Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for controlling climate in vehicle cabins. A person may provide climate related data to a vehicle climate control system prior to pick up and/or during a ride in the vehicle. The climate control system may adjust the climate in at least part of a vehicle cabin based at least in part on the climate related data and configuration of components in the climate control system. Climate control adjustments can be used to precondition part of a vehicle cabin for a person and/or in response to indicated thermal discomfort of the person. The climate control system can refer to an occupant comfort model and compute climate adjustments in accordance with the occupant comfort model.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for controlling climate in vehicle cabins. A person may provide climate related data to a vehicle climate control system prior to pick up and/or during a ride in the vehicle. The climate control system may adjust the climate in at least part of a vehicle cabin based at least in part on the climate related data and configuration of components in the climate control system. Climate control adjustments can be used to precondition part of a vehicle cabin for a person and/or in response to indicated thermal discomfort of the person. The climate control system can refer to an occupant comfort model and compute climate adjustments in accordance with the occupant comfort model.

Abstract: A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.

Abstract: A climate control system of a vehicle and a method of controlling the climate control system to minimize vehicle energy consumption and maximize occupant comfort. The climate control system includes a main HVAC system for conditioning a fluid discharged into a passenger compartment of the vehicle, an auxiliary HVAC system for conditioning a localized fluid of at least one HVAC zones of the passenger compartment, a seat system, and an HVAC controller. The HVAC controller controls the main HVAC system, the auxiliary HVAC system, and the seat system based upon at least one parameter and condition which pertains to at least one of electrical energy consumption of the vehicle and occupant comfort.

Abstract: A collision sensing system for a vehicle (10) includes a two-dimensional coil sensor (14) that is attached to a vehicle structure (19) A controller (20) is in communication with the two-dimensional coil sensor (14) and detects a collision event in response to movement of the vehicle structure (19) relative to a conductive member (98) of the vehicle (10). A collision detection and safety countermeasure system (12) for a vehicle (10) includes a coil sensor (14) that is adhered to a vehicle structure (19). A controller (20) is in communication with the coil sensor (14) and generates a countermeasure signal in response to movement by the vehicle structure (19) relative to a conductive member (98) of the vehicle (10).

Abstract: A climate control system of a vehicle and a method of controlling the climate control system to minimize vehicle energy consumption and maximize occupant comfort. The climate control system includes a main HVAC system for conditioning a fluid discharged into a passenger compartment of the vehicle, an auxiliary HVAC system for conditioning a localized fluid of at least one HVAC zones of the passenger compartment, a seat system, and an HVAC controller. The HVAC controller controls the main HVAC system, the auxiliary HVAC system, and the seat system based upon at least one parameter and condition which pertains to at least one of electrical energy consumption of the vehicle and occupant comfort.

Abstract: A method for heating fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine supplies current from a power source to a plurality of electrically operable mechanical actuators. The current is supplied sequentially to at least two electrically operable mechanical actuators at a level sufficient to produce a time-varying magnetic field having a power density that substantially raises an armature temperature of said valve, while substantially maintaining the operating states that said at least two electrically operable mechanical actuators assumed prior to applying said current.

Abstract: A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.

Abstract: A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.

Abstract: A system and method to heat a fuel injector is described. Resistive heating may be selectively applied to improve the performance of a fuel injector. Specifically, current can be supplied to an electrically operable mechanical valve to improve the operation of the valve at lower temperatures. The method can improve engine performance and lower emissions, at least under some conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable mechanical valve actuator is described. The system is capable of providing heat to targeted areas of an actuator so that valve performance may be improved during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in a transmission is presented. According to the method, transmission operation can be improved by heating the valves, at least during some conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically controlled actuator is described. The method is capable of improving engine starting during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: An electrically insulated conductor for carrying signals or current includes a solid or stranded copper core of various geometries with only a single electrically insulating and thermally conductive layer of anodized aluminum (aluminum oxide). The device is made by forming a uniform thickness thin sheet or foil of aluminum to envelop the copper or copper alloy core. The aluminum has its outer surface partially anodized either before or after forming to the core in an electrolytic process to form a single layer of aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, valve operation can be improved by heating the valves, at least during some conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable actuator is described. The method demagnetizes at least the core of an electromagnet to improve operation of the electrically operable actuator.

Abstract: An electrically insulated conductor for carrying signals or current includes a solid or stranded copper core of various geometries with only a single electrically insulating and thermally conductive layer of anodized aluminum (aluminum oxide). The device is made by forming a uniform thickness thin sheet or foil of aluminum to envelop the copper or copper alloy core. The aluminum has its outer surface partially anodized either before or after forming to the core in an electrolytic process to form a single layer of aluminum oxide.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for electromagnetic forming of a workpiece with enhancements that increase the durability and overall efficiency of the solenoid coil. The apparatus includes reinforcement members dispersed through the solenoid coil and a cooling system. The apparatus also includes a shaper that varies in girth effectively acting as a force concentrator. The electromagnetic forming device is also capable of incrementally heat treating the workpiece and reducing residual stresses in the workpiece. The invention further discloses a more efficient way of manufacturing the solenoid coil.

Abstract: A method for heating fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine, method comprising of supplying current from a power source to a plurality of electrically operable mechanical actuators; said current supplied sequentially to at least two electrically operable mechanical actuators of said plurality of electrically operable mechanical actuators and said current having attributes at a level sufficient to produce a time-varying magnetic field having a power density that substantially raises the temperature of an armature of said electrically operable mechanical valve, while substantially maintaining the operating states that said at least two electrically operable mechanical actuator assumed prior to applying said current.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce the instantaneous power consumption during heating of a fuel injector is described. The system is capable of heating the fuel injectors of an engine at different times.