Abstract: A vehicle body-variant adaptable shock tower system for a vehicle body structure having an axis, a vehicle frame rail arranged along the axis, a bulkhead arranged orthogonally relative to the frame rail. The system includes a shock tower spaced apart from the bulkhead and fixed to the frame rail. The system also includes a shock tower cap defining a plurality of receivers and a plurality of braces, wherein the number of braces corresponds to the body-variant. Each brace extends from the shock tower through a respective one of the receivers to the bulkhead, and is fixed to the shock tower and the bulkhead. The system additionally includes an adhesive applied between the shock tower cap, the plurality of braces, and the shock tower to thereby bond the shock tower cap, the braces, and the shock tower to each other and reinforce the vehicle body structure.

Abstract: A vehicle body-variant adaptable shock tower system for a vehicle body structure having an axis, a vehicle frame rail arranged along the axis, a bulkhead arranged orthogonally relative to the frame rail. The system includes a shock tower spaced apart from the bulkhead and fixed to the frame rail. The system also includes a shock tower cap defining a plurality of receivers and a plurality of braces, wherein the number of braces corresponds to the body-variant. Each brace extends from the shock tower through a respective one of the receivers to the bulkhead, and is fixed to the shock tower and the bulkhead. The system additionally includes an adhesive applied between the shock tower cap, the plurality of braces, and the shock tower to thereby bond the shock tower cap, the braces, and the shock tower to each other and reinforce the vehicle body structure.

Abstract: An aerodynamic control system of a vehicle includes a utilization module that, based on a longitudinal force on a tire in a longitudinal direction and a latitudinal force on the tire in a latitudinal direction, determines a utilization force on the tire of the vehicle and a direction of the utilization force. A maximum module, based on the direction of the utilization force, determines a maximum force of the tire for maintaining traction between the tire and a road surface contacting the tire. A difference module determines a difference between the utilization force on the tire of the vehicle and the maximum force on the tire. An aerodynamic actuator control module selectively adjusts a position of an aerodynamic actuator of the vehicle based on the difference.

Abstract: An aerodynamic control system of a vehicle includes a utilization module that, based on a longitudinal force on a tire in a longitudinal direction and a latitudinal force on the tire in a latitudinal direction, determines a utilization force on the tire of the vehicle and a direction of the utilization force. A maximum module, based on the direction of the utilization force, determines a maximum force of the tire for maintaining traction between the tire and a road surface contacting the tire. A difference module determines a difference between the utilization force on the tire of the vehicle and the maximum force on the tire. An aerodynamic actuator control module selectively adjusts a position of an aerodynamic actuator of the vehicle based on the difference.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an aerodynamic mechanism for a vehicle including a body and a wheel. The aerodynamic mechanism includes a wing and a coupling assembly. The wing is configured to be arranged to intersect and airflow such that the airflow circulates about the wing and generates downforce. The coupling assembly is operatively connected to the wing and configured to be operatively connected to the body. The coupling assembly is configured to be selectively coupled to the wheel such that downforce generated by the wing is transmitted through the coupling assembly, directly to the wheel. The coupling assembly is configured to be selectively decoupled from the wheel such that downforce generated by the wing is transmitted through the coupling assembly, directly to the body.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an aerodynamic mechanism for a vehicle including a body and a wheel. The aerodynamic mechanism includes a wing and a coupling assembly. The wing is configured to be arranged to intersect and airflow such that the airflow circulates about the wing and generates downforce. The coupling assembly is operatively connected to the wing and configured to be operatively connected to the body. The coupling assembly is configured to be selectively coupled to the wheel such that downforce generated by the wing is transmitted through the coupling assembly, directly to the wheel. The coupling assembly is configured to be selectively decoupled from the wheel such that downforce generated by the wing is transmitted through the coupling assembly, directly to the body.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a vehicle includes a bar operatively connectable to driver-side and passenger-side suspension corner assemblies to extend therebetween and rotatably mountable to the vehicle body between the suspension corner assemblies. The suspension apparatus also includes a body load reaction component that is operatively connectable to at least one of the body and the bar. The body load reaction component is engaged to provide reaction force on the body to manage vertical displacement of the body.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a vehicle includes a bar operatively connectable to driver-side and passenger-side suspension corner assemblies to extend therebetween and rotatably mountable to the vehicle body between the suspension corner assemblies. The suspension apparatus also includes a body load reaction component that is operatively connectable to at least one of the body and the bar. The body load reaction component is engaged to provide reaction force on the body to manage vertical displacement of the body.

Abstract: A method of improving the removal of an investment casting shell surrounding a metallic article. The shell is made from the deposit of layers refractory slurry and stucco onto a pattern. The shell contains, after firing, an amount of an alkali metal oxide or an alkaline earth metal oxide sufficient to reduce the strength of the shell. By this invention, after firing of the shell and pouring of the molten metallic part into the shell, the shell is hydrated to further reduce the strength of the shell, to facilitate its removal from the metallic part.

Abstract: A method of improving the removal of an investment casting shell surrounding a metallic article. The shell is made from the deposit of layers refractory slurry and stucco onto a pattern. The shell contains, after firing, an amount of an alkali metal oxide or an alkaline earth metal oxide sufficient to reduce the strength of the shell. By this invention, after firing of the shell and pouring of the molten metallic part into the shell, the shell is hydrated to further reduce the strength of the shell, to facilitate its removal from the metallic part.