Abstract: A position-controlled front hood latch bracket for a vehicle includes a bracket base having a hood latch opening configured to receive a hood latch assembly having a latch base, the latch base having a perimeter and a plurality of locating apertures. The front hood latch bracket also includes a plurality of spaced-apart hood latch keeper features, the hood latch keeper features configured to receive and keep the perimeter of the latch base in slidable engagement with the bracket base while enabling a predetermined amount of movement of the latch base relative to the bracket base in a pre-assembly position. The bracket further includes a plurality of fastener apertures each configured to receive a fastener for detachably attaching the latch base to the bracket base, the locating apertures having a size and a location that exposes the fastener apertures in the preinstallation position regardless of the predetermined amount of movement.

Abstract: An adapter for an oil filler neck and an assembly method for the adapter are provided. In an embodiment, the adapter includes an extension piece with a lower partial region and an upper partial region. The lower partial region has an outer bayonet cap guide that is adjusted to an inner bayonet cap guide of an oil fill port. The upper partial region has the inner bayonet cap guide that is adjusted to the outer bayonet cap guide of an oil filler inlet cover. An outer retaining ferule with an anti-twist device apron engages an outer edge region of the oil fill port in a positive and torsionally rigid manner.

Abstract: Ag/Al2O3 materials may be packaged in a suitable flow-through reactor, in combination with another material selected as a passive NOx adsorber material (PNA), both the silver material and the adsorber material being close coupled to the exhaust manifold of a diesel engine, and upstream of other catalytic devices, such as a diesel oxidation catalyst and a selective reduction catalyst for NOx. The silver catalyst material uses hydrogen in a cold-start engine exhaust and serves to oxidize NO to NO2 in the relatively low temperature, hydrocarbon-containing, exhaust during a short period following the engine cold start, and to temporarily store NOx during the start-up period. After the flowing exhaust gas stream has heated the PNA and the downstream catalytic devices, the silver yields its nitrogen oxides for conversion to nitrogen by the then-operating devices before NOx is discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Vehicles and engines are provided. The engine, for example, may include a first engine component configured to be ohmically coupled to a common ground, a second engine component configured to be coupled to the first engine component, the second engine component comprising an insulative materially ohmically isolating the second engine component from the first engine component, the second engine component including an inclusion having a predetermined depth along a surface of the second engine component configured to be coupled to the first engine component, a third engine component configured to be coupled to the second engine component, and a spring clip configured to be ohmically coupled to the third engine component, wherein the spring clip is further configured to be disposed within the inclusion of the second engine component and to have a deflectable surface having an undeflected depth greater than the predetermined depth of the inclusion.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine with multiple cylinders and an aftertreatment system having a selective catalytic reduction device utilizing ammonia as a reductant. An ammonia generation cycle includes operating some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing molecular hydrogen and some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing NOx. An ammonia generation catalyst is utilized between the engine and the selective catalytic reduction device to produce ammonia.

Abstract: An expandable vehicle system includes a base unit having a frame, a first wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the frame, and a battery-electric propulsion system mounted with respect to the frame. The expandable vehicle system also includes a first extension module having a first vehicle body portion and an auxiliary power unit mounted with respect to the first vehicle body portion. The base unit has a first attachment interface mounted with respect to the frame and the first extension module has a second attachment interface mounted with respect to the first vehicle body portion. The first and second attachment interfaces are configured to selectively and releasably engage one another such that the first extension module and the base unit form a single drivable unit when the first and second attachment interfaces are engaged with one another.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to systems, for selectively actuating a safety mechanism, using a transformable material, to protect against an unwanted condition. The system in one implementation includes first and second pulley devices configured to accommodate multiple strands of the transformable material. In another implementation, the system includes two connection points for holding the transformable material and an overload-protection sub-system for protecting the transformable material from overload. In still another implementation, the system includes a first biasing element and a manual-release sub-system including a second biasing element.

Abstract: Modular wiring harness testing systems and apparatus are provided for testing wiring harnesses such as those used in the automotive industry. The testing apparatus is configurable (or re-configurable) to test a plurality of different types of wiring harnesses that have different configurations in terms of the number of wires, number of circuits and/or the number, size or type of connectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining conductor abnormalities using time reflectometry. The system includes a database configured to store data regarding an impedance of at least one element of an electric circuit. The system also includes a pulse generator for generating a signal pulse. A transmitter is in communication with the pulse generator for transmitting the signal pulse into the electric circuit. The system further includes a receiver for receiving a reflection of the signal pulse from the electric circuit. A processor in communication with the receiver and the database is configured to determine an abnormal condition based on the received reflection of the signal pulse and the data stored in the database.

Abstract: A releasable connection connects a first component to a second component. The second component includes and is manufactured from a Shape Memory Polymer (SMP), and defines a pocket. The first component includes a portion disposed within the pocket. The pocket is deformed from an initial shape permitting insertion of the portion into the pocket to assembly the releasable connection into a connected shape wherein the pocket is deformed to secure the first component relative to the second component. The pocket is transformed from the initial shape into the connected shape by heating the SMP material of the second component to a switching temperature. Re-heating the SMP second component to the switching temperature returns the pocket back to the initial shape from the connected shape to disassembly the releasable connection.

Abstract: A method for determining a radiation characteristic for a vehicle illumination device to be produced from possible radiation characteristics based on a parameter is provided. The parameter is selected from an illumination geometry that can be generated by the device in a surroundings of the device, a device position, and a person-related type of perception. The method includes determining a first value of a light intensity that can be generated for a first point located within an illuminatable area based on the parameter. A second value of the light intensity that can be generated by the illumination device is determined for second points based on the first value. The second points are arranged in the surroundings of the illumination device. A light distribution that can be generated by the illumination device is determined based on the first and second values and the light distribution is outputted to an interface.

Abstract: Integrated travel services are provided via a computer processing device and logic executable by the computer processing device. The integrated travel services map activities to information databases, define conditions for generating alerts, and monitor user behaviors. Upon determining one of the user behaviors matches one of the activities, the integrated travel services access a corresponding database and, using the conditions in conjunction with data from the user behavior, search the corresponding database. The integrated travel services also generate an alert, in response to the search, upon determining that the search results indicate one of the conditions has been met.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a side member in shell design for a rear frame of a self-supporting body of a motor vehicle, having a lower shell and an upper shell which are connected to each other in a fixed manner and at least in portions for a closed hollow member, wherein the lower shell is assembled from three shell parts, which in extension direction of the side member are arranged one after the other, wherein a middle shell part arranged between the two other shell parts at least in portions is formed as metal cast component, in particular steel cast component.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a vehicle specific configuration file. The method includes: determining a vehicle identification number; retrieving, based on the vehicle identification number, from at least one data storage device a bus topology, module information, at least one message identification number, and at least one message length; and generating a configuration file based on the vehicle identification number, the bus topology, the module information, the at least one message identification number, and the at least one message length.

Abstract: A transmission-mounted electric machine includes an integrated rotational position sensor. The rotational position sensor includes a rotor element and a stator element. The stator element is attached to a stator element of the transmission at a plurality of mounting points and includes an alignment adjustment mechanism. The rotor element of the sensor is slip-fit against a shoulder of a rotor hub and held in place using a wave spring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining an abnormal condition in an electrical system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a memory for storing data relating to normal voltage transients. The apparatus also includes a computer electrically connectable to the electrical system and in communication with the memory. The computer is configured to sense voltage transients that occur in the electrical system of the vehicle, compare the sensed voltage transients to the stored normal voltage transients, and determine if the sensed voltage transient indicates an abnormal condition in the electrical system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for plastically forming a plate is provided. The method includes simulating forming the plate based on a frictional parameter that locally varies.

Abstract: An improved air foil bearing assembly is disclosed. The air foil bearing assembly includes a bearing housing having an axially extending bore therein and a shaft arranged within the bore for relative coaxial rotation with respect to the bearing housing. The shaft cooperates with the bearing housing to define an annular gap therebetween. A foil assembly is disposed in the annular gap, including at least one foil having at least one laterally extending tab. The tab is adapted to be received in and extend axially from the annular gap and is further adapted to be bent into frictional contact with an outer surface of the bearing housing to militate against axial movement of the foil.

Abstract: A team-oriented adaptive cruise control system, for use in support of operations of a vehicle. The system includes instructions that cause a processor to perform operations including communicating, to a human user, via a vehicle-user interface, a request to participate regularly, actively, and collaboratively as a member of a collaborative adaptive-cruise-control (ACC) team, to include the system, in an ongoing team relationship of cooperation regarding operating the team-oriented ACC system over time. The operations further include providing, to the user, a commitment communication advising the user that the system will be dedicated to participating regularly, actively, and collaboratively as a team member. The operations also include receiving, from the user, an agreement communication to participate as a member of the collaborative ACC team. And the operations include forming, responsive to receiving the agreement communication, the collaborative ACC team including the user and team-oriented ACC system.

Abstract: A team-oriented heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system, for use in support of operations of a vehicle. The system includes instructions that cause a processor to perform operations including communicating, to a human user, via a vehicle-user interface, a request to participate regularly, actively, and collaboratively as a member of a collaborative HVAC team, to include the system, in an ongoing team relationship of cooperation regarding operating the team-oriented HVAC system over time. The operations further include providing, to the user, a commitment communication advising the user that the system will be dedicated to participating regularly, actively, and collaboratively as a team member. The operations also include receiving, from the user, an agreement communication to participate as a member of the collaborative HVAC team. And the operations include forming, responsive to receiving the agreement communication, the collaborative HVAC team including the user and team-oriented HVAC system.