Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle in response to an equilibrium value of an exhaust gas constituent generated from an exhaust gas sensor. One example method comprises during engine fueling below a threshold amount where at least one intake valve and one exhaust valve of the engine are operating: generating an equilibrium value of an exhaust gas constituent reading of the exhaust gas sensor, the equilibrium value based on a trajectory of the exhaust gas constituent reading, and under selected engine combusting conditions, adjusting the sensor signal based on the equilibrium value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a layered emission control device coupled to an exhaust manifold. Various formulations may be incorporated in a plurality of layers of the device to enable various emission control functions to be grouped within spatial constraints. The layers may be organized to reduce functional interference and improve functional synergy between the various emission control functions.

Abstract: A system comprises a fuel system for delivering fuel to an engine for combustion and a reductant storage system for delivering reductant to the exhaust stream for an SCR catalyst for NOx reduction. The fuel system further comprises a water separator for separating water-based fluid from fuel in the fuel tank, and a separation reservoir to collect the separated water-based fluid. Based on readings of a water-in-fuel sensor positioned within the reservoir, a type of degradation (e.g., water build-up, high-water-content fuel, mis-filling of the reductant, etc.) may be determined and indicated.

Abstract: A method of incrementally forming a workpiece. The method includes determining a desired workpiece geometry, generating a tool path in which a feature is formed outwardly from a point that is disposed a maximum distance from a reference position, and incrementally forming the workpiece.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling regeneration of a diesel particulate filter in a vehicle engine exhaust include detecting a distance of an object from the exhaust and controlling a regeneration event if the distance is less than a threshold value. The system and method may include a particulate filter disposed in the exhaust of the vehicle and a proximity sensor disposed adjacent an exhaust opening and positioned to detect presence of an object near the opening. A controller in communication with the proximity sensor is adapted for controlling regeneration of the particulate filter in response to the proximity sensor detecting the object near the opening.

Abstract: A packetization method includes preparing data comprising driving instructions for delivery to a vehicle. The illustrative method also includes determining a portion of the data to deliver in a first packet to a vehicle computing system in communication with a server executing the method, based at least in part on when the first packet, containing at least a first driver action instruction, is needed in the vehicle. The method further includes adding the determined portion of data to the packet and delivering the first packet of data to a vehicle computing system in communication with the server. Finally, the method includes repeating the steps of determining, adding and delivering, until no data remains for delivery, such that packets arrive at a vehicle and are processed for output prior to a first driver action instruction of each packet being needed in the vehicle, the repetition contingent on data remaining for delivery.

Abstract: A vehicle based computing system processor is operable to receive the coordinates from a GPS and transmit the coordinates to a remote network. The processor is operable to receive map data pertaining to a route to be traveled by the vehicle, including a recommended starting road. The processor is able to audibly announce the recommended starting road name on which the vehicle is not presently traveling and to determine if the vehicle has reached that road. The processor is operable to output at least initial instructions for the route to be traveled.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a vacuum in an engine are provided. The system includes a first throttle upstream from a plurality of cylinders and a second throttle upstream from one of the cylinders. The system further includes a vacuum reservoir in fluidic communication with an intake runner downstream from the second throttle; a vacuum consumer in fluidic communication with the vacuum reservoir, the vacuum consumer controlled by an actuator; and a pneumatic actuator driven by a pressure state of the vacuum reservoir to adjust the second throttle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a boosted engine having a split intake system coupled to a split exhaust system. Aircharges of differing composition, pressure, and temperature may be delivered to the engine through the split intake system at different points of an engine cycle. In this way, boost and EGR benefits may be extended.

Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid vehicle propulsion system includes selectively operating the engine to consume fuel stored on-board the vehicle based on a residence time of the fuel stored on-board the vehicle and further based on a profile of ambient conditions over the residence time.

Abstract: A cam cover for a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine has an aperture in the cam cover adapted to permit spark plug installation into the cylinder head and two tabs protruding vertically from the cam cover adapted to retain a boss extending from an ignition coil. The ignition coil has a portion adapted to fit over the spark plug and an orifice through the boss. The cam cover also has a recess between the tabs with the recess extending into the cam cover which is adapted to accept a self-tapping screw in the event of a tab failure. The tabs have a varying cross-section along their length such that they allow the orifice to slide over the tabs squeezing the tabs together and then snapping into place when the orifice clears the ramps on the side of the tabs.

Abstract: The level of electrical current produced by a fuel cell during rapid changes in the power demanded by a load, is clamped to the fuel cell's maximum rated current value in order to avoid damage to the fuel cell. When the current supplied to the load by the fuel cell overshoots the maximum rated current value, the fuel cell current is immediately reduced by increasing the fuel cell voltage.

Abstract: The invention is an intelligent advisory system, which may be based on fuzzy rule-based logic to guide a vehicle driver in selecting an optimal driving strategy to achieve best fuel economy. The advisory system includes separate controllers for providing advisory information regarding driver demand for power and advisory information regarding vehicle braking, which are conveyed to the driver.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for securing a child safety seat to a mounting portion of a vehicle is provided. The attachment assembly may include a guide having a channel, and a metal strap positioned in the channel of the guide in a retracted configuration such that a free end of the metal strap is adjacent to a front face of the guide, a fixed end of the metal strap is secured to a side of the channel, and a body of the strap is bent along a radius so as to double back between the free end and the fixed end. When pulled in tension, the metal strap is configured to transition from the retracted configuration to an extended configuration, and the guide is configured to constrain the strap during this transition so that the strap rolls along the radius within the guide, thereby absorbing energy.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.

Abstract: Engine surge includes oscillations in engine torque resulting in bucking or jerking motion of a vehicle that may degrade driver experience. The present application relates to increasing reformate entering an example engine cylinder in response to engine surge.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes one or more swinging doors which may be immobilized in a number of positions, so as to allow the doors to be used to assist passengers upon entering and leaving the vehicle. The motion of the door may be damped, or stopped entirely, either at the discretion of a vehicle occupant, or automatically, in the event that the door is driven by external forces to swing at a high rate.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing exhaust-gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine that has an exhaust-gas turbocharger. The exhaust gas to be recirculated is collected from the exhaust line downstream of a turbine of the turbocharger, passed through a condensate separator, and supplied into the intake line upstream of the compressor. The condensate is filtered, collected in a reservoir, and pumped to an injection device coupled to the engine intake at a location downstream of the compressor.

Abstract: A rollover stability control system for a vehicle may include an object information device. An active suspension or an active steering system may be coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The rollover system may include a lateral support system. A controller determines that an obstacle is an imminent tripping obstacle and raises or steers the wheel, to prevent the wheel from colliding with the obstacle, or deploys the lateral support system in response to a rollover notification signal and the determination. A rollover stability control system for a vehicle may include a chassis and a driving surface wheel. A wheel assembly is coupled to the chassis inward from the driving surface wheel relative to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The wheel assembly contacts the driving surface when a roll angle of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A valve in an engine exhaust system is disclosed. The valve can improve engine operation and reduce engine component degradation during cold engine starting. The valve may also be configured to provide different levels of restriction to exhaust gases flowing to a turbocharger turbine.