Abstract: A hybrid powertrain has a turbine generator having a shaft. The hybrid powertrain includes a power-split hybrid transmission that has an input member, an output member, and a ratio-controlling motor/generator controllable to vary a speed ratio of the input member to the output member. The turbine generator is in electrical communication with the ratio-controlling motor/generator to electrically power the ratio-controlling motor/generator when the ratio-controlling motor/generator functions as a motor during a power-split operating mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling regenerative braking in a vehicle having a regenerative braking system are provided. Values of one or more dynamic variables are obtained during operation of the vehicle. A maximum regenerative braking torque is calculated using the dynamic variable values. Regenerative braking torque is provided up to the maximum regenerative braking torque.

Abstract: A multi-height energy-directing device, for facilitating staged welding together of workpieces. The device includes multiple elements extending from a body, wherein the elements do not all have a same height. Each element of a first group of the elements has a first height while each element of a second group of the elements has a second height differing from the first height. The elements are configured to channel welding energy through the device in a predetermined manner. The predetermine manner includes channeling the energy through taller, primary, elements, of said elements, in an initial stage of the welding process, while passing none through shorter, secondary, elements, of said elements, in the initial stage.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring torque from a prime mover to a transmission includes a coupling device, a hydraulic control system and a control module. The coupling device includes a torque converter clutch (TCC), where the coupling device is located between an output of the prime mover and an input of the transmission. The TCC is actuated between a fully engaged position, a slip mode where slip occurs, and a fully disengaged position. The hydraulic control system includes a controller device that communicates an actuation pressure to the TCC. The actuation pressure actuates the TCC between the fully engaged position, the slip mode, and the fully disengaged position. The controller is in communication with the TCC, the output of the prime mover, the input of the transmission, and the controller device of the hydraulic control system. The controller regulates the actuation pressure.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system includes: receiving speech at the ASR system from a vehicle occupant that includes a command to control a vehicle function; identifying a gate command from the speech; associating the identified gate command with the command to control the vehicle function; storing the associated gate command and vehicle command in a database; receiving additional speech at the ASR system from the vehicle occupant; detecting the gate command in the additional speech; and accessing the stored gate command and vehicle command from the database.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention may include a product including a body portion including a first face and a frictional damping insert overlying the first face of the body portion. The body portion may include a second face overlying the insert. The insert may have a throughhole and a portion of the body portion may extend from the first face through the throughhole and the insert to the second face of the body portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adapting a speech system. In one example a method includes: logging speech data from the speech system; detecting a user characteristic from the speech data; and selectively updating a language model based on the user characteristic.

Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a torque request for an engine based on driver input. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the torque request, each of the sets of possible target values including target pressure ratios across a throttle valve; determines predicted operating parameters for the sets of possible target values, respectively; determines cost values for the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the cost values; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets, respectively, the target values including a target pressure ratio across the throttle valve. A target area module determines a target opening area of the throttle valve based on the target pressure ratio. A throttle actuator module controls the throttle valve based on the target opening.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided that includes a seat cover having a base panel with a rear-facing surface and first and second opposing lateral extremities. The seat cover has a first panel that is secured to the base panel and at least partially overlays the base panel. The first panel has a first free end that defines a first pocket that opens toward the first lateral extremity. The seat cover also includes a retaining member that is secured to the base panel and at least partially overlays the base panel. The retaining member is spaced laterally on the base panel from the first panel and is configured with a free midportion that can be selectively liftable away from the base panel. The free midportion is aligned with the first pocket for retaining an object between the first panel and the retaining member.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a main body including a first partial header and a fastening point. The main body is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of plates forming a fuel cell stack, allowing a single plate design to be used for multiple fuel cell stack lengths having a large differential of energy requirements, affording a durable alignment mechanism for the fuel cell stack, and providing integration flexibility for components and configurations of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A powertrain is provided that has an engine with a rotatable crankshaft. The powertrain has a transmission with a transmission input member and a transmission output member. A final drive is operatively connected to the transmission output member and includes a drive axle. An engine clutch has an engaged state that operatively connects the engine crankshaft with the transmission input member, and has a disengaged state that operatively disconnects the engine crankshaft from the transmission input member. A motor/generator is provided and a first torque-transmitting device has a selectively engaged state in which the first torque-transmitting device transmits torque between the motor/generator and the transmission output member independent of the engine, the crankshaft, and the engine clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an exhaust system, and a controller. The exhaust system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, and a rear nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensor. The controller, which is in communication with the NOx sensor, includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory. A plurality of data maps and a plurality of binary maps are recorded in memory. Each data map is indexed by a different pair of exhaust system performance values. Each cell of each data map is populated by estimated downstream NOx levels. The binary maps are indexed by one of the pairs of exhaust system performance values. Each cell of each binary map is populated by a binary value, i.e., a 0 or 1. The controller uses the data maps and the binary maps to execute a control action with respect to the exhaust system, such as verifying plausibility of the rear NOx sensor.

Abstract: A method of detecting curb-like barriers along a route of travel using a lidar sensing system. Sparse measurement per each ray tracing is captured from a sensor using the lidar sensing system. Each ray tracing is analyzed separately by a processor. Curb candidates are identified for each respective beam. Curb candidates are combined to generate multiple curb representative hypotheses. A weighting factor is applied to each curb hypothesis. Curb hypothesis that represents the curb is selected. The curb detection is applied to an autonomous guidance system related to guiding a vehicle along the route of travel.

Abstract: A test apparatus is described for simulated testing of a motor vehicle on at least one test bench. The test apparatus includes a frame structure in the form of a functional model of the motor vehicle structure including a front frame section with a functional front axle model a rear frame section with a functional rear axle model and a middle frame section arranged between the front frame section and the rear frame section. The length L of frame structure is variably adjustable.

Abstract: A system for detecting engine events includes an engine assembly, and an acoustic emission sensor mounted on the engine assembly. A controller has a processor configured to execute stored instructions and is programmed to convert the signal into one or more frequency components, filter the signal with a band pass filter and determine a power value of each of the one or more frequency components within the range of frequencies of the band pass filter. The controller then compares the power value of each of the one or more frequency components to a reference value associated with acoustic emissions in the engine assembly during a baseline engine cycle. The controller adjusts at least one operating parameter of the engine assembly if the power value differs from the reference value by at least a predetermined amount. A corresponding method of controlling an engine assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A spring aid for a vehicle suspension includes a compliant tower attachable to elements undergoing suspension travel. The tower defines an axis of travel or center axis and includes a plurality of rings and a plurality of window frames connecting the rings. The rings are perpendicular to, and spaced along, the axis, and define a cylindrical cavity. The window frames define a plurality of windows between the rings. The suspension element may also include a core, which substantially fills the cylindrical cavity of the compliant tower. A rod may be disposed within the core and movable within the hole of the shelf.