Abstract: A fan shroud assembly includes a first fan shroud and a second fan shroud. The first fan shroud includes a first segment, a second segment, and a flexible, gas impermeable seal interconnecting the first and second segments. The first segment includes an annular body. The flexible, gas impermeable seal is coupled to the first segment. The second segment includes a circumferential connecting wall and a flange extending from the circumferential connecting wall. The second fan shroud is coupled to the second segment.

Abstract: A method for estimating cathode inlet and cathode outlet relative humidity (RH) of a fuel cell stack. The method uses a model to estimate the high frequency resistance (HFR) of the fuel cell stack based on water specie balance, and also measures stack HFR. The HFR values from the estimated HFR and the measured HFR are compared, and an error between the HFR values is determined. An online regression algorithm is then utilized to minimize the error and the solution of the regression is the RH profile in the stack including the cathode inlet and outlet relative humidities.

Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a method of using sequential logic and vehicle sensors to produce a notification.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block defining a cylinder, an exhaust system, and an exhaust gas recirculation system. A first cam-actuated exhaust valve is configured to control the flow of fluid from the cylinder to the exhaust system. A second cam-actuated exhaust valve configured to control the flow of fluid from the cylinder to the exhaust gas recirculation system. The timing of the second valve is adjustable independently of the timing of the first valve, thereby enabling control of EGR flow through manipulation of exhaust valve timing.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a particulate filter of an exhaust aftertreatment device includes sensing a first pressure drop across the particulate filter at a first instant in time, and sensing a second pressure drop across the particulate filter at a second instant in time. A controller may then calculate a rate-of-change of the pressure drop between the first instant in time and the second instant in time while sensing a flow rate of an exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust aftertreatment device. Using the sensed exhaust flow rate, the controller may determine a rate-of-change threshold, and subsequently compare the calculated rate-of-change to the rate-of-change threshold. The method further includes updating a soot model using the sensed second pressure drop if the calculated rate-of-change is less than the rate-of-change threshold.

Abstract: A method for providing interaction with an operator of a vehicle includes receiving request, from the operator of the vehicle and using a telematics system of the vehicle, for support or assistance regarding use of the telematics system, establishing a remote voice communication link between the vehicle and a remotely located call center, using the telematics system, and establishing a remote data communication link between the vehicle and the remotely located call center, using the telematics system. The method further includes providing verbal interaction or instruction regarding the use of the telematics system through the established remote voice communication, using the telematics system and/or providing audio/visual remote control, demonstrating or executing the use of the telematics system through the established remote data communication link, using the telematics system.

Abstract: A method of isolating a metallic fastener from a carbon-fiber composite panel includes inserting the metallic fastener within an electrically isolating annular collar; inserting the metallic fastener and electrically isolating annular collar within a hole defined by the carbon-fiber composite panel; and securing the metallic fastener to the carbon-fiber composite panel. The annular collar may be circumferentially disposed about the metallic fastener such that the annular collar separates and electrically isolates the entire metallic fastener from the carbon-fiber composite panel. As such, the annular collar may minimize the galvanic reaction between the fastener and the carbon-fiber composite panel.

Abstract: A parking assistance system is provided for a motor vehicle, with a sensor device which is configured to measure a distance of the motor vehicle from an object and an intrinsic speed of the motor vehicle, with a warning device, which is configured to compare the measured distance with a distance threshold value and to output a warning signal if the measured distance drops below the distance threshold value. The warning device is configured to adapt the distance threshold value taking the measured intrinsic speed into account. Furthermore, a method is provided for operating a parking assistance system, a computer program, a computer-readable medium and a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a rim having a noise suppression device. The rim includes an outer radial surface that is concentrically disposed about a central axis. A tire is mounted to the rim to define a tire cavity between the outer radial surface of the rim and an interior surface of the tire. The noise suppression device includes a device wall that defines at least one resonator chamber, and includes a plurality of apertures allowing fluid communication between the tire cavity and the resonator chamber, with each of the plurality of apertures defining an opening area between the range of 0.03 mm2 and 0.8 mm2.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission for a hybrid vehicle includes a pair of drive wheels each driven by a final drive gear/differential mechanism. A planetary differential gear set including a plurality of components provides drive torque to the final drive gear/differential mechanism. A first motor generator is drivingly connected to a first component of the plurality of components of the planetary differential gear set. A second motor generator is drivingly connected to a second component of the plurality of components of the planetary differential gear set. A flywheel is drivingly connected to the planetary differential gear set by a reduction gear. A first brake is connected to one of the plurality of components of the planetary differential gear set.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making a hollow carbon material, a carbon black particle is obtained. The carbon black particle has a concentric crystallite structure with an at least partially amorphous carbon core and a graphitic carbon shell surrounding the at least partially amorphous carbon core. The carbon black particle is exposed to any of a heat treatment, a chemical treatment, or an electrochemical treatment which removes the at least partially amorphous carbon core to form the hollow carbon material.

Abstract: Passive verification of operator presence in handling requests for vehicle includes initiating activation of a power-operated vehicle component that is subject to a supervised control mechanism. The activation is initiated in response to a request from an operator-controlled device. The passive verification also includes verifying a presence of the operator-controlled device indicative of a presence of an operator of a vehicle, transmitting intermittent signals to the operator-controlled device, monitoring response signals received in response to the intermittent signals, and continuing activation of the power-operated vehicle component until the activation is complete so long as the response signals are received responsive to the monitoring.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for at least a portion of an internal combustion engine having a defined number of combustion chambers includes a plurality of inlet ports and four outlet ports. A first pair of the four outlet ports are disposed in gas flow communication with a first subset of the plurality of inlet ports, and a second pair of the four outlet ports different from the first pair are disposed in gas flow communication with a second subset of the plurality of inlet ports different from the first subset.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a rivet body, including a rivet head and a rivet shank, composed of a different material than a mandrel used for insertion into a workpiece(s), the mandrel including a mandrel shaft and a mandrel cap. The rivet body receives the mandrel shaft, including the mandrel cap, through the rivet shank. The mandrel shaft is received by the installation tool, which rotates the rivet body, and the mandrel cap locally deforms workpieces(s) through friction riveting to install the rivet body. During the friction riveting, the fast-rotating rivet body is pushed into the workpiece(s) causing local deformation/melting where the mandrel cap contacts the workpiece(s). The mandrel cap creates a cavity which progresses through an upper surface and a lower surface of the workpiece(s).

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the hydraulic dwell time between a first injection and a second injection performed by a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine are disclosed, in which the injector is equipped with a needle operated by a control valve. A value of a nominal electric dwell time between the first injection and the second injection is determined. An actual instant of hydraulic closing of the fuel injector after the first injection is also determined. A corrected electric dwell time is calculated as a function of the nominal electric dwell time and the actual instant of hydraulic closing of the fuel injector after the first injection. The fuel injector is operated using the corrected electric dwell time.

Abstract: A method for modifying a default transmission shift schedule for a vehicle includes monitoring current vehicle parameters and determining future roadway information at a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle. Future vehicle parameters are predicted based on the determined future roadway information. The default transmission shift schedule is modified based on the current vehicle parameters and the predicted future vehicle parameters.

Abstract: A shifting arrangement for a transmission includes a shifting sleeve, a friction clutch and an actuating element. The shifting sleeve is rotatable between a first position, wherein a first free gear is rotatable relative to a shaft, and a second position, wherein the first free gear is rotatably fixed to the shaft. The friction clutch assembly is moveable between a first position, wherein two parts are rotatable relative to one another, and a second position, wherein the two parts are frictionally coupled. The actuating element is moveable between neutral, intermediate and shifting positions. In the neutral position, the shifting sleeve and the friction clutch assembly are in their first positions. In the intermediate position, the shifting sleeve is in its second position and the friction clutch assembly in its first position. In the shifting position, the shifting sleeve and the friction clutch assembly are in their second positions.

Abstract: A crankshaft includes a plurality of crankpins. The crankpins are defined on the crankshaft and are longitudinally spaced apart from each other along a rotational axis. Each of the crankpins is configured to be operatively connected to a piston of an engine including a plurality of cylinders. The engine is configured to deactivate one of the cylinders. At least two of the crankpins are substantially aligned with each other along a pin axis. At least one of the crankpins is rotationally offset from the pin axis in a rotational direction of the crankshaft such that the engine has an even firing order even when one of the cylinders is deactivated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining an effective brake pedal position for a vehicle. A determination is made as to whether automatic braking is occurring for a vehicle. If the automatic braking is occurring, a measure of braking is determined for the vehicle. The effective pedal position of the brake pedal is determined to be a position of the brake pedal that would be expected to be required to attain the measure of braking if automatic braking were not occurring.

Abstract: A diagnostic system of a vehicle includes an impedance module and a diagnostic module. The impedance module determines an impedance of a sensing element of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor based on a response of the sensing element to a change in current through the sensing element. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault associated with the exhaust gas oxygen sensor based on the impedance of the sensing element.