Abstract: The invention relates to a method for compensating steering-torque disturbances caused by unequal torque distribution at the front wheels of a motor vehicle with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and an active differential. In this arrangement, the magnitude of the steering-torque disturbance is determined from the torque distribution, the total torque and the steering lever and a compensation torque is exerted on the steering system by means of an active steering-servo device.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based controller is provided for generated heat in at various locations in an exhaust system of an engine by changing the heat generation technique utilized. In one case, some cylinder air-fuel ratios are modulated between stoichiometry and rich, while others are modulated between stoichiometry and lean. Another approach operates some cylinder lean, while others are modulated between a first rich, and a second, less rich, value. Further, compensation based on engine airflow is also provided. Finally, various methods are described for temperature control and for controlling modulation of air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid electric vehicle 10 to reduce emissions. The method utilizes the vehicle's electric motor/generator 12 to generate a negative torque during cold-start conditions, effective to increase the load on the internal combustion engine 16, thereby reducing the light-off time of the catalytic converter 28. The method also reduces emissions by utilizing the vehicle's motor/generator 12 to provide a supplemental torque to engine 16 during transient events, thereby reducing the generated mass flow and amount of untreated emissions.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (10) including a vehicle motion control subsystem (12) that has an input receiving an intended driving demand (14) and a plurality of coordinator subsystems (16) for coordinating actuators of the vehicle. The vehicle motion control subsystem (12) communicates with the coordinator subsystems (16) to determine whether a single coordinator subsystem (16) can carry out the intended driving demand (14). The vehicle motion control subsystem (12) will distribute demand signals among one or more of the coordinator subsystems (16) to allow the vehicle to implement the intended driving demand (14).

Abstract: A method is described for estimating cylinder charge using either the throttle position or mass air flow sensor. The method saves calibration and development expenses by using the same manifold filling model approach regardless of which sensor, or combination of sensors, is used.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having a passenger cabin includes a floorpan with seats mounted to the floorpan. Side closure structures adjoin the outboard ends of the seats. Seat displacement members located within the side closure structures load the outboard ends of the seats so as to deform the seat frames and floorpan. This moves the affected seat laterally inward with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the vehicle in the event of a laterally directed impact load against the closure structure. As a result, the pelvic region of the occupant will be the first region of the occupant to be dynamically loaded by the side closure structure.

Abstract: A steering linkage assembly for a motor vehicle has a tie rod and a drag link connected to a steering knuckle in an over/under arrangement, with first and second ball joints for the drag link and the tie rod respectively on opposite sides of the steering knuckle and having a common axis that is located within an interior volume of a wheel supported by the steering knuckle. The coaxial, over/under configuration results in a ball joint assembly having a minimum axial dimension so that both ball joints can be located inside the inner rim of the wheel and as far outboard and as far forward as possible. The extreme outboard placement of the drag link ball joint maximizes the length of the drag link to reduce bump and roll steer sensitivity, and the forward placement maximizes the effective steering arm radius to reduce steering linkage loads while also improving packaging.

Abstract: This invention is a control system for a clutch for connecting an engine to the powertrain of an HEV. The system includes a controller programmed to determine a filtered speed error of the engine and a starter/motor and to determine an engine run command. Monitoring devices operatively connected to the engine and the starter/motor are connected to output data representing the engine and starter/motor speeds to the controller. The controller is programmed to generate a clutch position command, dependent on the data, to a servo-actuator connected to the clutch. The invention, further, provides methods for controlling such a clutch including the steps of determining an engine run command, determining a filtered speed error of the engine and a starter/motor and generating a clutch position command.

Abstract: A system is described for determining degradation of an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine. This method utilizes a combination of parameters to accurately determine degradation of the exhaust gas recirculation system. For example, the system utilizes changes in intake manifold pressure, changes in idle speed control operation, changes in ignition timing, and fueling changes to accurately determine operation of the exhaust gas recirculation system.

Abstract: A vehicle 7 is provided having a vehicle body 10 with an opening 16 having first and second ends 18, 20. The vehicle body 7 has a first door 22 and a second door 28, which has a latch connection 42 with the vehicle body between the first and second ends 18, 20. A release handle mechanism 54, accessible from an interior of the vehicle body is provided for the second door 28. The release handle mechanism 54 is also accessible from an exterior of the vehicle body when the first door 22 is open.

Abstract: A method (100) for cascading system level target to component level design objectives using machine learning and design synthesis techniques. The method (100) of the present invention uses machine learning techniques to build (106, 108) surrogate models from given system targets (102). The method then employs design synthesis methods to determine (110) a range of component level design objectives for the given system level targets using the surrogate models. The range of component level design objectives is fed back (112) to one of the surrogate models to determine (114) the component design objectives.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is presented, in which the valves (11) are adapted to be actuated by a valve actuation arrangement (12), the valve actuation arrangement (12) comprising actuation adjustment mechanisms (17), adapted to assume a first position whereby the valves can be actuated according to a first valve lift mode, and to assume a second position whereby the valves can be actuated according to a second valve lift mode. Further, the position the actuation adjustment mechanisms (17) at a first set of cylinders is controllable through a first mechanism control system (22), and the position of the actuation adjustment mechanisms (17) at a second set of cylinders is controllable through a second mechanism control system (23), whereby the first set of cylinders consists of cylinders which are consecutive in a firing sequence, during operation of the engine according to at least one engine operation mode.

Abstract: A method for determining cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas for an internal combustion engine system. The engine system includes cylinders, each one of such cylinders having at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve in communication with such cylinder. The method determines one of a plurality of different scenarios, each one of the scenarios representing a geometrical relationship between opening and closing of the intake valve relative to closing of the exhaust valve. The cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas is calculated in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of scenarios. In one embodiment, the engine system stores a plurality of different software modules. The method selects one of the plurality of software modules in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of scenarios. The cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas calculation comprises executing the selected one of the modules.

Abstract: A method is presented for idle speed control of a lean burn spark ignition internal combustion engine using a fuel-based control strategy. In particular, the idle speed control strategy involves using a combination of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to achieve desired engine speed or torque while maintaining the air/fuel ratio more lean than prior art systems. Depending on engine operating conditions, the fuel quantity or timing is adjusted to give a more rich air/fuel ratio in order to respond to an engine speed or torque demand increase. Additionally, due to operation close to the lean misfire limit, the spark ignition timing is adjusted away from MBT in response to an engine speed or torque demand decrease. The advantages of this fuel based control system include better fuel economy as well as fast engine response time due to the use of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to control engine output.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) has a mini-spare tire 14e having a spare tire transmitter (16e) generating a mini-spare transmitter identification signal, a distance sensor generating a distance signal and a controller (22) coupled to the mini-spare tire. The controller (22) starts the timer in response to receiving the spare tire identification signal. The controller (22) determines a mini-spare distance signal and generates a warning signal when the mini-spare distance signal exceeds a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method for determining EGR flow in an internal combustion engine, such flow being from an exhaust manifold of the engine to an intake manifold of the engine through an EGR valve. The method includes using information provided by a mass air flow sensor disposed upstream of an exhaust gas inlet to the intake manifold and information provided by an manifold absolute pressure sensor disposed downstream of such exhaust gas inlet to provide an indication of the flow of exhaust gas into the intake manifold through such inlet. The method compares such estimated exhaust gas flow into the intake manifold with a commanded exhaust gas flow to the EGR valve. With such method, a determination may be made as to whether the EGR valve is operating properly.