Abstract: A rough road detection system for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a frequency domain module, an engine misfire module, and a rough road module. The frequency domain module converts a vector signal into a frequency domain signal. The engine misfire module determines whether an engine misfires based on the frequency domain signal. The rough road detection module determines whether the vehicle is driving on a rough road based on the frequency domain signal.

Abstract: A knock detection system for a spark-ignition engine includes a knock sensor that is responsive to vibration of the engine and that generates a knock signal. A first module calculates a knock energy based on the knock signal and a second module calculates a knock intensity based on the knock energy. A third module regulates a spark timing of the engine based on the knock intensity.

Abstract: A knock detection system for a spark-ignition engine includes a knock sensor that is responsive to vibration of the engine and that generates a knock signal. A first module calculates a knock energy based on the knock signal and a second module calculates a knock intensity based on the knock energy. A third module regulates a spark timing of the engine based on the knock intensity.

Abstract: A rough road detection system for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a frequency domain module, an engine misfire module, and a rough road module. The frequency domain module converts a vector signal into a frequency domain signal. The engine misfire module determines whether an engine misfires based on the frequency domain signal. The rough road detection module determines whether the vehicle is driving on a rough road based on the frequency domain signal.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve coil temperature is estimated non-intrusively using only existing sensors. In one embodiment an EGR valve coil temperature estimator running on a powertrain control module estimates the EGR valve coil temperature as a linear function of estimated charge temperature, inlet air temperature, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed. Coefficients of the mathematical function, which describe the degree of association between the inputs and EGR valve coil temperature, are calculated by measuring the actual EGR valve coil temperature over wide operating conditions. The powertrain control module uses the EGR valve temperature estimated in this manner to vary the drive signal to the EGR valve coil to open the EGR valve a desired amount.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve coil temperature is estimated non-intrusively using only existing sensors. In one embodiment an EGR valve coil temperature estimator running on a powertrain control module estimates the EGR valve coil temperature as a linear function of estimated charge temperature, inlet air temperature, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed. Coefficients of the mathematical function, which describe the degree of association between the inputs and EGR valve coil temperature, are calculated by measuring the actual EGR valve coil temperature over wide operating conditions. The powertrain control module uses the EGR valve temperature estimated in this manner to vary the drive signal to the EGR valve coil to open the EGR valve a desired amount.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for estimating gas temperatures of a vehicle engine. The method comprises receiving a velocity of the vehicle and an air mass flow rate and estimating an exhaust gas temperature based at least upon the velocity of the vehicle and the air mass flow rate. The method also comprises receiving an EGR mass flow rate and estimating an EGR gas temperature at an EGR valve based at least upon the exhaust gas temperature and the EGR mass flow rate. In addition, the method comprises estimating an EGR gas temperature at a throttle body based at least upon the exhaust gas temperature and the EGR mass flow rate. Furthermore, the method comprises estimating a charge temperature based at least upon the EGR gas temperature at the throttle body, the velocity of the vehicle, and the EGR mass flow rate.

Abstract: The sensor device uses the flux-gate principle and detects and cancels a second harmonic frequency (2f.sub.o) output by a sensor coil (23). The sensor device includes a master oscillator (1) that provides a stable output that is supplied to a generator (2) which generate two signals which respectively have a basic operating frequency (f.sub.o) and a double basic operating frequency (2f.sub.o or 2fc). The basic operating frequency (f.sub.o) is amplified in a power booster (3) and is connected to drive coil (22) mounted on a core (39) in the sensor head (4) to saturate the core (39). The output signal from the sensor coil (23) of sensor head (4) is filtered in a first bandpass filter (5) to obtain the second harmonic of the sensor coil, the output signal of the first bandpass filter (5) is detected in a phase detector (6) that is also connected to receive the double (2fc) frequency. The phase detector output is connected to a second low filter (7).

Abstract: A manufacturing process for use in manufacturing magnetic field sensor head cores, comprises: providing a core formed of an amorphous ferromagnetic material on which is placed an insulating layer; mounting, a first winding that functions as a drive coil for the core over said insulating layer; providing second (37) and third (38) coils on said core (31) that respectively function as a sensor and a compensating coil for the sensor head; both the second and third coils being wound in form of a hollow cylinder 36 inside of which is positioned an assembly formed by the core 31 and the drive coil 32; supplying a first electric current to the core 31 of the sensor head, said core heating up as said first current flows through said drive winding, supplying a second and alternating electric current to that the one 38 of compensating and sensor coils 37 and 38 that surrounds the core 31 and functions as the compensating winding 38; monitoring a signal induced in the other coil 37 that functions as the sensor winding a