Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for diagnosing a malfunctioning of a pressure sensor in an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine. A first value of a differential pressure across the particulate filter is measured during the identified fuel cut-off state of the internal combustion engine. An exhaust back pressure valve of the aftertreatment system is operated toward a predetermined closed position thereof, and a second value of a differential pressure across the particulate filter is measured. A difference between the second value and the first value is calculated, and a malfunctioning of the differential pressure sensor is identified when the calculated difference is higher than a predetermined threshold value thereof.

Abstract: An internal permanent magnet machine includes a wound stator, and a rotor core. The rotor core includes a plurality of first pole cavities, and a plurality of second pole cavities. One of a plurality of magnets is disposed within each of the pole cavities, and is injection molded into their respective cavity. The first pole cavities and the second pole cavities are each arranged in a pre-defined configuration, such that each pole cavity of the first pole cavities is identically positioned with one of the pole cavities of the second pole cavities within their respective pre-defined configurations, to define a corresponding pair of pole cavities. The pole cavity of the first pole cavities and the pole cavity of the second pole cavities of at least one of the corresponding pair of pole cavities define a different shape relative to each other.

Abstract: A dynamic harmonic balancer for mounting on a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine includes an element defining a cavity. The dynamic harmonic balancer also includes a body of fluid disposed within the cavity. The dynamic harmonic balancer additionally includes a plurality of pellets disposed within the body of fluid and configured to shift within the cavity. The shifting of the pellets within the cavity counteracts an imbalance in the harmonic balancer and damps crankshaft torsional vibrations during operation of the engine. An engine having such a dynamic harmonic balancer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tunable hydraulic bushing mounts a steering gear to a vehicle frame member. The bushing is filled with a fluid and includes an inertia track and a pressure valve separating first and second fluid chambers or cavities. The inertia track provides uninterrupted fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve is movable between an open position, which allows fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity, and a closed position, which blocks fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve may be configured to be closed during loads induced by smooth road shake and open during loads greater than smooth road shake.

Abstract: A sensor module includes a substrate with a slot formed therein. A sensor is mounted to the substrate and spans the slot. A first cover is disposed on a first side of the substrate and covers at least a portion of the slot. The first cover comprises a first aperture and a second aperture in fluid communication with the slot. The sensor is disposed between the first and second apertures.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a stiction condition in a manual steering gear includes transmitting a steering input control signal to a rotary actuator, and rotating a steering shaft with constant acceleration, via the rotary actuator, in response to the steering input control signal. A steering output torque is determined while rotating the steering shaft with the constant acceleration, receiving the steering output torque via the controller, and executing a control action when a rate of the received steering output torque exceeds a threshold rate indicative of the stiction condition. A system includes a rotary actuator, a manual steering gear having a steering shaft connected to the rotary actuator, a torque transducer for measuring a steering output torque imparted to the steering shaft by the actuator, and a controller programmed as set forth above.

Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle limits movement of a tire and wheel assembly in a wheel cavity. The vehicle has a wheel well structure that defines the wheel cavity. The energy management system includes a tether attached to the tire and wheel assembly. The tether is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly within the wheel cavity under a predetermined load that is applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell has a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. The bipolar plate also has an active region, a feed region, a perimeter region, a sealing region, and a hinge region. The sealing region is disposed between the perimeter region and each of the active region and the feed region. A plurality of outwardly extending tabs are disposed adjacent the perimeter region at each of the first end and the second end of the bipolar plate. The hinge region is disposed between the perimeter region and the outwardly extending tabs. The hinge region extends from the first side of the plate to the second side of the bipolar plate. The hinge region permits a flexing of the outwardly extending tabs to connect with peripheral electrical device without undesirably flexing the sealing region.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the performance of an automotive plate antenna system are provided. A carbon loaded material is used to enhance performance of the plate antenna. The method and resulting systems have a first metallic plate of the antenna arranged and secured on a planar surface of the carbon loaded material. The method realizes an antenna system with reduced size and weight without a reduction in performance.

Abstract: A latch system includes a striker and a latch mechanism. The striker includes a pintle having a head portion. The latch mechanism includes a first latch door and a second latch door, each rotatable between a respective latch position and a respective insertion position. The first latch door and the second latch door each define a latch section and a release section disposed opposite each other. When the first latch door and the second latch door are disposed in their respective insertion positions, the latch sections are operable to receive the head portion therebetween. When the first latch door and the second latch door are disposed in their respective latch positions, the latch sections are operable to engage the head portion in latching engagement, and the release sections are operable to release the head portion of the pintle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to adapt the performance of a cathode humidification unit as a membrane in a fuel cell stack degrades over time. An algorithm compares a sensed humidity profile of the fuel cell stack and model humidity profile of a cathode humidification unit model to calculate a new degradation factor. The cathode humidification unit model uses the degradation factor in the performance of the cathode humidification unit.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a fuel control module and a voltage setting module. The fuel control module cuts off fuel to an engine during a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) event. During the DFCO event, the voltage setting module monitors a brake pedal position, sets a desired voltage to a first predetermined voltage when a brake pedal is not depressed, and sets the desired voltage to a second predetermined voltage when the brake pedal is depressed. The second predetermined voltage is greater than the first predetermined voltage. A regulator generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on the desired voltage and applies the PWM signal to an alternator.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a vehicle transmission that is coupled to a prime mover, a chain drive assembly, a hydraulic pump with a rotor, and a planetary gear set. A drive sprocket of the chain drive assembly is rotationally coupled with the prime mover. The planetary gear set includes first, second, and third members. The first member is rotatable with the pump and the third member is rotatable with the driven sprocket.

Abstract: A method of increasing a weighting factor of an exponentially weighted moving averaging (“EWMA”) filter is provided. The method includes monitoring a data stream containing raw data values, and determining an EWMA value based on the data stream by an electronic control module. The method includes determining if the EWMA value is between a predetermined maximum fault threshold value and a predetermined minimum fault threshold value. The method includes increasing the weighting factor of the EWMA filter to more heavily weigh incoming raw data values of the data stream based on the difference between the first raw data value and a previously calculated filtered value exceeding the calibration value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adapting a speech system of a vehicle. In one example a method includes: logging data from the vehicle; logging speech data from the speech system; processing the data from the vehicle and the data from the speech system to determine a pattern of context and a relation to user interaction behavior; and selectively updating a user profile of the speech system based on the pattern of context.

Abstract: A machine vision system including a digital camera can be employed to inspect an object in a field of view. This includes projecting digitally-generated light patterns including first and second boundary patterns and first and second spatial patterns onto the object in the field of view. Images associated with the projected light patterns including the object are captured. Spatial cells are found in the field of view by matching codes in the first and second spatial patterns to boundaries determined based upon one of the first and second boundary patterns. The spatial cells are found in the field of view by matching codes in the spatial patterns to boundaries determined based upon the boundary patterns. The spatial cells are decoded and matched to the boundaries. Three-dimensional (3D) point cloud data of the object is generated based upon the decoded spatial cells matched to the boundaries.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a seat arrangement, a cargo space situated behind the seat arrangement, an adjustable loading panel arranged inside the cargo space, guide rails located in the cargo space for the adjustable, laterally guided accommodation of the adjustable loading panel, and slide or roller bearings for mounting the adjustable loading panel in the guide rails. An actuating handle is mounted in the adjustable loading panel and movable through exposure to a spring action for swiveling an eccentric mounted in the adjustable loading panel out of a position that fixes the adjustable loading panel in place and into a position that releases the adjustable loading panel for adjustment purposes, and for adjusting the adjustable loading panel.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring and reporting notification preferences. A processor of a vehicle determines whether any vehicle events specified in notification preferences have occurred. The notification preferences can be defined by an owner of the vehicle and specify vehicle events that the owner wants to be monitored and reported. When the processor determines that any vehicle event specified in the notification preferences has occurred, the processor can store a record of the vehicle event (and any other vehicle events that occur) in a vehicle event detection log, and then regularly or periodically generate a notification report that includes records for each of the vehicle events that are stored in the vehicle event detection log. The notification report can then be communicated to a remote computer located outside the vehicle. In addition, some vehicle events can trigger generation and communication of an alert message to the remote computer.

Abstract: A plug-in hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid powertrain system and an energy storage device. A method for operating the hybrid powertrain system includes initially operating the hybrid powertrain system in a charge-depletion mode to reduce a state-of-charge (SOC) of an energy storage device. In response to an operator request, the hybrid powertrain system operates in an opportunity charging mode to opportunistically charge the energy storage device to increase the SOC of the energy storage device during a trip prior to achieving a minimum SOC that is associated with triggering operation in a charge sustaining mode.

Abstract: A torsional vibration isolator for a motor vehicle includes an input member having an engine drive component. An output member defines a transmission input shaft. A component group connecting the input member to the output member includes a first spring engagement element connected to a ring gear. At least one pinion gear is engaged to the ring gear. A sun gear is engaged to the at least one pinion gear. A second spring engagement element is connected to a carrier, the carrier also connected to the at least one pinion gear. At least one spring contacts both the second spring engagement element and the first spring engagement element to permit the second spring engagement element and the carrier to angularly deflect with respect to the first spring engagement element.