Abstract: A computer in a vehicle includes a processor programmed to apply, on the vehicle, upon detecting an occupant alertness level below a first threshold, a first periodic component to a first torque applied to one or more first-end wheels and a second periodic component to a second torque applied to one or more second-end wheels.

Abstract: A method for balancing electrical grid production with electrical grid demand according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling an electrified vehicle prior to and during an inductive roadway event to either conserve a state of charge of a battery pack in response to a first grid condition of an electrical grid or deplete the state of charge of the battery pack in response to a second grid condition of the electrical grid.

Abstract: A vehicle has an engine, an exhaust aftertreatment system, an electric machine, and a controller configured to, in response to an actual engine torque output being less than an inferred engine torque, shut down the engine. A vehicle has an engine, an exhaust aftertreatment system, an electric machine, and a controller configured to, in response to an actual engine torque output being less than a first threshold and a torque request to the engine being greater than a second threshold, set a diagnostic code. A method includes receiving an actual engine torque output, receiving an engine torque request, and shutting down the engine when the actual engine torque output is less than a first threshold and the engine torque request is greater than a second threshold for a predetermined time period to limit temperature increase of a catalyst.

Abstract: A system for determining one or more characteristics of a carbon fiber tow. The system including a first laser profilometer, a second laser profilometer, and a controller. The first laser profilometer is located on a first side of the carbon fiber tow. The second laser profilometer is located on a second side of the carbon fiber tow. The controller is configured to receive, from the first profilometer, a first profile of the first side of the carbon fiber tow, and receive, from the second profilometer, a second profile of the second side of the carbon fiber tow. The controller is further configured to determine at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of a tow width of the carbon fiber tow, a tow fuzz of the carbon fiber tow, a tow thickness of the carbon fiber tow, and a tow angle of the carbon fiber tow, the at least one characteristic based on the first profile and the second profile. The controller further configured to output the at least one characteristic of the carbon fiber tow.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regenerating and purging a particulate filter of an exhaust treatment system for a combustion engine. In one example, a method may include flowing exhaust gas in a reverse direction through the particulate filter to purge particulate matter to an intake manifold of the engine for combusting. The duration of purging may be based on a regeneration achieved during a previous regeneration of the particulate filter during a deceleration fuel shut-off event.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect a vehicle condition associated with a warning light. The processor is also configured to obtain explanatory information explaining the cause of the warning light. The processor is further configured to present the explanatory information via a vehicle display. Also, the processor is configured to present a plurality of options for further action with the explanatory information and, upon selection of one of the options, take further steps in accordance with the selection option.

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: A wireless communications system for a downhole drilling operation comprises a drill string, surface communications equipment, and a downhole telemetry tool. The surface communications equipment comprises a surface EM communications module with an EM downlink transmitter configured to transmit through at least a portion of the drill string an EM downlink transmission at a frequency between 0.5 Hz and 180 kHz. The downhole telemetry tool is mountable to a drill string and has a downhole electromagnetic (EM) communications unit with an EM downlink receiver configured to receive the EM downlink transmission. The downhole EM communications unit can further comprise an EM uplink transmitter configured to transmit an EM uplink transmission at a frequency GO between 0.5 Hz and 180 kHz, in which case the surface EM communications module further comprises an EM uplink receiver configured to receive the EM uplink transmission.

Abstract: A renewable energy charging system for increasing the charging efficiency of an autonomous vehicle includes a computer programed to predict, in a vehicle at a plurality of locations, an amount of power generation associated with each location. The computer selects one of the locations based at least on the predicted amounts of power generation and moves the vehicle to the selected location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting heating of intake valves to improve engine startability. An engine laser ignition system is operated prior to, and during, an engine start to heat intake valves, thereby improving fuel vaporization. The ignition system is also operated to initiate cylinder air/fuel combustion.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect a vehicle condition associated with a warning light. The processor is also configured to obtain explanatory information explaining the cause of the warning light. The processor is further configured to present the explanatory information via a vehicle display. Also, the processor is configured to present a plurality of options for further action with the explanatory information and, upon selection of one of the options, take further steps in accordance with the selection option.

Abstract: A method for influencing the efficiency of an electrical grid includes coordinating operation of a first electrified vehicle and a second electrified vehicle traveling along an inductive roadway and having opposite power needs in a manner that influences an amount of energy supplied by the electrical grid during an inductive roadway event.

Abstract: A vehicle computer is disclosed that includes one or more processors and memory that stores instructions executable by the one or more processors. The computer may be programmed to: receive a light input from an array of photovoltaic cells carried by a vehicle; based on the light input, determine that an infrastructure lamp is in a degraded state or a failure state; and transmit a report to a backend system based on the determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting exhaust particulate filter regeneration. In one example, an engine controller may generate an exotherm at the filter by operating engine cylinders with air-fuel imbalance while using electric assist to a turbocharger to meet a torque demand and raise an intake airflow to enhance the effect of the exotherm. Once heated, the filter may be regenerated by flowing extra air to the exhaust via an air pump and injecting extra fuel to an exhaust passage via an exhaust injector.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cleaning an exhaust particulate filter by routing air via the exhaust particulate filter during a vehicle-off condition. In one example, during vehicle-off conditions, a turbocharger may be reverse rotated via an electric motor or an engine may be reverse rotated via an electric machine to route air via the exhaust particulate filter and the soot collected from the particulate filter may then be deposited on an air filter coupled to the intake manifold. During a subsequent engine start, the soot from the intake air filter may be routed to the engine cylinders for combustion.

Abstract: An active downhole antenna located in a borehole receives electromagnetic (EM) telemetry transmissions from sources in adjacent boreholes. The antenna comprises a processor operable do decode and measure signal to noise ratio of received transmissions. Data received at the active antenna is transmitted to surface using a high-speed data communication network. The active antenna may handle data communications from multiple downhole EM telemetry transmitters.

Abstract: A system for transferring harvested drinking water from a vehicle to a trailer towed behind the vehicle includes a vehicle reservoir for collecting water from a vehicle heat-exchanger. The reservoir includes a heating element for heating water within the vehicle reservoir. A vehicle controller is coupled with the vehicle reservoir and is programmed to boil the water in the vehicle reservoir. The controller is further programmed to measure a fill level of the vehicle reservoir. A trailer reservoir receives water from the vehicle reservoir. A trailer controller is coupled with the trailer reservoir and is programmed to measure a fill level of the trailer reservoir. The trailer controller is further programmed to transmit a wireless communication to the vehicle controller. The wireless communication is indicative of the fill level of the trailer reservoir. A fluid conduit fluidly connects the vehicle reservoir to the trailer reservoir.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for an acoustic vehicle altering system (AVAS) based on existing sensors. An example vehicle includes speakers, sensors, and an acoustic vehicle alerting system. The speakers are positioned to play sound to an area external to the vehicle. The sensor is not part of an acoustic vehicle alerting system. Additionally, the acoustic vehicle alerting system plays a test frequency on the speakers, evaluates feedback from the sensor to determine whether there is an error in the acoustic vehicle alerting system, and when there is an error, displays an alert.

Abstract: A vehicle jump start system includes an aerial drone including first and second electrically conductive end effectors electrically connected to a power source.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system comprises a vehicle computer programmed actuate a vehicle charger to receive electricity from an aerial drone. Actuation of the vehicle charger is performed in response to determining the aerial drone has landed on the vehicle.