Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, an exhaust system including an exhaust passageway in fluid communication with the engine, an exhaust gas heat exchanger, a transmission having a transmission cooling system, a transmission heat exchanger, a heater core, a pump, and an engine coolant circuit. The engine coolant circuit provides fluid communication between the engine, the exhaust gas heat exchanger, the transmission heat exchanger, the heater core, and the pump. The exhaust gas heat exchanger is operatively connected to the exhaust system and configured to transfer heat between the engine coolant circuit and the exhaust system. The transmission heat exchanger is operatively connected to the transmission cooling system and configured to transfer heat between the engine coolant circuit and the transmission cooling system.

Abstract: A method of heating a cabin of a motor vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine operatively connected to an exhaust system having a catalyst, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The method includes detecting a request to increase temperature inside the cabin, supplying fuel and air to the engine, and motoring the engine to pump the fuel and air into the exhaust system. The method also includes heating the catalyst to combust the fuel and air inside the catalyst such that a stream of post-combustion exhaust gas is generated. The method additionally includes channeling the generated stream of post-combustion exhaust gas to the HVAC system such that a temperature of a coolant circulated through the HVAC system is increased to heat the cabin. A system configured to perform the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated method for diagnosing an EGHR having a coolant path, an exhaust path, a heat exchanger, and a valve. The coolant path passes through the heat exchanger and the valve selectively directs the exhaust path through the heat exchanger. The method includes monitoring an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the coolant path, determining an instantaneous coolant power from the monitored inlet temperature and outlet temperature, and integrating the instantaneous coolant power to determine a total energy recovered by the coolant path. The method monitors an instantaneous exhaust power, determines an instantaneous available EGHR power from the instantaneous exhaust power, and integrates the instantaneous available EGHR power to determine a nominal EGHR energy. A differential is calculated between the nominal EGHR energy and the total energy recovered by the coolant path. If the calculated differential is greater than an allowable tolerance, an EGHR error signal is sent.

Abstract: A multi-position actuator includes a solenoid selectively energized to extend a rod. The actuator also includes a push-lever pivotably mounted to the rod and a crank-arm rotatably mounted on a first axis. The crank-arm includes multiple engagement elements arranged on a diameter centered relative to the first axis, and also includes a projection. The push-lever engages one of the engagement elements to rotate the crank-arm about the first axis in a forward direction when the solenoid is energized. The actuator additionally includes a pivoting locking-lever that blocks rotation of the crank-arm in forward direction and a one-way-clutch that blocks rotation of the crank-arm in reverse direction when the solenoid is de-energized. Furthermore, the actuator includes a slider-box lever having first and second slots. The projection slidably engages the first slot. The second slot is engaged with and operates an external device when rotation of the crank-arm swings the slider-box lever.

Abstract: A system and method for using exhaust gas to heat and/or charge a battery for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The system and method use an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) device to heat a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid is thermally connected to a first heat exchanger to heat the battery and/or to a second heat exchanger to charge the battery if predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes increasing engine drag torque, transitioning from a cylinder deactivation state to an all-cylinder state, and decreasing engine drag torque immediately subsequent to transitioning to the all-cylinder state.

Abstract: An electronics housing for a high voltage system of a vehicle defines an interior region, and includes a connection header wall having a window. An optical proximity sensor is disposed within the interior region of the electronics housing, adjacent the window. A cover is removably attached to the electronics housing adjacent an exterior surface of the connection header wall. The cover is disposed over the window. The optical proximity sensor is operable to sense the presence of the cover through the window when the cover is attached to the electronics housing.

Abstract: A control module-implemented method for estimating an end of life a belt transferring torque between at least two rotating members of a belt drive system includes monitoring a plurality of belt parameters during a life cycle of the belt and determining an instantaneous damage factor of the belt based on the plurality of belt parameters. The end of life of the belt is estimated based on the instantaneous damage factor.

Abstract: A multi-position actuator includes a solenoid selectively energized to extend a rod. The actuator also includes a push-lever pivotably mounted to the rod and a crank-arm rotatably mounted on a first axis. The crank-arm includes multiple engagement elements arranged on a diameter centered relative to the first axis, and also includes a projection. The push-lever engages one of the engagement elements to rotate the crank-arm about the first axis in a forward direction when the solenoid is energized. The actuator additionally includes a pivoting locking-lever that blocks rotation of the crank-arm in forward direction and a one-way-clutch that blocks rotation of the crank-arm in reverse direction when the solenoid is de-energized. Furthermore, the actuator includes a slider-box lever having first and second slots. The projection slidably engages the first slot. The second slot is engaged with and operates an external device when rotation of the crank-arm swings the slider-box lever.

Abstract: A control module-implemented method for estimating an end of life a belt transferring torque between at least two rotating members of a belt drive system includes monitoring a plurality of belt parameters during a life cycle of the belt and determining an instantaneous damage factor of the belt based on the plurality of belt parameters. The end of life of the belt is estimated based on the instantaneous damage factor.

Abstract: Method to control a clutch device within a transmission selectively coupling an internal combustion engine to a driveline includes controlling slip of the clutch device in response to an engine autostart event. Controlling slip includes adjusting a commanded fill pressure to the clutch device to a first predetermined magnitude that exceeds a pressure threshold until the clutch device is filled, decreasing the commanded fill pressure from the first predetermined magnitude to a second predetermined magnitude below the pressure threshold, and adjusting the commanded fill pressure in accordance with a first ramping profile and in accordance with a subsequent second ramping profile when a transmission input speed achieves a desired first transmission input speed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is configured to execute autostop and autostart routines. The engine is controlled during execution of the autostop routine to decrease quantity of combustibles in cylinder charges and increase dilution of the cylinder charges with the engine operating in a fuel cutoff mode and to achieve a stopped engine position that minimizes likelihood of auto-ignition during a subsequent autostart event.

Abstract: Method for adjusting a state-of-charge within an electrical energy storage device of a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring a plurality of electrical energy storage device parameters and determining a discharge power capability of the electrical energy storage device based on the monitored plurality of electrical energy storage device parameters. If the discharge capability is less than a first threshold, a state-of charge adjustment mode is activated. The state-of-charge adjustment mode includes increasing a commanded state-of-charge to an elevated state-of-charge to increase the discharge capability to achieve the first threshold and maintaining the commanded state-of-charge at the elevated state-of-charge until the discharge capability achieves the first threshold.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes increasing engine drag torque, transitioning from a cylinder deactivation state to an all-cylinder state, and decreasing engine drag torque immediately subsequent to transitioning to the all-cylinder state.

Abstract: An automated method for diagnosing an EGHR having a coolant path, an exhaust path, a heat exchanger, and a valve. The coolant path passes through the heat exchanger and the valve selectively directs the exhaust path through the heat exchanger. The method includes monitoring an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the coolant path, determining an instantaneous coolant power from the monitored inlet temperature and outlet temperature, and integrating the instantaneous coolant power to determine a total energy recovered by the coolant path. The method monitors an instantaneous exhaust power, determines an instantaneous available EGHR power from the instantaneous exhaust power, and integrates the instantaneous available EGHR power to determine a nominal EGHR energy. A differential is calculated between the nominal EGHR energy and the total energy recovered by the coolant path. If the calculated differential is greater than an allowable tolerance, an EGHR error signal is sent.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine rotatably coupled via an input member to a transmission. The transmission has a hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic fluid pump directly mechanically coupled to the input member. A computer-implemented method for operating the powertrain system includes, in response to a command to execute an engine autostop maneuver, determining an engine speed ramping profile to achieve a desired stopped engine position. Hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit is controlled in response to the engine speed ramping profile and engine speed during said engine autostop maneuver.

Abstract: Method for adjusting a state-of-charge within an electrical energy storage device of a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring a plurality of electrical energy storage device parameters and determining a discharge power capability of the electrical energy storage device based on the monitored plurality of electrical energy storage device parameters. If the discharge capability is less than a first threshold, a state-of charge adjustment mode is activated. The state-of-charge adjustment mode includes increasing a commanded state-of-charge to an elevated state-of-charge to increase the discharge capability to achieve the first threshold and maintaining the commanded state-of-charge at the elevated state-of-charge until the discharge capability achieves the first threshold.

Abstract: An electronics housing for a high voltage system of a vehicle defines an interior region, and includes a connection header wall having a window. An optical proximity sensor is disposed within the interior region of the electronics housing, adjacent the window. A cover is removably attached to the electronics housing adjacent an exterior surface of the connection header wall. The cover is disposed over the window. The optical proximity sensor is operable to sense the presence of the cover through the window when the cover is attached to the electronics housing.

Abstract: Method to control a clutch device within a transmission selectively coupling an internal combustion engine to a driveline includes controlling slip of the clutch device in response to an engine autostart event. Controlling slip includes adjusting a commanded fill pressure to the clutch device to a first predetermined magnitude that exceeds a pressure threshold until the clutch device is filled, decreasing the commanded fill pressure from the first predetermined magnitude to a second predetermined magnitude below the pressure threshold, and adjusting the commanded fill pressure in accordance with a first ramping profile and in accordance with a subsequent second ramping profile when a transmission input speed achieves a desired first transmission input speed.

Abstract: A catalyst heating system includes a first monitoring module, a mode selection module and an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) control module. The first monitoring module monitors at least one of (i) a first temperature of a first catalyst of a catalyst assembly in an exhaust system of an engine and (ii) an active catalyst volume of the catalyst assembly. The mode selection module is configured to select an EHC heating mode and at least one of a fuel enrichment mode and a secondary air injection mode based on the at least one of the first temperature and the active catalyst volume. The EHC control module controls current to one of the first catalyst and a second catalyst of the catalyst assembly based on the mode signal.