Abstract: An engine diagnostic system for use with an internal combustion engine coupled to a lean NOx trap with a sensor coupled downstream of the trap. The sensor provides two output signals, one indicative of an air-fuel ratio and the second indicative of a NOx concentration. Construction of the sensor insists that proper indication of NOx concentration is dependent upon proper operation of the first output signal. Degradation of the NOx concentration signal is determined when the first output signal has degraded.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which mitigates deleterious poisoning of a catalytic converter or exhaust gas oxygen sensor by phosphorus containing species.

Abstract: A relative vehicle positioning system for a vehicle includes a GPS antenna adapted to receive satellite signals generated in response to relative vehicle positioning and generate therefrom a GPS signal. A Bluetooth radio is adapted to exchange bearing information with a second vehicle and generate therefrom a PVT signal. A GPS unit including a controller is adapted to receive the GPS signal and the PVT signal, the GPS unit is further adapted to generate therefrom a GPS-Bluetooth relative position signal.

Abstract: A method and system for freeze protecting liquid NOx reductants, preferably used in vehicle applications, wherein a liquid NOx reductant, carried onboard a vehicle exposed to cold weather conditions, is heated by existing thermal energy generated by fuel compression. The heated fuel heats a potentially frozen reductant and the liquid reductant is supplied to an exhaust gas pipe in front of a catalyst for reducing NOx on the surface of the catalyst and catalytically converted into environmentally safe nitrogen and water.

Abstract: A valve assembly and method for controlling flow of gases through a passage between an engine crankcase and an engine intake manifold is provided. The method includes decreasing a flow of gases through the passage between the crankcase and the intake manifold when a temperature of the gases is greater than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes a detector for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a signal responsive to the received light.

Abstract: A method for implementing pre-heat treatment before spray forming begins to achieve stress control in the manufacture of a spray formed metallic article involves preheating either or both of a spray forming cell environment and a mold substrate, initiating application of the metallic spray forming material onto the mold substrate, and causing substantially homogenous initial metallic phase transformations from the austenite phase via a predetermined relationship between the initial application temperature of the spray-forming material and the initial temperature of either or both of the preheated cell environment and the preheated mold substrate.

Abstract: A method for controlling cylinder charge in a direct-injection, spark-ignition engine. The engine includes an intake manifold and an electronically controlled throttle (ETC) valve controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the intake manifold of said engine. The method includes: measuring an intake manifold pressure value, Pi,; measuring a flow value, Wthr,m, which is indicative of flow through the ETC throttle; determining a desired intake manifold pressure value, Pi d; determining a desired ETC valve position, uthr,d; determining a desired flow, Wthr d, through the ETC valve; and, adjusting said ETC valve position, uthr, in accordance with: said desired ETC valve position, uthr,d; a difference between the measured intake manifold pressure value, Pi, and the determined desired intake manifold pressure value, Pi d; and a difference between the measured flow value, Wthr,m, through the ETC valve and the determined desired flow, Wthr d. In-cylinder and throttle body adaptation is also provided.

Abstract: A method and a system in a vehicle to control the input torque to a drivetrain member (4) connected to an engine (2) is presented. The method comrises the steps of determining (101, 210) a value of the input torque (Ti) and determining (101, 210) the rotational speed (RPMi) of an input shaft (6) of the drivetrain member (4). A value of a first torque dependent function (Eoi) is calculated (105, 106, 206, 207), based on the rotational speed (RPMi), the value of the input torque (Ti) and a limit value of the input torque (TMax), the value of the input torque (Ti) exceeding the limit value of the input torque (TMax). If the value of the first torque dependent function (Eoi) exceeds a predetermined limit value of the first torque dependent function (EoMax), the input torque is reduced (109, 212).

Abstract: A method for determining the effectiveness of a catalyst to remove emissions from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. The method includes measuring an upstream time history of a signal produced by an exhaust gas oxygen sensor upstream of the converter and a time history of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor disposed downstream of the converter. The time histories vary between a lean air-fuel ratio signal level and a rich air-fuel ratio signal level. A time delay is determined between the upstream time history and the downstream time history during transitions in such time histories from the lean air-fuel ratio signal level to the rich air-fuel ratio signal level. The determined time delay is compared with a reference time delay to determine the efficiency of the converter. The converter is determined to be ineffective if the converter as been determined to be potentially ineffective and the time delay is determined to be less than the reference time delay.

Abstract: A cam cover gasket 207 is provided which includes a generally compliant first material 210 having an upper surface for contact with a cover 200 and a lower surface for contact with an engine head 2, a generally rigid bracket frame of a second material 222 connected with the first material 210, and a solenoid actuator 232 connected with the second material 222.

Abstract: A control system parameter monitor determines a difference between a desired and estimated or measured parameter value, applies a weighting factor to the difference, and selects a control strategy based on the weighted difference. The weighting factor generally reflects the confidence in the accuracy of the parameter value determined by the parameter monitor. The weighting factor may be determined based on one or more engine or ambient operating conditions or parameters, or based on statistical analyses of monitor values and/or control system parameter values, for example. In one embodiment, an engine torque monitor for an electronic throttle control system uses percent torque deviation and rate of change to select an appropriate weighting factor and determine whether a deviation between desired and estimated or measured torque selects an alternative control strategy.

Abstract: A method for determining road bank angle in a vehicle includes a lateral acceleration sensor (22) that generates a lateral acceleration signal. A yaw rate sensor (18) generates a yaw rate signal. A roll rate sensor (23) generates a yaw rate signal. A controller (14) coupled to the sensors calculates a first roll angle signal in response to the roll rate signal and calculates a second roll angle signal corresponding to a suspension reference roll angle in response to the lateral acceleration signal. The controller calculates a bank angle signal in response to the lateral acceleration signal, the yaw rate signal, the steering wheel signal and the speed signal. The controller sums the first roll angle signal, the second roll angle signal and the bank angle signal to obtain a final roll angle estimate.

Abstract: An air bag module comprising an air bag retainer, an air bag cushion, an inflator, and a cover having a front wall and a side wall connected to the air bag retainer, wherein the air bag cushion normally deploys through the front wall of the air bag cover and wherein the side wall has a weakened area to allow a portion of the side wall to open and allow the air bag cushion to deploy therethrough along a lateral deployment path if an out-of-position occupant exerts an external force against the front wall sufficient to impede normal deployment of the air bag cushion through the front wall. The side wall may include an extendable section that is in a retracted position when the air bag cushion is folded and is movable to an extended position by inflation of the cushion.

Abstract: A pedestrian safety device for automotive vehicle (1) having a hood (2) being hinged and releasably latched to the vehicle body. An actuator member (6) is arranged transversally inside the upper forward region of the vehicle (1) and the ends of the actuator member respectively slideably hinged (11) in a respective inclining guide track (12a) extending rearwards within the vehicle (1). The hinges (11) are arranged to carry a respective first lifting member (14) arranged to carry a respective first lifting member (14) arranged for vertical sliding in respect to the vehicle body. The first lifting members (14) are arranged below the hood (2) such that they will be brought to uplift the hood (2) in the region of its leading edge (2a) upon the hinges (11) carrying it being translated up the inclining guide tracks (12a) as a result of collision impact on the actuator member (6).