Abstract: An engine cover for a vehicle includes a frame extending generally about the perimeter of the cover and adapted for mounting to an engine of the vehicle, and a skin extending across and secured to the frame. In one embodiment, the frame is made of a moulded plastic material and the skin is a stamped metal, such as aluminum. In another embodiment, the skin comprises multiple sections each secured to the frame so that one or more sections may be modified to alter the appearance of the cover and/or location of service items, such as an oil fill cap or dip stick for different applications while minimizing the number of components that need modification. A method for covering an engine according to the present invention includes securing at least one engine cover skin to an engine cover frame and securing the frame to an engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for valve actuation use series-connected coils of upper and lower electromagnets acting as electromagnetic generators that attempt to maintain a constant magnetic flux, while their forces are essentially independent. A valve controller initiates valve actuation by reducing holding force of the holding electromagnet. As spring force begins to move an armature away from the holding electromagnet, the associated coil generates a voltage that attempts to maintain constant flux. This generated voltage causes a large increase in current that essentially transfers the flux to the other on-coming coil, which attracts and holds the armature against its associated spring force to open or close the valve. The internal voltage generated inside the two coils operates even if the coils are supplied with zero external voltage (shorted) to transfer stored energy directly between the coils. Energy may be transferred indirectly using an energy storage device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a coasting downshift in an automatic transmission having a torque converter that includes an impeller driveably connected to an engine and a turbine hydrokinetically coupled to the impeller and driveably connected to the transmission input. During a coast condition, the speed of the turbine decreases, and the speed of the engine decreases to and is maintained at an engine idle speed. After the downshift event begins, the turbine speed increases due a transfer of torque from an off-going transmission control element to an oncoming control element. Engine speed increases steadily until it reaches the target engine speed. The downshift is completed, and engine speed decreases until it again reaches the idle speed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an advanced vehicle system controller (VSC) that calculates a total power demand to meet a driver wheel power demand plus any accessory loads and independently schedules an engine speed and load operating point to meet the total power demand. A reduction in available engine brake power that is not associated with a driver input, and would ordinarily cause the VSC to respond by raising engine speed, is detected. The driver wheel power demand is reduced to compensate for the reduction in available engine brake power such that the VSC does not need to raise engine speed to meet the driver wheel power demand. A magnitude of the reduction may be determined according to a calibration map to allow a trade off to be made between driveability and noise, vibration, and harshness.

Abstract: A joint assembly for joining a tubular B-pillar to a tubular roof rail. The joint assembly includes an inner bracket plate and an outer bracket plate that are welded to each other around the roof rail and B-pillar. A flange of the roof rail is received in a slot formed in an upper end of the B-pillar.

Abstract: A method for managing vapors generated by a first and second reservoir onboard a vehicle traveling on the road, the method comprising of inducting vapors from the first and second reservoirs during engine operation; and reducing flow of vapors from first the reservoir to second reservoir and from the second reservoir to the first reservoir.

Abstract: A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first power path producing a first ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of a first power path output; a second power path producing a second ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of the second power path output, the second ratio being is less than the first ratio; a double planetary gear unit including first, second, third and fourth members, the second member being secured to the output; a first clutch being operable to connect the first member to the input through the first power path; a second clutch being operable to connect the fourth member to the input through the first power path; a third clutch being operable to connect the third member carrier to the input through the second power path; a fourth clutch being operable to connect the fourth member to the input through the second power path; a first brake being operable to hold the fourth member against rotation; and a second brake being operable to hold the third member against rotation.

Abstract: A method to achieve pressure control in a hydraulic brake system includes commanding an initial pressure increase in a hydraulic brake based upon a target pressure and thereafter commanding a series of sequential pressure decreases and pressure increases. Accordingly, the compliance effect within the hydraulic brake is minimized.

Abstract: A vehicle power transfer system and method, and vehicle using the same. The vehicle power transfer system including a differential unit coupled to a half axle, and an electric motor for supplying torque to propel a vehicle. The electric motor is collinear with the differential unit and the half axle.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine including at least a combustion chamber having a piston disposed therein, the method comprising during a first number of cycles after start-up of the engine, supplying at least a first fuel to the combustion chamber, and combusting said first fuel and during a second number of cycles after said first number of cycles, supplying said first fuel and a second fuel to the combustion chamber to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, and compressing said mixture with said piston to cause auto-ignition of said mixture.

Abstract: A differential control system for the center and rear differentials of a four-wheel-drive vehicle comprises a controller (28) which receives signals input from a number of sensors including ride height sensors (42, 44, 46, 48). The controller (28) determines from the ride height signals the degree of articulation of the vehicle suspension and controls the degree of locking of the differentials in response. The degree of locking is increased with increased articulation, and with increased rate of change of articulation.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the speed of an engine includes determining a desired engine power output and engine speed, and determining whether the desired engine speed is within one of a number of predetermined engine speed ranges. It is then determined whether a noise-vibration level for the vehicle is within a target range when it is determined that the desired engine speed is within one of the predetermined engine speed ranges. The noise-vibration level is a function of at least one of a corresponding vibration level for one or more vehicle mechanical systems, and a noise level for the passenger compartment for the engine operating at the desired engine speed. The engine is then controlled at the desired engine speed when the determined noise-vibration level is within a target range, and it is determined that the desired engine speed is within one of the predetermined engine speed ranges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a regenerable catalyst composition suitable for entrapping SOx. The composition of the invention comprises a copper oxide having the formula (Cu/(A oxide) where A oxide is SiO2, Zr—SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2—Al2O3, ZrO2 and In2O3 or mixtures thereof. Copper loading may vary from about 10 to 60 mol % and is preferably about 25 mol %. The catalyst composition adsorbs SOx as metal sulfate under lean conditions and desorbs accumulated SOx as SO2 under rich conditions. Such reversible SOx trap are able to operate under conventional NOx trap operating conditions to prevent sulfur poisoning of the NOx trap. Furthermore, these traps may be regenerated under rich conditions at 300-450° C. In another embodiment of the present invention, an irreversible SOx trap capable of collecting SOx under lean conditions is provided. The traps of this embodiment include praseodymia, zirconia-praseodymia and mixed manganese-yttria and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an engine having an intake manifold and an outlet control device coupled to the manifold for controlling flow exiting the manifold and entering at least one cylinder of the engine. The engine further includes an inlet control device for controlling flow entering the manifold. The method includes providing an engine command; calculating a desired cylinder charge based on said command; and adjusting the outlet control device to provide said desired cylinder charge. The engine command may be, for example, a driver command, such as a driver torque command. Further, the outlet control device may be implement in with a variety of mechanisms. For example, in one embodiment the outlet control device is a valve of the engine having a variable lift. In one embodiment the outlet device is a valve having variable timing. Likewise, the inlet device may be adjusted in response to a variety of parameters.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for attenuating vibrations of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having a subsystem comprising an electric motor, a generator and a battery. Engine torque is coordinated with motor torque during engine start events and engine stopping events using gearing that defines in part separate torque flow paths for the engine and the motor. A filtered motor speed is used to compute active motor torque damping.

Abstract: A fuel supply system (100) for a combustion engine (180) has at least one fuel injector (110), a fuel pump (130) and a conduit (150) connecting the fuel pump (130) with the fuel injector (110). An air intake valve (160) connects the conduit (150) to the atmosphere. The air intake valve (160) is a one-way valve that prevents sub-atmospheric pressures in the conduit (150) by allowing air to enter the conduit (150) when the pressure in the conduit (140) is lower than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an advanced vehicle system controller (VSC) that calculates a total power demand to meet a driver wheel power demand plus any accessory loads and independently schedules an engine speed and load operating point to meet the total power demand. A reduction in available engine brake power that is not associated with a driver input, and would ordinarily cause the VSC to respond by raising engine speed, is detected. The driver wheel power demand is reduced to compensate for the reduction in available engine brake power such that the VSC does not need to raise engine speed to meet the driver wheel power demand. A magnitude of the reduction may be determined according to a calibration map to allow a trade off to be made between driveability and noise, vibration, and harshness.

Abstract: A single component bumper beam and lower frame midrail structure, is formed through a hydroforming process to create a uniform “B-shaped” cross-sectional configuration with internal crash triggers to enhance crash performance. The mounting legs of the integral bumper structure are formed with a reduced cross-section at the terminal ends thereof to facilitate insertion into lower frame midrails formed from a pair of horizontally disposed tubes. The terminal end portions of the mounting legs are formed with a longitudinally extending slot to receive a central co-joined wall member formed through the welding of the two vertically oriented tubular members in the lower frame midrails. The single component bumper and longitudinally extending mounting leg structure can be formed by welding together two vertically oriented tubes.