Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system includes a heating module for heating exhaust gas upstream of a main catalytic converter. The heating module includes a first heating core having a first core volumetric size and a second heating core having a second core volumetric size that is less than the first core volumetric size. The first heating core with the larger first core volumetric size is configured to optimize pre-crank heating, while the second heating core with the smaller second core volumetric size is configured to optimize post-crank heating. The first heating core and the second heating core may be arranged in series with each other or in parallel with each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pump assembly includes sand casting a pump housing with a cavity and die casting an impeller that includes pump blades and a first portion of a shroud. The pump housing may be sand cast as a one-piece component and the impeller may be die cast as another one-piece component. A pump cover is provided with a second portion of the shroud. The pump cover is inserted into the cavity so that the second portion of the shroud is adjacent to the first portion of the shroud, providing a substantially continuous surface defining flow channels through the impeller. A pump assembly manufactured according to the method is also provided.

Abstract: A communication system of a vehicle includes a mode determination module and a connection control module. The mode determination module sets a mode of operation to one of a first mode and a second mode based on a comparison of a common name (CN) of a root certificate with first and second predetermined CNs associated with operation in the first and second modes, respectively. The connection control module selectively transmits a request to one of a first server and a second server to establish a secure wireless connection between the connection control module and the one of the first and second servers. The first and second servers are different, and the first and second predetermined CNs are different.

Abstract: A friction-weld interface device for improving a structural strength of an assembly includes a first component having a concave tapered surface. The friction-weld interface also includes a second component having a convex tapered surface that is complementary to and is configured to receive the concave tapered surface of the first component. The assembly is formed by friction welding the concave tapered surface to the convex tapered surface. The friction-weld interface device may be used to assemble an air-intake manifold for an internal combustion engine, wherein the air-intake manifold is at least partially joined by the process of friction welding.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring signal output from a high-resolution torque sensor configured to monitor engine torque during ongoing operation, monitoring states of engine operating and control parameters associated with engine input parameters, and estimating a mass air charge for each cylinder event corresponding to the signal output from the high-resolution torque sensor and the states of engine operating and control parameters associated with the engine input parameters.

Abstract: A funnel assembly includes a tube defining a tube passageway and a tube opening. A funnel member defines a first funnel opening, a second funnel opening, and a funnel passageway that provides fluid communication between the first and second funnel openings. The funnel member is positioned such that the second funnel opening is within the tube passageway. The funnel member is selectively movable between a first configuration in which the first funnel opening is wider than the tube opening, and a second configuration in which the first funnel opening is narrower than the tube opening.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a tendon-driven finger and a control system. The system controls the finger via a force-based control law when a tension sensor is available, and via a position-based control law when a sensor is not available. Multiple tendons may each have a corresponding sensor. The system selectively injects a compliance value into the position-based control law when only some sensors are available. A control system includes a host machine and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a control process, which is executed by the host machine to control the finger via the force- or position-based control law. A method for controlling the finger includes determining the availability of a tension sensor(s), and selectively controlling the finger, using the control system, via the force or position-based control law. The position control law allows the control system to resist disturbances while nominally maintaining the initial state of internal tendon tensions.

Abstract: A device for a vehicle that includes an at least partially transparent member operatively connected to the vehicle, the at least partially transparent member having a first side and a second side. A projector emits electromagnetic radiation projecting an image on or in the at least partially transparent member. A first polarizer is positioned on the first side of the transparent member such that the electromagnetic radiation goes through the first polarizer. A second polarizer is positioned on the second side of the at least partially transparent member. The first polarizer and the second polarizer are oriented such that the image is visible from the first side of the at least partially transparent member and not visible from the second side of the at least partially transparent member. The second polarizer may have a second polarization axis that is substantially orthogonal to a first polarization axis of the first polarizer.

Abstract: A method of predicting an electrochemical mapping parameter in a vehicle that derives at least a portion of its motive power from an energy storage system is provided. The method may comprise providing a plurality of electrochemical mapping parameter sources capable of rendering one or more electrochemical mapping parameters selected from the group consisting of resistance and capacitance and selecting at least one electrochemical mapping parameter source capable of rendering one or more electrochemical mapping parameters based on the state of the energy storage system. The method may also comprise determining an adaptive gain and determining an adaptive factor based on the operating state of the vehicle or the energy storage system. The method may also comprise adapting the one or more electrochemical mapping parameters based on the adaptive factor and adaptive gain to provide an adapted electrochemical mapping parameter value.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine having a turbo charger includes sensing a temperature of a flow of exhaust gas from the engine, determining if the temperature of the exhaust gas is greater than an upper temperature threshold, sensing a cylinder pressure within the cylinders of the engine with a pressure sensor, determining if the cylinder pressure is greater than an upper pressure limit, sensing a boost provided by the turbo charger, determining if the boost is greater than a maximum boost limit, and adjusting the operation of the engine when the temperature of the exhaust gas entering the turbo charger is greater than an upper temperature threshold and the cylinder pressure is less than the upper pressure limit to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas entering the turbo charger to a temperature below the upper temperature threshold.

Abstract: An inside rearview mirror bracket for a windscreen includes a pad portion configured to attach to an interior of the windscreen. A bridge portion is formed as a single piece with the pad portion, and a tunnel is defined by the bridge portion and the pad portion. The mirror bracket includes a mirror receptacle formed as a single piece with the bridge portion opposite the tunnel. The mirror receptacle is configured to receive a rearview mirror. A sensor member may be configured to substantially fill the tunnel, such that the sensor member is disposed intermediate the bridge portion and the windscreen.

Abstract: A method of sizing a heating core of an exhaust heater for an exhaust gas treatment system includes measuring the cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions from the exhaust gas for multiple volumetric sizes of the heating core when heated in accordance with a heating strategy. Alternatively, a model of the treatment system may be used to predict the cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions. The method further includes selecting the volumetric size of the heating core that is associated with the lowest cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions level from the measured or predicted hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions when the exhaust gas is heated in accordance with the heating strategy. The heating strategy may include pre-crank heating, or a combination of pre-crank heating and post-crank heating.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling torque at one or more wheels of a vehicle, including controlling both positive torque (acceleration) and negative torque (braking) with a single torque command. According to one embodiment, the method interprets the acceleration and braking intent of the driver, takes into consideration certain special conditions (e.g., vehicle dynamic conditions like wheel slip, over- and under-steer, etc.), and generates one or more individual torque commands that are sent to individual wheels or corners of the vehicle. The individual torque commands may address certain chassis and powertrain functions like acceleration and braking, and may provide full-feature torque control (i.e., acceleration, braking, vehicle dynamics, etc.) on an individual wheel basis. It is also possible for the method to be used in a system where a number of the common chassis, powertrain and/or vehicle dynamic modules have been integrated into a single torque control module or the like.

Abstract: A system for intelligent dissemination of messages via long-range communications to select delegate vehicles, and short-range communications from the delegate vehicles. The system includes a processor and a memory storing a delegation and dissemination algorithm that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to define a dissemination area and define multiple delegation zones within the dissemination area. The algorithm also causes the processor to identify at least one delegate vehicle, of a network of vehicles, for each delegation zone and seed a message into the network of vehicles by transmitting the message to each delegate vehicle via long-range communications so that the delegate vehicles can transmit the message throughout the network of vehicles via short-range communications.

Abstract: A control system includes a temperature determination module and a heater control module. The temperature determination module determines a temperature of an oxygen sensor in an exhaust system of an engine. The heater control module applies a heat cycle to combust deposits on the oxygen sensor by activating a heating element of the oxygen sensor to increase the temperature of the oxygen sensor to greater than 800 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain system including a torque machine coupled to a drive wheel of a vehicle includes determining a regenerative braking capacity of the powertrain system. In response to a net operator torque request including a braking torque request, a friction braking torque command to operate a friction brake system and a regenerative braking torque request for the torque machine are coincidentally generated, a torque command is generated for controlling operation of the torque machine in response to the regenerative braking torque request, and the friction braking torque command is adjusted by an amount corresponding to a difference between the braking torque request and the regenerative braking torque request.

Abstract: A method of determining and predicting a state of a rechargeable battery device in real time involves measuring a current and a voltage of the rechargeable battery in real time, inputting the measured current and voltage into an algorithm, and applying the algorithm to determine the state of the rechargeable battery. The algorithm includes a first mathematical model based on a direct solution of at least one differential equation characterizing an equivalent RC circuit of the battery as a function of time. The first model generates a plurality of parameters that are usable to determine the state of the battery. The algorithm further includes a second mathematical model configured to regress the parameters over time, and a third mathematical model configured to estimate the state of the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle includes electrical components, current sensors which determine current flowing through the electrical components, and a control system. The control system calculates and records error index values over an interval using the currents. The control system increments a first counter with every sample in the series, increments a second counter whenever a given error index value exceeds a calibrated high threshold, and decrements the second counter whenever the given error index value is less than a calibrated low threshold. A control action, e.g., recording a PASS or FAIL value, executes when either the absolute value of the second counter or the present value of the first counter reaches a corresponding limit or threshold. A method enhances the robustness of a hybrid vehicle torque security diagnostic using the control system. The vehicle and method use a signed X of Y debouncing or error signal processing method as noted above.

Abstract: A method of separating a length of single-strand wire at a notch location includes forming at least one notch in the length of single-strand wire at the notch location. The notch location is subjected to tensile strain until the notch location ruptures at the notch to separate the length of single-strand wire into a first single-strand wire and a second single-strand wire. After separation of the length of single-strand wire, the first and second single-strands each present a generally tapered end that corresponds to the notch location.

Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a first lift control module and a second lift control module. The first lift control module increases lift of M valves of the engine to a predetermined valve lift during a period before disabling or re-enabling N valves of the engine. The second lift control module decreases the lift of the M valves to a desired valve lift during a period after enabling or re-enabling the N valves of the engine, wherein N and M are integers greater than or equal to one.