Abstract: A method for adaptively learning is described that effectively and efficiently uses large amounts of data. Specifically, in one example, a scheme is described for determining whether to use data to adaptively learn parameters, or whether to discard the data. In this way, convergent data learning is possible.

Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery system for a vehicle having a fuel tank coupled to a fuel filler tube. The fuel vapor recovery system includes a carbon canister disposed in the fuel filler tube. Thus, the relatively cool stored fuel passes through the carbon canister disposed in the filler tube before entering the fuel tank. A primary advantage of the present invention is that the problem of the temperature of the carbon rising during vehicle fuelling due to displaced fuel vapors desorbing within the canister is mitigated by heat transfer between the cool fuel passing over the filler tube disposed carbon canister and the entering relatively cool fuel. This heat transfer results in a cooling of the carbon in the canister. Consequently, the carbon in the carbon canister remains effective in desorbing fuel vapors. The filler tube has an inlet for receiving fuel from a supply external to the vehicle. The filler tube is disposed to directing such received fuel to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A plate-frame heat exchange reactor having a serial cross-flow geometry. This is accomplished by designing a plate-frame heat exchanger wherein the flow of feed gas in one cell of the reactor flows perpendicular to the flow of burner exhaust within the next adjacent cell. The improved reactor increases the Reynold's number of the flows as compared with a massively parallel design to improve heat transfer and reactant mixing characteristics, thereby reducing reactor size by half or more. The serial cross-flow arrangement allows for constructing reactors where feed gas addition is possible at many distinct points along the serial flow in order to control hot spots or other undesirable chemical reactions. The new arrangement also greatly reduces manifolding of the flows and reduces the distinct components of the reactor.

Abstract: An exhaust gas catalyst and method of manufacturing same. The invention provides for a cost-effective material which lowers the cold-start emissions from the exhaust of vehicles. The invention is a passive system which accelerates the light-off temperature of catalyst in a cost-effective fashion. The invention includes a method of manufacturing an exhaust gas catalyst capable of lowering cold-start emissions including the steps of providing an oxide mixture having praseodymium and cerium, doping about 0-10% weight zirconium and about 0-10% weight yttrium to the oxide mixture, adding about 0-2% weight metal including palladium, platinum, or rhodium to the oxide mixture, mixing gamma aluminum to the oxide mixture for washcoating and washcoating the oxide mixture onto a monolithic substrate.

Abstract: A method for improving NOx conversion efficiency of a urea base SCR catalyst is presented. Since efficiency is reduced by the presence of hydrocarbons in the catalyst, the method proposes to regenerate the SCR by maintaining its temperature above the boiling point of hydrocarbons for a sufficient period of time to free up catalyst storage sites. The regeneration process is followed by over-injection of ammonia to replenish the ammonia released from the SCR catalyst due to high regeneration temperatures.

Abstract: A target command generator for use in a control system for an automatic transmission having a simple planetary gearset in series with a multiple-ratio gearset, the target command generator providing input for a controller for the simple planetary gearset to achieve synchronized control of pressure operated friction elements of the gearsets to effect smooth swap-shifts during an overall transmission ratio change.

Abstract: An air intake for a vehicle that facilitates air transfer from an ambient environment outside the vehicle to a vehicle space is provided. The air intake inhibits liquid transfer from the ambient environment to the vehicle space. The air intake includes a housing having an inlet for receiving air from the ambient environment, and an outlet in communication with the inlet. The outlet is disposed in an upper portion of the housing. A blocking member is disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet for preventing upward fluid flow from the inlet directly to the outlet, thereby inhibiting liquid flow through the outlet and into the vehicle space. A portion of the air intake housing is configured for attachment to a vehicle window, and the inlet is configured to be disposed along one edge of the window.

Abstract: A control system and control method for an automotive vehicle having a multiple-ratio automatic transmission having two gearsets arranged in series relationship for delivering vehicle engine power to vehicle traction wheels, each gearset being controlled using friction elements that establish multiple torque flow paths, each gearset being characterized by at least two ratios, which define an overall transmission ratio, synchronous shifting of the gearsets effecting at least one swap-upshift and at least one swap-downshift in the overall transmission ratio, the control system compensating during a swap-shift progression for dynamic interaction between the gearsets.

Abstract: A four-stroke cycle reciprocating internal combustion engine includes a piston mounted for reciprocal movement within a power cylinder and primary and secondary intake valves. The primary valve has a fixed event, in terms of both duration and lift, and the secondary valve has variable duration and lift. Although the timing of the primary and secondary valve events may be retarded from a standard timing value, both valves close at the same time regardless of the presence of timing retard. The dual event strategy, combined with camshaft timing retard for part load conditions, produces excellent charge motion by staggering the respective lifted flow areas of the primary and secondary valve events and by delaying the secondary valve opening.

Abstract: Method and electronic control system using a unique driver demand (calibration) table stored in system memory to provide torque output values specific to a 4×4 mode of operation of the vehicle drive unit. For example, the torque output of the electronic control system for a 4×4 low mode of operation is controlled using a unique calibration table stored in system memory for 4×4 low mode of operation, while the torque output of the electronic control system for other modes of operation is controlled using one or more different, other calibration tables stored in system memory.

Abstract: A sensor system for generating information useful for determining the environment surrounding a vehicle includes multiple sensing zones, with each zone using sensors operating in different electromagnetic bands. The outputs of the sensors are fused to provide more useful information than that obtainable from either sensor, taken alone.

Abstract: A power transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input, a first layshaft, a second layshaft; a first power path for transmitting power between the input and first layshaft, and producing a first ratio of a speed of the first layshaft and a corresponding speed of the input, a second power path for transmitting power between the input and second layshaft, and producing a second ratio of the speed of the second layshaft and corresponding speed of the input; and a clutch for releasably connecting the input and first power path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder block of the closed-deck type, which can be produced by die-casting. The cylinder block includes a water jacket surrounding the cylinders adapted to be open to the side. The lateral opening can be closed by a cover, which is additionally shaped on its inside in such a way as to promote flow distribution or heat dissipation.

Abstract: A method for automatically reconstructing topographical information for a given mesh, altering the mesh by introducing, deleting, or splitting existing polygons when needed. An OctTree space decomposition is used to achieve a log2-complexity search method to find the closest vertex in the polygonal soup to a given point in space. Linear complexities are used to find triangles connected to a given vertex and all triangles connected to a given triangle. The triangles are split to enforce conductivity.

Abstract: A sealing probe for injecting a sealant into a sealant-receiving region between a pair of members. The probe includes a hollow, sealant-releasing section, for insertion into the hole in the upper member into at least a portion of the sealant-receiving region. The sealant-releasing section has a plurality of apertures disposed about an outer wall of such section. The aperture passes through the outer wall from a hollow region within such section to the sealant-receiving region. The sealant-receiving section also includes an entrance adjacent a top portion of the sealant section for receiving a sealant and passing such sealant to the hollow region and then from the hollow region, through the apertures, to the region external the sealant-receiving region. The probe includes a first seal disposed about an upper portion of the outer wall.

Abstract: An engine hood for motor vehicles possesses a deformable head impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle. The engine hood is composed of two or more load-bearing shells and has a flexural strength profile which is low adjacent the edges and increases continuously toward the middle of the hood. At the same time, the engine hood has a uniform mass distribution ovcr the entire surface. Consequently, irrespective of the position the engine hood, the same characteristic for the head impact is achieved everywhere. The advantageous embodiment of the engine hood provides a reinforcing panel with regularly arranged beads, at most three beads forming a junction point so as to reduce local rigidities.

Abstract: A method for controlling a diesel engine exhaust gas recirculation system is described. In particular, a simplified diesel engine system is provided where presence of exhaust gas recirculation of flow is controlled via a two-position valve, while a quantity of exhaust gas recirculation is adjusted by varying the throttle valve. In this way, a reduced cost diesel exhaust gas recirculation system is achieved that provides the functionality of having variable amounts of exhaust gas recirculation.

Abstract: A real time stamp synchronization system (14) for an automotive vehicle (12) is provided. The system (14) includes a vehicle clock (52) that stores a current time. A time receiver (50) receives a real time signal from a time center (16). A collision system controller (54) is electrically coupled to the vehicle clock (52) and the time receiver (50) and synchronizes the current time with the real time signal. A collision evaluation system (10) for reconstructing a collision event is also provided along with methods for performing the same stated systems.

Abstract: A method for operating a power transmission to produce gear ratio changes includes driveably connecting the transmission input and output in the off-going gear through a friction clutch and primary power path, establishing a potential drive connection between the input and output through a secondary power path, releasing the friction clutch, driveably connecting the input and output through the secondary power path, establishing a potential drive connection between the input and output through the primary power path in the oncoming gear, reapplying the friction clutch, driveably disconnecting the input and output through the secondary power path, and driveably connecting the input and output in the oncoming gear ratio through the friction clutch and primary power path.

Abstract: A direct injection engine is coupled to a vacuum brake booster wherein vacuum created from engine pumping is used to supplement driver braking force. The brake booster is coupled through a check valve to the engine intake manifold. A method is disclosed for estimating pressure in the brake booster based on operating conditions. A method is also disclosed for estimating operating parameters based on measured brake booster pressure. Further, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation, or monitoring, a brake booster pressure sensor based on operating conditions. In addition, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation in other vehicle and engine sensors based on measured brake booster pressure.