Abstract: An engine control system that identifies fuel dynamical steady state (FDSS) includes a cylinder and a controller that determines a detection period. The controller monitors a mass of fuel ingested by the cylinder during the detection period. The controller identifies FDSS if the mass of fuel remains within a predetermined range during the detection period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling manifold absolute pressure in a hybrid electric vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine in parallel with an electric motor/generator. The method includes the steps of monitoring the torque demand on the hybrid electric vehicle, monitoring the manifold absolute pressure magnitude and change rate of the internal combustion engine, supplying torque from the internal combustion engine to meet the torque demand; and supplying torque from the motor/generator to load-level the torque supplied from the internal combustion engine and to maintain the manifold absolute pressure of the internal combustion engine within an acceptable range and rate.

Abstract: A method of simulating a cold start automobile emissions test on an automobile is provided. The automobile includes an emissions system. The emissions system includes an engine and at least one catalytic converter. The automobile is preconditioned. A first gaseous substance is injected into the emissions system of the automobile between the engine and the catalytic converter. The first gaseous substance is further injected into the emissions system of the automobile after the catalytic converter. The engine of the automobile is then started. Finally, a second gaseous substance is injected into the emissions system of the automobile.

Abstract: An automatically weld locating system locates welds on a subassembly including first and second components. First and second finite element analysis models of the first and second components are retrieved. Edges of the first component are located. An outline of the first component is translated in a direction that is normal to its edge in its plane within a predetermined edge distance. A line segment of the first component is retrieved. Welds are created on the line segment with a predetermined maximum spacing and with a predetermined weld tolerance. The retrieving, determining and creating steps are repeated for additional line segments of the first component. The line segments of the second component are also processed. Welds that are within a predetermined minimum spacing are deleted.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control (ETC) system to control an idle speed of an engine includes an accessory that increases a load on the engine and a controller that generates an idle request signal based on the increased load. The controller compares the idle request signal to an idle maximum signal and sets an idle command signal equal to the idle request signal if the idle request signal is less than the idle maximum signal. The controller determines the idle command signal based on the idle request signal, a previous idle command signal and the idle maximum increase signal if the idle request signal is greater than the idle maximum signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a desired torque to a throttle area to generate the desired torque in an internal combustion engine including the steps of converting the desired torque to an air per cylinder value, converting the desired torque to an indicated mean effective pressure, converting the indicated mean effective pressure to a manifold pressure, and converting the manifold pressure to the throttle area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for ensuring that a throttle increase accompanying a change in the number of active cylinders of an internal combustion engine will not occur too long with more than a selected fraction of all the cylinders activated, so as to not startle a driver. The apparatus comprises an electronic controller that generates the throttle increase if less than all the cylinders are requested to be activated. A determination is made as to whether the number of cylinders being fueled is equal to or less than the selected fraction. A timer is started if the number of cylinders being fueled is greater than the selected fraction. The throttle increase is turned off if the amount of time measured by the timer exceeds a threshold before the number of cylinders being fueled becomes either less than or equal to the selected fraction.

Abstract: A fuel economy control method includes estimating a temperature of a battery, measuring a current of the battery, and measuring a voltage of the battery. A nominal optimum charging voltage is determined as a function of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery and the estimated temperature. The nominal optimum charging voltage is reduced to a fuel economy minimum charging voltage if the SOC is above a predetermined level and the current is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to monitor secondary air injection and catalyst conversion efficiency. The method includes operating an engine in a rich condition after detecting an engine steady state condition. The secondary air injector injects air into an exhaust stream to simulate a lean engine condition. The injection of the air into the exhaust stream is ceased after both inlet and outlet sensors detect the lean condition. After ceasing air injection, a lag time is determined between the inlet sensor detecting the rich condition and the outlet sensor detecting the rich operating condition. An oxygen storage capacity of the catalytic converter is calculated based on the lag time. An efficiency of the catalytic converter is determined as a function of the storage capacity. Additionally, performance of the secondary air injector is monitored. If the inlet sensor fails to detect the lean condition after the secondary air injector is active, a fault is signaled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sensing a misfire in an engine having at least one cylinder and for providing a misfire indication signal in response to the occurrence of the misfire. The apparatus comprises an electronic controller that calculates an expected time period for a cylinder event during which fuel is combusted in a cylinder to provide an expected time period value. The time period of the cylinder event is measured to provide a measured time period value. The difference between the expected time period value and the measured time period value is calculated to provide a difference time period value. The difference time period value is compared to a predetermined threshold time. The misfire indication signal is provided in response to the difference time period value exceeding the predetermined threshold time.

Abstract: A controller calculates valve lift of intake and exhaust valves for a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. A first desired pressure ratio (Pcyl/Pint) is selected to minimize induction pumping losses. Maximum cylinder demand is calculated. Intake valve lift is calculated by matching an effective flow capacity through at least one intake valve of the engine to the maximum cylinder demand. The intake valve is actuated based on the calculated intake valve lift. A second desired pressure ratio (Pexh/Pcyl) for minimizing exhaust pumping losses is selected. Maximum cylinder demand is calculated. Exhaust valve lift is calculated by matching an effective flow capacity through at least one exhaust valve of the engine to the maximum cylinder demand. The exhaust valve is actuated based on the calculated exhaust valve lift.

Abstract: A control system and method maintains a constant engine idle speed during a garage shift of an automatic transmission-equipped vehicle with a torque converter. An engine control module or other processor identifies when transmission input clutch fill occurs. The engine control module increases engine output based on the transmission input clutch fill and before a decrease in engine idle speed occurs. The engine control module latches a turbine speed and a speed ratio (turbine speed/engine speed). The engine control module declares transmission input clutch fill if the latched turbine speed minus a current turbine speed is greater than the first calibration constant or if the latched speed ratio minus a current speed ratio is greater than the second calibration constant. The engine control module increases the engine output after waiting a first time delay after the transmission clutch fill.

Abstract: A remote starting system shutoff system and method for a vehicle includes a vehicle power plant and a remote starting system that is connected to the vehicle power plant. A transmitter actuates the remote starting system to start the vehicle power plant. A vehicle hazard switch in the passenger compartment of the vehicle has first and second positions. When the hazard switch is in the first position, the vehicle power plant can be started using the transmitter. After the vehicle power plant is started, the remote starting system turns the vehicle power plant off if the hazard switch transitions from the first position to the second position. Remote starting is disabled anytime that the switch is in the second position. The transmitter is preferably a radio frequency transmitter. The vehicle power plant is selected from the group of internal combustion engines, diesel engines, hybrids and fuel cells.

Abstract: A mobile system for use in supplying AC power to different types of electrical loads including those having grounded neutrals as well as those having neutrals that are electrically isolated from ground. The system includes a GFCI circuit and can be switched between a first mode, in which the circuit provides AC power with ground fault protection for those loads having ungrounded (isolated) neutrals, and a second mode, in which the GFCI is deactivated so that it will not experience false tripping due to the intentional grounding of the neutral at the load. Both single and multi-phase systems are disclosed which can be incorporated into a vehicle, towed trailer, or portable generator. The system is useful for providing AC power to various types of electrical loads at locations where public utility power is not readily available.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, an intake manifold coupled to the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a pressure sensor sensing manifold pressure, the pressure sensor electronically coupled to the controller, and where the controller receives pressure information from the pressure sensor and changes the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine in response to the pressure information.

Abstract: An engine control system and method calculates spark retard during cylinder activation and deactivation for a displacement on demand engine. A torque reduction calculator calculates a torque reduction signal based on desired and measured air per cylinder. A spark retard (RTD) calculator generates a RTD signal based on the torque reduction signal.

Abstract: A dual voltage tandem engine start system provides a method for high rotational speed, low emissions, heat-engine start-ups in a hybrid electric vehicle. The system also provides a reliable backup system that can be jumpstarted in an emergency should part of the vehicle's electrical system fail. At start-up, a conventional low voltage starter motor (typically 12-volt) begins turning the heat engine up to a predetermined initial engine RPM. When this RPM is reached, a higher voltage motor/generator, in tandem with the low voltage starter motor, also begins turning the heat engine. Once a second, predetermined heat engine RPM is reached, the low voltage starter motor stops turning the engine, leaving the motor/generator to turn the heat engine to a final engine RPM where it begins fueling and combustion starts. This final engine RPM is sufficiently high to allow a low engine emission start once fueling begins.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling emissions in a parallel hybrid motor vehicle that includes an electric propulsion system in parallel with a combustion propulsion system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is monitored in the intake manifold of the combustion propulsion system. The electric propulsion system is engaged to reduce the MAP to a predetermined pressure, and then fueling and combustion of the combustion propulsion system are initiated only after the MAP is reduced to a pressure less than the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A control system for an electric motor including an inverter for providing power to the electric motor, a controller for controlling the inverter, a first motor speed control block in the controller injecting a high frequency signal into the electric motor to determine the speed and position of the electric motor, where the first motor speed control block includes a tuned moving average filter to determine the magnitude of high frequency current in the electric motor.

Abstract: A rotor position estimator for a permanent magnet motor with a stator and a rotor includes a sensing circuit that generates d-axis and q-axis negative sequence stationary current (NSSC) signals. A signal conditioning circuit combines the d-axis and q-axis NSSC signals with first and second positive feedback signals that are based on a rotor position estimate signal. A regulator is coupled to an output of the signal conditioning circuit. A mechanical system simulator that is coupled to the regulator and a demand torque signal generates the rotor position estimate signal. The signal conditioning circuit includes a second harmonic amplifying circuit that receives the rotor position estimate signal and outputs the first feedback signal to a first multiplier. The signal conditioning circuit includes an inverse saliency model receives the rotor position estimate signal and outputs the second feedback signal to a second multiplier.