Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component defining a primary exhaust gas flow path with a primary exhaust gas outlet. At least one opening is defined by the tubular component and extends through an inner surface and an outer surface of the tubular component. A plate is disposed on the outer surface of tubular component and covers the at least one opening. A secondary exhaust gas flow path is defined by the at least one opening in the tubular component, through a plurality of elongated flow channels, and through the outlet opening defined by the plate. The exhaust gases flowing through the secondary exhaust gas flow path are exhausted to atmosphere in a different location than the primary outlet.

Abstract: A prechamber spark plug having a thermally enhanced prechamber cap with a thermally conductive core, such as one made from a copper-, aluminum- and/or silver-based material. Due to its location and function, a prechamber cap is exposed to thermal energy from a pre-combustion process taking place within a prechamber, as well as thermal energy from a combustion process taking place in a main combustion chamber. Thus, the prechamber cap is being heated on both its interior and its exterior and, if not sufficiently cooled, can become so hot that it undesirably triggers preignition events in the engine. The thermally enhanced prechamber cap may include a main body with an interior surface and an exterior surface, a thermally conductive core with one or more thermal segments and insert segments, and one or more openings extending between a prechamber and a main combustion chamber, where each opening extends through an insert segment that is designed to resistant to corrosion and/or erosion.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system for allowing passage of exhaust gasses therethrough. The vehicle exhaust system has a first pipe having a first end and a second end. The first end defines an exhaust gas inlet and the second end defines an exhaust gas outlet. The vehicle exhaust system also has a second pipe positioned downstream of the first pipe and has a third end and a fourth end. At least a portion of the second end of first pipe is positioned within the third end of the second pipe defining an overlap between the second end of the first pipe and the third end of the second pipe. The first pipe and the second pipe together define a volume for the exhaust gasses. The volume comprises a first volume passageway between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet and a second volume passageway defined by the overlap of the second pipe and the first pipe and having an inlet for exhaust gasses into the second volume passageway and an outlet from the second volume passageway positioned axially upstream of inlet.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component defining a primary exhaust gas flow path with a primary exhaust gas outlet. At least one opening is defined by the tubular component and extends through an inner surface and an outer surface of the tubular component. A plate is disposed on the outer surface of tubular component and covers the at least one opening. A secondary exhaust gas flow path is defined by the at least one opening in the tubular component, through a plurality of elongated flow channels, and through the outlet opening defined by the plate. The exhaust gases flowing through the secondary exhaust gas flow path are exhausted to atmosphere in a different location than the primary outlet.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component having an inner surface and an outer surface. The vehicle exhaust system also includes at least one opening defined by the tubular component. The at least one opening extends through each of the inner surface and the outer surface. The vehicle exhaust system further includes a patch adapted to cover the at least one opening. The patch includes a first portion extending parallel to the central axis. The first portion defines a plurality of pores. The first portion covers the at least one opening. The patch also includes a second portion extending away from the first portion. The first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component defining a primary exhaust gas flow path. At least one opening defined by the tubular component extends through an inner surface and an outer surface of the tubular component. A patch covers the at least one opening. The patch includes a plate disposed on the tubular component. The plate defines at least one flow channel to receive exhaust gases from the at least one opening and impart at least one directional change to the received exhaust gases. The plate further defines at least one outlet opening adapted to receive exhaust gases from the flow channel. A secondary exhaust gas flow path is defined through the at least one opening in the tubular component, the flow channel defined by the plate, and the outlet opening defined by the plate.

Abstract: A prechamber spark plug having a thermally enhanced prechamber cap with a thermally conductive core, such as one made from a copper-, aluminum- and/or silver-based material. Due to its location and function, a prechamber cap is exposed to thermal energy from a pre-combustion process taking place within a prechamber, as well as thermal energy from a combustion process taking place in a main combustion chamber. Thus, the prechamber cap is being heated on both its interior and its exterior and, if not sufficiently cooled, can become so hot that it undesirably triggers preignition events in the engine. The thermally enhanced prechamber cap may include a main body with an interior surface and an exterior surface, a thermally conductive core with one or more thermal segments and insert segments, and one or more openings extending between a prechamber and a main combustion chamber, where each opening extends through an insert segment that is designed to resistant to corrosion and/or erosion.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system for allowing passage of exhaust gasses therethrough. The vehicle exhaust system has a first pipe having a first end and a second end. The first end defines an exhaust gas inlet and the second end defines an exhaust gas outlet. The vehicle exhaust system also has a second pipe positioned downstream of the first pipe and has a third end and a fourth end. At least a portion of the second end of first pipe is positioned within the third end of the second pipe defining an overlap between the second end of the first pipe and the third end of the second pipe. The first pipe and the second pipe together define a volume for the exhaust gasses. The volume comprises a first volume passageway between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet and a second volume passageway defined by the overlap of the second pipe and the first pipe and having an inlet for exhaust gasses into the second volume passageway and an outlet from the second volume passageway positioned axially upstream of inlet.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component which allow passage of exhaust gases therethrough. The tubular component includes an upstream pipe having a first end and a second end. The tubular component further includes a downstream pipe having a third end and a fourth end. The third end of the downstream pipe at least partially encloses the second end of the upstream pipe such that the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe together define a junction region and the fourth end defines a primary exhaust gas flow path. The downstream pipe at least partially defines an opening within the junction region such that the opening provides a secondary exhaust gas flow path.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component having an inner surface and an outer surface. The vehicle exhaust system also includes at least one opening defined by the tubular component. The at least one opening extends through each of the inner surface and the outer surface. The vehicle exhaust system further includes a patch adapted to cover the at least one opening. The patch includes a first portion extending parallel to the central axis. The first portion defines a plurality of pores. The first portion covers the at least one opening. The patch also includes a second portion extending away from the first portion. The first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component which allow passage of exhaust gases therethrough. The tubular component includes an upstream pipe having a first end and a second end. The tubular component further includes a downstream pipe having a third end and a fourth end. The third end of the downstream pipe at least partially encloses the second end of the upstream pipe such that the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe together define a junction region and the fourth end defines a primary exhaust gas flow path. The downstream pipe at least partially defines an opening within the junction region such that the opening provides a secondary exhaust gas flow path.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component defining a primary exhaust gas flow path. At least one opening defined by the tubular component extends through an inner surface and an outer surface of the tubular component. A patch covers the at least one opening. The patch includes a plate disposed on the tubular component. The plate defines at least one flow channel to receive exhaust gases from the at least one opening and impart at least one directional change to the received exhaust gases. The plate further defines at least one outlet opening adapted to receive exhaust gases from the flow channel. A secondary exhaust gas flow path is defined through the at least one opening in the tubular component, the flow channel defined by the plate, and the outlet opening defined by the plate.

Abstract: A method for implementing vehicle platooning includes: linking, by a handoff control module, a plurality of vehicles to form a platoon; selectively assigning, by the handoff control module, a first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles as a lead vehicle and remaining ones of the plurality of vehicles as lag vehicles, wherein at least one driving function of the lag vehicles is controlled in accordance with the lead vehicle; determining, by the handoff control module, a first lead vehicle interval for the first vehicle as the lead vehicle; and in response to the first lead vehicle interval expiring, selectively assigning, by the handoff control module, the first vehicle as a lag vehicle and a second vehicle of the plurality of vehicles as the lead vehicle for a second lead vehicle interval.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies and processes that provide user comfort include at least one thermally conductive foam layer consisting essentially of a polymeric elastomer foam matrix and a plurality of thermally conductive particles disposed therein, wherein the plurality of thermally conductive particles are selected from the group consisting of carbon, graphene, graphite, platinum, aluminum, gold, silver, silicon, copper, iron, nickel, stretched polyethylene nanofibers, and mixtures thereof; and a base core layer, wherein the at least one thermally conductive foam layer overlays the base core layer.

Abstract: Mattresses including a polymeric contact sensor configured to provide real-time dynamic contact information, which can then be used to report sleep quality, body position and/or pressure distributions to the user. The polymeric contact sensors could also be used to control parameters of the mattress and/or foundation with adjustable firmness for a given position and/or body shape/type/size. The polymeric contact sensor includes a plurality of flexible strips formed of a polymeric material and a conductive filler, wherein the polymeric contact sensor is in electrical communication with a data acquisition terminal, wherein the polymeric contact sensor is disposed on or within the upholstery layer, or on or within the quilt layer, or on a top surface of the innercore unit.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment device, which includes an outer layer, an inner layer that is at least in part disposed within the outer layer, and a loose-fill insulation disposed in the volume between the outer layer and the inner layer, where a piece of fiber mat is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer and forms a barrier that at least partially prevents the loss of the loose-fill insulation from the volume between the outer layer and the inner layer and a manufacturing method that includes placing a loose-fill insulation into the volume of space between an inner layer and an outer layer and positioning a piece of fiber mat between the outer layer and the inner layer to form a barrier that at least partially prevents the loss of the loose-fill insulation from the volume of space between the outer and inner layers.

Abstract: Mattresses including a polymeric contact sensor configured to provide real-time dynamic contact information, which can then be used to report sleep quality, body position and/or pressure distributions to the user. The polymeric contact sensors could also be used to control parameters of the mattress and/or foundation with adjustable firmness for a given position and/or body shape/type/size. The polymeric contact sensor includes a plurality of flexible strips formed of a polymeric material and a conductive filler, wherein the polymeric contact sensor is in electrical communication with a data acquisition terminal, wherein the polymeric contact sensor is disposed on or within the upholstery layer, or on or within the quilt layer, or on a top surface of the innercore unit.

Abstract: A smart pillow unit and processes for providing active noise cancellation and biofeedback.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment device, which includes an outer layer, an inner layer that is at least in part disposed within the outer layer, and an insulation material disposed in an enclosed space between the outer layer and the inner layer, where at least one reservoir disposed with the insulation material is connected to the enclosed space and in fluid communication therewith and a manufacturing method that includes placing an insulation material into an enclosed space between an inner layer and an outer layer for an exhaust gas treatment device and placing the insulation material into a reservoir connected to the enclosed space and in fluid communication therewith.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies and processes that provide user comfort include at least one thermally conductive foam layer consisting essentially of a polymeric elastomer foam matrix and a plurality of thermally conductive particles disposed therein, wherein the plurality of thermally conductive particles are selected from the group consisting of carbon, graphene, graphite, platinum, aluminum, gold, silver, silicon, copper, iron, nickel, stretched polyethylene nanofibers, and mixtures thereof; and a base core layer, wherein the at least one thermally conductive foam layer overlays the base core layer.