Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a desired throttle area module, a correction factor module, a throttle control module, and an airflow compensation diagnostic module. The desired throttle area module determines a desired throttle area based on a driver input. The correction factor module determines a throttle area correction factor based on a difference between an estimated intake airflow and a measured intake airflow to compensate for a decrease in the measured intake airflow due to a flow restriction. The throttle control module determines a desired throttle position based on the desired throttle area and the throttle area correction factor. The airflow compensation diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in an amount of intake airflow compensation based on the throttle area correction factor.

Abstract: An apparatus for a gear shifter for use with a transmission is provided. The gear shifter includes a housing that defines a gate and a gear shift lever having a first end and a second end. The gear shift lever is at least partially received within the housing so that the first end is guided by the gate. The gear shifter includes a shifter block received within the housing and including a plurality of detents. One of the plurality of detents includes at least one pocket defined adjacent to the one of the plurality of detents so as to be in communication with the one of the plurality of detents. The at least one pocket and the plurality of detents are each sized to receive a portion of the second end of the gear shift lever.

Abstract: A driver assistance system and a method for operating a driver assistance system are disclosed. The driver assistance system includes an actuation device configured for automatically actuating a brake unit, a drive unit or a steering unit. An input device enters a user request for a driving maneuver executable by the driver assistance. A releasing device selectively releases an operation of the driver assistance system based on whether a release for the driver assistance system to be operated by the passenger of the motor vehicle is effected by the driver of the motor vehicle by means of the releasing device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for participative sensing of road friction conditions by vehicles, collection of the friction data from a large number of vehicles by a central server, processing the data to classify friction conditions by roadway and locale, and sending notifications of the friction conditions to vehicles as appropriate. A large number of vehicles use participative sensing systems to identify road friction estimates which are reported to the central server—where the vehicles use sensor data and vehicle dynamic conditions to estimate friction. The central server stores and aggregates the friction data, filters it and ages it. Vehicles requesting advisories from the central server will receive notices of road friction conditions which may be significant based on their location and heading. Driver warnings can be issued for low friction conditions ahead, and automated vehicle systems may also respond to the notices.

Abstract: An exhaust treatment system configured to treat exhaust gas generated by an internal combustion engine includes a reductant delivery system that injects a reductant solution into an exhaust gas. A selective catalyst reduction (SCR) device reacts with the reductant solution to reduce NOx from the exhaust gas. A control module is in electrical communication with the SCR device and the reductant delivery system. The control module determines at least one of an injection status of the reduction delivery system and a performance of the SCR device. The control module further determines at least one debounce time for delaying diagnosis of a NOx sensor based on at least one of the injection status and the performance of the SCR device.

Abstract: A continuity tester that has particular application for inspecting the insulation on the stator windings in an electric machine. The continuity tester includes a power supply, a brush having conductive bristles, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. One terminal of the power supply is electrically coupled to the brush and another terminal of the power supply is electrically coupled to the A/D converter and the stator being tested. The conductive brush is selectively positioned against the exposed windings of the stator, and if an electrical circuit is formed as a result of loss of insulation, the potential at the input of the A/D converter drops, which can be detected. In one embodiment, the conductive brush is a manual brush that is moved across the stator windings, and in alternate embodiments the conductive brush is specially configured to be positioned against the conductive windings in an automated process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing transient brake caliper drag in a motor vehicle are provided. The motor vehicle, for example, may include, but is not limited to, an axle, a rotor coupled to the axle, a brake caliper comprising a brake pad configured to engage the rotor, a brake pedal assembly communicatively coupled to the brake caliper, the brake pedal assembly configured to receive user input directing the brake pad to apply a force to the rotor and user input directing the brake pad to disengage the rotor, and a processor coupled to the brake caliper, wherein the processor is configured to determine, after the brake pedal assembly receives user input directing the brake pad to disengage the rotor, the force applied to the rotor, and command the brake caliper to retract the brake pad away from the rotor when the determined force exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A rotor for a permanent magnet synchronous machine. A first layer of cavities formed circumferentially within the rotor core structure. Pairs of the cavities in the first layer form V-shaped configurations and are spaced circumferentially about the rotor core structure in the first layer. A second layer of cavities is formed circumferentially within the rotor core structure. Pairs of the cavities in the second layer form V-shaped configurations and are spaced circumferentially about the rotor core structure in the second layer. A first set of permanent magnets is inserted within each cavity in the first layer and a second set of permanent magnets inserted within each cavity in the second layer. Each respective V-shaped configuration of the second layer having permanent magnets disposed therein extend greater than half a radial distance from the outer cylindrical wall to the inner cylindrical wall.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a Stirling engine is integrated into an exhaust system of a vehicle. The system comprises an engine coupled to a cooling system and an exhaust system. An emission control system is coupled to the exhaust system. A Stirling engine has one end coupled to the cooling system and another end selectively coupled to the exhaust system between the engine and the emission control system, and configured be driven from heat extracted from exhaust gas flow. The Stirling engine drives an electrical energy generator that provides electrical energy for storage in an energy storage system.

Abstract: A technique for providing localized stiffening of a vehicle trim panel, especially for high curvature areas. The vehicle trim panel includes an outer panel having an outer show surface and an inner surface. A plurality of discrete reinforcement elements are bonded to the inner surface of the outer panel at locations where localized stiffening is desired. The discrete elements can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, where the combination of elements and the number of elements is selected for a particular trim panel stiffness.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system and a method of using the system that includes coupling a second device in a vehicle using short range wireless communication (SRWC) based on a pairing of a first device in the vehicle. The method includes the steps of: pairing at the vehicle the first device with a SRWC module, by performing a pairing procedure; after the pairing step, determining an identifying association of the first and second devices; and partially performing the pairing procedure between the SRWC module and the second device based on the pairing of the first device and the identified association.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. The powertrain also includes a first energy storage device disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. Additionally, the powertrain includes a first switching device selectively transitionable between a first open state to electrically disconnect the first energy storage device from at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system, and a first closed state to electrically connect the first energy storage device to at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system. The motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system are operable regardless of the first switching device being in the first open and closed states.

Abstract: A cellular radio architecture that includes a programmable bandpass sampling radio frequency front-end and an optimized digital baseband. The architecture includes a receiver module having a plurality of signal channels for different frequency bands, where each signal channel in the receiver module includes a receiver delta-sigma modulator that converts analog receive signals to a representative digital signal. The architecture also includes a transmitter module having a transmitter delta-sigma modulator for converting digital data bits to analog transmit signals, where the transmitter module includes a power amplifier and a switch for directing the transmit signals to one of the signal paths. The architecture also includes a dual self-cancellation circuit providing digital and analog cancellation of the transmit signal in the receiver module.

Abstract: A hose clamp support tool includes a collar that is attached to a nose of a rotational driver. A drive extension includes a driven socket end that is connected to a drive output of the rotational driver, and a screw socket end that engages a screw of a hose clamp. A support structure is coupled to the collar, and is slideably moveable relative to the drive extension along the central drive axis. The support structure includes a cylindrical portion. The drive extension extends through and is rotatably supported by the cylindrical portion. The support structure includes a hood. The hose clamp is secured between the hood and the screw socket end of the drive extension during installation and removal operations. A biasing device is operable to bias the support structure along the central drive axis relative to the drive extension.

Abstract: A method of removing entrained air from a coolant in a coolant system that may not include a fluid reservoir, includes connecting a de-aeration tank to the coolant system. The de-aeration tank is connected in fluid communication to the coolant system in parallel with a heat exchanger, such that a first connection device connects the de-aeration tank to the coolant system upstream of the heat exchanger, and a second connection device connects the de-aeration tank to the coolant system downstream of the heat exchanger. The coolant is circulated from the coolant system, through the de-aeration tank, and back to the coolant system, with a pump, until substantially all entrained air is removed from the coolant. The de-aeration tank may then be disconnected from the coolant system.

Abstract: An igniter includes a central electrode terminating in a firing portion including a plurality of prong tiers distributed axially on the firing portion. Each prong tier including at least one firing prong extending radially outward from the firing portion. The igniter body includes a port end to be received into an engine igniter port, and a shank. The firing portion of the central electrode extends from the shank opposing the port end. A dielectric casing can fully encapsulate the firing portion of the central electrode to define a dielectric barrier adjacent the firing prong. The igniter may include a generally cylindrical ground electrode defining a discharge cavity surrounding the central electrode. The ground electrode includes a plurality of ground prongs defined by the ground electrode and extending radially toward the firing portion. A plurality of apertures defined by the ground electrode are in fluid communication with the discharge cavity.

Abstract: An electric machine assembly includes a stator core, a rotor assembly and a controller. The stator core defines a number of stator slots extending along a longitudinal axis and angularly spaced about the longitudinal axis. The rotor assembly is rotatable relative to the stator core and includes a plurality of laminations stacked between first and second ends of the rotor assembly. The laminations are skewed relative to each other. Each respective one of the plurality of laminations defines a number of rotor slots positioned along an outer periphery. The controller includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method of obtaining an optimal rotor skew angle. The optimum rotor skew angle is selected from a set (SK) of skew angles between first and second skew angles (SK1?SK?SK2).

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block defining a cylinder, an exhaust system, and an exhaust gas recirculation system. A first exhaust valve is configured to control fluid communication from the cylinder to the exhaust system. A second exhaust valve is configured to control fluid communication from the cylinder to the exhaust gas recirculation system. The second exhaust valve is selectively activatable and deactivatable independently of the first exhaust valve.

Abstract: A support structure for absorbing forces in a vehicle includes a support element, which encloses a hollow space and includes a number of openings, which is delimited by one or more boundary faces. A receiving body for an assembly unit is inserted in one of the openings so that the receiving body at least partially projects into the hollow space. The receiving body includes a wall which at least in portions runs corresponding to the boundary faces and with which the receiving body makes contact with the boundary faces of the support element.