Abstract: A sulfur-containing electrode with a surface layer comprising voltage responsive material. The electrode is used in a lithium-sulfur or silicon-sulfur battery.

Abstract: A hood, for example a front hood, for a motor vehicle body is described. The hood includes an outer skin and a stiffening structure covered by the outer skin. The stiffening structure includes a nub plate with a substrate and nubs extending from the substrate under the outer skin made of plastic. A second plate is includes on which apexes of the nubs are fastened.

Abstract: A system for integration and communication of aftermarket vehicle components with existing vehicle components through methods comprising an apparatus receiving an input signal comprising a raw data set, and engaging a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions and communicate with an existing motion control system. The methods also include the apparatus communicating, or alternately generating, a vehicle identification sequence derived from the vehicle identification data set. Finally, the methods include the apparatus communicating a calibration data set comprising computer-executable instructions including a vehicle calibration sequence, executing the vehicle identification sequence, and executing the vehicle calibration sequence.

Abstract: A method of automatically developing an ontology for product function and failure mode documentation for an apparatus. The apparatus is identified. A function-flow model is generated for the identified apparatus for identifying a composite structure of the apparatus. Functions and failure modes associated with the identified apparatus are enumerated. Failure data is obtained from a plurality of heterogeneous data sources. A semantic similarity module is applied to the enumerated failures by comparing a plurality of documents between the data sources. The semantic similarity module bridges a variety of terms used in the heterogeneous data to describe a respective failure. Failures associated with the enumerated apparatus functions are extracted from the plurality of documents between heterogeneous data sources. A composite of related terminology is generated for each identified failure mode.

Abstract: A brake pad life monitoring system can monitor the wear of a brake pad operatively coupled to a rotor. The brake pad life monitoring system includes an erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer operatively coupled to the brake pad such that wear of the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer corresponds to the wear of the brake pad. Further, the brake pad life monitoring system includes an electrical circuit having a circuit path from a power supply to a ground. The electrical circuit is at least partially disposed on the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer and includes a first resistor connected in series with the power supply and a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the power supply. The brake pad life monitoring system additionally includes a measuring device electrically connected to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a storage compartment defined by the vehicle body and having a storage compartment length. The vehicle also includes a tailgate operatively connected to the vehicle body and configured to selectively expand and restrict access to the storage compartment. The vehicle additionally includes a pivotable section configured to selectively retract into and deploy out of the tailgate. In the state when the pivotable section is deployed out of the tailgate and when the tailgate restricts access to the storage compartment, the pivotable section operates to reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle body. Also, when the pivotable section is deployed out of the tailgate and when the tailgate expands access to the storage compartment, the pivotable section operates as a stop for cargo having a cargo length greater than the storage compartment length.

Abstract: A transmission assembly for a vehicle includes a transmission and a controller. The transmission includes an input member, at least one clutch and gear set, and an output member. The input member receives an input torque from an engine. The output member receives an output torque from the clutch and gear set(s). The clutch and gear set(s) connect to the input member and establish a plurality of operating states including a neutral idle (NI) state. A designated NI clutch is selectively actuated to enter the NI state when the transmission is in a drive state and the vehicle is stationary. The controller calculates a reference slip error as a function of engine and turbine speed, and detects when the designated NI clutch is exhausting fluid while operating in the NI state using a function of the reference slip error. A control action executes when the exhausting NI clutch is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door having a window and a mirror assembly. The mirror assembly includes a housing defining a cavity having an opening. A mirror is mounted with respect to the housing, disposed within the cavity, and has a reflective surface that is visible through the opening. The housing is mounted with respect to the door such that the housing is selectively movable between an extended position, in which the opening of the cavity is unobstructed, and a retracted position, in which the opening of the cavity is obstructed by the window.

Abstract: System and methods for estimating a temperature of a battery are presented. In some embodiments, a method of estimating a temperature of a battery system may utilize measured battery system temperature data and measured ambient temperature data. Based on the measured temperature data, an average estimated temperature of the battery system may be determined using, at least in part, an extended Kalman filter and an energy balance process model associated with the battery system.

Abstract: A system includes an ignition detection module, a pressure sensor, a pressure variation module, and a pressure sensor diagnostic module. The ignition detection module detects when an engine is started. The pressure sensor generates a first pressure signal indicating a first pressure within a fuel system of the engine when the engine is started and when a purge valve of the fuel system is closed. The pressure variation module determines an amount of variation in the first pressure signal over a first period. The pressure sensor diagnostic module determines a state of the pressure sensor based on the amount of variation in the first pressure signal over the first period.

Abstract: A ventilation arrangement includes a console with a surface in which a receptacle is formed. An air outlet is moveably mounted on the console for movement between an opening and a closing position. In the opening position the air outlet protrudes from the receptacle and in the closing position is at least partially flush-mounted in the receptacle. Air guiding elements guide air flowing out of an airflow opening of the air outlet. The air guiding elements are at least partially displaceably mounted on a support structure of the air outlet between an opening and a closing position. The air guiding elements in the opening position are displaceable into working positions in which adjacent air guiding elements have a larger intermediate spacing, and in the closing position into rest positions wherein the elements have a smaller intermediate spacing than in the working positions or lie on one another.

Abstract: A support system includes a support, a root magnet, an object, and a cover magnet. The root magnet is fixedly attached to the support. The cover magnet is fixedly attached to the object. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to be magnetically attracted to one another such that the object is magnetically attached to the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are aligned with one another in an attachment arrangement. The root magnet and the cover magnet are configured to magnetically repel one another such that the object is detached from the support when the root magnet and the cover magnet are unaligned with one another in a detachment arrangement.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine speed module and a valve control module. The engine speed module determines a speed of an engine based on a position of a crankshaft. The valve control module selectively adjusts an operating frequency of a purge valve based on the engine speed.

Abstract: A method of controlling shifts in a multi-speed transmission includes beginning an initial shift, which changes the transmission from a starting gear to an initial target gear, and executing an adjusted shift, which changes the transmission to an adjusted target gear having higher speed ratio than the initial target gear, when transition conditions are satisfied. The transition conditions include a threshold increase in torque request, which is sufficient to require the transmission to be placed into the adjusted target gear. The transition conditions also include a common controlling clutch, which is partially engaged during the initial shift and the adjusted shift and is an off-going clutch to place the transmission in the adjusted target gear. Executing the adjusted shift does not include placing the transmission in a neutral mode. Furthermore, executing the adjusted shift does not include completing the initial shift.

Abstract: A vehicle or other system includes hydraulic fluid, an actuatable device such as a clutch that includes a linear actuator, e.g., a clutch piston. The linear actuator is moveable via a pressure from the fluid to actuate the actuatable device. A position sensor measures and outputs a position of the linear actuator as a position signal. A controller is programmed to generate increasing and decreasing position-to-pressure (PTP) curves via measurement of the position, at a predetermined time, in response to a series of respectively increasing and decreasing pressure step commands. The controller adjusts the PTP curves using a calibrated set of offsets, locates a PTP point in a hysteresis range between the adjusted PTP curves, and controls the device using the PTP point. The offsets may include a temperature of the fluid, velocity of the linear actuator, and/or an engine speed.

Abstract: In a vehicle, an optimal path curvature limited by one or more constraints may be determined. The constraints may be related to lateral jerk and one or more vehicle dynamics constraints. Based on the optimal path curvature, an optimal vehicle path around an object may be determined. The optimal vehicle path may be output to a collision avoidance control system. The collision avoidance control system may cause the vehicle to take a certain path.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including an intake system to provide air to an engine, the intake system including an inlet manifold to provide an air flow pathway to an inlet port; wherein the inlet manifold includes a false floor at least partially defining a plenum, the plenum at least partially separated from a sump, the sump at least partially defined in a lower portion of the inlet manifold; and wherein the sump includes a heat source.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a brake disc may include a hub portion and a cheek portion. The hub portion may include a receiving flange for mechanically engaging the cheek portion. The cheek portion may include an upper cheek and a lower cheek connected and separated by a web, and an inner flange extending radially inward from the upper cheek to mechanically engage and communicate with the receiving flange of the hub portion such that the hub portion and the cheek portion form a single brake disc. The inner flange may include a at least one spline tooth circumferentially arranged around the inner flange and constructed and arranged to facilitate the mechanical engagement of the receiving flange and the inner flange.

Abstract: A crankshaft for a V8 engine includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth crank pins defined on the crankshaft. The second crank pin is rotationally offset from the first crank pin, the third crank pin is rotationally offset from the first and second crank pins, the fourth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second and third crank pins, the fifth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third and fourth crank pins, and the sixth pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth crank pins. The seventh crank pin is rotationally aligned with the first crank pin and the eighth crank pin is rotationally aligned with the second crank pin.

Abstract: A system includes a user interface module, a level determination module, and a level storage module. The user interface module outputs an oil level request based on user input. The level determination module determines N oil levels of an engine. N is an integer greater than one. The level storage module stores the N oil levels and outputs one of the N oil levels in response to the oil level request.