Abstract: An engine control system includes an inertia phase detection module, a feed-forward (FF) engine speed module, a FF APC module, a FF phaser postion module, and a phaser control module. The inertia phase detection module determines when an inertia phase of a gear shift is occurring within a transmission. The FF engine speed module predicts an engine speed for a future time when the inertia phase ends. The FF APC module predicts an air-per-cylinder (APC) for the future time based on the engine speed. The FF phaser position module determines a FF phaser position based on the engine speed and the APC. The phaser control module controls a camshaft phaser position based on the FF phaser position during the inertia phase of the gear shift.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a spark bound module that determines a bounded spark value based on a desired spark value, a torque bound module that determines a bounded torque value based on the bounded spark value and a desired torque value, and an inverse torque calculation module that determines a desired engine air value based on the bounded torque value and the square of the bounded spark value. The engine air value may be one of a desired air-per-cylinder value and a desired manifold air pressure value. The bounded spark value and the bounded torque value are determined based on one or more of a plurality of engine actuator positions. Related methods for determining the bounded spark value, the bounded torque value, and the engine air value are also provided.

Abstract: A control system includes a temperature determination module and a catalyst protection module. The temperature determination module determines a temperature of exhaust gas based on a resistance of a heating element of an oxygen sensor. The catalyst protection module adjusts an operating parameter of an engine to decrease the temperature of the exhaust gas when the temperature of the exhaust gas is greater than a threshold temperature. The threshold temperature is based on a temperature that damages a catalyst in an exhaust system.

Abstract: A direct connect oxygen sensor assembly is provided for measuring the proportion of oxygen in a fluid stream, and transmit signals indicative thereof to a controller. The assembly includes an oxygen sensor with a housing having an oxygen-sensing element protruding from one end thereof, and a first electrical terminal positioned at an opposing end of the sensor housing. An electrical conductor electrically couples the oxygen-sensing element to the first electrical terminal. The oxygen sensor assembly also includes a connector assembly with a housing having one or more lead wires, which are directly connected to the controller, projecting therefrom. A second electrical terminal is mounted to the connector housing, and electrically connected to the lead wires. The second electrical terminal is designed to mate with and electrically connect to the first electrical terminal. The connector housing is fabricated from a material with a working temperature of at least 200 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A control module includes a predicted torque control module that determines a desired throttle area based on a transmission torque request and a desired predicted torque. A throttle security module determines a throttle limit based on the desired throttle area and the desired predicted torque and determines an adjusted desired throttle area based on the throttle limit. A throttle actuator module adjusts a throttle based on the adjusted desired throttle area.

Abstract: An engine control system of a vehicle comprises a first module and a cylinder deactivation module. The first module selectively adjusts torque output by an engine based on a vehicle torque request that is greater than a driver torque request. The cylinder deactivation module selectively deactivates a cylinder of the engine when a difference between an estimated maximum torque output of the engine and the driver torque request is greater than a predetermined maximum torque.

Abstract: The entertainment system of one of the preferred embodiments includes a recreational vehicle, an event sensor attached to the recreational vehicle, an event element able to be detected by the event sensor, a processor connected to the event sensor, and a game program operated by the processor. The entertainment system functions to enable interactive game-like capabilities for a movable vehicle. The entertainment system is preferably used for children recreational vehicles (miniature cars), but may alternatively be used by other vehicles.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a spark bound module that determines a bounded spark value based on a desired spark value, a torque bound module that determines a bounded torque value based on the bounded spark value and a desired torque value, and an inverse torque calculation module that determines a desired engine air value based on the bounded torque value and the square of the bounded spark value. The engine air value may be one of a desired air-per-cylinder value and a desired manifold air pressure value. The bounded spark value and the bounded torque value are determined based on one or more of a plurality of engine actuator positions. Related methods for determining the bounded spark value, the bounded torque value, and the engine air value are also provided.