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 power converter includes positive and negative input lines and an input capacitor coupled across the input lines. The power converter also includes a switch coupled across the input lines that includes a control contact and an additional contact. The power converter also includes switch controller coupled to the control contact and that includes positive and negative input connections. The power converter also includes a contactor diagnostic supply interface coupled between the positive input connection and the additional contact.

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 method for reducing performance variation of an electromagnetically-activated actuator having an electrical coil and an armature includes providing actuator activation signals to the electromagnetically-activated actuator. The signals include current driven through the electrical coil in a first direction. The method detects unacceptable response variations in the armature to equivalent actuator activation signals. And, subsequent to detection of unacceptable response variations in the armature, current is driven through the electrical coil in a direction opposite that of the first direction following actuator activation signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for implementing door engagement detection for a vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect when an apparatus of a door of a vehicle is engaged from inside the vehicle. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate providing a notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting voltage cycling of a fuel cell stack during a stand-by mode by providing power from a battery to the stack while the stack is turned off. The method includes monitoring the voltage of each of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack and determining an average cell voltage of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack. The method also determines whether the average cell voltage of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack has fallen below a predetermined voltage value and, if so, applies a voltage potential to the fuel cell stack to increase the average cell voltage above the predetermined voltage value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a characteristic of a surface of a road on which a vehicle is travelling is provided. The system comprises a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to measure information pertaining to a wheel slip for one or more wheels of the vehicle after a torque is applied. The processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate applying the torque for the one or more wheels of the vehicle, and estimating the characteristic of the surface of the road based at least in part on the wheel slip after the torque is applied and the torque.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including a housing including at least one phase change material and a medium constructed and arranged for thermal energy transfer to or from a vehicle fuel.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including an installation device having a plurality of pillars which are constructed and arranged to accept a passenger airbag housing; wherein at least one sensor or switch is attached to the installation device which may physically engage at least one tab during the installation process and which may provide electronic feedback of the installation results. A number of variations may include a method including placing a passenger airbag assembly having at least one lock feature onto an instrument panel chute having at least one tab feature; placing the installation device having at least one sensor or switch attached to it onto the passenger airbag assembly; pressing down on the installation device to engage the at least one lock feature with the at least one tab feature; and wherein the at least one sensor or switch provides electronic feedback of the installation results.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for interference reduction during keyless authentication. The apparatus includes a control system having a controller configured to detect an authentication event and deactivate at least one device within the vehicle. The control system is also configured to transmit an authentication command and to reactive the at least one device within the vehicle in response to receiving a valid authentication signal. The method includes an authentication method for a user to operate a vehicle wherein an authentication event is detected and at least one device within the vehicle is deactivated. An authentication command is transmitted and the at least one device within the vehicle is reactivated in response to receiving a valid authentication signal.

Abstract: A vehicle glass assembly includes a glass pane of tempered glass, a frequency modulation (FM) antenna loop coupled to the glass pane and a first connector configured to provide a signal path to an FM radio tuner module. A second connector is coupled to the FM antenna loop to form an anti-theft loop in conjunction with the first connector. The first and second connectors are configured to provide signal paths to a security module.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid that communicates with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) subsystem. In one example, the ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS enablement valve, an ETRS control valve, a park servo that controls a park mechanism, a plurality of solenoids, and a park inhibit solenoid assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system with clutch and torque converter control for a CVT includes a pressure regulator subsystem, a cooler subsystem, a manual valve assembly, and a torque converter control valve assembly connected to the torque converter clutch (TCC) and the cooler subsystem. A boost valve assembly is connected to the pressure regulator subsystem, the manual valve assembly, and the torque converter clutch control valve assembly. A clutch control solenoid is configured to move the boost valve to the boost position and the control valve to the release position and to control a pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided to the manual valve assembly. A TCC control solenoid is configured to move the boost valve to the boost position and to control a pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided to the torque converter control valve assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for localizing a vehicle in a digital map includes generating GPS coordinates of the vehicle on the traveled road and retrieving from a database a digital map of a region traveled by the vehicle based on the location of the GPS coordinates. The digital map includes a geographic mapping of a traveled road and registered roadside objects. The registered roadside objects are positionally identified in the digital map by longitudinal and lateral coordinates. Roadside objects in the region traveled are sensed by the vehicle. The sensed roadside objects are identified on the digital map. A vehicle position on the traveled road is determined utilizing coordinates of the sensed roadside objects identified in the digital map. The position of the vehicle is localized in the road as a function of the GPS coordinates and the determined vehicle position utilizing the coordinates of the sensed roadside objects.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a model predictive control (MPC) module, an actuator module, and a remedial action module. The MPC module performs MPC tasks that include predicting operating parameters for a set of possible target values and determining a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted operating parameters. The MPC tasks also include selecting the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost and setting target values to the possible target values of the selected set. The actuator module controls an actuator of an engine based on at least one of the target values. The remedial action module selectively takes a remedial action based on at least one of an amount of time that elapses as the MPC tasks are performed and a number of iterations of the MPC tasks that are performed.

Abstract: A voltage measuring module measures first and second voltages at first and second electrical connectors of a fuel injector of an engine. A first summer module determines a first sum of (i) a difference between the first and second voltages and (ii) N previous values of the difference between the first and second voltages, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to one. A second summer module determines a second sum of (i) the first sum and (ii) M previous values of the first sum, wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to one. A first difference module determines a first difference based on the second sum. A second difference module determines a second difference between (i) the first difference and (ii) a previous value of the first difference. An injector driver module selectively applies power to the fuel injector based on the second difference.

Abstract: A method of managing short-range wireless links between a primary wireless device and a plurality of secondary wireless devices includes initiating a short-range wireless link between the primary wireless device and a secondary wireless device configured to communicate using a traditional Wi-Fi protocol; providing the short-range wireless link between the primary wireless device and the secondary wireless device using a Wi-Fi direct protocol, wherein the primary wireless device acts as a group owner and the secondary wireless device acts as a group member; detecting the presence of an additional secondary wireless device, acting as a server, using the primary wireless device; ending use of the Wi-Fi direct protocol over the short-range wireless link between the primary wireless device and the secondary wireless device; and beginning use of the traditional Wi-Fi protocol over the short-range wireless link between the primary wireless device and the secondary wireless device.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a first engine bank and a second engine bank. A first intake valve is disposed in an intake port of a cylinder of the first engine bank, and is configured for metering the first flow of combustion air by periodically opening and closing according to a first intake valve lift and duration characteristic. A variable valve train control mechanism is configured for affecting the first intake valve lift and duration characteristic. Either a lift or duration of the first intake valve is modulated so as to satisfy an EGR control criterion.