Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber (CPVA) absorbs vibration and transmits a torque between an output of an engine and an input of a transmission of a vehicle. The CPVA includes a plate with at least one retaining member and a first set of vibration absorbers with at least one mass supported by the at least one retaining member. The at least one mass has a predefined movement path with respect to the plate. The CPVA further includes a first torsion vibration damper assembly that connects the CPVA to a turbine of a torque converter that is selectively engaged with engine, and a second torsion vibration damper assembly that connects the CPVA to the transmission. The at least one mass absorbs a vibration of a harmonic order generated by the engine.

Abstract: One illustrative embodiment includes materials and devices including an integrated hydrogen storage structure including a plurality of continuously connected thermally conductive elongated members, the elongated members including continuously connected openings between the elongated members; and, a metal hydride material contacting the elongated members and disposed within the connected openings and surrounding the elongated members.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining a weld state of a contactor (e.g., normal, partially welded, and/or welded states) based on a variety of actuator coil characteristics during actuation. In some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may be utilized in connection with determining contactor weld states in a variety of contactor designs. In further embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may utilize a probability weighted score accounting for contactor design characteristics and information obtained from a reference contactor to identify a weld state associated with a contactor device.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a valve lift determination module and a fault detection module. The valve lift determination module determines valve lift based on at least one of a first period when a valve is open and N differences between a first value of a valve lift signal generated by a valve lift sensor when the valve is closed and a second value of the valve lift signal when the valve is open, wherein N is an integer greater than one. The fault detection module detects a fault in a valve actuator based on the valve lift.

Abstract: A closing device pivots on a vehicle body between a closing position and an opening position, such as a rear flap of a motor vehicle, with a closing element on the body side and an opposite closing element on the flap side for locking and unlocking the flap and with at least one ejection element. A plunger can be moved in a guide at least between a working position and a rest position, which upon movement into a working position can be tensioned against the force of a tensioning device. The plunger interacts with the flap for the manual opening and closing through the at least partial relaxing of the plunger. The plunger is lockable and unlockable through a locking device in a locking position in which it is tensioned at least as far as to the working position.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the starter motor includes determining starter motor resistance associated with an engine starting event and determining a back-emf for the starter motor based upon the starter motor resistance. A state of health of the starter motor corresponding to the back-emf of the starter motor and engine cranking time is determined. Engine stop/start functionality is controlled based upon the state of health of the starter motor.

Abstract: A cold start emissions reduction diagnostic system for an internal combustion engine includes a coolant temperature module including a coolant temperature input, and a memory module having a coolant temperature look-up table. The cold start controller also includes a cold start emissions reduction module configured to selectively compare coolant temperature values with desired emission values in the look-up table to determine at least one of a fuel injection timing and a fuel injection quantity to establish a desired cold start emissions profile. A fuel injection monitoring module is configured and disposed to sense changes in fuel injection timing and fuel injection quantity, and an emission reduction diagnostic model module is configured and disposed to determine emission parameters based on the changes in the one of the fuel injection timing and fuel injection quantity sensed by the fuel injection monitoring module during a cold start.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate-estimation module and a control module. The EGR rate-estimation module receives a first signal indicating a first relative humidity of a flow of air and a second signal indicating a second relative humidity of a mixed flow of air and exhaust gas. The EGR rate-estimation module determines an estimated EGR rate based on the first relative humidity and the second relative humidity, wherein the estimated EGR rate corresponds to a flow rate of a flow of exhaust gas to an engine. The control module selectively adjusts an engine operating parameter based on the estimated EGR rate.

Abstract: A lower robotic arm includes a base structure, a plurality of digits, and a plurality of tendons. The digits each include first, second, third, and fourth phalanges. Each digit is operatively attached to the base structure at the respective first phalange. A first joint operatively connects the first and second phalange to define a first axis, a second operatively connects the second and third phalange to define a second axis, and a third joint operatively connects the third and fourth phalange to define a third axis, such that the phalanges are selectively rotatable relative to the adjacent phalange, about the respective axis. The tendons are operatively connected to a respective one of the fourth phalanges. Each tendon selectively applies a first torque to the respective fourth phalange to urge the respective phalanges to rotate in a first direction about the respective axes.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a rotary paint atomizer includes determining a target rotational speed, a target air flow rate, a target torque, and a target electrostatic current; and measuring an operating rotational speed, an operating air flow rate, an operating torque, and an operating electrostatic current. The method includes detecting at least one of a first condition in which the operating rotational speed differs from the target rotational speed, a second condition in which the operating air flow rate differs from the target air flow rate, a third condition in which the operating torque differs from the target torque, and a fourth condition in which the operating electrostatic current differs from the target electrostatic current. After detecting, the method includes producing an indicator signal indicative of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth condition. A rotary paint atomizer system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a container handling system for an automotive vehicle having a generally horizontal cargo bed area including a container for holding cargo. The container may have an alignment surface. A power unit for imparting vertical and horizontal movement to the container may also be provided. The power unit may be connected on the vehicle. A latching mechanism connecting the power unit with the container may be provided. A guide structure connected on the vehicle may guide vertical and horizontal movement of the container by interacting with the container alignment surface.

Abstract: A test apparatus for eliciting a gear rattle from a gear-train employed in a device includes a fixture configured to support the device in a fixed starting position. The test apparatus also includes a tie-rod operatively connected to the device. Additionally, the test apparatus includes a controller configured to command the tie-rod to apply to the device at the starting position a force event defined by a mathematical function continuous in time. The force event is configured to elicit the gear-train rattle from the gear-train. A method for eliciting a gear rattle from a gear-train employed in a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coupling device is disclosed for coupling a damping apparatus to a test frame of a test arrangement for testing the damping apparatus. The coupling device includes a receiving device configured to receive an adjustment device and for coupling the adjustment device with the test frame. The adjustment device includes a coupling interface for coupling with the damping apparatus. The coupling interface is variably configurable relative to the receiving device.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robotic arm and an end-effector assembly movably coupled to the robotic arm. The end-effector assembly includes a main boom, a frame rail coupled to the main boom, and a plurality of tool branches movably coupled to the frame rail. Each tool branch includes a branch rail movably coupled to the frame rail, a lock coupling the branch rail to the frame rail, and a protrusion coupled to the first lock. The robotic system also includes a configuration tool movably coupled to the robotic arm. The configuration tool includes including a tool body, a gripper coupled to the tool body, and a driver bit extending from the tool body.

Abstract: A test arrangement 1 for testing damper devices 2 for damping a flap 3 that is pivotable about a flap pivot axis Ar, wherein the test arrangement 1 includes a test stand 4 with a pivot axis A, which is designed as a simulation of the flap pivot axis Ar, wherein the test arrangement 1 includes a test frame 5, wherein the test frame 5 is designed as a function model of the flap 3, wherein the test frame 5 includes a connecting device 7 for the pivotable connection to the test stand 4 about the pivot axis A, wherein the test arrangement 1 includes at least two damper devices 2 for the dampened pivoting of the test frame 5 about the pivot axis A.

Abstract: A device for capturing a breath sample has a mouthpiece with a chamber that receives a breath sample through a breath inlet aperture. The device further includes a pump assembly with a pump that draws a portion of the breath sample from the chamber and discharges the portion of the breath sample to the sensor.