Abstract: Controlling exhaust after-treatment in a heavy-duty motor vehicle includes operating a diesel engine of a heavy-duty truck such that the diesel engine generates an exhaust gas flow that enters an exhaust after-treatment system of the heavy-duty truck, the exhaust after-treatment system including a selective catalytic reduction system, measuring a level of NOx gases in the exhaust gas flow downstream of the selective catalytic reduction system, and controlling a diesel exhaust fluid injector upstream of the selective catalytic reduction system to inject diesel exhaust fluid into the exhaust gas flow upstream of the selective catalytic reduction system at an injection rate that is based on the measured level of NOx gases.

Abstract: A heavy-duty truck has a diesel engine, an exhaust after-treatment system, and an engine control unit. The exhaust after-treatment system includes a close-coupled selective catalytic reduction system and an underbody selective catalytic reduction system, a first NOx sensor upstream of the close-coupled selective catalytic reduction system, a second NOx sensor between the two selective catalytic reduction systems, and a third NOx sensor downstream of the underbody selective catalytic reduction system. The engine control unit may perform methods allowing intrusive diagnostics to be performed on exhaust gas NOx sensors using the selective catalytic reduction systems during normal operation of the heavy-duty truck.

Abstract: In some embodiments, techniques for updating a model that represents turning dynamics of a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, an initial location and orientation of the vehicle with respect to an object outside the vehicle are determined using information from environment sensors including but not limited to image sensors and/or range sensors. In some embodiments, vehicle state information including but not limited to steering angle and wheel speed is received before determining a new location and orientation of the vehicle with respect to the object. In some embodiments, the model is updated using the initial location and orientation, the new location and orientation, and the vehicle state information.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable storage media provide flexible vehicle status notifications via an instrument cluster displayed on an in-vehicle screen. In some examples, when a non-displayed gauge goes into an out-of-parameter or warning range, the gauge may be dynamically shown in the out-of-parameter or warning state in a container position assigned to the gauge in another display or in a dynamic container position in the instrument cluster. In some examples, a popup notification may be provided to inform the driver of a condition. When there are multiple notifications, they may be grouped into definable severity classifications and prioritized so that a notification determined to be a most important message at the time is presented to the driver in a notification zone central to a driver's field of vision on the instrument cluster that allows for reusing screen space for providing warning and information from a range of data sources.

Abstract: Exhaust systems are described. In examples, an exhaust flow path couples exhaust ports with one or more turbochargers of an engine. The exhaust flow path may have a portion flowing through a cylinder head (e.g., couplable to the exhaust ports) and a portion flowing through an exhaust manifold (couplable to the cylinder head and the turbocharger(s)). The flow paths may be shaped to reduce the sharpness of turns between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). For example, curves along the flow path may be less than 90 degrees or have a minimum curve radius, which may vary along the flow path. Additionally, at least two, independent flow paths may exist between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). The cross-sectional shape of any part of the flow path may be elliptical, including at inlets and outlets.

Abstract: An access panel at and on a cab step of a vehicle is provided for access to a compartment of the vehicle. In some instances, the access panel includes a tread portion and a riser portion such that the access panel has a substantially L-shape. A pair of hinge components are coupled to an internal surface of the access panel such that the access panel can be hingedly displaced between a closed position and an opened position. In the closed position, the access panel covers and protects the compartment within the vehicle, and in the opened position the access panel provides a user or mechanic access to the compartment. The compartment may contain wiring, batteries, gears, etc., that need to undergo routine maintenance, emergency fixes, or diagnostic tests.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable storage device are provided for providing a dynamic tachometer. Based on various signal inputs from a plurality of data sources, a tachometer may be dynamically modified to include visual information and assistance to the driver in relation to the vehicle's engine speed (i.e., revolution speed of the vehicle's crankshaft). The tachometer may include one or a combination of: dynamic shift point indicators, a target engine speed range indicator, an overspeed indicator, and a power take-off mode indicator.

Abstract: Aspects of systems, method, and computer-readable storage media are described herein that are configured to provide operator fleet performance benchmarking and analytics. A fleet analytics system may include user-friendly front end client application with which a non-technical user may interface, and a back end analytics and visualization system that is deployed on the cloud and offered as a service to determine a subset of ‘like operators’ to utilize as a baseline in a benchmark analysis, to benchmark a target operator's performance against the subset of like operators, determine analytics resulting from the benchmark analysis, and to generate visualizations of the analytics for display to the user/operator.

Abstract: Generally described, an articulated wheel fairing system for a vehicle having a steering system with a neutral steering input and a non-neutral steering input is provided. The articulated wheel fairing system provides clearance to the steer tire and wheel of the vehicle during non-neutral steering input, such as when the vehicle is turning at slower road speeds. The wheel fairing system generally includes an articulating fairing panel configured to cover at least a portion of the steer wheel, where the fairing panel movable from a first position adjacent to the steer wheel, such as when the vehicle is traveling at higher road speeds, to a second position outwardly from the first position. The wheel fairing system includes a mechanical linkage or actuator coupled to the fairing panel and the vehicle and configured to move the frame between the first position and the second position relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a wheel cover that is coupled to a wheel of a vehicle utilizing a mounting assembly that has a bearing block. A retainer assembly in combination with the bearing block of the mounting assembly allows the wheel cover to be coupled to the wheel in a manner such that the wheel cover does not rotate with the forward and backward rotation of the wheel when the vehicle is being driven. The wheel cover covers the wheel and partially covers a gap or space between a tire of the wheel and a fender of the vehicle, which increases the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. The retainer assembly provides at least one degree of freedom such that the wheel cover may move with the wheel when steering the vehicle in a leftward direction and a rightward direction.

Abstract: A modular exhaust subsystem for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine upstream of a base exhaust aftertreatment system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, and a first exhaust gas sensor and a first temperature sensor that are arranged to monitor the SCR catalyst. A reductant delivery system is arranged to inject a reductant upstream of the SCR catalyst. A controller is in communication with an engine-out exhaust gas sensor, a second exhaust gas sensor and a second temperature sensor that are arranged to monitor the base exhaust aftertreatment system. The controller controls the reductant delivery system to inject the reductant into the exhaust gas feedstream upstream of the SCR catalyst based upon inputs from the first and second exhaust gas sensors, the engine-out exhaust gas sensor, and the first and second temperature sensors.

Abstract: The present technology describes systems and methods for power coupling of a tractor-trailer system. The technology may include a robotic arm, an end effector, a coupling tool, and a tool resting rack. An electrical outlet on a trailer may be coupled with a tool under control of the end effector and positioning of the robotic arm. The end effector may include a housing, a motor, a clutch, and a drive shaft. A tool coupled to the end effector may include an electro-mechanical (EM) coupler. The EM coupler may include a housing, an electric plug, a lid lifter, a lead screw, and a servomotor.

Abstract: A configurable, modular vehicle on common chassis platform, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a configurable modular vehicle includes: a chassis, a power plant module configured to generate electrical energy, and a drive train module. The drive train module includes: at least one traction motor configured to receive electrical energy from the power plant module, a transmission configured to transfer torque from the traction motor to a drive axle, and the drive axle configured to transfer torque to drive wheels, and a control system module configured to control components of the power plant module and the drive train module. The interfaces of the power plant module and the drive train module are predefined, and different types of the power plant modules and the drive train modules are interchangeable within their respective predefined interfaces.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for determining an estimated ambient air temperature in an environment in which a vehicle is operating. The estimated ambient air temperature may be compared to an ambient temperature sensor value. The comparison may be used to determine whether an ambient air temperature sensor of the vehicle is functioning properly or if an error notification or fault code should be triggered.