Abstract: A vehicle has a body with a body opening and a reconfigurable body exterior panel that is mountable over the opening in first and second panel positions. The panel is pivotable about a panel pivot axis and is mounted on a pair of swing arms that are pivotable relative to the body about a bodyside pivot axis. The swing arms are Z-shaped and interact with stops to orient the panel in the first and second panel positions.

Abstract: A vehicle having reduced aerodynamic drag includes a wheel assembly configured for moving the vehicle across a surface. The wheel assembly has an inboard surface and an outboard surface and includes a wheel configured for rotation with respect to the vehicle and a tire disposed on the wheel. The vehicle also includes a fairing assembly configured for reducing aerodynamic drag across the wheel assembly. The fairing assembly includes a first portion configured for partially enclosing an inboard surface of the wheel assembly and a second portion configured for partially enclosing an outboard surface of the wheel assembly and removably coupled to the first portion. The fairing assembly is moveable in unison with the wheel assembly during vehicle steering and suspension maneuvers.

Abstract: An HVAC system for use in a vehicle. The HVAC system comprises an evaporator, a refrigerant compressor that receives a refrigerant from the evaporator and compresses the refrigerant, a condenser that receives the refrigerant from the compressor and has fins with air flowing through the fins to remove heat from a refrigerant flowing through the condenser, and an expansion device that receives the refrigerant from the condenser and directs the refrigerant to the evaporator. The HVAC system also comprises a water tank that receives and stores water, a water spray pump that receives water from the water tank, and a nozzle that receives water from the water spray pump and is located adjacent to the condenser, with the nozzle selectively spraying water on the fins of the condenser.

Abstract: A method of offering or providing batteries for a hybrid or electric vehicle allows the customer to choose a vehicle electrical battery power rating that will match their expected driving range needs. Specifically, the method includes offering different modular battery packs for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. Each of the different modular battery packs has a different number of interconnected batteries, a different energy level, and is configured to be operable for providing propulsion power to the vehicle. At least one of the different modular battery packs is installed on the hybrid or electric vehicle. The method may include recharging and/or recycling used battery back modules.

Abstract: A variable pitch fan blade mechanism, particularly well suited for automotive applications, wherein the blade pitch is compliantly responsive to selective actuation of a linear actuator. A linear actuator is disposed in the fan shaft composed of an electric drive component drivingly engaged with a follower component, a set of fan blades resiliently attached to a head of the follower component, and a push assembly connected to the fan shaft composed of a push plate and a plurality of push rods, one push rod for each fan blade. Each push rod engages its respective fan blade adjacent an edge thereof. The fan blades are resiliently biased toward the push rods such that axial movement of the push rods in response to actuation of the linear actuator results in compliant changes of pitch of the blades.

Abstract: A running board assembly is provided that has structural tubing mounted to one of the spaced, longitudinally-extending frame rails. The structural tubing is configured to bear side impact loads in part by providing a continuous load-bearing path to direct the load to the frame rail. Additionally, because the structural tubing is of a higher strength than materials typically used for running boards, the structural tubing itself absorbs some of the side impact load.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing vehicle hood includes outer and inner layers defining a cavity filled with foam material. The outer layer fractures when subjected to a crush load to thereby transmit the load to the foam material where it is absorbed, and both layers are continuously and directly bonded to the foam material. A vehicle includes a vehicle hood assembly having outer and inner layers defining a cavity, with foam material filling the cavity. The outer layer fractures when subjected to a crush load to transmit the load to the foam material for uniformly absorption of the crush load. A hood panel is also provided for use with a vehicle, including an energy-absorbing polymer foam material entrapped between an outer and inner polymer membrane. The membranes have a crush strength, and the foam material is characterized by an absence of a reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A variable pitch fan blade mechanism, particularly well suited for automotive applications, wherein the blade pitch is compliantly responsive to selective actuation of a linear actuator. A linear actuator is disposed in the fan shaft composed of an electric drive component drivingly engaged with a follower component, a set of fan blades resiliently attached to a head of the follower component, and a push assembly connected to the fan shaft composed of a push plate and a plurality of push rods, one push rod for each fan blade. Each push rod engages its respective fan blade adjacent an edge thereof. The fan blades are resiliently biased toward the push rods such that axial movement of the push rods in response to actuation of the linear actuator results in compliant changes of pitch of the blades.

Abstract: A dual-axis door hinge assembly for a vehicle includes a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle. The dual-axis door hinge assembly also includes a door side strap adapted to be connected to a door of the vehicle. The dual-axis door hinge assembly further includes an intermediate link pivotally connected to the body side strap to form a first pivot axis and pivotally connected to the door side strap to form a second pivot axis.