned and immersed in an aqueous bath comprising an adhesion promoter and an aqueous electrocoat bath (the adhesion promoter may be in the electrocoat bath. The adhesion promoter, which may be a cerium salt, is selected to react with each metal in the body surfaces to form an oxide layer that provides corrosion resistance for the surface and adherence for the deposited polymeric paint coating. The body is cathodic in the electrocoat deposition.

Abstract: A method of optimizing steering and stability performance of a vehicle includes measuring a set of inertial data during a regenerative braking event (RBE), calculating a set of vehicle performance data using the inertial data, and comparing the performance data to calibrated threshold data to determine a maximum regenerative braking torque (RBT). The maximum RBT is automatically applied during the active RBE. The vehicle includes a chassis, an electric motor/generator for applying an RBT, a frictional braking system, chassis inertial sensors for measuring a set of chassis inertial data, and a controller having an algorithm for calculating a set of vehicle performance data using the chassis inertial data. The controller determines the maximum RBT by comparing the vehicle performance data to corresponding threshold data. The chassis inertial sensors can include accelerometers, a yaw rate sensor, a steering rate sensor, speed sensors, and/or a braking input sensor.

Abstract: An air dam assembly mounted under a front end of a vehicle includes a passively deployable air dam assembly. The passively deployable air dam assembly includes a passively deployable air dam having a front surface at least partially exposed to ram air when the vehicle is traveling in a forward direction, and a passive deployment assembly including at least one spring biasing the passively deployable air dam into a retracted position, with the passive deployment assembly engaging the passively deployable air dam to allow the passively deployable air dam to move, against the bias of the spring, from the retracted position to a deployed position closer to ground under the vehicle when a forward speed of the vehicle reaches or exceeds a predetermined activation speed.

Abstract: A method for initiating a regeneration mode in selective catalytic reduction device utilizing hydrocarbons as a reductant includes monitoring a temperature within the aftertreatment system, monitoring a fuel dosing rate to the selective catalytic reduction device, monitoring an initial conversion efficiency, selecting a determined equation to estimate changes in a conversion efficiency of the selective catalytic reduction device based upon the monitored temperature and the monitored fuel dosing rate, estimating changes in the conversion efficiency based upon the determined equation and the initial conversion efficiency, and initiating a regeneration mode for the selective catalytic reduction device based upon the estimated changes in conversion efficiency.

Abstract: An automobile seat is provided that includes, but is not limited to a backrest, a seat portion, a backrest pivoting mechanism, and a two-link seat-portion pivoting mechanism. The seat portion is fastened to the backrest or the backrest pivoting mechanism so that it is pivotable about a first transverse axis and the backrest is fastened to the backrest pivoting mechanism so that it is pivotable about a second transverse axis, so that the backrest may be pivoted from a usage position in which the seat portion adopts a first position, forward about the second transverse axis into a non-usage position, in which the seat portion occupies a second position, in which the seat portion is displaced rearward with respect to the first position. The backrest pivoting mechanism is a four-link backrest pivoting mechanism, which is configured in such a manner that the second transverse axis may be displaced rearward into the non-usage position by pivoting the backrest.

Abstract: A reconfigurable tactile human-machine interface adapted for facilitating selection and manipulation by a user, presenting a first geometric shape, orientation, position, or characteristic, and including at least one active material element configured to cause the interface to achieve a second geometric shape, orientation, position or otherwise characteristic when activated or deactivated, and preferably further including at least one sensor, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and interface and configured to selectively cause the element to be activated upon receipt of sensory input.

Abstract: A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A control method is provided for a fluid control device, particularly for an internal combustion engine, equipped with a position sensor having a nominal characteristic curve representative of a predetermined relationship between an admissible range of position values and a corresponding range of return electric signal values. The method includes, but is not limited to determining an offset (offsetopen; offsetclose) between a returned signal related to at least one defined position of the device and an expected signal related to the defined position of the device according to the nominal characteristic curve, estimating an updated characteristic curve of the sensor by applying the offset (offsetopen; offsetclose) to the nominal characteristic curve, and applying a predetermined control strategy of the fluid control device according to the updated characteristic curve.

Abstract: A composite cover for a portion of a motor vehicle transmission has an integral, internal heat sink to which an electronic controller is attached. The cover, which may be fabricated of any temperature appropriate plastic or composite, closes off and protects that portion of a motor vehicle transmission having electrical and electronic components such as valves, solenoids, motors and sensors. Spaced from the inside surface of the cover where it is subjected on both sides to flow of transmission fluid is a plate or heat sink. An electronic controller is disposed on the outside of the cover and attached by heat transferring mechanical fasteners such as studs or bolts to the plate inside the cover. Preferably, the housing of the controller also includes a heat sink.