Abstract: Various methods and system are described for determining ambient humidity via an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust system of an engine. In one example, a reference voltage of the sensor is modulated between a first and second voltage during non-fueling conditions of the engine. The ambient humidity is determined based on an average change in pumping current while the voltage is modulated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated.

Abstract: A vacuum prioritization system for a vehicle is disclosed. In one example, use and availability of vacuum provided via vacuum sources is allocated to higher priority vacuum operated actuators when a pressure in the vacuum system exceeds a threshold pressure. The lower priority vacuum operated actuators have access to vacuum supplied via the vacuum sources when pressure in the vacuum system is less than a threshold pressure. The approach may allow higher priority actuators to operate for an extended amount of time.

Abstract: An air duct assembly having a housing and a flexible vane. Sufficient airflow through the housing may actuate the flexible vane to permit airflow through an outlet.

Abstract: A method and system is provided to heat and cool the charge air in an intake system via a compressor coolant duct to reduce condensate formation on the one hand respectively increase charge air cooling on the other hand. Potential heat sources for the low temperature circuit do include the high temperature engine cooling circuit as well as exhaust gas. A shut-off element arranged in a bypass line about the heat exchanger may be adjusted to control delivery responsive to the charge air temperature condition.

Abstract: A structure attached to a tailgate of a loading bed of a vehicle includes a first planar portion that positions substantially over a gap created between the tailgate and the loading bed, in a horizontally laid position of the tailgate, to prevent debris from falling into the gap. A second portion of the structure includes a first surface attached to a lower portion of the tailgate, and a second curved surface adapted to face the loading bed in the horizontal position of the tailgate.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polymers having chelating functionality and comprising units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated aminocarboxylate monomer which comprises units derived from ethylenediamine triacetic acid or its salt and a polymerizable vinyl monomer. The polymerizable vinyl monomer may be selected from (0-, m-, p-)DVBMO, allyl glycidyl ether, and glycidyl (meth)acrylate. The polymer may also comprise units derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce an improved formulated vinylidene chloride polymer comprising a solid inorganic additive and producing improved vinylidene chloride polymer film products.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide an exhaust gas management arrangement for an engine. The exhaust gas management arrangement may include a port disposed to capture an exhaust gas leaked from a movable portion of an exhaust gas flow directing mechanism. The arrangement may also include a passage to direct the leaked exhaust gas to a crankcase of the engine.

Abstract: A combined system for detecting leaks in an evaporative emission control system and for inflating flat tires. The evaporative emission control system includes a vapor capture canister with a purge valve and a system pressure sensor, and the flat tire repair kit includes a reservoir containing tire inflation fluid, an attachment tube for attaching the reservoir to a tire, and a pump selectively connected to the evaporative emission control system and the reservoir. A controller is configured to perform the following actions: initiate a leak detection sequence by pressurizing the evaporative emission control system, and then performing a leak detection operation by measuring the pressure within the evaporative emission control system over time. A tire pressure monitoring system may be provided, allowing the pump to be switched between performing evaporative system testing and inflating a flat tire.

Abstract: A vehicle system having a controller configured to receive a sensor input. The controller may generate a feature score based at least in part on the sensor input and a location data within a database. The controller may associate the feature score to a selectable option. The controller may instruct a user interface device to display the selectable option in response to the feature score.

Abstract: A trailer backup assist system, according to one embodiment, includes a state estimator that determines a current position of a trailer relative to a plurality of waypoints. A trajectory planner may then incrementally generate a path from the current position to the plurality of waypoints. The trajectory planner has a first mode that generates first and second circular trajectories tangent to one another connecting between the current position and a waypoint of the plurality of waypoints. A second mode of the trajectory planner generates the second circular trajectory between the current position and the waypoint after the trailer traverses the first circular trajectory. Also, a third mode of the trajectory planner switches to the first operating mode when the trailer reaches the waypoint for guidance to a subsequent waypoint. A curvature controller guides the trailer based on a curvature of the respective first or second circular trajectories.

Abstract: A method and control system for maintaining attentiveness of a driver of a vehicle during an autonomous control mode. A series of cognitively demanding tasks is presented to the driver via a man-machine interface during the autonomous control mode. Driver responses to the tasks are monitored, and an audible alert is provided to the driver if the response of the driver and/or a reaction time of the driver in making the response indicate an insufficient level of driver attentiveness.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for detecting ammonia slip. In one example method, an exhaust system with two NOx sensors uses transient responses of the NOx sensors to allocate tailpipe NOx sensor output to NOx and NH3 levels therein. An ammonia slip detection counter with gains is included that determines a probability of NOx and NH3 based on the measured sensor activities that are further processed by a controller to adjust one or more parameters based on the allocation and changes of sensor output.

Abstract: A vehicle controller having at least one contextual module configured to receive a sensor input and generate an output representing a driving context. The vehicle controller may have a processor configured to receive the output from the one or more contextual modules. The processor may generate a feature score based on the output and associate the feature score with a selectable option. The processor may select the selectable option with the highest feature score to promote to a user interface device.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a capacitive humidity sensor comprising a heater, and a capacitance-sensing element that individually indentifies heater, temperature-sensing element, or capacitance-sensing element degradation. By this method, individual elements of the sensor may be replaced or compensated for to allow for further operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polymerizable monomers having chelating functionality and processes to make them. In particular, the novel monomers are ethylenically unsaturated aminocarboxylates and are prepared by reacting ethylenediamine triacetic acid or its salt with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The ethyleneically unsaturated monomer may be a polymerizable vinyl monomer selected from (o-, p-, m-)DVBMO, allyl glycidyl ether, and glycidyl (meth)acrylate.

Abstract: A vehicle interface system may include an interface configured to present icons representing selectable vehicle features; and a controller programmed to generate a score for each of the features based on a contextual variable including one or all of a vehicle location, vehicle speed, past feature usage information, and a predicted end location for the vehicle, and display certain of the icons and hide other of the icons based on the generated scores.

Abstract: An exemplary radar mounting device for attaching a component to a vehicle body may include a resilient grommet secured within an opening formed in the component. The device may also have a stud for attachment to the vehicle body. The stud may have a ball portion received within the resilient grommet for attaching the component to the stud. In addition, the device may have a nut fastened to the stud to secure the component to the stud.

Abstract: An adjustable tower stud assembly is disclosed for securing an object, such as a roof rack, to an external panel such as the roof of a vehicle. The object requires more support than can be provided by the external panel and it is also connected to a sub-surface support. Upper and lower collared studs are connected by a threaded connection that allows the length of the tower stud assembly to be adjusted. Stops on a lower collar ground the tower stud assembly to the sub-surface support after the tower stud assembly is adjusted to the proper length.