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: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to generate an ellipse around a target vehicle, identify an intersection point between the ellipse and a line extending from a host vehicle to the target vehicle, identify a line tangent to the ellipse at the intersection point, and actuate one or more components of the host vehicle to avoid locations represented by the line tangent to the ellipse.

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 camshaft phasers of a variable displacement engine. In one example, the engine includes first and second cylinder banks, with the engine being configured to operate in a rolling variable displacement mode. The camshaft phasers are torque actuated camshaft phasers, and a controller of the engine may adjust operation of camshaft phasers at the first cylinder bank differently than camshaft phasers at the second cylinder bank.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to generate an ellipse around a target vehicle, identify an intersection point between the ellipse and a line extending from a host vehicle to the target vehicle, identify a line tangent to the ellipse at the intersection point, and actuate one or more components of the host vehicle to avoid locations represented by the line tangent to the ellipse.

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 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: Methods and systems are provided for determining coolant system health. In one example, a method may include predicting degradation in the coolant system based on oscillations of an estimated coolant temperature at an outlet of a radiator. The method may further control an engine based on the estimated coolant temperature.

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 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 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 controlling camshaft phasers of a variable displacement engine. In one example, the engine includes first and second cylinder banks, with the engine being configured to operate in a rolling variable displacement mode. The camshaft phasers are torque actuated camshaft phasers, and a controller of the engine may adjust operation of camshaft phasers at the first cylinder bank differently than camshaft phasers at the second cylinder bank.

Abstract: Fuel-cell thermal management systems and control schemes therefore are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may include a fuel-cell stack, a heat-exchanger, a thermal battery including a material having a melting temperature of 50-120° C., a first coolant loop including the fuel-cell stack and the thermal battery and excluding the heat-exchanger, and a second coolant loop including the fuel-cell stack, the thermal battery, and the heat-exchanger. The first and second coolant loops may be configured to heat and cool the fuel-cell stack, respectively. The system may include a controller or processor configured to direct coolant to transfer heat from the thermal battery to the fuel-cell stack based on a negative heat rejection status of the fuel-cell stack and to transfer heat from the fuel-cell stack to the thermal battery based on a positive heat rejection status of the fuel-cell stack when the thermal battery is below a target temperature.

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: Methods and systems are provided for determining coolant system health. In one example, a method may include predicting degradation in the coolant system based on oscillations of an estimated coolant temperature at an outlet of a radiator. The method may further control an engine based on the estimated coolant temperature.