Abstract: A fuel vapor recirculation system includes a filler neck adapted to receive a refueling nozzle that dispenses fuel into the filler neck. A fuel tank receives fuel from the filler neck through an inlet check valve. The check valve is disposed in the fuel inlet opening and is normally closed. The check valve opens when fuel is dispensed into the fuel tank. The check valve defines a vent hole that is always open. The fuel tank also includes a fuel limiting vent valve and a grade limit vent valve. A fuel vapor cannister collects fuel vapor and selectively supplies fuel vapor to an intake manifold of a vehicle. The fuel vapor recirculation manifold receives fuel vapor only from the fuel limiting vent valve and the grade limit vent valve in the fuel tank and does not receive fuel vapor directly from the filler neck.

Abstract: An apparatus in a host vehicle evaluates neighboring vehicles on a roadway for problems relating to braking performance. A plurality of remote sensors are configured to generate sensor data indicative of abnormalities of the brakes of the neighboring vehicles. A control circuit is configured to process the sensor data to identify a neighboring vehicle exhibiting an abnormality. A communication circuit wirelessly transmits a message to the neighboring vehicle conveying the abnormality. The host vehicle may include a driver assistance system responsive to the abnormality to initiate an evasive maneuver of the host vehicle in order to avoid a path of the neighboring vehicle which exhibits the abnormality.

Abstract: A fuel vapor recirculation system includes a filler neck adapted to receive a refueling nozzle that dispenses fuel into the filler neck. A fuel tank receives fuel from the filler neck through an inlet check valve. The check valve is disposed in the fuel inlet opening and is normally closed. The check valve opens when fuel is dispensed into the fuel tank. The check valve defines a vent hole that is always open. The fuel tank also includes a fuel limiting vent valve and a grade limit vent valve. A fuel vapor cannister collects fuel vapor and selectively supplies fuel vapor to an intake manifold of a vehicle. The fuel vapor recirculation manifold receives fuel vapor only from the fuel limiting vent valve and the grade limit vent valve in the fuel tank and does not receive fuel vapor directly from the filler neck.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for facilitating travel over a last leg of a journey. In one example embodiment, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) captures an image of an area to be traversed by an individual during the final leg of the journey. The image is evaluated to identify a hindrance that may be encountered by the individual in the area. A pre-emptive action may be taken to address the hindrance before reaching the area. The pre-emptive action, may, for example, include using the UAV and/or a terrestrial robot to assist the individual traverse the area. The assistance may be provided in various ways such as by use of the terrestrial robot to transport the individual and/or a personal item of the individual through the area, and/or by use of the UAV to provide instructions to guide the individual through the area.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system are disclosed for preventing fuel starvation in an off-road vehicle that may be operated on a severely inclined surface. A vehicle having a fuel tank for a fuel delivery module disposed in the fuel tank. A fuel pump assembly is disposed in the fuel tank and a slip ring joint is assembled to the fuel delivery module. One or more tubes are assembled to the slip ring joint that extends and retracts relative to the slip ring joint toward and away from the walls of the fuel tank. A remote fuel pick-up is assembled to the tube so that when the vehicle is operated on an inclined surface, the remote fuel pick-up is extended and rotates inside the fuel tank to move toward and away from an inner surface of the fuel tank and follows the fuel contained in the fuel tank.

Abstract: Theft deterrent systems and methods using onboard weight sensors are disclosed herein. An example method can include obtaining an image of a location where a scale is located in a vehicle, the scale being used for cargo weight measurement, determining from the image, when the location of the scale is located is empty, determining a weight value output by the scale, determining an offset for the scale when the weight value is greater than a weight threshold, and adjusting the scale using the offset to zero the scale.

Abstract: Theft deterrent systems and methods using onboard weight sensors are disclosed herein. An example method can include determining a key-off event of a vehicle, determining a baseline weight value from a scale placed in a location on a vehicle, determining a weight change relative to the baseline weight value that indicates that an object has been removed or added to the location, waking up a control module of the vehicle based on the weight change and activating a camera to obtain an image of an area around the location.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a malfunction in a vehicle air conditioner (A/C) drip valve receives a trigger signal to initiate a vehicle A/C drip valve diagnostic for a vehicle, obtains a first image of a target area at a first time when the target area is dry, obtains a second image of the target area after operation of a vehicle A/C at a second time after the first time, compares the first image to the second image to determine a presence or absence of condensate from the vehicle A/C, and determines whether the vehicle A/C drip valve is malfunctioning based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A fuel system, a vehicle, and a method of controlling an evaporative emissions system for the vehicle are provided. The fuel system has a fuel tank having a fuel fill port with a closure member. An evaporative emissions canister has a first port fluidly coupled to the fuel tank to receive vapor therefrom and a second port, with the canister positioned between an air intake for an engine and a vent to atmosphere. A filter or a second canister is supported by a bracket for movement between first and second positions, with the filter fluidly coupling the second port of the canister to the vent in the first position, and the filter spaced apart from and decoupled from the second port of the canister in the second position. The second port of the canister is in direct fluid communication with atmosphere when the filter is in the second position.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for determining and adjusting a parking position of a vehicle. In particular, the vehicle may determine a first parking space where the vehicle can move to a second parking space and exit the second parking space in a forward direction.

Abstract: A fuel system, a vehicle, and a method of controlling an evaporative emissions system for the vehicle are provided. The fuel system has a fuel tank having a fuel fill port with a closure member. An evaporative emissions canister has a first port fluidly coupled to the fuel tank to receive vapor therefrom and a second port, with the canister positioned between an air intake for an engine and a vent to atmosphere. A filter or a second canister is supported by a bracket for movement between first and second positions, with the filter fluidly coupling the second port of the canister to the vent in the first position, and the filter spaced apart from and decoupled from the second port of the canister in the second position. The second port of the canister is in direct fluid communication with atmosphere when the filter is in the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a fuel tank, a primary canister, a buffer canister, a purge valve, a check valve, and a controller. The fuel tank is configured to store fuel. The primary canister is configured to receive and store evaporated fuel from the fuel tank. The buffer canister is configured to receive and store the evaporated fuel from the fuel tank. The buffer canister is disposed between the primary canister and the engine. The purge valve is disposed between the buffer canister and the engine. The purge valve is configured to direct the evaporated fuel from the primary and buffer canisters to the engine when open. The check valve is disposed between the primary and buffer canisters and is configured to restrict backflow of the evaporated fuel from the buffer canister toward the primary canister. The controller is programmed to diagnose the operability of the check valve.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel tank, a primary canister, a secondary canister, a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, a heater, and a controller. The primary and secondary canisters are in fluid communication with the fuel tank and are configured to receive and store evaporated fuel from the fuel tank. The first valve is disposed between the fuel tank and the primary canister. The second valve is disposed between the secondary canister and ambient surroundings. The third valve is disposed between the primary canister and an engine. The heater is configured to heat the primary and secondary canisters. The controller is programmed to (i) activate the heater to heat the primary and secondary canisters and (ii) purge the evaporated fuel from the primary and secondary canisters after heating the primary and secondary canisters.

Abstract: A method for controlling a first vehicle includes receiving based on a vehicle parking spot locator request, a solar radiance dataset indicative of historic solar radiance at a first parking location of a localized vehicle parking region, and determining, based on the solar radiance dataset, that a predicted solar energy production at the first parking location is greater than any other prediction for available parking location in the parking region during the parking duration. The method includes determining, based on the solar radiance dataset, a first vehicle orientation at the first parking location. The first vehicle orientation provides a maximized probability of solar exposure during the parking duration. The method further includes causing the processor to position the first vehicle in the first parking location and the first vehicle orientation, and charging a first vehicle battery during the parking duration.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a first scenario in which a vehicle is operating from a plurality of scenarios, prompt an operator to activate an adaptive cruise control of the vehicle in response to a preference score for the first scenario being above a threshold, refrain from prompting the operator to activate the adaptive cruise control in response to the preference score for the first scenario being below the threshold, and activate the adaptive cruise control in response to receiving an input to activate the adaptive cruise control from the operator. The scenarios indicate at least one characteristic of a road on which the vehicle is traveling. The preference score indicates a preference of the operator for activating the adaptive cruise control in the first scenario.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for providing a display pertaining to a vehicle payload. An example method executed by a processor of a vehicle payload display system includes determining a weight of a payload placed upon the vehicle and displaying upon a ground surface outside the vehicle and/or upon a windshield of the vehicle, an image that provides an indication of the weight of the payload placed upon the vehicle. Another example method executed by the processor includes obtaining information about a laden weight of the vehicle, determining a weight difference between the laden weight and a payload capacity of the vehicle, determining, based on the weight difference, a payload margin available for loading the vehicle or an excess weight loaded upon the vehicle, and displaying the payload margin or the first excess weight upon a display surface that is viewable from outside the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive one or more parameters of a vehicle condition to be monitored, allocate an unreserved parameter identifier to each of the parameters, assign respective memory spaces to each of the allocated unreserved parameter identifiers, and store the parameters in the memory spaces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a computer programmed to actuate a plurality of drones to first establish one or more electrical connections therebetween and then to provide a jump start to a vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for lifting drones to a desired height before launching. In one exemplary embodiment, a drone elevator system includes a looped cable that is engaged to a pair of pulleys. A first pulley of the pair of pulleys is coupled to a lighter-than-air craft and the second pulley is attached to a motor. The lighter-than-air craft moves upwards so as to raise the first pulley skywards and place the looped cable at an angle with respect to the ground. The motor is then operated to rotate the second pulley for moving the looped cable. The cable includes a set of tethers each of which is used to tether a drone. Each tether includes an extension arm that prevents the tethered drone from making contact with the cable when being lifted. Each tethered drone can be launched after being lifted to a desired height.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for management of electrical resources for electric vehicles. A method may include receiving, by a vehicle, sensor data indicative of a first luminosity of a location, and determining that the first luminosity of the location exceeds a luminosity threshold. The method may include determining, based on the first luminosity exceeding the luminosity threshold, a second luminosity to apply to lights of the vehicle while the vehicle is at the location, the second luminosity greater than zero. The method may include applying the second luminosity to the lights while the vehicle is at the location.