Abstract: A method for reducing the particle emissions of a spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises operating at least one cylinder superstoichiometrically, responsive to an injector coking level and sufficiently high cylinder temperature, for a duration to increase oxidation of coking residues.

Abstract: A pawl actuation device includes a movable input member that shifts from a first position to an actuated position. The pawl actuation device also includes linkage that selectively interconnects the movable input member and the pawl such that movement of the movable input member at a first velocity causes the pawl to shift to an unlatched position, and movement of the movable input member at a second velocity that is substantially greater than the first velocity does not cause the pawl to shift to its unlatched position, such that pawl remains in its latched position.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly is provided having a beverage retainer formed in a storage compartment on the door of an automotive vehicle. The trim assembly includes a storage receptacle and a trim component such as a trim panel arranged to define at least a portion of the storage receptacle. The trim panel includes a base portion connected to a beverage retainer portion via a living hinge. The beverage retainer portion is pivoted about the living hinge into position within the storage receptacle. The trim assembly may include a trim component assembled onto a pillar and pivoted about the living hinge between a use position and a stored position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the temperature of intake air entering an engine. In response to condensate in a charge air cooler and engine operating conditions, the position of an induction valve is adjusted to draw in air from a warm or cool air duct. Induction valve operation is further controlled to reduce fuel economy losses.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating and interfacing to a transmission of a vehicle are presented. In one example, a human machine interface allows a driver to assign gear ratios or simulated gear ratios to gear position slots of a shifter. The assignment of gear ratios to gear position slots of a shifter may allow a driver to experience the feeling of driving a manually shifted transmission without having to operate a clutch.

Abstract: Embodiments for an engine exhaust are provided. In one example, a method comprises categorizing each respective concentration of a plurality of exhaust gas constituents measured by a gas analyzer into one of oxidants or reductants, the gas analyzer receiving exhaust gas flow from an engine. The method also includes determining an exhaust air-fuel ratio based on the categorized concentrations and validating output from an exhaust gas sensor receiving exhaust gas flow from the engine based on the determined exhaust air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: Hybrid-electric and pure electric vehicles include a traction battery comprised of many cells. Controlling a battery system may require that a battery state of charge and a battery capacity be known. The state of charge and battery capacity values may be derived from estimated traction battery model parameters. The accuracy of the estimated model parameters depends on the signal richness and convergence properties of the estimation scheme. Accurate model parameters may be estimated when a persistent excitation condition and an estimation convergence condition are met. If the conditions are not met, active excitation of the battery may be performed to improve the chances of meeting the conditions.

Abstract: A discontinuous pulse width modulation technique is used in a controller to control an inverter that converts DC battery power to AC power to operate an electric motor, e.g., in a hybrid electric vehicle. The discontinuous pulse width modulation technique uses only one of the two zero state voltage vectors in its calculations whereas traditional pulse width modulation uses both zero state voltage vectors. The use of a single zero state voltage vector can result in one of a group of switches in the inverter remaining in a constant state during a complete duty cycle while still providing the commanded voltage vector to the electrical motor. As a result losses due to switching can be reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments include a reactor and feed distribution assembly. The reactor and feed distribution assembly can include a reactor vessel, a gaseous feed conduit, a catalyst feed conduit, a catalyst feed conduit housing, and a catalyst backflow diverter.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and their use as dispersant and/or detergent additives for lubricants. The compositions comprise an amine alkoxylate of the formula I: (I) wherein R1-R7, R1?-R7; x, x?, A, A? and A? are as defined herein.

Abstract: Hybrid-electric and pure electric vehicles include a traction battery. During vehicle operation, impedance parameters of the traction battery may be estimated. To ensure accurate estimation results, certain persistent excitation criteria may be met. These conditions may not always be met, in which case active excitation of the traction battery power demand may be initiated. The invocation of active battery excitation may be based on a variability of estimates of a battery parameter and an age of a most recent estimate of the battery parameter. As the variability of the parameter estimates increases, the time between active battery excitation requests may decrease.

Abstract: Hybrid-electric and pure electric vehicles include a traction battery. During vehicle operation, impedance parameters of the traction battery may be estimated. To ensure accurate estimation results, certain persistent excitation criteria may be met. These conditions may not always be met, in which case active excitation of the traction battery power demand may be initiated. During periods of generally constant battery power demand in which a predetermined range of frequency component amplitudes of battery power demand is less than a predetermined magnitude, active excitation may be desired. A controller may cause at least one of the frequency component amplitudes to exceed the predetermined magnitude without affecting acceleration of the vehicle. Battery power demand may be affected by operation of an electric machine and an electrical load. An engine and a wheel brake may be operated to offset changes in battery power demand such that driver wheel output power is not affected.

Abstract: An iron-zeolite chabazite (CHA) catalyst is provided as an SCR catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicle engine exhausts. The catalyst is formed by incorporating iron during synthesis of the chabazite zeolite, which eliminates the need for a post-synthesis ion-exchange step and which results in the incorporation of iron into the (CHA) zeolite crystal lattice structure. The resulting catalyst exhibits good high temperature activity at temperatures greater than 550° C. and exhibits good thermal stability.

Abstract: A vehicle fluid line for transporting high and low pressure fluids of an engine includes a rigid pipe having opposing ends configured to fixedly couple with the engine. An adjustable joint divides a length of the rigid tube into first and second segments. The adjustable joint has a cylindrical housing coupled with the first segment and having an inner diameter. A stop feature protrudes from an outer diameter of the second segment and interfaces with the cylindrical housing to prevent disengagement of the second segment from the housing. An elastomeric grommet is seated between the inner and outer diameters and is configured to maintain a fluid seal that allows the second segment to rotate axially, pivot radially, and slide longitudinally within the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: Hybrid-electric and pure electric vehicles include a traction battery comprised of many cells. During repeated charge and discharge cycles, the state of charge of the cells may vary from cell to cell. To optimize traction battery usage, it is desirable that the state of charge of the cells be equalized. Cell balancing can equalize the states of charge and improve battery performance. To achieve proper cell balancing, an accurate state of charge value should be known for each cell. An accurate state of charge value may be achieved when a persistent excitation condition and an estimation convergence condition are met. If the conditions are not met, active excitation of the battery may be performed to improve the chances of meeting the conditions. Cell balancing may be initiated and terminated according to state of charge values estimated when the conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the possibility of heat pump evaporator fin freezing are described. Evaporator fin temperature is compared to a threshold temperature that varies with vehicle operating conditions. Actions to mitigate evaporator fin freezing may be taken if evaporator fin temperature is less than the threshold temperature.

Abstract: Described are aqueous gel compositions for forming a fragrance-containing gels, comprising a gel network blend, comprising a) methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or mixtures thereof, and b) alginic acid, alginates, or mixtures thereof, in a weight ratio ratio of from 1:8 to 8:1; from 1 to 40 wt. % of a fragrance oil; and from 0.01 to 10 wt. % of a salt, thereby cross-linking the alginic acid, alginates, or mixtures thereof; provided that fragrance-containing gel is heat resistant up to 50° C.

Abstract: Embodiments for an engine exhaust are provided. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a fuel injection amount based on a fractional oxidation state of a catalyst, the fractional oxidation state based on reaction rates of a plurality of exhaust gas species throughout a catalyst longitudinal axis and a set of axially-averaged mass balance and energy balance equations for a fluid phase and a washcoat of the catalyst, and further based on feedback from a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor. In this way, a simplified catalyst model may be used to control air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an autonomous driving sensor configured to detect a road condition and output at least one road condition signal representing the road condition, an autonomous mode controller configured to control the vehicle according to the at least one road condition signal, and a communication module configured to broadcast the road condition signal.

Abstract: A vehicle may be configured to prompt for a gesture-based identifying action, the action to be performed via moving a device, thereby identifying the device for association as the driver device; identify movement of the device in accordance with the gesture-based identifying action; and associate the device, moved in accordance with the gesture-based identifying action, as the driver device.