Abstract: A more precise method for determining the oxygen storage capacity of an exhaust gas aftertreatment device is presented. The most accurate capacity estimate is obtained while the engine is idling or during low load operation. The capacity is determined by integrating the output of an oxygen sensor located downstream of the device during a period of time that it takes to store more than a predetermined amount of oxygen in the device. The overall LNT efficiency can then be inferred from its oxygen storage capacity. This method allows for improved emission control and fuel economy.

Abstract: Device for treatment of a gas flow having at least one body (3) that is adapted to cause a conversion in the composition of the gas. The device is characterized in that the body (3) has a modular construction comprising a plurality of sections (26, 26?, 27, 27?, 36) with different internal structures that allow gas to flow through the section, and that the sections (26, 26?, 27, 27?, 36) are arranged so that at least a portion of the gas flows through at least two sections with different internal structures during operation of the device.

Abstract: Device for treatment of a gas flow including at least one body (3), at least one first opening (4, 4?) for entrance of an incoming gas flow to the body (3) and at least one second opening (5, 5?) for the exit of an outgoing gas flow from the body (3). The body (3) is provided with a plurality of gas flow passages (11a, 11b) arranged to permit heat exchange between the gas flows in adjacent passages. The device has at least one distribution section (26, 26?) in communication with the first opening (4, 4?) and with the gas flow passages (11a, 11b) to distribute the incoming gas flow to the gas flow passages (11a, 11b), and at least one gas flow passage section (27, 27?) including the gas flow passages (11a, 11b), which passage section (27, 27?) primarily is adapted to permit heat exchange and to cause a conversion in the composition of the gas.

Abstract: An electromechanical valve assembly 46 for an internal combustion engine 36 is provided. The valve assembly 46 includes a rotor 68 centered about a first axis 122 having a bore 114 extending generally axially therethrough. The valve assembly 46 further includes a stator 66 operatively disposed about the rotor 68 for producing a torque to cause rotation of the rotor 68 about the axis 122. Finally, the valve assembly 46 includes a valve 70 having a valve stem 126 and a valve head 84 The valve stem 126 extends generally axially through the bore 114 of the rotor 68. The valve stem 126 is also configured to move generally axially responsive to the rotation of the rotor 68 to selectively engage and disengage the valve head 84 with a valve seat 124 of the engine 36.

Abstract: A method for operating a variable compression ratio internal combustion engine includes the steps of determining a compression ratio operating state of the engine, and inferring a torque output for the engine based at least in part on the compression ratio operating state of the engine. For example, brake engine torque can be computed by first determining a compression ratio operating state, rotational speed and air flow of the engine, and selecting predetermined baseline indicated torque and baseline engine friction loss values based on the engine speed, the air flow and compression ratio operating state. The baseline indicated torque and baseline engine friction loss values are then used to estimate the brake engine torque.

Abstract: A crush rail or other structural member of a vehicle is provided with crush triggers. The crush triggers are formed by heating localized areas of the crush rail or other part and allowing them to cool slowly to provide increased ductility and reduced strength in a localized region. The crush rail is designed to collapse in a series of convolutions in a regular and repeated pattern. Crush triggers may be provided on body pillars, steering columns, drive shafts, engine support cradles, and other parts of a vehicle. A plurality of crush triggers may be provided on a single structural member depending upon impact absorption requirements.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling decontamination of an emission control device. Temperature of the emission control device is maintained at a desired temperature by operating some cylinders of the engine lean and others rich. These lean and rich mixtures react exothermically in the exhaust gas and in the emission control device to generate heat. Efficient contaminant removal is obtained by oscillating the mixture air-fuel ratio about stoichiometry. This oscillation is provided by adjusting the fuel provided to the rich cylinders, or by adjusting the air provided to the lean cylinders, thereby minimizing any torque disturbance corresponding to the oscillations in exhaust air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: An electromechanical brake assembly 10 having a pair of selectively movable and dissimilar self energization wedge members 24, 26 which are respectively and independently controlled by motors 30, 34, and which have respectively dissimilar angles of inclination 60, 62, thereby providing a controllably varying amount of self energization.

Abstract: A control system and control method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having an engine, an electric motor and an electric generator with gearing for effecting split power distribution from separate power sources. Power delivery to vehicle traction wheels is coordinated to meet a driver's demand for power as much as possible without violating predefined maximum and minimum powertrain limits, including the limits of the battery subsystem.

Abstract: A system and method for developing signals to activate vehicle stability controllers wherein wheel speed sensors for the wheels of the vehicle are used as input variables. The wheel speed values are used in a wheel rolling radius determination. Dynamic imbalance strength estimation and dynamic imbalance strength magnitude use the computed wheel rolling radius information in a tire imbalance logic unit to develop signals to activate the vehicle stability controllers.

Abstract: A material applicator assembly 10 which includes a rotor member 12 having a plurality of dispenser apertures 20 and a deformable material application ring 23 around the outer periphery of the rotor member 12. The assembly 10 being rotatably coupled to a centrally mounted tubular member 40. Member 40 having at least one aperture through which an adhesive material 45 is forced into each of the plurality of apertures 20 as the rotor member 12 is rotated about member 40, thereby injecting the adhesive material 45 into the application ring 23 to deposit the adhesive material 45 upon components 60 having varying cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A method of transitioning a motor from a torque control mode to a speed control mode includes providing the motor with a torque command to eliminate torque holes at the transition. A speed controller generates a speed error, which is used to generate two torque terms. The first torque term is proportional to the speed error, and the second torque term includes the integral of the speed error. A third torque term comprises a feedforward torque, which is added to the first two torque terms to generate the torque command.

Abstract: An electrical system for an automotive vehicle includes a low voltage battery having a low voltage, a high voltage battery having a high voltage, and a DC-to-DC converter coupled to the low voltage battery and the high voltage battery. A controller controls a conversion of the low voltage to a high voltage through the DC-to-DC converter and controls the charging of the high voltage battery with the high voltage. The controller monitors a state of charge of the high voltage battery, compares the state of charge to a predetermined state of charge and generates an indicator when the state of charge reaches the predetermined state of charge.

Abstract: 19A low profile vehicular seat 10 having an occupant contacting surface 61 and a headrest 18 which is moved from a first position to a second head reception position upon the communication of force from the body 60 of the vehicle to the seat assembly 10 which occurs in the absence of force to occupant contacting surface 61.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling fuel vapor purging and adaptive learning in a lean burn engine system. Fuel vapor purging is carried out during lean operating conditions to minimize impact on vehicle emissions, while adaptive learning is carried out during near stoichiometric conditions (oscillations around stoichiometry). This allows faster fuel vapor purging and additional adaptive learning opportunity.

Abstract: A process or method of making a vehicle passenger compartment floor component such as a central tunnel or rocker panel. Base extrusion pieces and upper pieces are secured by a friction stir welding process to each other and to a portion of a passenger compartment floor. Upper pieces may be formed by extrusion or may be formed by a sheet forming process and secured to base extrusion pieces by means of the friction stir welding process.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a conventional electrical locking system in tandem with a system providing an encrypted code sent along a CAN (Control Area Network) link to unlock the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about −20 to −30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The rest of the fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about −20 to −30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a photocurable composition that is combinable with a thermally curable clearcoat composition to form a dual curable composition that is useful for forming clearcoats with improved sag resistance. The photocurable composition of the invention includes at least one photocurable oligomer; a first photoinitiator that absorbs light in a first spectral region such that curing of the photocurable composition preferentially occurs near the surface of the of the coating; and a second photoinitiator that absorbs light in a second spectral region such that curing of the photocurable composition occurs throughout the coating. The present invention also provides a method of coating a substrate with a dual curable composition.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about −20 to −30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The remaining fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about −20 to −30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.