Abstract: An automotive axle includes a housing including gears and a bath lubricating the gears, the bath including gear oil and about 0.1 to 5 wt. % secondary alcohol ethoxylate based on total weight of the bath such that during automotive operation at temperatures less than a threshold, reverse micelles form to trap air bubbles in the bath, emulsifying the bath, and at temperatures greater than the threshold, the reverse micelles dissipate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating the temperature of rear axle lubrication oil. In one example, a rear axle coolant system may include a coolant loop with a plurality of valves and sensors, regulating the coolant flow in heat exchange relationship with an exhaust gas heat recovery and storage system to deliver warm coolant to a rear axle heat exchanger to warm the rear axle lubrication oil. The method may regulate the components of the rear axle coolant system through a controller, receiving sensor input from the components of the coolant system.

Abstract: Methods and system for operating a thermal storage device of a vehicle system are provided. In one example, a method comprises estimating a temperature of a thermal battery after the battery and coolant included therein have reached thermal equilibrium, and determining a state of charge of the battery based on the estimated temperature and one or more chemical properties of two phase change materials included within the battery. Specifically, the thermal battery may include two phase change materials with different melting points for providing thermal energy to warm coolant in a vehicle coolant system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for rear axle having a wet bath. In one example, a system comprises a pump configured to spin in a first direction to flow lubricant to a cooler and a second direction to entrain the lubricant with gas.

Abstract: A cooling system differential oil contained in the housing of a differential for a vehicle. The differential includes a housing containing a first portion of differential oil. A tank contains a second portion of differential oil. An inlet passage is provided through which differential oil flows from the housing to the tank. An outlet passage is provided through which differential oil flows from the tank to the housing. A valve is disposed in the outlet passage that has a closed position preventing differential oil from flowing through the outlet passage. The valve has an open position in which differential oil is permitted to flow from the tank to the housing in response to the temperature of the differential oil in the housing exceeding a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a pre-chamber. In one example, a system comprises flowing a mixture of coolants to a coolant chamber of the pre-chamber. Additionally or alternatively, only one coolant may be directed to the coolant chamber during some conditions.

Abstract: The present description relates generally to methods and systems to compensate for oxygen sensor drift caused by hydrogen diffusion within the exhaust system. In one example, a method includes adjusting a fuel amount supplied to an engine based on an estimated amount of hydrogen in the reference cell of an oxygen sensor. In this way, oxygen sensor bias on sensed AFR may be corrected.

Abstract: Methods and system for operating a thermal storage device of a vehicle system are provided. In one example, a method comprises determining a state of charge of the thermal battery based on an accurate estimation of a melting temperature of one or more phase change materials (PCMs) at a specific aggregate pressure inside the thermal storage device. Variation in melting temperature of the PCM may be minimized by reducing pressure variation inside the thermal storage device by regulating a position of one or more pressure relief valves of the thermal storage device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling coolant flow through parallel branches of a coolant circuit including an AC condenser and a charge air cooler. Flow is apportioned through each of an air-conditioning condenser, a charge air cooler (CAC), and a transmission oil cooler (TOC) of the coolant circuit to maintain an estimated transmission oil temperature (TOT) below a threshold. The TOT is estimated from a torque converter slip ratio.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for rear axle having a wet bath. In one example, a system comprises a pump configured to spin in a first direction to flow lubricant to a cooler and a second direction to entrain the lubricant with gas.

Abstract: The present description relates generally to methods and systems to compensate for oxygen sensor drift caused by hydrogen diffusion within the exhaust system. In one example, a method includes adjusting a fuel amount supplied to an engine based on an estimated amount of hydrogen in the reference cell of an oxygen sensor. In this way, oxygen sensor bias on sensed AFR may be corrected.

Abstract: Embodiments for controlling condensate in a charge air cooler are provided. In one example, a charge air cooler comprises an inlet to admit charge air, a plurality of heat exchange passages to remove heat from the charge air, an outlet configured to discharge the charge air from the heat exchange passages to an intake passage upstream of an intake manifold of an engine, and a dispersion element extending at least partially across the outlet.

Abstract: A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor. The processor is programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include determining a vehicle speed, selecting at least one actuator to vibrate a sensor housing based on the vehicle speed, and commanding the at least one actuator to vibrate the sensor housing in accordance with the vehicle speed to remove debris from the sensor housing.

Abstract: A computing device in a vehicle can emit a sequence of light pulses having a first speed, then receive a signal from another vehicle. Following this, the computing device can emit a message as a sequence of light pulses having a second speed based on the signal received from the vehicle, wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling coolant flow through parallel branches of a coolant circuit including an AC condenser and a charge air cooler. Flow is apportioned responsive to an AC head pressure and a CAC temperature to reduce parasitic losses and improve fuel economy. The flow is apportioned via adjustments to a coolant pump output and a proportioning valve.

Abstract: An automotive axle includes a housing including gears and a bath lubricating the gears, the bath including gear oil and about 0.1 to 5 wt. % secondary alcohol ethoxylate based on total weight of the bath such that during automotive operation at temperatures less than a threshold, reverse micelles form to trap air bubbles in the bath, emulsifying the bath, and at temperatures greater than the threshold, the reverse micelles dissipate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling coolant flow through parallel branches of a coolant circuit including an AC condenser and a charge air cooler. Flow is apportioned responsive to an AC head pressure and a CAC temperature to reduce parasitic losses and improve fuel economy. The flow is apportioned via adjustments to a coolant pump output and a proportioning valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a flow of coolant through a coolant system including a rear axle heat exchanger. In one example, a method may include flowing coolant through the coolant system while an engine is not operating. In another example, a method may include increasing a flow of coolant to the rear axle heat exchanger while the engine is not operating when a rear axle oil temperature exceeds a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling coolant flow through parallel branches of a coolant circuit including an AC condenser and a charge air cooler. Flow is apportioned responsive to an AC head pressure and a CAC temperature to reduce parasitic losses and improve fuel economy. The flow is apportioned via adjustments to a coolant pump output and a proportioning valve.

Abstract: A system includes an optical fiber embedded in a windshield. The system includes a reflector embedded in the windshield and oriented to reflect light to a first end of the optical fiber. The system includes a sensor oriented to receive light from a second end of the optical fiber.