Abstract: An oil-cooled motor/generator for an automotive powertrain located outside of the transmission is provided, such as a BAS motor/generator. The motor/generator may have a stator, a rotor circumscribed by the stator, and a motor shaft on which the rotor is mounted for rotation. A housing assembly may surround the stator and the rotor, with a bearing positioned between the housing assembly and the motor shaft. A flow control member may at least partially circumscribe the rotor axially adjacent the stator. A bearing retainer may be positioned axially adjacent the bearing. A rotor end ring may be axially adjacent the rotor. The housing assembly may have an inlet configured to receive cooling oil. The housing assembly, the flow control member, the bearing retainer and the rotor end ring may be configured to distribute the cooling oil from the inlet to cool the stator, the rotor and the bearing.

Abstract: A method for estimating vehicle battery parameters that uses two different sampling rates. The method samples a battery terminal voltage and current at a high sampling rate to estimate the battery open circuit voltage and high frequency resistance. The battery state of charge (SOC) is derived from the open circuit voltage. Next, the battery terminal voltage and current are re-sampled at a low sampling rate. Other battery parameters can be extracted from the low-rate sampled signals. Next, all of the battery parameters that were obtained from the two sampling rates are used together to predict battery power.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle powertrain and a corresponding vehicle control system are provided that enable operation in an electric-only operating mode for an extended range by adjusting the threshold minimum state of charge of the battery, i.e., the state of charge of the battery at which the engine will be started to allow the battery charge to be replenished, in accordance with vehicle location. The engine will also be started when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a long-term parking location.

Abstract: An integrated diagnosis and prognosis system that collects vehicle information over the life of a vehicle and its development. The system provides the collected vehicle information to supplier management, product development management, service/dealership management, customer relations departments and production facilities, which use the information to take certain action for existing vehicles, fleets of vehicles or future vehicles to improve vehicle reliability and quality.

Abstract: A camshaft cover mounts to a cylinder head and defines cavities for oil control valves that adjust the position of camshafts via camshaft phaser assemblies. The cavities are positioned above the camshafts when the camshaft cover is mounted to the cylinder head. A feed passage communicates pressurized fluid from the cylinder head to the cavities when the camshaft cover is mounted to the cylinder head. Control passages communicate fluid from the cavities to the camshaft phaser assemblies when the camshaft cover is mounted to the cylinder head.

Abstract: A process for controlling the length of a purge and the purge rate of a fuel cell stack at system shut-down so as to provide the desired amount of stack humidity. The membrane humidification is measured at system shut-down by a high frequency resistance sensor that detects membrane humidification and provides the measurement to a controller. The controller controls the compressor that provides cathode input air to the fuel cell stack so that the time of the purge and the flow rate of the purge provide a desired membrane humidity for the next start-up.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least one planetary gear set, a plurality of transfer gears connected by a layshaft, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.

Abstract: Vehicle alignment for inductive charging includes a control system and logic configured to execute on the control system. The logic is configured to define a first orientation for a first antenna and a second antenna, which are disposed on a vehicle. The logic is also configured to define a second orientation specifying a location of a vehicle charging device disposed on the vehicle relative to the first and second antennae. The logic is further configured to determine a location of an inductive charging device relative to the vehicle by performing triangulation analysis using data from the first and second orientations in conjunction with signals received from the first and second antennae. The logic is also configured to calculate a direction to the location using voltage values from the signals, such that movement of the vehicle in the direction brings the vehicle charging device closer to the inductive charging device.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include a camshaft rotationally supported on an engine structure. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a second shaft located in and rotatable relative to the first shaft and a partial cam lobe located on the first shaft. The partial cam lobe may include a peak region and may define a partial bore. A radial distance defined by the partial bore between first and second circumferential ends of the partial bore may be greater than or equal to a radial width of the first shaft. The partial cam lobe may define a recess extending in a radial direction through the partial bore and into the partial cam lobe. The camshaft may include a sleeve located within a radial passage defined by the second shaft and the recess in the partial cam lobe and radially locating the partial cam lobe relative to the second shaft.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system in a host vehicle that employs combined automatic braking and steering. The collision avoidance system defines thresholds that identify a time to collision with a target vehicle by the host vehicle that are based on the speed of the host vehicle, the acceleration of the host vehicle, the speed of the target vehicle, the acceleration of the target vehicle, the distance to the target vehicle from the host vehicle and a coefficient of friction of the roadway. The collision avoidance system provides full automatic collision avoidance braking if the time to collision is less than one threshold and the lane adjacent to the host vehicle is not clear. The collision avoidance system provides both automatic steering and braking of the host vehicle if the time to collision is less than another threshold and the lane adjacent to the host vehicle is clear.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a motor vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to determining whether at least one control is activated by a driver of the motor vehicle while driving the motor vehicle. The at least one control is here part of an onboard system, selected from the group comprised of an information and entertainment system, an air conditioner, a mirror adjuster, a seat adjuster, a navigation system, a first driver assistance system and/or a telephone system. In addition, at least one parameter of a second driver assistance system of the motor vehicle is adjusted if the at least one control is activated by the driver of the motor vehicle while driving the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method of separating a length of single-strand wire at a notch location includes forming at least one notch in the length of single-strand wire at the notch location. The notch location is subjected to tensile strain until the notch location ruptures at the notch to separate the length of single-strand wire into a first single-strand wire and a second single-strand wire. After separation of the length of single-strand wire, the first and second single-strands each present a generally tapered end that corresponds to the notch location.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an adjustable shutter adapted for varying an amount of airflow to cool a powertrain in a vehicle includes monitoring the ambient temperature. The method also includes sensing an increase in the ambient temperature up to a threshold temperature value. The method additionally includes changing a position of the shutter after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed following the increase in the ambient temperature up to the threshold temperature value. A vehicle using a controller to perform such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A method to achieve a conformal ultrathin film of platinum or one of its alloys on a substrate that can be economically used as a heterogeneous catalyst, such as automotive polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell catalyst. The method includes using a hydrogen plasma in platinum atomic layer deposition along with tungsten as a substrate or anchoring adhesive layer to assist platinum nucleation and deposition.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an optimal collision avoidance path for a host vehicle that may potentially collide with a target vehicle. The method includes providing off-line an optimization look-up table for storing on the host vehicle that includes an optimal vehicle braking or longitudinal deceleration and an optimal distance along the optimal path based on a range of speeds of the host vehicle and coefficients of friction of the roadway surface. The method determines the current speed of the host vehicle and the coefficient of friction of the roadway surface during the potential collision, and uses the look-up table to determine the optimal longitudinal deceleration or braking of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path. The method also determines an optimal lateral acceleration or steering of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path based on a friction ellipse and the optimal braking.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating at least one sensor of a vehicle. The at least one sensor is configured for detecting objects lying within a predetermined detection range and the method includes, but is not limited to: position data emitted by at least one object is received by means of a receiving apparatus of the vehicle. In addition, a position of the at least one object is determined by means of the position data received from the at least one object and a comparison is made as to whether the determined position lies within the predetermined detection range of the at least one sensor. If the determined position lies within the predetermined detection range of the at least one sensor, it is further determined whether the at least one object is detected by the at least one sensor. If the at least one object is not detected by the at least one sensor, an instantaneous detection range of the at least one sensor is further determined by means of the determined position of the at least one object.

Abstract: A control system includes a switching valve control module, a pressure determination module, and a fuel system diagnostic module. The switching valve control module actuates a switching valve in a fuel system of a vehicle between a first position and a second position, the first position venting a suction side of a vacuum pump in the fuel system to an atmosphere, the second position sealing the suction side of the vacuum pump from the atmosphere. The pressure determination module determines a first pressure on the suction side of the vacuum pump when the switching valve is in the first position, and determines a second pressure on the suction side of the vacuum pump when the switching valve is in the second position. The fuel system diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the vacuum pump based on the first pressure and the second pressure.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a sensor of a vehicle. The sensor is configured to detect objects within a detection range and the method includes, but is not limited to detecting an object with the sensor. In addition, a position of the object is determined with data from the sensor. Furthermore, position data emitted by the object is received with a receiving apparatus of the vehicle and the position of the object is determined with the position data. Moreover, the position determined with the sensor is compared with the position of the object and comparative data is determined and an automatic adjustment of the sensor and/or output of a message inside the vehicle is made depending on the comparative data.

Abstract: A method of autonomously preventing or reducing the affects of roof impact in automotive applications, including the steps of determining a vehicle condition indicative of an imminent roof impact, and modifying a vehicular seat or roof structure, or deploying a netting as a result thereof, wherein active material actuation is preferably utilized to effect the same.

Abstract: A method of sizing a light-off core supporting a fixed quantity of a light-off catalyst for an exhaust gas treatment system having an electric heater upstream of the light-off catalyst for heating the exhaust gas includes measuring the cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions leaving the exhaust gas treatment system for multiple volumetric sizes of the light-off core in accordance with a heating strategy. Alternatively, a model of the treatment system may be used to predict the cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions. The method further includes selecting the volumetric size of the light-off core that is associated with the lowest cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions level from the measured or predicted hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions when the exhaust gas is heated in accordance with the heating strategy. The heating strategy may include pre-crank heating, post-crank heating, or a combination of pre-crank heating and post crank heating.