Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of an engine exhaust driven fuel reformer in a hybrid vehicle system. A vehicle controller may hold the engine in a narrow operating range where fuel reformer operation is optimal while using motor and/or CVT adjustments to address transients generated as driver demand varies. The controller may also adjust an operating range of temperatures of the reformer to enable extended fuel reforming even after the engine of the hybrid has been shutdown.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling hybrid vehicle engine operation, where the vehicle engine comprises one or more cylinders dedicated to recirculating exhaust to an intake manifold. In one example, during an engine cold-start event or other event where temperature of one or more exhaust catalysts are below a temperature needed for catalytic activity, fuel injection to the dedicated exhaust gas recirculation cylinder(s) is maintained shut off, while its intake and exhaust valves are maintained activated, thus enabling the dedicated exhaust gas recirculation cylinder(s) to route air to the intake manifold of the engine, resulting in exhaust gas lean of stoichiometry that may serve to heat the catalyst. In this way, during cold start events and other events where temperature of one or more exhaust catalysts are below a temperature for catalytic activity, combustion stability issues may be avoided, and exhaust catalyst(s) rapidly heated, thereby reducing undesired tailpipe emissions.

Abstract: A method for vaporizing fuel is provided. The method comprises heating the fuel in a cylinder of an engine via radiation to vaporize the fuel without ignition. In this way, the fuel may be heated to increase vaporization efficiency prior to ignition.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing sensors in an engine intake by utilizing in an evaporative leak check module pump (ELCM pump). In one example, during engine off conditions, the ELCM pump in an evaporative emission system of the vehicle may be operated in a pressure mode to flow ambient air from the evaporative emissions system to the intake manifold. During humidity sensor diagnostics, the air flow may be used to generate water vapors within the intake manifold, and humidity sensor may be rationalized by monitoring an output of the humidity sensor; and during MAF sensor diagnostics, MAF sensor may be rationalized by monitoring if the MAF sensor output corresponds to a flow rate generated by the ELCM.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a particulate filter located in an exhaust runner of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include flowing exhaust from a first cylinder through a first particulate filter in a first runner, and flowing exhaust from a second cylinder through a second particulate filter in a second runner. The method may further include adjusting engine operation in response to particulate filter degradation, the particulate filter degradation distinguishing between degradation of the first and second particulate filters based on an exhaust pressure pulsation timing relative to combustion events.

Abstract: Upon detecting a failure in a sensor in a vehicle, a request for a surrogate sensor is sent. Communications are established with an unmanned aerial vehicle carrying the surrogate sensor. A vehicle subsystem is actuated based at least in part on data from the surrogate sensor.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to obtain an image of a vehicle plate. The processor is also configured to determine identification characters present in the image. The processor is further configured to compare the identification characters to a list of sought-vehicle plates and report a match between the identification characters and a plate on the list of sought-vehicle plates.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, charging a battery pack of an electrified vehicle using an amount of harvested energy from an energy harvesting device and an amount of energy from a grid. The amount of harvested energy is predicted based on at least a weather forecast.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine with poppet exhaust valves are described. The systems and methods provide for locking exhaust valves in a closed state when the exhaust valves are in mechanical communication with a base circle of a camshaft lobe. Locking the exhaust valves in a closed state may reduce the possibility of exhaust pressures opening the exhaust valves at times they may not be desired to be open.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for integrating a bi-fuel engine with a CVT transmission. Responsive to a driver demand, a controller may determine whether to maintain usage of a current fuel or transition to an alternate fuel based on the cost efficiency of the transition and further based on any engine limitations that may be incurred at the engine speed-load following the transition. To improve the net fuel economy benefit while addressing the engine limitation, a fuel transition may be combined with a CVT adjusted engine speed-load regime, while maintaining engine power output.

Abstract: A includes a battery, an electric machine, an electrically powered cooling system, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to charge the battery with current generated from regenerative braking. The electrically powered cooling system is configured to cool the battery. The controller is programmed to, in response to a temperature of the battery being greater than a threshold, direct at least a portion of the current generated from regenerative braking to the cooling system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating exhaust pressure based on an exhaust air/fuel ratio sensor. In one example, a method may comprise estimating an exhaust pressure based on periodic waveform outputs of an exhaust air/fuel ratio (AFR) sensor, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the estimated exhaust pressure. The exhaust pressure may be estimated based on one or more of the standard deviation and frequency of the periodic waveform outputs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering powertrain torque of a hybrid vehicle are disclosed. In one example, torque is supplied to vehicle wheels from a piston engine, an electric machine, and a turbine engine via a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set may be configured with at least one sun gear and two ring gears.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine operation in a hybrid vehicle, where the vehicle engine comprises one or more cylinders dedicated to recirculating exhaust to the intake manifold. In one example, if an engine load decreases below a level where dedicated exhaust gas recirculation may lead to combustion stability issues, engine load may be increased above the demanded load and the excess power used to charge a system battery, or if the battery state of charge is above a threshold, the engine may be shut down and the vehicle propelled via battery power. In this way, fuel economy and combustion stability issues may be improved, NOx emissions reduced, and costs for implementation of dedicated exhaust gas recirculation decreased.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an ultrasonic wave generator within a vehicle emissions control system. In one example, a frequency of ultrasonic waves may be applied to a fuel vapor canister, the frequency adjusted in response to an estimate of hydrocarbon distribution within a vapor canister received from temperature and hydrocarbon sensor outputs.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling an electrified vehicle by adjusting a deceleration rate based on a closing rate of the electrified vehicle to an oncoming object.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosing degradation of a vacuum actuator in an engine system. An example method comprises indicating degradation of the vacuum actuator based on an estimate of flow of air into and out of a vacuum reservoir. The estimate is further based on flow of air generated via each of an aspirator in the intake system, an actuation of the vacuum actuator, and leakage during the actuation of the vacuum actuator.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing fuel vapor leaks due to un-latching of quick connectors in interfaces of a fuel vapor system. In one example, a method may include using positive pressure generated in the intake manifold by reverse rotation of the engine unfueled, to detect un-latching of quick connectors in the fuel vapor system. After the positive pressure test, a negative pressure test is performed on the fuel vapor system to confirm any un-latching of quick connectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to determine air-fuel imbalance of cylinders in a variable displacement engine. In one example, the method may include during a cylinder deactivation event, sequentially deactivating each cylinder of a cylinder group including two or more cylinders and estimating a lambda deviation for each cylinder following the sequential deactivation of each cylinder of the cylinder group; and learning an air error for each cylinder based on the estimated lambda deviation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine with poppet exhaust valves are described. The systems and methods provide for locking exhaust valves in a closed state when the exhaust valves are in mechanical communication with a base circle of a camshaft lobe. Locking the exhaust valves in a closed state may reduce the possibility of exhaust pressures opening the exhaust valves at times they may not be desired to be open.