Abstract: The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about −20 to −30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The remaining fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about −20 to −30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Abstract: A crush rail or other structural member of a vehicle is provided with crush triggers. The crush triggers are formed by heating localized areas of the crush rail or other part and allowing them to cool slowly to provide increased ductility and reduced strength in a localized region. The crush rail is designed to collapse in a series of convolutions in a regular and repeated pattern. Crush triggers may be provided on body pillars, steering columns, drive shafts, engine support cradles, and other parts of a vehicle. A plurality of crush triggers may be provided on a single structural member depending upon impact absorption requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a vehicle window. The apparatus includes a lift mechanism configured to move the window between a raised position and a lowered position. A strut may bias the window toward the raised position.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a variable displacement internal combustion engine having dedicated actuators associated with a group or bank of cylinders pre-positions actuators associated with the deactivated cylinders based on operating conditions associated with the activated cylinders to reduce torque excursions during reactivation. In one embodiment, a variable cam timing mechanism associated with the deactivated bank of cylinders is pre-positioned to achieve the stead state air charge based on engine speed and manifold pressure of the activated cylinders.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hydrocarbon-removing component for the air intake system of an internal combustion engine which removes hydrocarbons escaping a vehicle when the engine is not in use. The hydrocarbon-removing component of the present invention includes a duct with a hydrocarbon-removing material incorporated in an inner surface. The preferred hydrocarbon-removing material include activated carbon and zeolites.

Abstract: A pre-crash assessment system 1 includes a host vehicle 3 in motion. A remote sensor 4, status monitoring sensors 5, and safety device actuators are coupled to the host object. The remote sensor 4 detects target object dynamics. The status monitoring sensors 5 detect host object dynamics. The safety device actuators activate safety devices. A threshold for each safety device actuator is defined by a safety device activation specification. A safety device controller 10, also coupled to the host object, generates tracking signals based on host object and target object dynamics. The safety device controller 10 also estimates future positions of the host and target objects, and estimates whether the potential for crash between the host and target objects is within the threshold criteria for specific safety device actuation. The controller 10 then controls the safety device actuators when the potential for crash is within the pre-determined threshold criteria.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling the air/fuel ratio provided to an internal combustion engine during the time period when a hydrocarbon trap, coupled downstream of time engine, is being purged. In particular, the air/fuel ratio provided to the engine is biased rich of stoichiometry when the downstream hydrocarbon trap is being purged.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for venting an inflatable restraint assembly 12. The apparatus 10 includes a conventional pyrotechnic cylinder 30 which is communicatively coupled to a controller 28, a selectively pivotable door 32 which selectively seals and/or covers an opening 33 within assembly 12, and a latch mechanism 34 which is coupled to the cylinder 30 and which selectively engages and disengages door 32. Controller 28 is communicatively coupled to a seat position sensor 36, seat belt sensor 38 and crash severity sensor(s) 40. Controller 28 determines when a crash situation has occurred or will imminently occur and selectively activates assembly 12 if such a determination is made, thereby protecting the vehicle occupant 18 from harm and/or injury. Controller 28 further determines whether and/or when to vent air bag module 12 based upon the data received from sensors 36-40 and selectively activates cylinder 30 in response to such a determination.

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 system and method for removing NOx from an emission control device is provided. The emission control device is coupled adjacent and downstream of an oxidation catalyst. The method includes adding a reductant to the exhaust gases flowing into the oxidation catalyst. The method further includes partially oxidizing the reductant in the oxidation catalyst to transition a remaining portion of the reductant into a vapor phase. Finally, the method includes oxidizing the remaining portion of the reductant in the emission control device to remove NOx from the device.

Abstract: A diesel exhaust treatment system and method of oxidizing NO to NO2 at low temperatures are provided. The system utilizes a platinum catalyst on a zirconia-stabilized silica support which oxidizes NO in the exhaust gas to NO2 and uses the NO2 in an amount sufficient to oxidize particulate trapped on a particulate filter. The catalyst is preferably pre-treated at a temperature of between about 500 to 650° C. in a NO-oxygen-nitrogen mixture to increase conversion at low temperatures. The catalyst preferably includes an additional oxide component selected from the group consisting of TiO2, P2O5, WO3, B2O3, and Al2O3. or a heteropolyacid component to further increase activity at low temperatures or to decrease platinum loading at the same level of performance.

Abstract: A system and method of providing information to an onboard information device in a vehicle includes an onboard information device, such that the onboard information device is a handheld computer and a user interest profile is maintained within a memory of the onboard information device. The system includes an onboard communication system operatively connecting to the onboard information device, such that the; onboard communication system determines a location of the user from a positioning signal transmitted by a global positioning system. The system also includes a travel information system in communication with the onboard information device, such that the travel information system maintains a hierarchically indexed information database and the travel information system provides the onboard communication device with information of interest to the user based on the user profile and the user location.

Abstract: A housing assembly for an electrical energy storage device includes a support structure arranged within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, a combined housing/console structure for concealing, at least partially, the support structure and the electrical energy storage device, and a housing cover, having at least one console feature, for mounting on the housing/console structure.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a valve of an internal combustion engine. The system includes an electromagnet actuator having a coil and an armature magnetically coupled to the coil. The armature is coupled to the valve to stroke the valve between an open and closed position in response to a drive signal fed to the coil. The system produces an error signal as a function of a difference between a predetermined desired position time history (i.e., position trajectory), yd, for the armature for each stroke of the armature and the actual position trajectory of the armature, y, during such stroke. The error signal is used to produce a feedforward command signal to a feedfoward controller for use in providing the drive signal to the coil during a subsequent stroke. The response of the feedforward controller to the error signal in providing the drive signal is an inverse function of the relationship between a change in armature position in response to a change in the drive signal.