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: An air-induction system of an engine includes a hose assembly. The hose assembly includes an elastomeric hose having a circular cross section when in a natural state, and a deformable sleeve received around the hose and configured to create an indentation in the hose for part clearance. The sleeve has an end section having a circular cross section and an intermediate section in which the sleeve projects radially inward into a sidewall of the hose such that the hose is deformed from the natural state to a deformed state in which the sidewall is deformed radially inward creating the indention and a non-circular cross section of the hose at the intermediate section.

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 a conical guard for an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system. In one example, the conical guard is arranged at an end of a vent line of the EVAP system, adapted with openings sufficiently small to hinder entry of foreign bodies into the vent line. The conical guard is further configured to trap and expel debris and maintain a desired rate of flow through the EVAP system.

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: Methods and systems are provided for using thermoelectric generators to recover waste heat from and diagnose turbocharger systems. In one example, a method may include adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on an amount of current generated from one or more thermoelectric generators coupled to a turbocharger.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a conical guard for an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system. In one example, the conical guard is arranged at an end of a vent line of the EVAP system, adapted with openings sufficiently small to hinder entry of foreign bodies into the vent line. The conical guard is further configured to trap and expel debris and maintain a desired rate of flow through the EVAP system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using thermoelectric generators to recover waste heat from and diagnose turbocharger systems. In one example, a method may include adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on an amount of current generated from one or more thermoelectric generators coupled to a turbocharger.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat coupled to a seatback. The seat includes a cushion divided into a first part and a second part. The first part and the second part are arranged to form a platform in an opened state. A liner is stored between the first part and the second part in the unopened state. The liner covers the platform in the opened state.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat coupled to a seatback. The seat includes a cushion divided into a first part and a second part. The first part and the second part are arranged to form a platform in an opened state. A liner is stored between the first part and the second part in the unopened state. The liner covers the platform in the opened state.

Abstract: An exemplary contaminant reducing assembly includes, among other things, an aerodynamic wing positioned directly in front of a windshield relative to a direction of flow over the windshield. The aerodynamic wing is configured to influence the flow of air over the windshield. The aerodynamic wing, in some examples, can move back and forth between a retracted position and a deployed position to influence the flow. In some examples, the windshield is coated with a hydrophobic coating, which can further facilitate contaminant reduction. An exemplary contaminant reducing method includes, among other things, influence a flow of air over a windshield using an aerodynamic wing positioned directly in front of the windshield relative to a direction of the flow. The method, in some examples, can include moving the aerodynamic wing from a retracted position to a deployed position to influence the flow.