Abstract: A hinge assembly may include a hinge bracket, a pivot member and a hinge arm. The hinge bracket may be adapted to be mounted to a frame member of a vehicle. The pivot member may be connected to the hinge bracket and may be pivotable relative thereto. The hinge arm may be connected to the pivot member and may be pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the pivot member. The hinge arm may be linearly adjustable in a first direction relative to the hinge bracket and linearly adjustable in a second direction relative to the hinge bracket. The first and second directions may be substantially perpendicular relative to each other. The hinge arm may be adapted to be coupled to a closure panel of the vehicle to move the closure panel relative to the frame member between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes an engine, an electric machine, a power electronics device including a plurality of electric circuit layers, and a cooling system. A method for managing thermal energy in the power electronics device includes monitoring a plurality of temperature sensors in the power electronics device, monitoring electric power into and out of the power electronics device, predicting temperatures for the plurality of electric circuit layers, and controlling the hybrid powertrain system based upon the predicted temperatures for the plurality of electric circuit layers.

Abstract: A method for reducing occurrence of clutch slip in electromechanical transmission adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member through selective application of a hydraulically actuated clutch includes monitoring operation of said clutch, identifying an indication of clutch wear based upon said monitoring said operation, and increasing a minimum clamping force applied to said clutch based upon said indication of clutch wear.

Abstract: A powertrain control system for a plugin hybrid electric vehicle. The system comprises an adaptive charge sustaining controller; at least one internal data source connected to the adaptive charge sustaining controller; and a memory connected to the adaptive charge sustaining controller for storing data generated by the at least one internal data source. The adaptive charge sustaining controller is operable to select an operating mode of the vehicle's powertrain along a given route based on programming generated from data stored in the memory associated with that route. Further described is a method of adaptively controlling operation of a plugin hybrid electric vehicle powertrain comprising identifying a route being traveled, activating stored adaptive charge sustaining mode programming for the identified route and controlling operation of the powertrain along the identified route by selecting from a plurality of operational modes based on the stored adaptive charge sustaining mode programming.

Abstract: A method of estimating the individual fuel air ratio richness of an individual cylinder in an engine by utilizing a single oxygen sensor at the confluence of a plurality of exhaust runners. The method provides for the use of a wide range or switching oxygen sensor at the confluence of a plurality of exhaust runners.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping vibration in a vehicle structure via a mass of a spare wheel includes a bar. The bar has a first end elastically coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the first end is arranged for vertical movement relative to the vehicle structure. The bar also has a second end pivotably coupled to the vehicle structure, wherein the second end is arranged to facilitate the vertical movement of the first end. The bar additionally includes an arrangement for mounting a spare wheel, wherein damping of vibration in the vehicle structure is provided when the spare wheel is mounted on the bar.

Abstract: A method and system of reducing an occurrence of hydraulic pressurization loss during the transition from gas-powered engine operation to electric motor operation in a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes maintaining operation of the gas-powered engine while initiating an auxiliary pump with its associated electric motor. A master timer is initiated. Once the auxiliary pump exceeds a minimum speed threshold, a delay time period is determined during which operation of the auxiliary pump is tested. If the auxiliary pump does not stall during the delay time period and the master timer has not yet expired, the gas-powered engine is allowed to shut-off.

Abstract: A method to determine excessive clutch slippage in a transmission coupled to an engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit power to an output member through selective application of torque-transfer clutches includes monitoring rotational velocities of the electric machine, engine and output member, monitoring a transmission operating range state, determining a clutch slip based upon monitored rotational velocities for one of the torque-transfer clutches intended to be synchronized based upon the transmission operating range state, and indicating a runaway slip event if the clutch slip is in excess of a threshold slip level through a threshold slip duration.

Abstract: An optical communication system is disclosed. The optical communication system includes a reflection hub connected to a plurality of communication modules. The communication modules communicate optical signals to one another via two way light channels, such that an optical signal is scattered off a diffuse surface at a distal end of the reflection hub and into the two way light channel of each communication module.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve lifter apparatus including a seal at the interface of a pushrod seat and a pushrod is provided herein. In one form, the hydraulic valve lifter apparatus includes a body, a piston slidably disposed within the body including a pushrod seat for contacting a pushrod, and a seal located between the pushrod seat and the pushrod.

Abstract: A method and transmission control unit configured to improve shift event performance in a vehicle with an automatic transmission by determining a vent time for release of a clutch assembly in a transmission of a vehicle. The vehicle must be stopped and a gear selector in the vehicle must be set to a drive condition. If these conditions are met, the clutch assembly is vented. The vent time from when venting begins to when a turbine (or input shift) speed of the transmission rises is tracked. Once the turbine speed of the transmission rises, the clutch assembly is reapplied. The clutch assembly vent time is set based on the tracked vent time.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for a turbocharged engine. The system includes a fuel vapor canister in fluid communication with an intake manifold of the engine, a purge valve positioned between the intake manifold and the canister, a bypass valve positioned between the purge valve and the canister and connected to the atmosphere, and an evaporative system integrity monitor operable to seal the canister from the atmosphere when the engine is off. In operation, the monitor is closed so as to seal the canister from the atmosphere, the purge valve is closed so as to isolate the intake manifold from the canister, and the bypass valve is opened so as to connect the canister to the atmosphere. Proper operation of the monitor is determined if the monitor toggles from closed to open when a vacuum in the fuel vapor canister reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting that a four-wheel drive manual transmission vehicle is being operated in a manner that could cause a clutch over-speed problem. Upon detecting that the vehicle is being operated in the manner that could cause the clutch over-speed problem, the system and method activate a braking countermeasure to remove the potential problem. In addition, a fault code may be stored for subsequent diagnostic measures and/or a fault indicator may be used to alert the driver of the problem.

Abstract: An indicator, system and method of indicating electric drive usability in a hybrid electric vehicle. A tachometer is used that includes a display having an all-electric drive portion and a hybrid drive portion. The all-electric drive portion and the hybrid drive portion share a first boundary which indicates a minimum electric drive usability and a beginning of hybrid drive operation of the vehicle. The indicated level of electric drive usability is derived from at least one of a percent battery discharge, a percent maximum torque provided by the electric drive, and a percent electric drive to hybrid drive operating cost for the hybrid electric vehicle.

Abstract: A method is described for improving fuel economy in a vehicle having an engine, a generator driven by the engine, and an energy storage unit by using an energy storage efficiency model. The method includes evaluating a current efficiency state of the engine, evaluating a current efficiency state of the generator, evaluating a current efficiency state of the energy storage unit, and, controlling the generator to provide an optimized voltage output, based on the results of the evaluations and the energy storage efficiency model. A voltage regulator implementing this method is also described.

Abstract: A passive entry system is disclosed. The system comprises an unlocking module that performs a key operation in a keyless environment and a plurality of fobs configured to trigger the unlocking module to perform the key operation. each fob has a unique value associated thereto. The unlocking module determines a range of identification values, generates an authentication request packet based on the range, of identification values, and broadcasts the request packet. Each fob receives the request packet; and determines whether the unique identification value of the corresponding fob falls within the range of identification values. The fob also generates a response packet if the unique identification value falls within the range of identification values and transmits the response packet to the unlocking module. The unlocking module receives the response packets from the fobs, and performs the key operation based on one of the received response packets.

Abstract: A system for mounting a duct to a port mounting in an engine where the port mounting has an opening and a mounting surface that surrounds the opening. The system includes a flange with a tongue portion that mates with a shoulder of a mounting rail that does not extend over the mounting surface of the port mounting, which allows for easy installation in locations with limited space.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a vehicle pedal are disclosed. According to the present disclosure, the method comprises determining whether a stimulus has been detected at the vehicle pedal. When the stimulus has been detected, the method comprises receiving sensor data from a sensor system, the sensor data being indicative of a shape of the stimulus, and determining whether the shape of the stimulus corresponds to an unintended object based on the sensor data. When the shape of the stimulus corresponds to an unintended stimulus, the method comprises performing an unintended stimulus operation.