Abstract: A traction control system limits the spin of a vehicle driven wheel at a spin limit value that is a function of the vehicle turn rate and that is decreased as a function of the vehicle turn rate of change.

Abstract: Engine inlet air/fuel ratio compensation is applied to an internal combustion engine having pneumatic fuel injection, wherein the difference between a value proportional to inlet air pressure and a value proportional to inlet fuel pressure is monitored and a commanded fuel or air quantity adjusted as a predetermined function of the difference.

Abstract: An antilock brake controller provides an adaptive pressure hold period that interrupts the release of brake pressure during the pressure release phase of an antilock braking pressure control cycle of a vehicle wheel by holding the brake pressure constant while the wheel slip rate is below a threshold that is adjusted as a predetermined function of wheel slip for the front wheels and as a predetermined function of wheel acceleration for the rear wheels.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion exhaust gas heater provides air and fuel to the heater in appropriate proportion to be rapidly ignited therein upon activation of the control system. When flame is present in the heater, the proportion of air and fuel is adjusted to provide maximum heat energy from the heater to the exhaust gas for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The evaporative emission control system of an internal combustion engine is tested by closing the purge air inlet from the atmosphere, applying a vacuum signal to the system, storing the value of a closed loop air/fuel adjustment at the time the vacuum signal is first applied, sensing for the vacuum signal at a specified point in the system and indicating a fault condition if the vacuum signal is not sensed within a first time period and when the amount of the closed loop air/fuel adjustment at the end of a second time period varies from the stored adjustment by an amount less than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A wheel slip controller controls the torque input to the left and right wheels of an axle so as to strike a balance between the logitudinal forces accelerating (in a traction control system) or decelerating (in an anti-lock braking system) the vehicle and the vehicle yaw rate when the vehicle is being operated on a split-coefficient of friction surface. A vehicle yaw condition is sensed when a predetermined function of the difference in the left and right wheel speeds exceeds a threshold at low vehicle speeds and when a predetermined function of the difference in the left and right wheel slips exceeds a threshold at high vehicle speeds.

Abstract: A rear steering system in which a rotary mechanical input obtained from one of the rear wheels is controllably applied to a rear steering rack through an electromagnetic clutch apparatus operated by an electronic control unit. The rotary mechanical input is achieved with a flexible cable gear driven by the rear wheel. The cable provides a rotary mechanical input to a magnetic particle clutch assembly, which in turn, interfaces with the rear steering rack via a bevel gearset. The clutch assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit which responds to a variety of system parameters such as the front and rear rack positions, forward/reverse indication and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: During the apply phase of an ABS pressure cycle in a system having a motor driven pressure modulator, the motor current is controlled to an apply bump motor current value during the initial period of the apply phase for a wheel parameter dependent duration to quickly recover brake pressure after which an initial apply current is established in the motor from which value the current is ramped to ramp brake pressure. The duration of the apply bump current is monitored and when the duration exceeds a minimum value, representing the time required for the apply bump current to reverse the motor direction from pressure release to pressure apply and to establish the motor speed at a steady state condition whereat the motor current is a reliable measurement of the applied brake pressure, the actual motor current at the end of the apply bump is used as the initial apply current.

Abstract: A traction control system provides coordinated use of axle torque management via engine spark, engine fuel, and transmission gear ratio. Primary torque management is provided by retarding the ignition timing to reduce engine torque. When the spark retard reaches a determined limit value, the vehicle automatic transmission is upshifted which reduces axle torque and engine speed, thus reducing the amount of spark retard required to control a slip condition, thereby increasing the authority of the spark retard system. The limit spark retard threshold is established as a function of the temperature of the catalytic converter so as to prevent an overtemperature condition. Further, fuel control is ultimately used if control of ignition timing is incapable of bringing the acceleration slip under control. This condition may exist, for example, when the spark system authority of control is insufficient due to limitations placed upon its authority in response to a sensed hot catalytic converter condition.

Abstract: Oxygen sensor temperature and switching frequency compensation is provided to engine air-fuel ratio control, wherein the drift in the sensor voltage corresponding to stoichiometry is modeled and accounted for in the control, providing improved accuracy in conventional closed-loop engine air-fuel ratio control.

Abstract: An externally visible indication of incipient automotive vehicle motion is displayed based on information from the vehicle operator, the engine and the transmission, as interpreted by the vehicle controller, wherein acceleration information is selectively provided during throttle tip-in while the transmission is in a low gear, and wherein brake information is provided when the brake pedal is depressed. Unique external displays of the incipient motion, sensitive to ambient light levels, are provided in forward areas of the vehicle.

Abstract: A combustion detection method and apparatus for an automotive internal combustion engine exhaust burner having a spark means with spaced electrodes for burner ignition, wherein the voltage drop across the spaced electrodes is compared to a predetermined voltage level, and combustion is assumed to be present if the voltage drop does not exceed the predetermined voltage level for a predetermined number of ignition events, and combustion is assumed to not be present if the voltage drop exceeds the predetermined voltage level for a predetermined number of ignition events.

Abstract: A motor vehicle glass wiper system includes first and second motor assemblies and respective first and second wiper blades. Each motor assembly is effective to move its respective wiper blade through a wipe pattern that is bounded by an outboard direction reversing position and an inboard direction reversing position. The wipe patterns of the first and second wiper blades overlap to establish an interference zone of potential wiper blade contact which is adjacent both inboard direction reversing positions and bounded thereby. A wiper motor control monitors a respective key position sensor for each wiper blade. The control energizes each one of the wiper motors to move its respective wiper blade to the inboard direction reversing position and back to the outboard direction reversing position each time the key position sensor of the other one of the wiper blades indicates a transition out of the interference zone thereby inhibiting interference between the wiper blades.

Abstract: An algorithm is provided for improved lateral force during cornering while in antilock braking mode. For each wheel, the peak slip value at which maximum adhesion between tire and road occurs is determined, and the peak value is reduced by offsets (or factors) to increase lateral force according to the cornering maneuver in progress to derive a target slip value. A cornering offset and an evasive offset are functions of steering wheel angle and steering wheel rotation rate, respectively, and of vehicle deceleration. When slip is determined using average vehicle speed, a geometry correction term which is a function of steering angle, vehicle speed and deceleration is added to the target value. The offsets and the correction term have different values for inside and outside wheels.

Abstract: An ABS system has a plurality of brake channels receiving apply pressure directly from a pump without an accumulator during ABS operation. To assure sufficient pressure for all channels during ABS reapply modes the channels are multiplexed to apply one at a time and keeping on hold other channels scheduled for apply. Several states of brake application are identified and the states are prioritized for each channel so that the multiplexing is ordered according to channel priority.

Abstract: The left and right rear brake systems of a vehicle each are controlled by a respective electric torque motor. A rear wheel braking system controls the current to each of the torque motors so that each rear wheel is controlled to a speed having a predetermined relationship to the corresponding front wheel. The relationship between the motor currents when each wheel speed has been established at the predetermined relationship is used to determine a bias current value used to equalize the gains of the left and right rear brake systems.

Abstract: The relative speed of the tires of a vehicle is monitored as an indication of the operating state of the vehicle, wherein if the vehicle is not operating in one of a number of predetermined states, the relative speed is monitored as an indication of relative pressure of the vehicle tires, and further wherein differences in relative speed not related to the predetermined states, and not related to differences in relative pressure, are accounted for.

Abstract: The torque reduction of an internal combustion engine in response to an excessive acceleration spin condition is provided by a combination of disabling selected engine cylinders and spark retard. When a reduction of engine torque output is required in response to an excessive acceleration spin condition of the vehicle, the first level of torque reduction is provided at a level less than the torque reduction resulting from disabling a single cylinder of the engine by retarding the spark timing of the spark ignition in the cylinders. The amount of the retard of spark timing is such that the resulting torque reduction is less than the torque reduction resulting from disabling a single cylinder of the engine.

Abstract: When the throttle of a vehicle engine is released by the vehicle operator of a vehicle having an automatic transmission, the slip of the automatic transmission is measured and the airflow of the engine is trimmed as a function of the measured slip to establish a desired drive-on feel of the vehicle during coastdown.

Abstract: The torque output of a fluidic torque converter that is driven by a supercharged engine and whose output is coupled to the input of a hydraulic automatic transmission is determined and compared with a transmission input torque limit which is a function of the transmission gear. The boost pressure output of the engine supercharger is limited based on this comparison to closed loop limit the torque output of the torque converter at the transmission input torque limit.