A method of controlling a temperature altering element within a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: presenting a vehicle including a seating assembly including a temperature altering element, a controller in communication with the temperature altering element, the controller including a Pre-established Predictive Activation Model setting forth rules governing the activation of the temperature altering element as a function of data relating to Certain Identifiable Conditions, and a user interface configured to allow the temperature altering element to be manually activated or deactivated; occupying the seating assembly with a first occupant; collecting data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions while the first occupant is occupying the seating assembly; determining, by comparing the collected data to the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model, whether the collected data satisfies the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model so as to activate the temperature altering element; and activating the temperature altering element.

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, in which by at least one ultrasonic sensor, operated in the active operation mode, of an ultrasonic sensor device of the motor vehicle ultrasonic waves are emitted into an environmental region of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle as hybrid vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine (and an electric drive machine and in the active operation mode of the ultrasonic sensor arranged on a rear part of the motor vehicle the motor vehicle at least temporarily is operated by means of the electric drive machine. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle.

Methods are provided for optimizing generation of water on-board a vehicle with reduced impact on fuel economy. Regenerative braking energy, and/or solar energy, in excess of what is required for charging a system battery, is used to operate a water extractor and save the captured energy as stored water. A proportion of the braking energy used to charge the battery versus operate the water extractor is adjusted as a function of operating conditions including a water level in a water reservoir on-board the vehicle.

Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.

A method of controlling a temperature altering element within a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: presenting a vehicle including a seating assembly including a temperature altering element, a controller in communication with the temperature altering element, the controller including a Pre-established Predictive Activation Model setting forth rules governing the activation of the temperature altering element as a function of data relating to Certain Identifiable Conditions, and a user interface configured to allow the temperature altering element to be manually activated or deactivated; occupying the seating assembly with a first occupant; collecting data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions while the first occupant is occupying the seating assembly; determining, by comparing the collected data to the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model, whether the collected data satisfies the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model so as to activate the temperature altering element; and activating the temperature altering element.

A thermal management system includes a switching valve that switches between a first mode in which first and second flow paths are separated and a second mode in which parts of the first and second flow paths are connected. In the first mode, a control unit acquires measured values of first and second temperatures in the first and second flow paths and estimated values of the first and second temperatures when the switching valve is not in a slightly open state. The switching valve is in the slightly open state when the measured value of the first temperature is higher than the estimated value of the first temperature by a value greater than a first predetermined threshold and the measured value of the second temperature is lower than the estimated value of the second temperature by a value greater than a second predetermined threshold.

A video display system includes: a screen on which an mage for displaying a virtual image is projected; a light source that emits laser light; a scanner that projects the image onto the screen by biaxially scanning the laser light onto the screen; and a controller that generates the image and controls the light source using an image signal for causing the generated image to be projected onto the screen by the laser light, and receives an input of sensing information measured using a temperature sensor and controls the scanner in accordance with the input sensing information. When the sensing information indicates a temperature outside a given temperature range, the controller causes the scanner to reduce an amplitude of the biaxial scanning in at least one axial direction to a smaller value than when the sensing information indicates a second brightness or a temperature within the given temperature range.

A system continuously monitors bearing temperature and wheel surface condition. The system may include a button contact sensor for sensing wheel bearing temperature and a measuring laser for detecting wheel breakage. The system may also include a vibration sensor, sound sensor, and a load sensor. Each sensor is in communication with a receiver/transmitter and may be mounted to the railcar by way of a friction lock magnetic mounting. Computer means may be used to store, analyze, and present the collected information for use in deciding whether, for example, the train should be slowed or stopped. A solar panel may provide power to the components.

A heating device for an electric vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a water pump which is for circulating supplied water; a heating resistor which has one or more surface type heating elements formed by means of a heating paste composition and is for heating the circulated water; a water temperature sensor which is for measuring the temperature of the hot water heated by means of the heating resistor; and a control unit which is for adjusting the heating resistor such that the measured temperature measured by means of the water temperature sensor satisfies a set temperature value, wherein the heating paste composition comprises, on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the total heating paste composition, 36 wt % of carbon nanotube particles, 0.530 wt % of carbon nanoparticles, 1030 wt % of a mixed binder, 2983 wt % of an organic solvent, and 0.55 wt % of a dispersant, wherein the mixed binder has epoxy acrylate, polyvinyl acetal and phenolic resin mixed therein or has hexamethylene diisocyanate, polyvinyl acetal and phenolic resin mixed therein.

Methods are provided for optimizing generation of water on-board a vehicle with reduced impact on fuel economy. Regenerative braking energy, and/or solar energy, in excess of what is required for charging a system battery, is used to operate a water extractor and save the captured energy as stored water. A proportion of the braking energy used to charge the battery versus operate the water extractor is adjusted as a function of operating conditions including a water level in a water reservoir on-board the vehicle.