Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes sensing a first boundary lane indicator and a second boundary lane indicator of an adjacent traffic lane, which is laterally offset from a current traffic lane of the vehicle. The first boundary lane indicator, the second boundary lane indicator, and/or a centerline of the adjacent traffic lane, may be transposed onto the current traffic lane of the vehicle, and used to maneuver the vehicle in order to maintain a position of the vehicle within the current traffic lane, when a left boundary lane indicator and/or a right boundary lane indicator of the current traffic lane is determined to be an unsatisfactory delineator of the current traffic lane.

Abstract: A battery assembly includes electrode tabs and a multi-piece bus bar cap assembly. A first cap member of the cap assembly has side walls forming a U-shaped cross-section, and radial projections at distal ends. The second cap member has side walls with an M-shaped cross-section at distal ends of the second member, and a U-shaped cross-section extending between the M-shaped distal ends. In a method of making the battery assembly, tab channels receive the electrode tabs. The second cap member defines radial recesses that receive the radial projections to secure the first cap member to the second cap member, and to secure electrode tabs within the tab channels, in conjunction with contact between the cap members, when the first cap member is moved toward the floor of the second cap member.

Abstract: A shield assembly is employed for a friction brake used to decelerate a road wheel of a vehicle. The vehicle has a body with a first body end configured to face an incident ambient airflow, a second body end opposite of the first body end, and an underbody section spanning a distance between the first and second ends. The shield assembly includes a first shield component arranged proximate the brake and rotationally fixed relative to the vehicle body. The shield assembly also includes a second shield component operatively connected to the first shield component for shifting relative thereto. The shield assembly additionally includes an actuator employing a shape memory alloy element to shift the second shield component relative to the first shield component in response to a temperature of the brake to thereby direct at least a portion of the airflow to the brake and control temperature thereof.

Abstract: An engine block assembly includes a head structure assembly, and a cylinder structure assembly. A plurality of fasteners interconnect the head structure assembly and the cylinder structure assembly. An outer shell encapsulates and supports both the head structure assembly and the cylinder structure assembly. The outer shell is a unitary polymer structure that is simultaneously over-molded onto the head structure assembly and the cylinder structure assembly. The head structure assembly and the cylinder structure assembly are constructed of components that are designed to carry the operational loads of the engine with minimal weight. The outer shell provides additional structural integrity, and provides fluid passages for lubrication and cooling, as well as support for other engine components.

Abstract: An electric starter system is usable with a powertrain having an engine with a flywheel. The starter system includes a brushless starter motor having a machine temperature, and a solenoid operable for translating a pinion gear into meshed engagement with the flywheel and the starter motor in response to a requested engine start event. A controller has temperature regulation logic that includes a proportional-integral torque control loop. Execution of a method embodied by the logic, in response to the requested engine start event when the machine temperature exceeds a first temperature, causes the controller to determine a required starting torque of the starter motor using the control loop. The controller causes the starter motor to transmit the required starting torque to the engine at a level that reduces the machine temperature below the first temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are emulator architectures for steer-by-wire (SBW) vehicle systems, methods for making and for using such systems, and programmable control logic for operating emulator test systems. A method is disclosed for operating an emulator test system for motor vehicle SBW systems. The method includes a Central Processing Unit Workstation Controller (CWC) initiating a selected test procedure for the SBW system, and transmitting, to a Motor Controller (MC) of the test system, a target input curve corresponding to the initiated test procedure. The MC responsively commands a Driver Simulator Motor (DSM) to operate at a power input corresponding to the target input curve. An emulator, which is mechanically coupled to the DSM, transmits emulator state data resulting from operating the DSM to a Real-time Operating System (RTOS). The RTOS determines a vehicle response based on the emulator state data using a vehicle dynamics math model corresponding to the SBW system.

Abstract: A cylinder liner assembly includes an inner wear cylinder, a shell disposed radially outside of an outer surface of the inner wear cylinder, and a central layer disposed between the inner wear cylinder and the shell. The inner wear cylinder is a metal or ceramic, the central layer is a porous material, and the shell is a fiber reinforced polymer. The cylinder liner assembly may include a coolant passage disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the inner wear cylinder, between the inner wear cylinder and the shell. The coolant passage is operable to circulate a coolant therethrough for cooling the inner wear cylinder.

Abstract: A turbocharger having a turbo vane, an air compressor, and a hollow shaft integrally formed with one of the turbo vane and the air compressor. The turbo vane has a plurality of turbo blades extending from a hollow, central turbo hub. The air compressor has a plurality of compressor blades extending from a hollow, central compressor hub. The hollow shaft is in fluid communication with the air compressor so as to communicate cool air from the air compressor to the turbo vane.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection system including a fuel injector disposed to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, and a plasma ignition system including a groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter that protrudes into the combustion chamber. A controller includes an executable instruction set to control the engine in a compression-ignition mode when the output torque request indicates a low load condition, including instructions to control a variable valve actuation system and control the plasma ignition system to execute plasma discharge events subsequent to controlling the fuel injection system to execute a fuel injection event, wherein the fuel injection event achieves a cylinder charge having a lean air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes a transmission, torque generating device, load coupled to a drive axle, a final drive unit in meshed gear engagement with the output shaft and the drive axle, and a controller. A requested output torque is processed using an open-loop lash state model populated with a capped output torque request table and a lash closure rate estimate table respectively providing a capped torque value and an estimated lash closure rate. Output speed is determined using a plant model, the capped torque value, and the estimated lash closure rate. The powertrain is controlled during the transition using the output speed. A lash angle may be calculated from the closure rate using an integrator logic block. A calibrated lash offset profile may be determined using the lash angle, and a reference speed may be generated using the lash offset profile.

Abstract: A check link assembly includes a link movable between a first position and a second position. Furthermore, a vehicle includes the check link assembly. The check link assembly also includes a braking apparatus coupled to the link. The braking apparatus includes a brake member movable between an applied position and a released position. The brake member is configured to apply a force to the link when the brake member is in the applied position. The brake member is configured to release the link when the brake member is in the released position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fuel cell includes the steps of: (1) providing a first bipolar plate and a second bipolar plate; (2) applying a first microseal to the first bipolar plate at a first metal bead seal region; (3) applying a first contaminant seal to the first microseal and the first metal bead seal region of the first bipolar plate, the first contaminant seal being configured to protect the first metal bead seal region from a debris piece; (4) assembling a UEA having a subgasket onto the first bipolar plate with a debris piece engaging with the first contaminant seal; and (5) compressing the second bipolar plate onto the first bipolar plate with the subgasket in-between while urging the first contaminant seal and the debris piece away from the first metal bead seal region. Alternatively, the first and second contaminant seals may be applied to the subgasket.

Abstract: A battery assembly includes a battery cell, conductive bus bar, and printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). A cell tab of the battery assembly has a first portion extending from a perimeter edge of a pouch and a second portion arranged orthogonally with respect to the first portion. The bus bar defines a tab slot through which the first portion extends, and has a major surface adjacent to the second portion. The PCBA defines an elongated welding window orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the PCBA. The PCBA is mounted over the bus bar such that surface area of the second portion is exposed through the welding window, and in turn is welded to the bus bar through and within the welding window. A spring element may be positioned between the carrier frame and the PCBA. A method of making the battery assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-phase switched reluctance motor including a rotor and a stator, an electronic commutator subassembly, and a controller. The electronic commutator subassembly includes an electronic motor control unit, a power inverter, and a rotational position sensor, with the power inverter being electrically connected to the stator of the switched reluctance motor. The controller is in communication with the electronic motor control unit, the power inverter, and the rotational position sensor. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to characterize operation of the switched reluctance motor, dynamically determine inductance of the switched reluctance motor based upon the characterized operation, and execute a closed-loop torque control routine to control the switched reluctance motor based upon the dynamically determined inductance of the switched reluctance motor.

Abstract: Presented are automated driving systems for intelligent vehicle control, methods for making/using such systems, and motor vehicles equipped with such automated driving systems. A method for executing an automated driving operation includes: determining path plan data for a subject motor vehicle, including current vehicle location and predicted route data; receiving, from a network of sensing devices, sensor data indicative of current object position and object dynamics of a target object; applying sensor fusion techniques to the received sensor data to determine a threat confidence value that is predictive of target object intrusion with respect to the vehicle's location and predicted route; determining if this threat confidence value is greater than a calibrated threshold value; and, responsive to the threat confidence value being greater than the calibrated threshold value, transmitting one or more command signals to one or more vehicle systems (e.g.

Abstract: A tool for confirming the connection status of a fluid line to a quick-connect fluid coupling assembly includes a hub portion configured to interface with an outer portion of the fluid line, a finger coupled to the hub portion, a handle portion, a spring portion coupled to the hub portion and to the handle portion, and an indicating means. When the tool is placed in contact with the fluid line, a biasing force is applied to the tool in an axial direction, and a torque is applied to the handle portion to rotate the handle portion by a predetermined amount about the longitudinal axis of the fluid line, the finger cooperates with the retaining clip to produce a reaction torque to activate the indicating means when the fluid line is properly connected to the fluid coupling assembly.

Abstract: A method for object distance detection and focal positioning in relation thereto. The method comprising the steps of: (a) identifying (via a computing device) a desired distance among a plurality of designated sites on an object; (b) adjusting a focus (via an autofocus device) onto the plurality of designated sites; (c) calculating (via an image recognition module) the actual distance among the plurality of designated sites; (d) determining (via the image recognition module) if error exist between the actual distance and the desired distance; and (e) wherein (in no particular order) repeating the steps of (b), (c), and (d) until no substantial error exists between the actual distance and the desired distance.

Abstract: A starter system includes a brushless electric starter motor and a battery power pack, the motor operatively connectable to an internal combustion engine of a powertrain. A power inverter converts direct current provided from the battery power pack to multi-phase alternating current to drive the motor. A pinion gear with one-way clutch is rotatably driven by the motor and movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in which the pinion gear is meshingly engaged with a ring gear operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine. A solenoid is operatively connected to the pinion gear. An electronic control system controls the motor to crank the engine using power provided from the battery power pack, and to separately command the solenoid to a disabled or an enabled state. A method of controlling the starter system controls the motor to crank the engine in a restart following an autostop.

Abstract: A method of operating a dedicated-EGR engine includes providing a rich air-fuel mixture to a dedicated cylinder; combusting the rich air-fuel mixture in the dedicated cylinder; modeling the combustion of the rich air-fuel mixture in the dedicated cylinder; estimating the composition of the combustion products in the dedicated cylinder based on interpolation of chemical reaction models of stoichiometric and rich combustion. The method further includes mixing the combustion products from the dedicated cylinder with air to produce an intake mixture; estimating a mass fraction of reformate and a mass fraction of burned gas in the intake mixture; providing the intake mixture to the intake ports of all of the cylinders of the dedicated-EGR engine; combusting an air-fuel mixture in a non-dedicated cylinder of the engine; and controlling an engine control parameter based on the estimated mass fractions of reformate and burned gas in the intake mixture.

Abstract: A method of decoupling output torque from input torque during engine speed control of a hybrid powertrain for a vehicle comprises determining, via a controller, a virtual output torque required on an output member of a multi-mode transmission given a virtual input torque commanded on an input member of the multi-mode transmission for engine speed control in a selected mode of the multi-mode transmission such that rotational speed of the output member is unchanged to prevent undesired torque variation at the output member. The controller determines the virtual output torque via a first stored transfer function relating virtual output torque to virtual input torque based on modeled physical dynamics of the vehicle driveline for the selected mode of the multi-mode transmission. A hybrid powertrain includes an engine and a hybrid transmission, and a controller that controls the hybrid transmission according to the method.