Abstract: A method for planning and adapting a recommended travel route to a route destination for a vehicle having various subsystems includes identifying the route destination and receiving vehicle health management (VHM)/state of health (SOH) information for each subsystem. The vehicle with a controller programmed to execute the method is also disclosed. The method includes calculating route characteristics of candidate travel routes to the destination using the VHM information and determining, from among the candidate travel routes, travel routes for which the characteristics meet a respective threshold requirement. Thereafter, the controller executes a control action by displaying a candidate route meeting the threshold requirements. An occupant is prompted to revise the mission requirements when no candidate route exists. A default route to a designated parking location or repair depot may be displayed when none of the candidate routes meet the threshold requirements.

Abstract: A method proactively transitions performance of a functional operation from a primary subsystem to a secondary subsystem within a vehicle or other system having an electronic control unit (ECU). The method includes receiving health management information via the ECU when the primary subsystem is actively performing the functional operation within the system and the secondary subsystem operates in a standby mode, wherein the health information is indicative of a numeric state of health (SOH) of the primary subsystem. The method also includes comparing the numeric SOH to a calibrated non-zero threshold SOH, and then commanding, via the ECU, a transition of the performance of the functional operation to the secondary subsystem and placing the primary subsystem in the standby mode when the numeric SOH is less than the calibrated non-zero threshold SOH. A vehicle executes the method via the ECU.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electrically-driven motor configured to actuate a vehicle component and a power source configured to provide power to the motor over an electrical circuit. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to monitor at least one signal indicative of motor output and store data indicative of a resistance in the circuit. The controller is also programmed to issue a resistance state of health signal in response to the resistance in the circuit exceeding a predetermined resistance threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining road surface information in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the method includes: determining at least one condition assessment value based on steering data; determining a feature set to include at least one of self-aligning torque (SAT), slip angle, SAT variance, steering rate, and lateral acceleration based on the condition assessment value; processing steering data obtained during a steering maneuver and associated with the feature set using a pattern classification technique; and determining a surface type based on the processing.

Abstract: A method proactively transitions performance of a functional operation from a primary subsystem to a secondary subsystem within a vehicle or other system having an electronic control unit (ECU). The method includes receiving health management information via the ECU when the primary subsystem is actively performing the functional operation within the system and the secondary subsystem operates in a standby mode, wherein the health information is indicative of a numeric state of health (SOH) of the primary subsystem. The method also includes comparing the numeric SOH to a calibrated non-zero threshold SOH, and then commanding, via the ECU, a transition of the performance of the functional operation to the secondary subsystem and placing the primary subsystem in the standby mode when the numeric SOH is less than the calibrated non-zero threshold SOH. A vehicle executes the method via the ECU.

Abstract: A method for planning and adapting a recommended travel route to a route destination for a vehicle having various subsystems includes identifying the route destination and receiving vehicle health management (VHM)/state of health (SOH) information for each subsystem. The vehicle with a controller programmed to execute the method is also disclosed. The method includes calculating route characteristics of candidate travel routes to the destination using the VHM information and determining, from among the candidate travel routes, travel routes for which the characteristics meet a respective threshold requirement. Thereafter, the controller executes a control action by displaying a candidate route meeting the threshold requirements. An occupant is prompted to revise the mission requirements when no candidate route exists. A default route to a designated parking location or repair depot may be displayed when none of the candidate routes meet the threshold requirements.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electrically-driven motor configured to actuate a vehicle component and a power source configured to provide power to the motor over an electrical circuit. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to monitor at least one signal indicative of motor output and store data indicative of a resistance in the circuit. The controller is also programmed to issue a resistance state of health signal in response to the resistance in the circuit exceeding a predetermined resistance threshold.

Abstract: A method of isolating fault in an electric motor assisted braking system of a vehicle includes calculating a value for each of a plurality of fault signature components and comparing each of the calculated values of the plurality of fault signature components to a respective threshold value for each fault signature component. The method also includes automatically executing a control action to indicate a detected fault of the electric motor assisted braking system in response to at least one of the calculated values of the plurality of fault signature components exceeding a respective threshold value.

Abstract: A distributed vehicle health management system includes a vehicle-based diagnostic processor executing diagnostic routines in a vehicle. The diagnostic routines generate diagnostic data. A processor-based device executes advanced vehicle health management routines. The processor-based device determines a state of health of a component as a function of the diagnostic data. A telematics device communicates at least one of state of health data and diagnostic data from the vehicle. A remote entity disposed remotely from the vehicle. The remote entity receives data via the telematics device, the data being a selective subset of data output from at least one of the vehicle-based processor and processor-based device. The remote entity executes calibration routines as a function of the data received by the vehicle for calibrating at least one of the diagnostic routines and health management routines.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a brake system configured to resist vehicle movement. The vehicle also includes at least one controller in communication with the brake system. The controller is programmed to detect an initiation of a braking event and monitor raw signal data associated with the brake system during the braking event. The controller is also programmed to generate a feature data set based on the raw signal data that is indicative of performance of at least one component of the brake system. The controller is further programmed to identify a vehicle maneuver class based on a rate of change of vehicle movement, store the feature data set and the identified vehicle maneuver class as a data vector, and transmit the data vector to a processor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a temperature of a tire. The method includes: receiving tire pressure data; and estimating a temperature of a tread of the tire based on the tire pressure data.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an engine starting system includes detecting a first engine crank command, monitoring engine speed states, and collecting the engine speed states in a first buffer disposed in a first controller. A second engine crank command is determined based upon monitored electric power states from a battery. The electric power states from the battery are collected in a second buffer disposed in a second controller. The engine speed states collected in the first buffer are synchronized with the electric power states from the battery collected in the second buffer based upon the first engine crank command and the second engine crank command. A starter resistance is determined based upon the electric power states from the battery. A telematics device communicates the starter resistance and the monitored engine speed states synchronized with the monitored electric power states to a remote system.

Abstract: A method of isolating fault in an electric motor assisted braking system of a vehicle includes calculating a value for each of a plurality of fault signature components and comparing each of the calculated values of the plurality of fault signature components to a respective threshold value for each fault signature component. The method also includes automatically executing a control action to indicate a detected fault of the electric motor assisted braking system in response to at least one of the calculated values of the plurality of fault signature components exceeding a respective threshold value.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a starter is shown. A method for monitoring the starter includes determining electrical energy consumed by pinion and motor solenoids operative to activate and rotate a pinion gear of an electrically-powered motor meshingly engageable to a starter ring gear portion of a flywheel of the engine during an engine starting event. Current ringing in the pinion and motor solenoids is monitored during the engine starting even, and a fault is identified in the pinion and motor solenoids based upon the current ringing and the electrical energy consumption of the starter during the engine starting event.

Abstract: A method of isolating a fault in an electric power steering system includes calculating a value for fault signature components. Each of the calculated values of the fault signature components is compared to a respective threshold value, to determine if any of the calculated values of the fault signature components exceeds its respective threshold value. When at least one of the calculated values of the plurality of fault signature components exceeds its respective threshold value, the above threshold comparison results are compared to a fault table that relates pre-calculated threshold comparison results to pre-identified faults, to determine if the above threshold comparison results correspond to a pre-identified fault. Based on the fault table comparison results, a control action is automatically executed to indicate a pre-identified fault or an unknown fault in the electric power steering system.

Abstract: A method of isolating a fault in an electric power steering system includes calculating a value for fault signature components. Each of the calculated values of the fault signature components is compared to a respective threshold value, to determine if any of the calculated values of the fault signature components exceeds its respective threshold value. When at least one of the calculated values of the plurality of fault signature components exceeds its respective threshold value, the above threshold comparison results are compared to a fault table that relates pre-calculated threshold comparison results to pre-identified faults, to determine if the above threshold comparison results correspond to a pre-identified fault. Based on the fault table comparison results, a control action is automatically executed to indicate a pre-identified fault or an unknown fault in the electric power steering system.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an engine starting system includes detecting a first engine crank command, monitoring engine speed states, and collecting the engine speed states in a first buffer disposed in a first controller. A second engine crank command is determined based upon monitored electric power states from a battery. The electric power states from the battery are collected in a second buffer disposed in a second controller. The engine speed states collected in the first buffer are synchronized with the electric power states from the battery collected in the second buffer based upon the first engine crank command and the second engine crank command. A starter resistance is determined based upon the electric power states from the battery. A telematics device communicates the starter resistance and the monitored engine speed states synchronized with the monitored electric power states to a remote system.

Abstract: A multi-wheel vehicle that employs an electric power steering system is described. A method for operating the vehicle includes determining the vehicle is operating in a straight line, and monitoring parameters associated with the electric power steering and associated with vehicle dynamics. A first self-aligning torque parameter is determined based upon the electric power steering parameters, and a second self-aligning torque parameter is determined based upon the vehicle dynamics parameters. Alignment of the wheels is determined based upon the first and second self-aligning torque parameters.

Abstract: A distributed vehicle health management system includes a vehicle-based diagnostic processor executing diagnostic routines in a vehicle. The diagnostic routines generate diagnostic data. A processor-based device executes advanced vehicle health management routines. The processor-based device determines a state of health of a component as a function of the diagnostic data. A telematics device communicates at least one of state of health data and diagnostic data from the vehicle. A remote entity disposed remotely from the vehicle. The remote entity receives data via the telematics device, the data being a selective subset of data output from at least one of the vehicle-based processor and processor-based device. The remote entity executes calibration routines as a function of the data received by the vehicle for calibrating at least one of the diagnostic routines and health management routines.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly that includes a female and male connector assembly. The female assembly includes a primary female housing including two female terminals. A secondary female housing including two female terminals short circuited to one another. The secondary female housing affixed to a side of the primary female housing. A male connector assembly including a primary male housing including two male terminals. The two male terminals in contact with the two female terminals of the primary female housing when the primary male housing is seated in the primary female housing for providing electrical energy to the electrical component. A secondary male housing including two male terminals. The secondary male housing affixed to a side of the primary male housing, wherein at least one of the two male terminals have a shorter length than the at least two male terminals of the primary male housing.