Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an injection timing adjustment module and an injection control module. The injection timing adjustment module generates an adjusted fuel injection timing when a fuel request is received and the engine is operating in a transient state, wherein the adjusted fuel injection timing is based on a base fuel injection timing, an elapsed time since the fuel request, and at least one of a plurality of engine operating parameters. The injection control module controls fuel injection based on the adjusted fuel injection timing for a period, and controls fuel injection based on the base fuel injection timing after the period.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a motor drive torque in an EPS system having a motor and a steering assembly. The method includes receiving a torque signal from the steering assembly; processing the torque signal in accordance with a steering perception program to produce a motor control signal; and controlling the motor drive torque based on the motor control signal.

Abstract: A method for increasing capacity of a natural gas (NG) tank. The method includes selecting a container with a service pressure rating of about 3,000 or 3,600 psi. An NG adsorbent is in the container. The container has a maximum fill capacity. The method further includes cooling the adsorbent by Joule-Thomson cooling during filling of the container with NG from a filling source at greater than 3,600 psi. The container is filled to the maximum fill capacity at a fill rate to prevent a bulk temperature of the adsorbent from rising more than about 5° C. above an ambient temperature. A rate of heat transfer from the tank is less than a rate of heating from compression of the NG and adsorption during the filling. The NG adsorbent adsorbs a higher amount of NG than it would at higher than 5° C. above ambient.

Abstract: A system and method for registering range images from objects detected by multiple LiDAR sensors on a vehicle. The method includes aligning frames of data from at least two LiDAR sensors having over-lapping field-of-views in a sensor signal fusion operation so as to track objects detected by the sensors. The method defines a transformation value for at least one of the LiDAR sensors that identifies an orientation angle and position of the sensor and provides target scan points from the objects detected by the sensors where the target scan points for each sensor provide a separate target point map. The method projects the target point map from the at least one sensor to another one of the LiDAR sensors using a current transformation value to overlap the target scan points from the sensors.

Abstract: A thermosetting polymer composite composition (such as thermosetting SMC composition) or a thermosetting adhesive composition containing reduced-volume hollow shape-memory alloy particles in the thermosetting polymer composite composition or adhesive composition experiences little or no volume loss during a curing at a temperature above the transformation temperature for the particles.

Abstract: A heat pump system, including a thermal storage medium, for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment, and a corresponding method for providing heat to a vehicle passenger compartment. The vehicle may have an electric only vehicle mode wherein the vehicle may occupy one of an active electric drive state and an inactive state. The heat pump system may include a thermal storage medium configured to store heat produced during the inactive state. The thermal storage medium may be a device which has a thermal capacity exchangeable with a fluid medium such as an Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) or a phase change material. The heat stored by the thermal storage medium during the vehicle charge event may be transmitted from the thermal storage medium to the passenger compartment via the heat pump system during the active electric drive state.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and assistance system for warning of an unauthorized access to a parked vehicle. The process includes a first step for providing a communication as to whether the vehicle is at least partially unlocked. In a second step, in the case of an affirmative communication, the transmission of the current location of the vehicle takes place. In a third step, a comparison is made between the current location with at least one predetermined home location. In a fourth step, in the case in which the current location does not correspond with at least one home location, a wireless transmission of a warning signal to a mobile unit is given. In a fifth step, following the receipt of the warning signal by the mobile unit, a warning that is perceptible optically and/or acoustically and/or haptically is undertaken.

Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint control module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A vacuum requesting module requests an amount of vacuum within an intake manifold of the engine. The setpoint module selectively adjusts at least one of the setpoints based on the amount of vacuum requested. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets.

Abstract: A cross-linkable polyolefin composition (polyethylene, polypropylene or an ethylene-propylene copolymer) is coextruded with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene to form two-layer separator membranes, or three-layer separator membranes, for lithium-ion battery cells. In three-layer separator membranes, the cross-linkable polyolefin is formed as the outer faces of the separator for placement against facing surfaces of cell electrodes. The polymer materials initially contain plasticizer oil, which is removed from the extruded membranes, and the extruded membranes are also stretched to obtain a suitable open pore structure in the layered membranes to provide for suitable infiltration with a liquid electrolyte. The cross-linked polyolefin layer provides strength at elevated temperatures and the lower-melting, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene layer provides the separator membrane with a thermal shutdown capability.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle including an internal combustion engine and a torque machine rotatably coupled to an input member of a transmission includes operating the vehicle in a coasting mode in response to a driver-requested axle torque and commanding engine operation in an unfueled state. A controller is employed to operate the torque machine to spin the input member to control the engine during a transition across a predetermined engine speed.

Abstract: A drain plug assembly that has particular application for sealing a drain hole in a battery compartment on a vehicle. The plug assembly includes a plug that inserted into the drain hole and a cover covering the plug. The plug assembly also includes a first shape memory alloy (SMA) wire having ends attached to the cover and a middle portion attached to the plug and a second SMA wire having ends attached to the cover and a middle portion attached to the plug. The plug assembly also includes a mechanical hinge attached to the plug and the cover, wherein the first SMA wire is actuated to flip the hinge to position the plug in a closed position to close the drain hole and the second SMA wire is actuated to flip the hinge to position the plug in an open position to open the drain hole.

Abstract: Methods for disambiguating the location of a radar contact using an N×M dimensioned radar array are provided. In the horizontal plane, the method comprises transmitting a first radar energy pattern in a direction, collecting reflected energy of the first radar energy pattern from the contact, transmitting a second radar energy pattern in the direction and collecting reflected energy of the second radar energy pattern from the contact. The method further comprises comparing the collected energy of the first radar energy pattern and the collected energy of the second radar energy pattern and determining if the contact is located in a side lobe or a main lobe of the first and second radar energy pattern based on the comparison. In the vertical plane, other similar embodiments may be used to determine if the radar antenna(s) are blocked by an obstacle.

Abstract: A battery enclosure comprising a support and a cover fabricated from a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer reinforced by at least a woven fabric reinforcement is described. In an embodiment the reinforcement is a woven glass fabric.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining an actuating value for a coolant pump or a control valve of a cooling system for an infernal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. In particular, a pre-control value for ascertaining the actuating value is determined in a first determination mode based on a prescribed first allocation as a function of an output variable of the infernal combustion engine and a temperature difference of a heat exchanger of the cooling system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting objects from a moving platform are provided. The method includes receiving, from a camera coupled to the moving platform, first and second image frames, wherein the second image frame is subsequent in time to the first image frame. Within the first image frame, a first target is defined characterizing the location of an object detected in the first image frame. A first score associated with the first target and a second score associated with the second target are determined, and a first predicted target is determined based on a tracking process applied to the first target. A third score associated with the first predicted target is determined. The method determines a merged target corresponding to the second target when the second score is greater than the third score and a proximity measure between the second target and the first predicted target is above a threshold.

Abstract: Methods for casting high strength, high ductility lightweight metal components are provided. The casting may be die-casting. A molten lightweight metal alloy is introduced into a cavity of a mold. The molten lightweight metal alloy is solidified and then a solid component is removed from the mold. The solid component is designed to have a thin wall. For example, the solid component has at least one dimension of less than or equal to about 2 mm. In this way, a chill zone microstructure is formed that extends across the at least one dimension of the solid lightweight metal alloy component. The solid component thus may be substantially free of dendritic microstructure formation, enabling more extensive alloy chemistries than previously possible during casting. Such methods may be used to form high strength, high ductility, and lightweight metal alloy vehicle components.

Abstract: A system includes a fluid pump, a hydraulic accumulator, and a controller. The controller calculates a reserve volume of the accumulator as a function of a component volume, leakage in the system, and a displacement of the pump, and executes a control action using the calculated reserve volume. The system may be a vehicle having input clutches and a dual clutch transmission (DCT) having gear forks. In such an embodiment, the accumulator and pump supply fluid pressure to the input clutches and gear forks in response to control signals from the controller. The controller executes a method that includes calculating the reserve volume of the accumulator as a function of a component volume, a volume of leakage in the system, and a displacement of the fluid pump. The method also includes executing a shift of the DCT using the calculated reserve volume.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method including applying a first ink comprising carbon over a substrate and drying the first ink to form a first electrode layer, applying a second ink including a second catalyst over the first electrode layer and drying the second ink to form a second electrode layer, and applying a third ink comprising an ionomer solution over the second electrode layer and drying the third ink to form an ionomer overcoat.