Abstract: A cooling system for an automotive propulsion system is provided. The cooling system includes a housing defining a housing inlet and a housing outlet. An exhaust pipe may be configured to be fluidly connected to an automotive engine, the exhaust pipe and defining a passageway for exhausting exhaust gases originating with the automotive engine. The housing outlet is connected in fluid communication with the passageway of the exhaust pipe, which may be through a cooling conduit. The exhaust pipe is configured to suck air from the housing outlet into the exhaust pipe to define a cooling air flow path from the housing inlet to the passageway of the exhaust pipe. In one variation, the outlet of the cooling conduit has an open end placed in a slipstream of the vehicle rather than in the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A cooling system for an automotive propulsion system is provided. The cooling system includes a housing defining a housing inlet and a housing outlet. An exhaust pipe may be configured to be fluidly connected to an automotive engine, the exhaust pipe and defining a passageway for exhausting exhaust gases originating with the automotive engine. The housing outlet is connected in fluid communication with the passageway of the exhaust pipe, which may be through a cooling conduit. The exhaust pipe is configured to suck air from the housing outlet into the exhaust pipe to define a cooling air flow path from the housing inlet to the passageway of the exhaust pipe. In one variation, the outlet of the cooling conduit has an open end placed in a slipstream of the vehicle rather than in the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly is fillable by a fuel pump. The fuel pump is configured such that the existence of a predetermined condition causes the pump to stop delivering fuel. The fuel tank assembly includes a tank defining a chamber, a fill tube, and a fuel pump shut-off system. The fill tube defines an opening configured to receive a nozzle of the pump, and a passageway that provides fluid communication between the opening and the chamber to transfer liquid fuel from the nozzle to the chamber. The fuel pump shut-off system is configured to selectively generate the predetermined condition, and is configured such that whether the predetermined condition exists depends on the total volume of liquid fuel in the chamber and the chemical composition of the liquid fuel in the chamber.

Abstract: A lighting assembly for a vehicle includes a glass panel configured to be installed on the vehicle (e.g., a front windshield or rear window), and a substantially planar lighting component (e.g., a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) integrated into a perimeter margin region of the glass panel. In accordance with various embodiments, the substantially planar lighting component is configured as a turn signal, a brake indicator, or a warning light.

Abstract: A heat storage and release system for a transmission includes a material capable of super cooling within an operating temperature range of the transmission. The material is in thermal communication with the transmission. An energy input device is associated with the material and operable to input energy to the material to initiate an exothermic phase change within the material in order to deliver heat to the transmission.

Abstract: A transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft, where an input gear is rotatably fixed for common rotation by the input shaft, an output gear is rotatably fixed for common rotation by the output shaft, and a third shaft is disposed generally parallel to the input and output shafts and has an outer surface that includes a splined portion and a non-splined portion. A reverse gear assembly rotatably fixed for common rotation by the third shaft includes a reverse gear, a synchronizer member, an annular retaining member, and a synchronizer spring. The reverse gear is disposed on the third shaft, and has a hub extending from a first side. The reverse gear assembly is selectively axially moveable along the third shaft to engage the input and output gears.

Abstract: A transmission is disclosed having an input shaft and an output shaft, where an input gear is rotatably fixed for common rotation by the input shaft, an output gear is rotatably fixed for common rotation by the output shaft, and a third shaft is disposed generally parallel to the input and output shafts and has an outer surface that includes a splined portion and a non-splined portion. A reverse gear assembly rotatably fixed for common rotation by the third shaft includes a reverse gear, a synchronizer member, an annular retaining member, and a synchronizer spring. The reverse gear is disposed on the third shaft, and has a hub extending from a first side. The reverse gear assembly is selectively axially moveable along the third shaft to engage the input and output gears.

Abstract: An oil level management system for a vehicle has an oil pan configured to contain oil and to be mountable to an engine block with a baffle extending transverse to the axis of rotation of the engine crankshaft when the oil pan is so mounted. The baffle is configured to partially define a first oil reservoir and a second oil reservoir, as well as an oil flow opening such that the oil reservoirs are in fluid communication with one another and are characterized by respective first and second oil levels within the pan. The second reservoir drains to the first reservoir when the engine is running and when the engine block and crankshaft are positioned on the vehicle with the axis of rotation tilted from horizontal. The first oil level is lower than the second oil level to avoid oil contact with the crankshaft.

Abstract: A heat storage and release system for a transmission includes a material capable of super cooling within an operating temperature range of the transmission. The material is in thermal communication with the transmission. An energy input device is associated with the material and operable to input energy to the material to initiate an exothermic phase change within the material in order to deliver heat to the transmission.

Abstract: A spring assembly is mounted on a crankshaft for a vehicle. A selector mechanism for the spring assembly selectively connects the spring assembly to the crankshaft. The selector mechanism is engaged in a first position to connect the spring to the crankshaft when the engine is shut-off such that the crankshaft winds the spring as it rotates. The selector mechanism is then engaged in a second position such that the spring applies a rotational force to re-start the engine. A method for braking the engine includes engaging the crankshaft with the torsion spring and winding the torsion spring with rotation of the crankshaft until the tension within the torsion spring is greater than the force applied to the crankshaft.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include a crankcase ventilation assembly having a fuel separator assembly. The fuel separator assembly may include a condensing unit and a vaporizing unit. The condensing unit may include a gas region and a liquid retaining region. A gas inlet may be in fluid communication with the gas region and a gas flow from the engine block including fuel vapor. The condensing unit may convert the fuel vapor to liquid fuel. The first gas outlet may be in fluid communication with an engine air inlet and provide a remainder of the gas flow thereto. The fluid region may store and provide the liquid fuel to the vaporizing unit through a liquid inlet. The vaporizing unit may convert the liquid fuel to fuel vapor and a second gas outlet may provide the fuel vapor to the air inlet.

Abstract: A spring assembly is mounted on a crankshaft for a vehicle. A selector mechanism for the spring assembly selectively connects the spring assembly to the crankshaft. The selector mechanism is engaged in a first position to connect the spring to the crankshaft when the engine is shut-off such that the crankshaft winds the spring as it rotates. The selector mechanism is then engaged in a second position such that the spring applies a rotational force to re-start the engine. A method for braking the engine includes engaging the crankshaft with the torsion spring and winding the torsion spring with rotation of the crankshaft until the tension within the torsion spring is greater than the force applied to the crankshaft.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include a crankcase ventilation assembly having a fuel separator assembly. The fuel separator assembly may include a condensing unit and a vaporizing unit. The condensing unit may include a gas region and a liquid retaining region. A gas inlet may be in fluid communication with the gas region and a gas flow from the engine block including fuel vapor. The condensing unit may convert the fuel vapor to liquid fuel. The first gas outlet may be in fluid communication with an engine air inlet and provide a remainder of the gas flow thereto. The fluid region may store and provide the liquid fuel to the vaporizing unit through a liquid inlet. The vaporizing unit may convert the liquid fuel to fuel vapor and a second gas outlet may provide the fuel vapor to the air inlet.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly is fillable by a fuel pump. The fuel pump is configured such that the existence of a predetermined condition causes the pump to stop delivering fuel. The fuel tank assembly includes a tank defining a chamber, a fill tube, and a fuel pump shut-off system. The fill tube defines an opening configured to receive a nozzle of the pump, and a passageway that provides fluid communication between the opening and the chamber to transfer liquid fuel from the nozzle to the chamber. The fuel pump shut-off system is configured to selectively generate the predetermined condition, and is configured such that whether the predetermined condition exists depends on the total volume of liquid fuel in the chamber and the chemical composition of the liquid fuel in the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods and systems for heating an engine, particularly during initial start-up of the engine. In one exemplary embodiment, a heat storage and release system for an engine is provided. The system may include a material capable of super cooling within an operating temperature range of the engine. The material is in thermal communication with the engine and may include an energy input device associated with the material. The energy input device may be configured to input energy to the material causing the material to undergo an exothermic phase change. During the phase change the material releases heat to the engine.

Abstract: An oil level management system for a vehicle has an oil pan configured to contain oil and to be mountable to an engine block with a baffle extending transverse to the axis of rotation of the engine crankshaft when the oil pan is so mounted. The baffle is configured to partially define a first oil reservoir and a second oil reservoir, as well as an oil flow opening such that the oil reservoirs are in fluid communication with one another and are characterized by respective first and second oil levels within the pan. The second reservoir drains to the first reservoir when the engine is running and when the engine block and crankshaft are positioned on the vehicle with the axis of rotation tilted from horizontal. The first oil level is lower than the second oil level to avoid oil contact with the crankshaft.