Abstract: A system and method for controlling combustion in a direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine inject fuel directly into a combustion chamber through an injector having an ignition jet or group of jets positioned primarily to support stratified charge formation and a mixing jet or group of jets positioned primarily to support homogeneous charge formation. The ignition jet(s) and mixing jet(s) produce discernibly different yet well connected fuel clouds within the cylinder to provide stable combustion and reduce cylinder wall wetting by appropriate selection of the axial/longitudinal angles and radial/circumferential angles of the ignition and mixing jets.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an object is provided. The method includes emitting a light pulse. The method further includes receiving a reflection of the light pulse. The method further includes indicating a presence of the object from the received light pulse. Finally, the method includes adjusting sensitivity of the indicating step based on an elapsed time from the emission.

Abstract: A hydrogen fueled reciprocating spark ignition engine includes a fuel system for providing gaseous hydrogen to the cylinders of the engine and a lean NOx trap coupled to the engine for treating the engine's exhaust. A controller determines when to purge the lean NOx trap and provides gaseous hydrogen to the lean NOx trap during purging by operating the engine fuel rich or injecting hydrogen upstream of the lean NOx trap.

Abstract: A cargo management system for a vehicle includes a substantially rigid load floor panel pivotally connected along a first edge to a base to provide a load floor substantially flush with a vehicle floor when stowed, and pivotally connected along an opposite edge to a rigid grid that may be deployed in a first position above and generally parallel to the base, and a second position generally transverse to the base to extend above any vehicle seats and generally separate a cargo area from a passenger area. The cargo management system may also include a secondary door, panel, or other device to cover a storage well or compartment of the base and to support additional cargo when the load floor panel is deployed.

Abstract: A control system parameter monitor determines a difference between a desired and estimated or measured parameter value, applies a weighting factor to the difference, and selects a control strategy based on the weighted difference. The weighting factor generally reflects the confidence in the accuracy of the parameter value determined by the parameter monitor. The weighting factor may be determined based on one or more engine or ambient operating conditions or parameters, or based on statistical analyses of monitor values and/or control system parameter values, for example. In one embodiment, an engine torque monitor for an electronic throttle control system uses percent torque deviation and rate of change to select an appropriate weighting factor and determine whether a deviation between desired and estimated or measured torque selects an alternative control strategy.

Abstract: A configurable overhead console includes a support beam concealed above a headliner with a plurality of apertures adapted to receive one or more removable modules positioned below the headliner and sufficiently spaced to inhibit folding or creasing of the headliner during handling. The support beam may include attachment apertures and one or more associated positioning or orientation apertures to orient and secure a removable module to the support beam via a twist-lock latching device. Electrical contact strips may be provided along one or more of the channels of the support beam to provide power to modules via corresponding contact pins that extend through the attachment aperture and/or alignment or positioning apertures.

Abstract: An inner panel for an overhead console for a vehicle may be secured to an interior of an overhead console door and includes a plurality of slots arranged in a pattern to facilitate sliding and locking attachment of a plurality of accessory holders. The plurality of slots includes at least two generally parallel slots to facilitate insertion and sliding of corresponding tabs of the accessory holder between an insertion position and a locking position and at least one skew slot adapted to receive a corresponding tab of the accessory holder in the locking position and retain the accessory holder in the locking position.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine for low emissions include an inner feedback control loop to control the engine fuel/air ratio with feedback provided by a first exhaust gas sensor and an outer feedback control loop that modifies the fuel/air ratio reference provided to the inner feedback control loop based on feedback signals provided by the first exhaust gas sensor and a second exhaust gas sensor. The fuel/air ratio reference signal controller adapts to the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst by modeling the catalyst as an integrator with an unknown gain and estimating the catalyst gain based on the first and second exhaust gas sensor signals. Using the estimated catalyst gain, an adaptive controller gain factor is determined and subsequently used to determine the fuel/air ratio reference signal provided to the fuel/air ratio controller of the inner feedback control loop.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a distance of an object is provided. The method includes transmitting a light pulse to a polymeric light reflector at a first time. The method further includes reflecting the light pulse from the reflector. The method further includes receiving a portion of the light pulse reflected from an object at a second time. Finally, the method includes determining a distance of the object from the reflector based on a time difference between substantially the first and second times.