Abstract: A dual path fuel vapor purge system is disclosed for an engine having a turbocharger or a super. The purge system includes a canister configured to collect fuel vapor from a fuel tank. A canister purge valve is provided downstream from the canister. An ejector valve receives fuel vapors from the canister through the canister purge valve. A first vapor purge path directs the fuel vapor to an intake manifold of the engine. A second vapor purge path directs fuel vapor to an air induction system. A check valve downstream from the ejector valve receives the fuel vapor from the ejector and supplies the fuel vapor to the air induction system. Boost flow opens the check valve when the air induction system is in operation to boost the engine and closes the check valve when the engine is in operation with normal aspiration or when a leak is detected.

Abstract: A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

Abstract: A first controller receives a diagnostic recommendation from a cloud server. A second controller, in communication with the first controller over a vehicle bus, responsive to occurrence of a vehicle condition triggering execution of an on-board diagnostic (OBD) monitor, suspends the execution of the OBD monitor while the vehicle is within a region specified by the diagnostic recommendation. Locations in diagnostic result data are correlated to identify clusters of locations that include at least a predetermined number of executions of an on-board diagnostic (OBD) monitor. Responsive to a predicted probability of success of execution of the OBD monitor for one of the clusters of locations computed using the diagnostic result data being below an enablement threshold, a message is sent to a vehicle suspending further executions of the OBD monitor at the location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for increasing an efficiency of an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle by adjusting a purge flow in response to a predicted vapor slug. In one example, a method for an engine of a vehicle includes, upon approaching a location of a predicted vapor slug, ramping down a purge flow rate from a fuel vapor canister to an engine intake, the location of the predicted vapor slug inferred based on communication of the vehicle with one or more other vehicles and/or a network cloud.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing emissions and improving fuel economy for vehicles participating in car-sharing models. In one example, a method comprises while a vehicle is stationary with an engine deactivated, actively raising a temperature of an exhaust catalyst positioned in an exhaust system of the engine to maintain the temperature of the exhaust catalyst above a threshold temperature until a subsequent request for engine torque to propel the vehicle is requested. In this way, cold-starts of engines for vehicles participating in car-sharing models may occur less frequently, and accordingly release of undesired emissions to the environment may be reduced.

Abstract: Electric vehicles arriving at a charging station transmit their state of charge, capacity, and departure time to a computer system. Vehicles are sorted into tiers according to departure time and sorted within tiers according to charging time based on state of charge and capacity. The vehicles are then assigned to queues according to the tiers and ordering within tiers such that vehicles with sooner departure times and shorter charge times are given priority. Where there are multiple queues, vehicles with a shorter charge time may be assigned to a first queue while remaining vehicles are assigned to one or more other queues. Charging stations may have different capacity and vehicles with higher priority according to sooner departure time and shorter charging time may be assigned to faster chargers.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a generator for supplying power to a load; and one or more controllers, programmed to responsive to detecting a fuel level reaching a predefined critical value, stop the generator and instruct a second vehicle to start to generate power, the vehicle serving as a pass-through conduit between the load and the second vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting diagnostics to indicate whether a fuel system and/or an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle has a source of undesired evaporative emissions, or not. A method comprises conducting such a diagnostic via evacuating the fuel system to a target vacuum, then sealing the fuel system from atmosphere and monitoring a pressure bleed-up in the fuel system, and dynamically adjusting a pressure bleed-up threshold responsive to one or more conditions that impact the pressure bleed-up during the diagnostic, and indicating undesired evaporative emissions responsive to the pressure bleed-up reaching the adjusted pressure bleed-up threshold. In this way, interpretation of the results of such a diagnostic may be more robust, completion rates may improve, and engine operation may be improved.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting remote refueling events of a passenger vehicle, and for coordinating said remote refueling events with a fuel tank fill level prior to the remote refueling event, a loading state of a fuel vapor storage device, and current and predicted fuel tank pressure. In one example, an amount of fuel that can be added to the fuel tank without overwhelming a capacity of the fuel vapor storage device is increased responsive to scheduling the remote refueling event to take place at a time when the fuel tank is at a negative pressure, thus resulting in partial purge of the fuel vapor storage device prior to commencing refueling. In this way, environmentally friendly refueling events may be enabled, thus reducing the potential for undesired evaporative emissions during refueling events.

Abstract: Multiple display infotainment systems in vehicles provide various options for drivers and passengers to interact with elements on the multiple displays. Techniques include accessing historical driver information that includes previous or typical driver preferences and actions while operating the vehicle. Driving context information and driver state information are received describing the conditions in and around the vehicle. When a signal indicates that an interactive element should be presented to the driver or a passenger, an adaptive rule-based system uses the contextual information and previous history to determine a score for each interaction element. The score and they type of interaction required by the element are then used to determine a location on the multiple displays for presenting the interactive element.

Abstract: A quick connect fitting for coupling a first component of an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle to a second component of the evaporative emissions system is provided. In one example, the quick connect fitting includes an indicator section that includes a color-changing material that changes color based on an extent of deformation of the color-changing material, where secure coupling of the first component to the second component is dependent on the extent of deformation. In this way, it may be readily determined as to whether a particular quick connect fitting is securely connected, which may improve engine operation, reduce undesired emissions, and reduce warranty rates.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fuel system of a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a system may include a fuel tank selectively fluidly coupled to a fuel vapor canister via a first conduit that includes a fuel tank isolation valve and via a second conduit that includes a tank pressure control valve and a pump. In one example, the pump is a vacuum pump.

Abstract: A drone control method is provided. The method may be responsive to drone recharge energy cost being greater than a predefined threshold and include commanding a processor of the drone to execute actions that preclude the drone from recharging. The method may also be responsive to drone charge level falling below a charge threshold selected only while the drone recharge energy cost exceeds the predefined threshold and include commanding the processor to execute actions to recharge the drone.

Abstract: A vehicle system and a method of controlling the system are provided. A second check valve is positioned between and fluidly connects a canister purge valve and an ejector. A controller closes the canister purge valve and controls an electrically driven compressor to open the second check valve to remove moisture and reduce stiction after vehicle key off and during a cold soak. A vehicle system is provided with a controller to open the canister purge valve during one of a plurality of boost events associated with a vehicle driving state to open the second check valve, and open the canister purge valve in response to a subsequent one of the plurality of boost events to open the second check valve and evacuate the canister.

Abstract: Methods and system are provided for indicating whether a variable orifice valve positioned in a fuel vapor recovery line of a vehicle fuel system is degraded. In one example, a method may include actively manipulating a pressure in the fuel system during a refueling event, and indicating whether the variable orifice valve is degraded based on a loading rage of a fuel vapor storage canister with fuel vapors while the pressure is actively manipulated. In this way, it may be determined as to whether the variable orifice valve is stuck in a high-flow or a low-flow position such that mitigating action may be taken to reduce or avoid release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a source of degradation stemming from a vehicle fuel system during a refueling event. Specifically, in one example a method may include responsive to a refueling lock that enables access to a fuel tank of a fuel system being manually unlocked in order to add fuel to the fuel tank, monitoring a pressure in the fuel system and a fuel level in the fuel tank during refueling the fuel tank, and indicating degradation of the fuel system as a function of both the pressure and the fuel level. In this way, fuel system degradation may be pinpointed during a refueling event that is enabled via manual unlocking of the refueling lock.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel vapor storage canister purging operations for vehicles with dual-path purge systems. In one example, a method may include purging fuel vapors from a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine of a vehicle via a single path, and in response to an unmetered increase in a concentration of the fuel vapors being purged to the engine via the single path, switching the fuel vapors to be purged to the engine via two paths simultaneously. In this way, fuel vapors may be distributed in time along the two paths, which may lower an effective concentration of fuel vapors entering the engine and may thereby avoid degradation of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pinpointing a restriction in a vehicle evaporative emissions system which may adversely impact refueling and/or fuel vapor canister purging operations. In one example a method comprises conducting a diagnostic to identify a location of a restriction based on a rise time at which a pressure in a fuel system of a vehicle rises to a threshold pressure during a refueling event where fuel is added to the fuel system. In this way, a location of the restriction may be identified so as to enable appropriate mitigating action to be taken.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for reducing anxiety in an occupant of a vehicle. In one exemplary method, a computer that is provided in a vehicle receives from a source such as a server computer, information that is used to determine a behavioral profile of an occupant of the vehicle. The computer utilizes the behavioral profile to identify a behavior characteristic of the occupant. The behavior characteristic is matched by the computer to one of various behavior categories such as an amaxophobia sufferer category or a controlling personality category. The computer then executes one or more operations in the vehicle based on the behavior category to which the occupant belongs. If the occupant belongs to the amaxophobia sufferer category, the computer may, for example, play an audio track, display a video clip, and/or change a driving characteristic of the vehicle.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel tank having a vent passageway, a valve coupled to the vent passageway, and a controller to close the valve if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are not electrically coupled during the vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation.