Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve positioning system according to the present invention includes an actuate valve module, an EGR valve position module, and an adjust control variables module. The actuate valve module selectively uses learned and default variables as control variables to position an EGR valve. The EGR valve position module determines whether the EGR valve is positioned in a target position. The adjust control variables module communicates with the actuate valve module and the EGR valve position module and adjusts the learned variables when the EGR valve position module determines that the EGR valve is positioned out of the target position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sun gear member and sun gear shaft providing improved manufacturing time and material cost savings. This invention further relates to the packaging of a compact electro-mechanical transmission specifically as it pertains to the redesign of the planetary gear arrangement to compensate for the new design of the sun gear member and sun gear shaft. Several design modifications are disclosed in order to reduce the diameter of the planetary gear arrangement and its inclusive members. For example, the ring gear is chamfered to allow for additional clearance so that the planetary gear arrangement and the electronic motor package can be more compact when sun gear has separable sun gear members. In addition to packaging considerations, material costs, fatigue life requirements, and manufacturability of relevant transmission components were governing concerns in the redesign of the sun gear member and sun gear shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the heating of an oxygen sensor in a motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises an oxygen sensor for measuring oxygen levels in exhaust gases of a motor vehicle. The oxygen sensor comprising a heater rod, an outer electrode surrounding the heater rod, and a shell surrounding the outer electrode and configured for mounting the oxygen sensor in the motor vehicle. A first electrical connection coupled to the outer electrode and a second electrical connection coupled to the shell are configured to facilitate measurement of capacitance between the outer electrode and the shell during operation of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a multi-phase machine having a stator with stator windings includes a controller, primary commutation switch pairs, a neutral terminal, and commutation control switches. Each switch pair includes first and second primary commutation switches connected at a node. Each commutation control switch is coupled to a winding so that a stator winding circuit is formed between the neural terminal and a respective one of the nodes. Each commutation control switch includes a first diode connected in parallel with a series switch circuit. Each series switch circuit includes a second diode and a series connected switch element. The controller is coupled to the switch elements and the primary commutation switch pairs to control an on time and an off time of the primary commutation switches relative to a point where a supply voltage is equal to the back emf.

Abstract: A power transmission includes a rotary input member adapted to receive drive torque from a source of torque, a rotary output member and a torque transmitting mechanism selectively operable to transfer drive torque between the input member and the output member. The torque transmitting member includes a selectively operable one-way clutch including a rotatable member for switching the one-way clutch between a released mode and a locked mode. The torque transmitting mechanism also includes a friction clutch and an actuator. The friction clutch is operable to transmit torque to the rotatable member and control the mode of operation of the one-way clutch. The actuator is operable to apply a clutch and brake engagement force to the friction clutch.

Abstract: A cylinder misfire control system for a displacement on demand (DOD) engine that is operable in an activated mode and a deactivated mode includes a sensor that is responsive to rotation of a crankshaft of the engine and a first module that calculates a time derivative based on a first time period associated with a first deactivated cylinder and a second time period associated with a second deactivated cylinder. The first and second time periods are based on the rotation of the crankshaft. A second module detects a misfire occurrence in an activated cylinder based on the time period derivative.

Abstract: A reverse rotation detection system for an engine with at least one camshaft and a crankshaft includes a camshaft position sensor that generates a camshaft position signal based on a rotation of the camshaft. A second sensor input device generates a crankshaft position signal based on a rotation of the crankshaft. A control module detects a reverse rotation condition of the engine from the camshaft position signal and the crankshaft position signal, wherein the control module compares the camshaft position signal to the crankshaft position signal to determine an engine position. Based on the engine position the control module compares the camshaft position signal to an expected signal to determine a reverse rotation condition.

Abstract: A reductant dosing control system, for use in a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system of a motor vehicle includes an input receiving a NOx feedback signal from an NOx sensor provided to the SCR system. A base dosing module calculates a required quantity of reductant to inject in front of a SCR catalyst of the SCR system based on the NOx feedback signal. The SCR catalyst has ammonia storage properties. An output signals a reductant metering mechanism to periodically or continuously inject excess reductant based on the required quantity of reductant.

Abstract: An engine control system including an engine controller, a plurality of sensors coupled to the engine controller, and a neural network operating in the engine controller, and where upon failure of at least one of the plurality sensors, the neural network generates a representative value of the failed sensor.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission having two planetary gear sets, two motor/generators, and six torque transfer devices to provide input split, compound split, output split, neutral, electric reverse and mechanical reverse modes of operation. The electrically variable transmission includes: an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member; first and second motor/generators; and first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having first, second and third gear members. The input member is not continuously connected with any member of the planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second planetary gear set. The first and second motor/generators are each continuously connected to at least one member of the planetary gear sets. The first member of the first planetary gear set is continuously connected with the third member of the second planetary gear set.

Abstract: A system for reducing clunk in a driveline of a vehicle having an engine comprises a torque-based module that generates a torque request, a filter that receives the torque request from the torque-based module and that selectively modifies the torque request to reduce a rate of change of the torque request, and an engine control module that receives the modified torque request and actuates the engine to produce the modified torque request. The filter slows torque changes to a fixed rate within a range defined by an upper limit greater than zero torque and a lower limit less than zero torque. The filter applies a low-pass filter to the torque request when the torque request is greater than a cut-off value, and coefficients of the low-pass filter are selected from a table based upon the currently selected gear in the vehicle and an output of an aggressive driving evaluator.

Abstract: A baffle plate for an internal combustion engine is used to separate air and oil as required for recirculation of crankcase gasses. The baffle plate includes oil holes with protrusions extending therefrom. The protrusions extend in a direction opposing the flow of an air/oil mixture. These protrusions prevent oil that strikes the baffle plate from flowing over the hole in the baffle plate and into the air induction system.

Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle having front and rear axles includes three input clutches connected to first, second and third members of a planetary gear set. First and second transfer chains are connected to each other and operatively engageable between the planetary gear set and the front and rear axles. At least one of the transfer chains is connected with a member of the planetary gear set. A four wheel drive clutch is operative to selectively connect the front and rear axles. The four wheel drive clutch and three input clutches are selectively engageable to provide three speed ratios and four wheel drive.

Abstract: Eight-speed transmissions are provided that include four planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms and various fixed interconnections to provide eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another of the planetary gear members. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are operated in combinations of two. Reduced component speeds and improved ratios are achieved.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a combustion engine and an electric propulsion system. The combustion engine includes a camshaft and a crankshaft. The control system improves NVH by deactivating the compression pulses during a cranking phase of the combustion engine. A first control module generates a minimum torque, a second control module generates an actual torque and a third control module generates a reference torque. A timing control module generates a timing control output based on the minimum torque, the actual torque and the reference torque. The minimum torque is based on an RPM of the combustion engine, a spark angle and an air per cylinder of the combustion engine. The actual torque is based on an RPM of the combustion engine, a spark angle and an air per cylinder. The reference torque is based on an output of a pedal position sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for electronically providing vehicle identification and registration information to a vehicle. The system includes a remote control unit, which receives and stores vehicle identification and registration information. At least one computer on the vehicle is configured to receive the vehicle identification and registration information and to store such information. An electric license plate coupled to this computer for electronically displaying at least a portion of the identification and registration information stored in the computer.

Abstract: A method of estimating composition of fuel in the fuel tank of a vehicle. A refuel event is detected. Fuel consumption is monitored during a plurality of stages after the refuel event. A plurality of fuel trim shift values are determined relative to the stages. The fuel trim shift values are used to estimate a fuel composition change. This method eliminates a need for a hardware fuel composition sensor and also provides dynamic filtering of fuel trim values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a preferred operating range for a plurality of torque-generative devices is provided. Each device is operable to provide motive torque to a transmission. The invention includes defining a first and a second operating range in a first operating space. The first operating range and the second operating range are mathematically transformed to a second operating space. The preferred operating range is defined in the second operating space based upon the transformed first operating range and the transformed second operating range. The first operating range is defined based upon torque output for each of the torque-generative devices. The second operating range is defined based upon output of an electrical energy storage device operable to provide electrical energy to each of the torque-generative devices.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a plurality of gas analyzers includes providing gas analyzers that measure the concentrations of gases. A span gas includes a mixture of the gases. A calibration mixture is supplied to the gas analyzers that includes the span gas and a non-reactive zero gas. At least one of a concentration of the non-reactive zero gas and a concentration of the span gas is varied in the calibration mixture as a function of time. The gas analyzers generate sets of readings of the concentrations of the gases. A controller generates response functions of the gas analyzers based on the sets of readings. The controller determines exact concentrations of the gases in the calibration mixture based on a set of readings from a gas analyzer with a predetermined response to a gas. The controller calibrates the gas analyzers based on the response functions and the exact concentrations.

Abstract: A method for detecting emissions from an internal combustion engine generally including determining a reference air/fuel mixture signal based on an engine speed and an airflow into the engine. The method includes determining an actual air/fuel mixture signal from an air/fuel mixture sensor and comparing the reference air/fuel mixture signal to the actual air/fuel mixture signal. The method also includes determining whether an air/fuel imbalance condition occurs based on the comparison and setting a service indicator based on the determination of whether the air/fuel imbalance condition occurred.