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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8108136 | Driver advisory system for fuel economy improvement of a hybrid electric vehicle The invention is an intelligent advisory system, which may be based on fuzzy rule-based logic to guide a vehicle driver in selecting an optimal driving strategy to achieve best fuel economy. The advisory system includes separate controllers for providing advisory in... | 01/31/2012 |
| 7553255 | Locker clutch control for a differential mechanism A motor vehicle driveline that can transmit power in a 4×4 mode includes two front wheels, a rear drive shaft, a differential mechanism for transmitting power to two rear axle shafts connected driveably through the differential to the rear driveshaft, and a clutch ... | 06/30/2009 |
| 7530619 | Grab handle with spring-loaded striker for pick-up trucks A pivotable grab handle device is movable between a stowed position, which is positioned against the main tailgate structure, and a deployed position that projects upwardly above the top surface of a lowered main tailgate structure. The grab handle device is mounted... | 05/12/2009 |
| 7464011 | Method for determining addendum and binder surfaces of springback compensated stamping dies A method for determining compensated addendum and binder surfaces as part of a springback compensated stamping die for producing a stamped part includes modeling of the existing addendum surface and binder surface of the stamping die. The addendum and binder surface... | 12/09/2008 |
| 7461626 | Powertrain including a rotary IC engine and a continuously variable planetary gear unit A powertrain for driving a motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine including first and second rotors supported for rotation about an axis, a first epicyclic gear unit including a first component fixed against rotation, a first driving component, and a f... | 12/09/2008 |
| 7461628 | Multiple combustion mode engine using direct alcohol injection A method of operating an engine, comprising of performing homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion during a first operating condition, and performing spark ignition combustion during a second operating condition, where an amount of directly injected alcoho... | 12/09/2008 |
| 7461641 | EGR Cooling System with Multiple EGR Coolers An EGR cooling system is provided. The EGR cooling system comprising a plurality of EGR coolers configured to cool the EGR to a plurality of successively lower temperatures, where at least one of the plurality of EGR coolers includes a finned EGR cooler that compris... | 12/09/2008 |
| 7462121 | Hybrid electric vehicle powertrain with four-wheel drive characteristics A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. A countershaft transmission in the powertrain delivers power from an engine through countershaft gearing. Electric power from a single motor-generator complements engine power and may drive front traction wheels. Re... | 12/09/2008 |
| 7462129 | Driveline shift quality in variable valve engine equipped drivelines In one example, a method for controlling powertrain operation in a vehicle is provided, the powertrain having an engine and an automatic transmission, the engine having at least an electrically actuated cylinder valve. The method includes changing gears from a first... | 12/09/2008 |
| 7458350 | Engine/valvetrain with shaft-mounted cam followers having dual independent lash adjusters A multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having a valvetrain with a camshaft disposed within an engine block and at least two valves operated by a common camshaft lobe includes a stationary shaft disposed generally parallel to the camshaft and a cam follower h... | 12/02/2008 |
| 7458609 | System and method for adjustably positioning a restraint system in a motor vehicle A restraint system for use in a passenger seating area of a motor vehicle includes a seat belt assembly having a webbing extending between a lower anchor and a belt retractor positionable across the body of an occupant. A sensor is coupled with the belt retractor to... | 12/02/2008 |
| 7458346 | Method for controlling valves of an engine having a variable event valvetrain during an engine stop A method for controlling a variable event valvetrain during engine stop conditions is described. According to the method engine valves may be controlled to so that subsequent engine starting may be facilitated and so that energy consumption may be reduced. ... | 12/02/2008 |
| 7458345 | Adjusting ballistic valve timing A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, valve timing can be adjusted in a number of ways. The method can also compensate for changes in the natural response of the valve apparatus. | 12/02/2008 |
| 7458366 | Fugitive hydrocarbon treatment module for internal combustion engine air intake system A fugitive hydrocarbon treatment module and system for controlling the emission of hydrocarbons from the air intake system of an engine includes a zeolite adsorber unit positioned in the air intake system such that all gases flowing to and from the engine through th... | 12/02/2008 |
| D582065 | Headlamp | 12/02/2008 |
| 7460935 | System for validating velocities of components in a vehicle A system for validating velocities of components in a vehicle uses sensor measurements and mathematical relationships between the vehicle components to validate the velocities. A controller or controllers receive speed or velocity inputs and mathematically combine t... | 12/02/2008 |
| 7458635 | Vehicle seat arrangement A vehicle seat arrangement includes a child seat which is mounted in a rearward facing configuration to a backrest of an adult seat such that the backrest of another adult seat at least partially supports the backrest of the child seat. ... | 12/02/2008 |
| 7457422 | Method and implementation for detecting and characterizing audible transients in noise A method and implementation for detecting and characterizing audible transients in noise includes placing a microphone in a desired location, producing a microphone signal wherein the microphone signal is indicative of the acoustic environment, processing the microp... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7457692 | Occupant classification sensor calibration system A method of calibrating an occupant classification sensor (16) includes receiving a calibration signal originating from an on-board vehicle calibration device (24). A calibration task is performed that includes the initialization of an occupant classif... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7455156 | Overrunning clutch A one-way clutch includes a first race having mutually spaced pockets formed with an opening at a periphery of the first race, each pocket being at least partially bounded by a wall that extends along at least a portion of a margin of the pocket and contains a drive... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7455157 | Ratcheting one-way clutch having rockers An overrunning clutch includes a cam plate formed with cams angularly spaced about a central axis, and a rocker plate that includes pockets angularly spaced about the central axis. Each pocket includes a first concave surface having a center located within the pocke... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7455135 | Torque transfer case for a hybrid electric vehicle A torque transfer case for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. The transfer case receives torque from a power transmission mechanism and distributes driving torque to a primary traction wheel and axle assembly and to a secondary traction wheel and axl... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7455119 | Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with pressure-configurable orifices An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in res... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7454895 | Diagnosing an aftertreatment system with a nonthermal plasma discharge device coupled to a lean burn engine The invention is a method for diagnosing operation of a nonthermal plasma discharge device and a lean NOx trap disposed in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. The method further includes reducing power to the nonthermal plasma discharge device and determin... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7455314 | Occupant protection system A system and method for protecting an occupant in a vehicle seat, through the use of an occupant protection system is disclosed, wherein the vehicle seat includes a backrest section and a seat section. The occupant protection system includes a first airbag assembly ... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7455342 | Stowable ottoman for a vehicle passenger cabin A passenger cabin for a vehicle. The passenger cabin is comprised of a floor panel, a first row seat, a second row seat, and a stowable ottoman. The first row seat and the second row seat are attached to the floor panel. The stowable ottoman is pivotally attached to... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7455619 | Control strategy for avoiding tip-in noise in a powershift transmission In a motor vehicle including a power source, an accelerator pedal, a powershift transmission for producing a selected gear, first and second input shafts, a first input clutch for connecting the selected gear and the first input shaft to the power source, a second i... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7451830 | Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with structural foam core An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in res... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7451829 | Automotive fire suppression system with a composite reservoir having a combination lower closure and propellant base A composite reservoir for an onboard fire suppression system includes an outer wall of composite material, with the outer wall having a generally cylindrical section. An inner reinforcement has a section inserted into the generally cylindrical section of the outer w... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7451735 | Flexibly-jointed, fluid-tight cover for internal combustion engine A flexibly-jointed, fluid-tight cover for enclosing a portion of an internal combustion engine includes generally rigid structural cover panels which are joined by fluid-tight flexible joints formed from elastomeric material which is either inserted into the rigid s... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7451862 | Ratcheting one-way clutch having rockers retained in closed pockets An overrunning one-way clutch includes a cam plate formed with cam surfaces angularly spaced about a central axis, and a rocker plate including pockets angularly spaced about the axis, each pocket including a surface that closes the pocket at an axial end, an openin... | 11/18/2008 |
| D580316 | Vehicle rear bumper cover | 11/11/2008 |
| D580311 | Vehicle grille | 11/11/2008 |
| 7451034 | Traction control using dynamic tire friction potential A method for controlling slip of a driven wheel on low friction surfaces includes determining the current magnitude of static tire friction potential, current magnitude of maximum dynamic tire friction potential, and magnitude of tire torque demanded by an operator ... | 11/11/2008 |
| 7451033 | Lateral and longitudinal velocity determination for an automotive vehicle A system (18) for controlling a safety system (44) of a vehicle (10) is disclosed herein. The system includes a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36), a vehicle or wheel speed sensor(s) (20), a lateral acceleration sensor (32 | 11/11/2008 |
| 7451032 | System and method for determining desired yaw rate and lateral velocity for use in a vehicle dynamic control system A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a lateral acceleration sensor (32) for generating a lateral acceleration signal, a yaw rate sensor (28) for generating a yaw rate signal, and a safety system. The sa... | 11/11/2008 |
| 7449092 | Dual mode oxygen sensor An oxygen sensor for measuring exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is described. The sensor provides an output that has a high gain near the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and a lower gain in the lean and rich air-fuel ratio regions. Further, the sensor p... | 11/11/2008 |
| 7448983 | System and method for utilizing estimated driver braking effort A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle operated by a driver may comprise detecting actuation of a braking device of the vehicle by the driver; calculating a parameter indicative of an actual amount of braking effort by said driver based on vehicle condition... | 11/11/2008 |
| 7448977 | Motor vehicle transaxle having a differential mechanism controlled by an on-demand clutch A transaxle for transmitting power to output at multiple speed ratios includes halfshafts having a portion located in a transaxle case and a second portion extending toward a wheel. A differential mechanism located in the case transmits power between the output and ... | 11/11/2008 |
| 7448671 | Two layer pumpable sound deadener A two layer sound deadening material is formed from pumpable material applied through a pair of extrusion heads mounted on a single mount. A robot, used in high speed mass production automotive assembly lines, moves the door panel relative to the stationary extrusio... | 11/11/2008 |
