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: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for determining a characteristic of an energy source. One exemplary method involves obtaining a measured current associated with the energy source using a current sensor and obtaining a measured voltage associated with the energy source. In response to identifying an absence of an anomalous condition of the current sensor based on the measured current, the method determines a current-compensated value for the characteristic based at least in part on the measured voltage and the measured current. In response to identifying the anomalous condition of the current sensor based on the measured current, the method determines an uncompensated value for the characteristic based at least in part on the measured voltage.

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.

Abstract: A parameter determination system includes first and second difference modules, a ratio module, and an M index module. The first difference module determines a first crankshaft angle of a combustion event of an engine, determines a second crankshaft angle of the combustion event of the engine, and determines a first difference between the first and second crankshaft angles. The second difference module determines a third crankshaft angle of the combustion event of the engine, determines a fourth crankshaft angle of the combustion event of the engine, and determines a second difference between the third and fourth crankshaft angles. The ratio module determines a ratio of the first difference to the second difference. The M index module determines an M index value for the Wiebe function based on the ratio and displays the M index value on a display.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an acceleration delta module and a remedial action module. The acceleration delta module determines an acceleration delta of a vehicle based on a difference between an actual acceleration of the vehicle and a desired acceleration of the vehicle. The acceleration delta module also determines an average value of the acceleration delta corresponding to at least one of a first predetermined period and a predetermined number of samples of the acceleration delta. The remedial action module, based on the average value of the acceleration delta and independent of a torque command generated to accelerate the vehicle, selectively takes a remedial action by adjusting operation of at least one of an engine and an electric motor.

Abstract: A spark control module, for an engine speed and an engine load: for a first predetermined period, supplies spark to each cylinder of the engine at a predetermined spark timing set for the engine speed and the engine load. For a second period following the first predetermined period, the spark control module: provides spark to a first one of the cylinders at a first spark timing that is retarded relative to the predetermined spark timing; and supplies spark to all of the other cylinders of the engine at the predetermined spark timing. The storage module selectively stores in memory: a first torque output of the engine measured during the first predetermined period; and a second torque output of the engine measured during the second period.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft that fixedly couples to an input member of a multi-mode transmission including first and second torque machines. The transmission operates in one of a plurality of fixed-gear modes and variable modes through selective activation of first and second clutches. A control method includes, in response to a command to operate the multi-mode transmission in a fixed-gear mode, activating only the first clutch and commanding the engine to an OFF state. The first torque machine is controlled to generate a first torque output responsive to a drag torque that is offset by an engine reactive torque with the engine in the OFF state. The transmission operates in the fixed-gear mode by controlling the second torque machine to generate a second torque output responsive to an operator torque request and the first torque output of the first torque machine.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, which is characterized by the absence of a friction clutch that is operable to limit torque transfer between the drive wheels and a shaft of the transmission, to prevent torque communication between the drive wheel and the shaft. The transmission includes a selectable one way clutch, which interconnects a housing of the transmission and the shaft. The selectable one way clutch is selectively operable to prevent rotation of the shaft in at least one rotational direction. The selectable one way clutch includes a torque limiting system, such as a ball-detent torque limiting mechanism, which is operable to prevent torque transfer greater than a pre-defined value, between the housing and the shaft.

Abstract: A powertrain system including an internal combustion engine rotatably coupled to a variator of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is described. A method for controlling the CVT includes determining a desired variator speed ratio in response to a change in an operator input and executing a step-upshift in the CVT based upon the desired variator speed ratio. The step-upshift includes determining a preferred CVT input deceleration profile based upon the desired variator speed ratio, a present variator speed ratio, and a preferred shift time and synchronizing the preferred CVT input deceleration profile with a command to reduce engine torque. A change rate for the variator speed ratio is based upon the preferred CVT input deceleration profile, and the CVT is controlled in response to the change rate for the variator speed ratio and the desired variator speed ratio.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly for a vehicle is disclosed in which the seat cushions and the seat backs may be positioned on top of one another from a flat usage position into a non-usage position. Folding the seat cushions on top of one another and, folding the seat backs on top of one another takes place in order to form the loading space in the region of the back seat arrangement. The seat cushions and the seat backs, respectively, are stowed in a compact manner in the region of the passenger car and provides sufficient space for forming the loading space in the region of the back seat arrangement.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle is provided. The instrument panel has a visible side and a rear side. The rear side has at least one free-space portion and at least one fastening portion, and the instrument panel can be fastened in the fastening portion to a vehicle structure of the vehicle. The instrument panel comprises at least one foam body, and the foam body is formed to be elastically deformable. The foam body is arranged between the visible side and the rear side and forms elastically deformable regions on the visible side, and the foam body forms additional elastically deformable regions in the at least one free-space portion on the rear side.

Abstract: A wiper system wiper system for wiping a window is provided. The wiper system has an arm head and an arm retainer connected to the arm head via a pivot. The wiper system includes a latch for controlling pivoting of the arm retainer with respect to the arm head. The latch is configured to restrict pivoting of the arm retainer with respect to the arm head to an operating range close to the window when the latch is in a latched state. The latch is further configured to allow pivoting of the arm retainer with respect to the arm head from the operating range to a servicing position away from the window when the latch is in an unlatched state.

Abstract: A motor vehicle ventilation apparatus is provided including a distributor housing having at least two air ducts leading from the distributor housing. Through these two outgoing air ducts, an air mass flow that is fed to the housing or produced inside the housing is able to be distributed to at least two air outlets arranged at a distance from one another in an interior space of a motor vehicle. The air ducts leading from the distributor housing are each in flow communication with at least one of the air outlets. In addition, at least one servo unit is movable by a drive unit arranged adjacent to at least one of the air ducts in the distributor housing.

Abstract: A roof railing is provided for detachably mounting on the roof frame of a motor vehicle. The roof railing includes a longitudinally extending roof ledge and a longitudinally extending cover. The cover has an upper side that faces the roof ledge and an underside that faces away from the upper side. In the installed position on the motor vehicle, the underside of the cover preferably is in contact with and covers the roof frame of the motor vehicle body. The roof railing includes at least two mounting elements, which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, on the underside of the cover. One or more cross members have ends configured to attach to the roof railing.