Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of sensors sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The controller (26) is coupled to the sensors. The controller (26) determines a road surface coefficient of friction, calculates a maximum slip angle based on the road surface coefficient of friction, determines a calculated side slip angle in response to measured dynamic vehicle conditions, and reduces a steering wheel actuator angle when the calculated side slip angle is greater than the maximum slip angle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine is provided. The engine includes first and second pressure responsive devices varying compression ratios in first and second engine cylinders, respectively. The method includes commanding the first and second devices to decrease compression ratios in the first and second cylinders, respectively. The method further includes indicating when the first device has not decreased a compression ratio in the first cylinder. Finally, the method includes commanding the second device to increase a compression ratio in the second cylinder to reduce engine torque fluctuations.

Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes an energy absorber and a bumper beam interconnecting the energy absorber and vehicle structure. The bumper system also includes a push bar disposed below and operatively connected to the bumper beam to deflect and rotate during an impact with an object by the bumper system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a pressure responsive device in an engine is provided. The device can vary a compression ratio in an engine cylinder. The method includes supplying fluid pressure to the pressure responsive device to change a compression ratio in the cylinder. The method further includes indicating when the device has deteriorated response. Finally, the method includes increasing the fluid pressure to the device to change the compression ratio in the cylinder in response to the indication.

Abstract: A system and method for determining degradation of a post-catalyst exhaust gas sensor in an engine is provided. The engine is coupled to one or more exhaust gas catalysts. The method includes generating a first signal from a first exhaust gas sensor disposed downstream of a first catalyst. The method further includes determining an amount of oxygen supplied to one of the catalysts. Finally, the method includes determining degradation of the first exhaust gas sensor based on the amount of supplied oxygen and the first signal.

Abstract: An isolation assembly (26) for transferring torque between an engine (20) and a planetary transmission (30) includes both a radial spring assembly (56) and a viscous fluid damper (58). A damper plate (76) is rotationally coupled to the engine (20) and to the radial spring assembly (56). The damper plate (76) is also coupled to the viscous fluid damper (58). The torque output from the damper (58) and radial spring assembly (56) is then coupled to the input to the transmission (30).

Abstract: A method for adapting a vehicle climate control system to a user comfort preference includes performing an adjustment strategy in response to assertion of at least one user-generated signal at less than a predetermined level and during less than a predetermined time interval and performing at least one adaptive strategy in response to assertion of the user-generated signal at greater than the predetermined level during the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an automotive internal combustion engine having NVH feedback uses NVH signals which are processed and compared with human threshold values to determine whether an engine control parameter such as idle speed needs to be adjusted so as to mitigate unwanted noise, vibration, and harshness.

Abstract: An emergency brake assist apparatus amplifies driver braking force upon imminent contact detection. A brake pedal, operated by the driver, exerts a pedal force upon a variable brake booster. A braking system is coupled to the variable brake booster that produces a variable brake booster force causing the braking system to exert a braking force proportional to the pedal force during normal operation. When a forward detection apparatus detects an imminent contact, a controller signals the variable brake booster to increase the variable brake booster force such that the braking system exerts an amplified braking force proportional to the pedal force.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine during sensor degradation uses a remaining active sensor. The engine has an exhaust gas recirculation system utilizing pressure sensors upstream and downstream of an orifice. The downstream pressure sensor is coupled to the engine intake manifold and is also used for engine air-fuel ratio control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for operating a pre-crash sensing system for a first vehicle having a global positioning system (GPS). The method includes receiving an acquired GPS satellite identifier and generating first vehicle location data with the GPS system. The first vehicle location is transmitted along with the satellite identifier to a second vehicle across a wireless vehicle network. Location information is also received for a detected second vehicle. In response, the first vehicle transmits a request for updated second vehicle location information using a coordinating satellite identifier. The coordinating satellite identifier is then used by the second vehicle to update the second vehicle location data. In this way, both communicating vehicles are generating and sharing location information from a commonly acquired GPS source.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly (10) comprising a hoop-like support (11) having a central aperture (19) surrounded by an upper beam (15) and lower beam (16) connected by outer portions (17 & 18), a resilient shell (12), and an undertray (13). The shell (12) is shaped to the support (11) and its lower portion (41) is backed by foam material (14) mounted on the lower beam (15) and its upper portion (42) is collapsible onto the upper beam (16). The undertray (13) and foam backed lower portion (41) provide spaced supports for the lower leg of a pedestrian.

Abstract: A method and strategy for providing real-time estimates of the machine parameters of an induction machine, including rotor resistance, rotor inductance, stator resistance, stator inductance and mutual inductance. The induction machine is a part of a torque delivery driveline. The method comprises expressing stator voltage as a function of machine parameters, stator current, stator excitation frequency and slip frequency. A functional relationship of rotor current, rotor resistance, rotor flux, electrical speed of applied stator voltage and rotor electrical speed is defined. Rotor current and characteristic parameters are calculated, the machine parameters being calculated using the characteristic parameters.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a crimped joint in an electrical wire terminal. The apparatus forms a crimped joint and substantially simultaneously bends and/or twists the terminal and electrical wire about their respective longitudinal axes, effective to reduce electrical contact resistance within the formed joint.

Abstract: An enhanced emergency brake assist system includes an accelerator pedal operated by the driver coupled to a braking system and used to control the overall vehicle speed. When a forward detection apparatus detects an imminent contact, the braking system automatically applies braking force to the vehicle after the driver fully releases the accelerator pedal. The braking force may be reduced when the driver or passenger are unbuckled.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly 12 for a vehicle includes a pedal 14 and a foot pad 16 operatively engageable by the operator of a vehicle. The pedal assembly 12 also includes a collapsible push rod 22 or 22′ connected between the lever 14 and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20. The push rod 22 and 22′ includes a first rod member 40 telescopically engaged with a second rod member 42 and collapsible relative one to the other upon experiencing a force greater than a predetermined amount of force. The pedal assembly 12 further includes a connector assembly comprising an inertial mass 50 for preventing collapse of the push rod 22 or 22′ during normal vehicle operation, and movable to a second position to allow for collapse of the push rod 22 or 22′ upon experiencing a predetermined deceleration. Accordingly, the pedal assembly 12 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the operator of the vehicle during a collision.

Abstract: A system for sensing a potential collision of a first vehicle (11) with a second vehicle (72) that transmits a second position signal. The first vehicle has a pre-crash sensing system (10) includes a memory (14) that stores vehicle data and generates a vehicle data signal. A first global positioning system (18) generates a first position signal corresponding to a position of the first vehicle. A first sensor (20) generating sensor data signals from the first vehicle. A receiver (22) receives a second position signal from the second vehicle. A countermeasure system (40) is also coupled within the first vehicle. A controller (12) is coupled to the memory (14), the global positioning receiver (18) the first sensor (20) and the counter measure system (40). The controller (12) determines a distance to the second vehicle in as a function of the second position signal. The controller determines a first vehicle trajectory from the vehicle data, the first sensor data signal and the position signal.

Abstract: A vehicle brake systems (10) is provided which compensates for brake pedal feel variation to provide enhanced braking feel. The brake system (10) includes a brake pedal (18), a wheel sensor (20), and a database (16) for storing target accelerations and torque to pressure parameters. The brake systems (10) may employ a friction brakes (26) and regenerative brakes (29). The brake system further includes a controllers (12) for controlling the amount of braking, including the friction brake actuator (24). The controller (12) determines brake acceleration caused by braking torque and determines a target acceleration based on the driver commanded input. The controller (12) also determines a brake acceleration error as the difference between the target acceleration and the brake acceleration. The controller adjusts the torque-related parameter to reduce the brake acceleration error by adjusting the braking torque generated by the friction brake actuator to compensate for brake torque variation.

Abstract: A lean burn engine having a lean NOx trap in the form of a matrix of narrow flow passages is described. The engine is provided with means for injecting reducing gases upstream of the NOx trap matrix (16) to purge the trap periodically. A flow straightening matrix (12) of narrow flow passages is arranged upstream of the NOx trap matrix (16) and is separated from the trap matrix (16) by a narrow chamber (14).

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.