Abstract: A control-module implemented method for controlling a powertrain system comprising an internal combustion engine, at least one electric machine, a high-voltage battery and an electro-mechanical transmission operative to transmit torque to a driveline includes monitoring a state of charge (SOC) of a high-voltage battery configured to provide stored electrical power to a first electric machine, a second electric machine and at least one auxiliary load. A trickle-charging event is enabled only when the SOC of the high-voltage battery is less than a first SOC threshold. The trickle-charging event activates the first clutch coupled to a first planetary gear set. The trickle-charging event further coordinates a torque capacity of the activated first clutch and a charging set of torque commands between the engine, the first electric machine and the second electric machine to establish a net zero output torque condition.

Abstract: A method to determine a rotational position of a phaser for variable phasing system including a low-resolution rotational position sensing system includes estimating a rotational position of the phaser based upon a time interval between occurrence of a measured position of the phaser and a present periodic timepoint, a commanded position of the phaser, said measured position of the phaser, and a time constant of the variable phasing system when the occurrence of the measured position of the phaser is subsequent to a preceding periodic timepoint occurring at a set time interval prior to the present periodic timepoint.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least three planetary gear set assemblies, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear set assemblies include first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.

Abstract: A powertrain system is described, including a method for controlling a control variable for an element thereof. The method includes determining an initial state transition threshold and an associated hysteresis band for an operating parameter related to the control variable. The hysteresis band is decayed based upon operation in a present state of the control variable for powertrain element, and a preferred control variable for the powertrain element is selected based upon a comparison of the operating parameter and the initial state transition threshold accounting for the decayed hysteresis band for the operating parameter. The element of the powertrain system is controlled to the preferred state for the control variable.

Abstract: A striker assembly includes a striker having an attachment portion, a shaft portion having a cylindrical outer surface, and a shoulder portion between the shaft portion and the attachment portion. The striker assembly also includes a striker sleeve having a wall that has an inner surface defining an interior space having first and second openings. The wall has corrugations such that the inner surface defines a plurality of concave portions and joining portions that interconnect the concave portions. The concave portions and the joining portions extend from the first opening to the second opening. The shaft portion is inside the interior space and the outer surface of the shaft portion contacts the joining portions of the inner surface of the striker sleeve.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a transmission range selector connected to a transmission of a powertrain system is described. The transmission range selector indicates one of a plurality of ranges including Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. The method includes, upon detecting a change in a target transmission range, monitoring whether a signal output from an on-board sensor indicates an achieved range position of the transmission. When the signal output from the on-board sensor does not indicate that the target transmission range has been achieved, monitoring a transmission incorrect direction metric, monitoring a transmission unintended propulsion metric, and monitoring a metric associated with achieving the target transmission range. A fault is detected when any one of the transmission incorrect direction metric, the transmission unintended propulsion metric and the target range achievement elapsed time metric is exceeded.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively providing cellular offload services to mobile user data devices via vehicle-based access points. Subscribers and affiliates of vehicle-related online services register their user data devices for authorized connections. Vehicle metrics are used to determine the state of a vehicle (being driven or parked), and the metrics of the user device can be compared with the vehicle metrics to determine if the user device is inside the vehicle. Limiting access to authorized user devices reduces load on the vehicular access points and allows preventing the vehicular access points from being erroneously included on access point maps and thereby infecting the maps.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a misfire detection module and a fuel control module. The misfire detection module detects misfire in a cylinder of an engine. The fuel control module controls a first fuel system to deliver a first fuel to the cylinder and controls a second fuel system to deliver a second fuel to the cylinder. The first fuel and the second fuel are different types of fuel. The fuel control module selectively switches from delivering the first fuel to the cylinder to delivering the second fuel to the cylinder when misfire is detected in the cylinder.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided that includes a fuel cell stack and an air compressor in communication with a cathode inlet, a hydrogen source in communication with an anode inlet, and a start-up battery adapted to power the air compressor. The start-up battery is at least one of a low-voltage battery and a high-voltage battery. A pressure sensor is in communication with the air compressor and adapted to measure a compressor outlet pressure. A power conversion module is in electrical communication with the start-up battery and the air compressor. A controller is in communication with the power conversion module and adapted to set an air compressor speed based on an available electrical energy. A closed-loop method of operating the fuel cell system at start-up is also provided, wherein an anode purge is scheduled based on an air flow rate calculated from the compressor outlet pressure and the actual speed.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing and a bearing bore defined by the bearing housing. The bearing bore has an annular bearing groove configured to receive a fluid. A journal bearing is disposed within the bore such that the annular bearing groove encircles the journal bearing and feeds the fluid thereto. The turbocharger also includes a rotating assembly having a shaft with a turbine wheel and a compressor wheel. The shaft has a longitudinal axis and is supported by the journal bearing for rotation within the bore about the axis. The annular bearing groove is characterized by a trapezoidal shape in a cross-sectional view of the bearing bore taken along and through the longitudinal axis. The trapezoidal shape is configured to generate Taylor vortices in the fluid for capturing debris carried by the fluid and keeping the debris from being fed to the journal bearing.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly comprises a fuel reservoir and a fuel flow control baffle positioned within the fuel reservoir to reduce the fluid energy/momentum of moving fuel. The fuel flow control baffle further comprises a sheet assembly including a first sheet layer and a second sheet layer, perforations defining attenuation channels, extending through said first and second sheet layers through which moving fuel flows into the fuel flow control baffle and a web positioned between the sheet layers to maintain the layers in a separated, three-dimensional relationship, wherein the web operates to absorb the fluid energy/momentum of the moving fuel and to reverse the fuel flow back through the flow attenuation channels. The fuel control baffle can be easily varied in length to permit usage in multiple locations inside the same tank, and in other different tank designs.

Abstract: A method and architecture of reconfiguring software mode management for a system. A prior status mode of a subsystem is identified. The primary controller includes a primary software algorithm for maintaining operations of the subsystem. A mode determination logic function is retrieved in a table for determining whether a mode change occurred. The mode determination logic function associated with the prior mode is executed. A current mode is determined from the table based on results from the execution of the mode determination logic function. An action list associated with the identified current mode in the table is identified. The action list identifies functions for transitioning the nodes from the prior mode to the current node. An action list associated with the current mode including a list of action functions for transitioning the previous mode to the current mode is executed. The table is independently modifiable from the primary software mode management algorithm.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body includes an A-pillar panel, an outer skin body panel, which together with an edge of the A-pillar panel delimits a gap. A windshield is adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the A-pillar panel. A filler piece has a first portion which fills out the gap and a second portion which conceals a gap between the longitudinal edge of the A-pillar panel and the windshield.

Abstract: A shifting device for a motor vehicle transmission, with an actuator having a first actuating member of the actuator can be adjusted into a first gear selection position in order to engage a gear of the motor vehicle transmission. The actuator includes an additional actuating member that in the first gate selection position can be adjusted into an additional gear selection position in order to engage an additional gear of the motor vehicle transmission. The actuator can be adjusted into one or more further gate selection positions that differ from the first gate selection position and in which a further actuating member of the actuator can be adjusted into a gear selection position in order to engage this additional gear of the motor vehicle transmission.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a motor vehicle with a manual transmission and a clutch that can be engage. According to the method, a vehicle standstill condition is detected; and a shifting instruction is output when a vehicle standstill has been detected and a gear position of the transmission determined for the vehicle standstill does not correspond to any transmission position of a predetermined drive-off transmission quantity.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is described in conjunction with a method for dynamically determining a mass flow rate of nitrogen oxides (NOx) for its exhaust gas feedstream. The method includes determining a present engine operating point and determining a reference NOx content for a reference engine operating point. A combustion chemical reaction rate is determined based upon the present engine operating point and the reference engine operating point. A NOx content in the exhaust gas feedstream is dynamically determined during operation of the internal combustion engine based upon the reference NOx content, the combustion chemical reaction rate and a combustion mixing rate constant.

Abstract: A self-adjusting latching connection include a first component having a latching projection, and a second component having an opening into which the latching projection can be inserted in a mating direction and latched in a final position on a base, on which one of the two components is movably guided transverse to the mating direction between a resting position and a locking position. A spring acts on the one component in the direction of the resting position, and a bolt detachably fixes the one component in the locking position.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting panel components of a vehicle includes a deformable member with fastening points for connecting the support structure to the panel components, and one or more support members that are connected to the deformable member each with a free end, The support members can be fastened to one or more cross members of a body of the vehicle. The support structure can be used with a panel arrangement including one or more panel components for covering a portion of the vehicle. An intermediate member may he arranged between the panel components and the support structure, which during the shifting of the panel components in the direction of the support structure, interacts with the panel components and the support structure and thereby deforms the support structure.