Abstract: A feedback system 10 for use with a hybrid electric vehicle 12 having a propulsion system 14 which includes a motor/generator 16 and an internal combustion engine 20. The system 10 provides a driver of vehicle 12 with tactile, audible, visual and/or other perceivable feedback, effective to notify the driver that the powertrain 14 of the vehicle is active when the internal combustion engine 20 is stopped.

Abstract: An automotive engine has a charge air conditioning system, including a charge booster, and a first intercooler for transferring heat from charge air flowing from the booster. The first intercooler transfers heat from the charge air to ambient air, and a second intercooler downstream from the first intercooler further reduces the heat content of the charge air by transferring heat from the charge air to a refrigerated fluid. An engine control module controls the engine's spark timing and fuel charge as a function of at least the amount of air charge cooling provided by the second intercooler. The present engine is particularly well adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) includes a warning status memory (26) having warning statuses therein and a plurality of tires (14a, b, c and d) in respective rolling locations, each of said plurality of tires having a transmitter (90). When one of the tires has been filled with air, the controller (22) receives a pressure signal from one of the tire transmitters generated in response to a predetermined increase in pressure. The controller (22) clears the warning statuses from the warning status memory (26) when the pressure signal is in a normal range and, thereafter monitors the tires in the rolling locations and generates warning statuses therefor.

Abstract: An I/O system includes a Digital Device selecting a digital output to be set and a Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism, electrically coupled to the Digital Device. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism includes an input bank, a FIFO, and an I/O line. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism clears a stored value in the first input bank, samples the first value of the first input bank, and detects a change in the input bank. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism also stores a state of a data bit of the input bank along with a bank identifier in the FIFO. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism still further samples the I/O line via a first READ cycle and drives the I/O line with a next data entry from the FIFO. Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism samples all digital inputs and stores any detected changes in the FIFO. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism transmits all values in the FIFO to the Digital Device during a subsequent READ cycle and transmits to the Digital Device a last value read.

Abstract: A system (12) and method for determining the closed position of a throttle plate 52 of an internal combustion engine (10) are provided. The system (12) includes a throttle sensor (56), a temperature sensor (70 or 86), and an electronic control unit (ECU) (72). The throttle sensor (56) generates a signal indicative of the position of the throttle plate (52). The temperature sensor (70 or 86) generates a signal indicative of the temperature of a throttle body (50) of the engine (10). The ECU (72) is configured to select one of a first closed position value indicated by throttle sensor (56) signal and a second closed position value retrieved from a memory (94) responsive to the measured temperature. The inventive system is able to minimize inaccuracies in throttle plate position detection by eliminating errors resulting from a change in geometry between the throttle plate (52) and the throttle body (50) of the engine during relatively high temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the vibration damping characteristics of an automotive brake structure measures the vibration response of a brake structure during application of random-frequency wide spectrum excitation, followed by measuring vibration of the structure at particularly noted modal frequencies, using a confined bandwidth random-frequency vibratory excitation. The method and apparatus may be used also to assess the bonding or attachment characteristics of damping materials.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine operable in a plurality of compression ratio operating states includes the steps of determining a change in idle air flow of the engine as the engine is operated in selected ones of the compression ratio operating states, and evaluating operation of the internal combustion engine based at least in part on the change in idle air flow.

Abstract: A torque converter for a vehicle having a substantially reduced axial length relative to a conventional circular-shaped torus cross section. The torque converter includes a turbine and an impeller, with a stator mounted generally therebetween. The stator is one piece and formed with axial pull shaped blades that have a reactor blade base axial length that extends for the majority of the radial length, a reactor shroud axial length that is less than the reactor blade base axial length, and a taper in the blade between the two axial lengths.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.

Abstract: A system (10) and method is provided for calibrating a tire pressure monitoring system using an EM transmitter (14). The present invention includes a first pressure sensor coupled to a wheel of an automotive vehicle (12). The EM pressure transmitter (14) is coupled to the pressure sensor (32). The transmitter (14) has a serial number associated therewith. An EM calibration device has a transmitting range. The EM transmitter device has an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a calibration signal (34) is transmitted within the transmitting range. The calibration signal causes the EM pressure transmitter (32) to transmit a serial number. A controller (16) is EM coupled to the pressure transmitter. The controller (16) receives the serial number and associates the serial number with a tire location of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air bag module for venting inflation gas if an out-of-position vehicle occupant is too close to the module for proper air bag deployment. The module has an air bag canister comprising a side wall having gas channel port to communicate with the ambient air, an inflator, an air bag cushion, a deployment door, a structural gas channel, and a venting system connecting the structural gas channel to the at least one gas channel port. The venting system permits venting of gas through the gas channel port when the out-of-position occupant applies sufficient force on the deployment door to prevent the air bag cushion from reaching a fully deployed condition.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating cylinder air charge in an internal combustion engine, such engine having a mass airflow (MAF) sensor and a manifold absolute pressure(MAP) sensor. The method provides such cylinder air charge estimation from signals produced primarily by the manifold absolute pressure sensor during engine transient conditions. During a transition period between the transient condition and a steady-state engine condition the method combines signals primarily from both the mass airflow sensor and the manifold absolute pressure sensor to provide such cylinder air charge estimation. During the steady-state condition, the method uses primarily only the mass airflow sensor to provide such cylinder air charge estimation. With such method, the cylinder air charge estimation method utilizes the advantages of both measurement sensors.

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 bumper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a bumper structure having a bumper beam adapted for attachment to a structure of a motor vehicle such as a frame or rails, or the like. A hitch is attached to the bumper beam, and a bumper cover conceals the bumper beam. The bumper cover has an opening for accessing the hitch and an access door for selectively concealing the hitch. The access door is mounted to the bumper structure such that the access door will be retained upon the bumper structure not only when the access door is concealing the hitch but also when the access door is open to allow an accessory such as a trailer to be coupled to the hitch.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle 10 having a propulsion system 12 which integrates a motor-generator 14 and a variable displacement internal combustion engine 16. Motor-generator 14 and engine 16 are each operatively coupled to drive train 17 of vehicle 10, and cooperatively power vehicle 10.

Abstract: A collision protection system for protecting a pedestrian that uses a sensor that provides a width output signal that varies in relation to the width of an object contacting the vehicle. The sensor includes a resistive conductor that is shorted out by a conductive conductor of a portion of the length of the resistive conductor. A second sensor may be provided that provides an output only upon exceeding an impact threshold. Several sensors may be used to provide an indication of the location and width of the object contacted.

Abstract: A power steering system in which an electric motor (9) makes available a damping torque to a steering system via a mechanical transmission (4). The transmission (4) is arranged between the steering wheel (2) and a steering rack (5). The electric motor (9) is actuated by a control unit (1) in accordance with the steering torque sensed by a sensor (3) and the vehicle speed sensed by a sensor (10). In addition, a damping module (8) of the control unit (1) receives binary or continuous signals relating to the braking state, in particular relating to the brake activation (11) and to cornering (9). By means of these signals the damping torque which is generated by the electric motor (9) can be adapted in such a way that vibrations which are caused by unequal wear of the brakes in the steering system are reduced.

Abstract: A CAE waveform assessor 10 is provided, including a CAE resultant waveform 12 and a reference waveform 16. The CAE waveform assessor 10 utilizes a time domain assessor 18 to produce a time domain index 22 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16. A frequency domain assessor 20 produces a frequency domain index 24 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16.