Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling an inverter with an under-damped L-C filter connected to a load. Samples of the inverter output are processed to generate voltage regulation signals and damping signals. The voltage regulation signals include both regulating and imbalance compensating elements, and are further modified by the damping signals. The modified voltage regulation signals control the switching circuits of the inverter to stabilize the inverter output to the load.

Abstract: For a wheel-related monitoring of the air pressure according to the invention, a tire pressure monitoring system is provided for a vehicle which in each case comprises an air pressure sensor, one for each vehicle wheel, which is connected to a control unit with an optical and/or acoustic output unit, wherein the air pressure sensor is associated with the respective vehicle wheel in such a way that a measuring value produced by the air pressure sensor together with a wheel-related coding (C) is transmitted to the control unit.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling the fueling of a motor vehicle and specifically for controlling the cut off of fueling of a hybrid electric motor vehicle during deceleration of that motor vehicle. In a hybrid electric motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a motor/generator, and a continuously variable transmission, one embodiment of the method comprises the steps of sensing throttle position of the internal combustion engine and slewing the continuously variable transmission to a higher gear ratio in response to sensing a closed throttle position. The method further comprises the steps of cutting fueling of the internal combustion engine during the deceleration, and coupling the motor/generator in parallel with the internal combustion engine with the motor/generator operating as a generator.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain has an electrically variable power transmission, which incorporates two electric power transfer mechanisms, a planetary gearset, an input clutch and an output clutch. A power source continually supplies power to the input clutch and the output clutch is continuously connectible with a transmission output mechanism. One of the planetary gear members is continuously connected with one of the electric power transfer mechanisms and a second of the planetary gear member is continuously connected with the second power transfer mechanism. The clutches are operable to connect the input shaft with two members of the planetary gearset during two ranges of operation and the output clutch is operable to connect two members of the planetary gearset with the output shaft during two ranges of operation.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine control is generally in accordance with RPM and torque modes. Transition from RPM to torque control is accomplished by employing a mass airflow term accounting for any nonequivalence between RPM mode and torque mode mass airflows corresponding respectively to an RPM mode mass airflow and a closed-throttle mass airflow contribution to a total torque mode mass airflow.

Abstract: A positioner for use in a tooling apparatus, the positioner including a tool, at least one servo-motor for actuating said tool, a controller for controlling the servo-motor, nonvolatile memory in the controller, and a calibration stored in the nonvolatile memory, the calibration including compensation parameters for the build variance of the positioner.

Abstract: An engine control system and method adjusts vehicle driveability based on input from a vehicle operator. A selector switch includes a plurality of selector settings corresponding to a plurality of drive modes. The selector switch is moveable between the plurality of selector settings by the vehicle operator. A controller communicates with the selector switch and includes a plurality of predetermined drive settings corresponding to the plurality of drive modes. The controller utilizes predetermined transmission shift points, torque converter slip and throttle position progression data based on a current selector setting chosen by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A regulator voltage control includes measuring a current of a battery, determining a state of charge (SOC) of the battery based on the current, and determining a nominal optimum charging voltage as a function of the SOC of the battery. The nominal optimum charging voltage is converted to a % duty cycle, and a generator is operated relative to the % duty cycle for charging the battery. The nominal optimum charging voltage is reduced when either a battery charge current is below a predetermined value, or a current drawing accessory is turned on.

Abstract: A method for enabling combustion-assisted engine starting includes adjusting a throttle valve to provide an air flow rate to an engine of a vehicle that is sufficient to create starting torque. Fuel that is sufficient to create starting torque is injected into a cylinder of the engine during an intake stroke of the cylinder. A spark plug of the cylinder is disabled. An intake and exhaust valve of the cylinder are disabled. The engine is deactivated. A method for activating the engine includes enabling the spark plug. A piston of the cylinder is positioned between a TDC position of a compression stroke and a BDC position of an expansion stroke or between a TDC position of an exhaust stroke and a BDC position of an intake stroke. A fuel/air charge that is sufficient to create starting torque is ignited in the cylinder. The intake and exhaust valve are activated.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for identifying irrational results from an engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor in a vehicle are described. The vehicle suitably includes a processor in communication with the ECT sensor and an intake air temperature (IAT) sensor. The method includes the steps of receiving an ECT reading from the ECT sensor and a IAT reading at the processor, evaluating a temperature difference between the ECT reading and the IAT reading to determine if irrationality is present, and providing a fault indication in response to the evaluating step. The evaluating step includes monitoring the IAT reading during operation of the vehicle to identify the presence of an engine block heater if the temperature difference exceeds a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: Fuel consumption in a vehicle engine is reduced by varying charge dilution in an intake manifold of the engine to maintain a pressure in the intake manifold within a predetermined range. Pumping work performed by engine cylinders is reduced, which reduces fuel consumption.

Abstract: A state of charge estimator for a battery includes a meter that generates a terminal voltage signal of the battery and a terminal current signal of the battery. A controller employs a linearized model of the battery and a time-varying state estimator. The controller process a synthesized input based on the terminal current and the terminal voltage to estimate the battery state of charge.

Abstract: A leak detection system for a vehicle includes a fuel system and a controller. The controller communicates with the fuel system to detect a fuel filling event. The controller initiates a vapor leak test of the fuel system and terminates the vapor leak test if a fuel filling event is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine that has a plurality of cylinders and that generates exhaust gas. A catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions from the exhaust gas after achieving a light off temperature. A controller is connected to the engine and the catalytic converter. The controller deactivates the cylinder(s) of the engine before the catalytic converter achieves the light off temperature if the engine is operating at idle or low load. The controller waits a first period before deactivating the cylinder(s). The controller optimizes engine operating parameters to reduce a second period that is required to achieve the light off temperature. A temperature sensor is connected to the controller and senses ambient temperature. The controller does not deactivate the cylinders if the ambient temperature is below a first predetermined temperature. The controller activates all of the cylinders if the engine is operating at high load.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor having a stator and rotor including an inverter for providing power to the electric motor, a controller for controlling the inverter, a low speed control block to estimate the rotor angular position using stator current components operating in the controller, a high speed control block to estimate the rotor angular position using stator current components and stator flux position operating in the controller, a transition switch in the controller to vary operation between the low speed control block and the high speed control block, and where the inverter is controlled by six step operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a stand-alone four-leg three-phase inverter. The inverter three-phase output is converted from AC domain elements to corresponding DC domain elements. The DC domain elements are processed into combined regulating and imbalance compensating signals, including over-current limiting. The compensating signals are restored to corresponding AC domain signals, and are processed into control inputs for the inverter, in order to stabilize the inverter output when connected to an unbalanced load. The inverter controller can be implemented entirely in software as a control algorithm.

Abstract: An engine control system and method for a displacement on demand internal combustion engine includes a throttle preload signal generator that outputs a throttle preload area signal having a base portion and ramp out portion. A combining circuit combines the throttle preload area signal with a current throttle area signal to generate a throttle preload difference signal that adjusts throttle area to smooth transitions during at cylinder deactivation. The engine control system smoothes the transition between activated and inactivated modes by increasing throttle area and manifold pressure when transitioning between activated and deactivated modes.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, an electronic throttle controlling air flow to the internal combustion engine, a controller controlling the position of the electronic throttle, an accelerator pedal having an accelerator pedal sensor that generates a signal to the controller, and where the controller computes a rate of change for the accelerator pedal and actuates the electronic throttle to a desired position based upon the rate of change for the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A method for adaptively learning clutch volumes and fill level to compensate for build tolerances and clutch wear includes increasing a fill level of a clutch during an oncoming fill phase of a clutch to clutch transmission. A state of a regulator valve of the clutch to clutch transmission is monitored during the oncoming fill phase. Fill level of the clutch is adjusted before a next shift based on whether the regulator valve switches from a regulating state to a full feed state before elapse of a valid shift time.

Abstract: A method of correcting a cam phaser system failure including detecting a cam phaser system fault and generating a control signal to correct said cam phaser system fault.