Abstract: An exhaust silencer includes a housing defining an interior and a tube disposed in the interior and defining an opening. A gas-flow deflector is configured to heat shield an interior wall of the housing from exhaust gases exiting the opening. The deflector has a deflector plate and a riser. The riser has a first portion connected to the interior wall and a second portion connected to a backside of the deflector plate to suspend the deflector plate in the interior such that the backside is completely spaced from the interior wall to form an insulating airgap therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle that includes a piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device may harvest energy that may be transferred between two masses, such as a chassis and a vehicle suspension, to power electrical components of a vehicle. In addition, output of the piezoelectric device may be monitored to identify degradation of electrical connectors.

Abstract: An anti-siphon device and method for operation of an anti-siphon device is provided. The anti-siphon device includes a plurality of radially aligned fins that are unsupported at one end and attached to a carrier body at a second end.

Abstract: A fuel-storage tank for a vehicle includes a body defining an interior volume having a floor and a ceiling and configured to store fuel. The tank further includes an anti-slosh reinforcement column extending between the floor and the ceiling. The anti-slosh reinforcement column has a vertical baffle extending between the floor and the ceiling. The vertical baffle has opposing first and second major faces and edges extending therebetween. A horizontal baffle of the column has upper and lower major faces and edges extending therebetween. The horizontal baffle is rigidly supported on the vertical baffle such that the first and second major faces are substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower major faces.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using energy harvesting modules as a means for providing energy to power an electrical load and/or as a means for monitoring an operational state of a component or components to which the energy harvesting module is coupled. In one example, a method includes, via a controller, monitoring an actual amount of energy generated by an energy harvesting module attached to a mounting structure that is used to secure a torque-supplying machine to a frame, comparing the actual amount to an expected amount, and indicating degradation of the mounting structure and/or the torque-supplying machine based on the comparing. In this way, the energy harvesting modules may both power electrical loads and simultaneously serve as a monitor for component degradation.

Abstract: A fuel-storage tank for a vehicle includes a body defining an interior volume having a floor and a ceiling and configured to store fuel. The tank further includes an anti-slosh reinforcement column extending between the floor and the ceiling. The anti-slosh reinforcement column has a vertical baffle extending between the floor and the ceiling. The vertical baffle has opposing first and second major faces and edges extending therebetween. A horizontal baffle of the column has upper and lower major faces and edges extending therebetween. The horizontal baffle is rigidly supported on the vertical baffle such that the first and second major faces are substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower major faces.

Abstract: An exhaust silencer includes a housing defining an interior and a tube disposed in the interior and defining an opening. A gas-flow deflector is configured to heat shield an interior wall of the housing from exhaust gases exiting the opening. The deflector has a deflector plate and a riser. The riser has a first portion connected to the interior wall and a second portion connected to a backside of the deflector plate to suspend the deflector plate in the interior such that the backside is completely spaced from the interior wall to form an insulating airgap therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle that includes a piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device may harvest energy that may be transferred between two masses, such as a chassis and a vehicle suspension, to power electrical components of a vehicle. In addition, output of the piezoelectric device may be monitored to identify degradation of electrical connectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using energy harvesting modules as a means for providing energy to power an electrical load and/or as a means for monitoring an operational state of a component or components to which the energy harvesting module is coupled. In one example, a method includes, via a controller, monitoring an actual amount of energy generated by an energy harvesting module attached to a mounting structure that is used to secure a torque-supplying machine to a frame, comparing the actual amount to an expected amount, and indicating degradation of the mounting structure and/or the torque-supplying machine based on the comparing. In this way, the energy harvesting modules may both power electrical loads and simultaneously serve as a monitor for component degradation.

Abstract: An anti-siphon device and method for operation of an anti-siphon device is provided. The anti-siphon device includes a plurality of radially aligned fins that are unsupported at one end and attached to a carrier body at a second end.

Abstract: A bracket for supporting a vehicle control module, such as a powertrain control module, is disclosed. The bracket includes a body having a base wall, nodes or support posts, and side walls. The base wall includes back and module-receiving sides. An array of intersecting ribs is formed on the back side while at least one array of honeycomb segments is formed on the module-receiving side. At least one of the honeycomb segments includes a top layer. Substrate attachment arms extend outwardly from the side walls. Support posts extend from the back side of the base wall. Three intersecting ribs are provided, generally forming a triangle. One or more additional ribs may be provided. The intersecting ribs are hollow. The individual ribs function as structural beams that connect to and thus work in conjunction with the nodes or support posts and the honeycomb to provide optimum stiffness to the bracket.

Abstract: A bracket for supporting a vehicle control module, such as a powertrain control module, is disclosed. The bracket includes a body having a base wall, nodes or support posts, and side walls. The base wall includes back and module-receiving sides. An array of intersecting ribs is formed on the back side while at least one array of honeycomb segments is formed on the module-receiving side. At least one of the honeycomb segments includes a top layer. Substrate attachment arms extend outwardly from the side walls. Support posts extend from the back side of the base wall. Three intersecting ribs are provided, generally forming a triangle. One or more additional ribs may be provided. The intersecting ribs are hollow. The individual ribs function as structural beams that connect to and thus work in conjunction with the nodes or support posts and the honeycomb to provide optimum stiffness to the bracket.