Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a cutting rotor coupled to the frame, the cutting rotor configured to be lowered a selected distance into a first surface to define a depth of cut, the cutting rotor forming a cut surface; a sensor positioned to collect information regarding a quality of the cut surface behind the milling machine; and a controller coupled to the sensor to receive the information and configured to initiate an action to change the depth of cut in view of the information.

Abstract: A machine for roadwork can include a frame, a power source, and a milling rotor operatively connected to the power source and the frame. The machine can also include means for detecting obstacles around an exterior of the machine; and means for activating an obstacle-detection response. The obstacle-detection response can adjust at least one milling parameter, change at least one sensor that the machine uses to control at least one mil ling parameter, or override at least one system on the machine to prevent the machine from automatically adjusting any milling parameters.

Abstract: A machine for roadwork can include a frame, a power source, and a milling rotor operatively connected to the power source and the frame. The machine can also include means for detecting obstacles around an exterior of the machine; and means for activating an obstacle-detection response. The obstacle-detection response can adjust at least one milling parameter, change at least one sensor that the machine uses to control at least one mil ling parameter, or override at least one system on the machine to prevent the machine from automatically, adjusting any milling parameters.

Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a cutting rotor attached to the frame, the cutting rotor including a plurality of cutting bits positioned along a length of the cutting rotor; a plurality of temperature sensors positioned to determine a temperature proximate one or more of the plurality of cutting bits; a spray system coupled to the frame and including a spray bar having a plurality of nozzles configured to spray a cooling fluid on the cutting rotor; and a controller to receive the temperatures of the one or more cutting bits, the controller configured to determine whether more or less cooling fluid is needed for the cutting rotor based on the temperature proximate the one or more cutting bits.

Abstract: A method is provided for autonomously operating a vehicle. The method includes receiving vehicle state and vehicle environment data; determining that a vehicle position is not in a position for autonomous mode based on vehicle state and vehicle environment data, wherein the position is associated with a center of one lane of a roadway; enabling a steering assistance torque for a lane-centering operation concurrently within a pre-determined period of time of engagement of the autonomous mode for a vehicular operation; blending the steering assistance torque for assisting in vehicle guidance with a torque applied by the operator for the lane-centering operation with the autonomous mode of vehicular operation engaged; and executing enablement of the autonomous vehicular operation mode with the vehicle positioned within the center of one lane of the roadway as the operator is transitioned from a hands-on to a hands-off control of the vehicle.

Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a cutting rotor attached to the frame, the cutting rotor including a plurality of cutting bits positioned along a length of the cutting rotor; a plurality of temperature sensors positioned to determine a temperature proximate one or more of the plurality of cutting bits; a spray system coupled to the frame and including a spray bar having a plurality of nozzles configured to spray a cooling fluid on the cutting rotor; and a controller to receive the temperatures of the one or more cutting bits, the controller configured to determine whether more or less cooling fluid is needed for the cutting rotor based on the temperature proximate the one or more cutting bits.

Abstract: An automated lane change system for a motor vehicle includes one or more environmental sensors for generating an input signal indicative of a position of an object relative to the motor vehicle, with the object being disposed at a distance from the motor vehicle. The input signal is further indicative of a velocity of the object relative to the motor vehicle. The system further includes a steering wheel sensor generating a gripped signal, in response to a driver gripping a steering wheel. A controller generates an activation signal, in response to the controller receiving the input signal from the environmental sensor and the gripped signal from the steering wheel sensor. An actuator controls the steering wheel, a propulsion mechanism, and a braking mechanism for maneuvering the motor vehicle from a current driving lane to a target driving lane, in response to the actuator receiving the activation signal from the controller.

Abstract: An automated lane change system for a motor vehicle includes one or more environmental sensors for generating an input signal indicative of a position of an object relative to the motor vehicle, with the object being disposed at a distance from the motor vehicle. The input signal is further indicative of a velocity of the object relative to the motor vehicle. The system further includes a steering wheel sensor generating a gripped signal, in response to a driver gripping a steering wheel. A controller generates an activation signal, in response to the controller receiving the input signal from the environmental sensor and the gripped signal from the steering wheel sensor. An actuator controls the steering wheel, a propulsion mechanism, and a braking mechanism for maneuvering the motor vehicle from a current driving lane to a target driving lane, in response to the actuator receiving the activation signal from the controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods of performing adaptive control of an automated lane change in a vehicle include positioning a target vehicle with a target speed in a target lane at a target distance behind the vehicle. The target speed is greater than a speed of the vehicle, and the vehicle will move into the target lane based on the automated lane change. The method includes determining a deceleration needed by the target vehicle over a braking distance, which is less than the target distance, to match the speed of the vehicle, and determining whether the deceleration exceeds a threshold deceleration. The automated lane change is prohibited based on the deceleration exceeding the threshold deceleration.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for generating an action policy for controlling an autonomous vehicle. In particular, the method and apparatus include a memory operative to store a map data, a sensor operative to provide a location, a yaw rate sensor operative to measure a yaw rate, a processor for receiving the yaw rate, and a processor for determining a yaw rate calibration bias in response to the yaw rate, the location, and the map data, and a vehicle controller for controlling a vehicle in response to the yaw rate calibration bias.

Abstract: Systems and methods of performing adaptive control of an automated lane change in a vehicle include positioning a target vehicle with a target speed in a target lane at a target distance behind the vehicle. The target speed is greater than a speed of the vehicle, and the vehicle will move into the target lane based on the automated lane change. The method includes determining a deceleration needed by the target vehicle over a braking distance, which is less than the target distance, to match the speed of the vehicle, and determining whether the deceleration exceeds a threshold deceleration. The automated lane change is prohibited based on the deceleration exceeding the threshold deceleration.

Abstract: A control system for evaluating a brake booster system includes an engine evaluation module that detects an engine off condition. A pressure evaluation module, during the engine off condition, monitors hydraulic brake line pressure, detects a change in brake booster pressure, and determines a brake booster vacuum decay rate based on the change in brake booster pressure. A fault reporting module detects a brake booster system fault based on the brake line pressure and the brake booster vacuum decay rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing a jump-start without the use of external equipment. The apparatus comprises a first battery electrically coupled to a starter motor for an engine, the first battery providing power to start the engine; a second battery; a power converter electrically coupled to the first battery and electrically coupled to the second battery; and a controller communicatively coupled to the power converter. The controller may be configured to determine a low battery condition of the first battery such that the first battery has insufficient power to start the engine, and when the low battery condition occurs, to direct the power converter to supply power from the second battery to the first battery to thereby allow the engine to be started.

Abstract: A leak diagnostic system for a vehicle comprises a calculation module and a diagnostic enabling module. The calculation module calculates a decay rate of a brake booster vacuum. The diagnostic enabling module selectively enables the decay rate calculation based on mass airflow (MAF) into an engine and engine vacuum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing a jump-start without the use of external equipment. The apparatus comprises a first battery electrically coupled to a starter motor for an engine, the first battery providing power to start the engine; a second battery; a power converter electrically coupled to the first battery and electrically coupled to the second battery; and a controller communicatively coupled to the power converter. The controller may be configured to determine a low battery condition of the first battery such that the first battery has insufficient power to start the engine, and when the low battery condition occurs, to direct the power converter to supply power from the second battery to the first battery to thereby allow the engine to be started.

Abstract: A leak diagnostic system for a vehicle comprises a calculation module and a diagnostic enabling module. The calculation module calculates a decay rate of a brake booster vacuum. The diagnostic enabling module selectively enables the decay rate calculation based on mass airflow (MAF) into an engine and engine vacuum.

Abstract: A control system for evaluating a brake booster system includes an engine evaluation module that detects an engine off condition. A pressure evaluation module, during the engine off condition, monitors hydraulic brake line pressure, detects a change in brake booster pressure, and determines a brake booster vacuum decay rate based on the change in brake booster pressure. A fault reporting module detects a brake booster system fault based on the brake line pressure and the brake booster vacuum decay rate.

Abstract: An improved lead screw actuator for use in applications including power vehicle windows is provided that significantly reduces the amount of machining that must be performed on the lead screw to enable secure attachment of a gear or pulley. The lead screw has a plurality of threads on its outer annular surface and a first and second axially spaced circumferential groove. A gear or pulley disposed about the lead screw has a female thread formed into an inner annular surface that is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of threads of the lead screw between the first and second grooves. A pair of rings are disposed within the first and second grooves in order to restrict axial movement of the gear or pulley on the lead screw.

Abstract: A sliding window panel assembly for a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a stationary window panel having an opening formed therein, at least one guide rail coupled to the stationary window panel below the opening and above a bottom edge of the stationary window panel, a shoe slidably received within the guide rail and configured to slidably move within the guide rail, a movable window panel mounted onto the shoe such that the movable window panel slidably moves with the shoe. The movable window panel can slidably move with respect to the stationary panel along a movable panel path. The lead screw drive unit engages the shoe and is adapted to move the shoe and the movable panel along the movable panel path within the guide rail.

Abstract: A sliding window panel assembly for a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a stationary window panel having an opening formed therein, at least one guide rail coupled to the stationary window panel below the opening and above a bottom edge of the stationary window panel, a shoe slidably received within the guide rail and configured to slidably move within the guide rail, a movable window panel mounted onto the shoe such that the movable window panel slidably moves with the shoe. The movable window panel can slidably move with respect to the stationary panel along a movable panel path. The lead screw drive unit engages the shoe and is adapted to move the shoe and the movable panel along the movable panel path within the guide rail.