Abstract: A method for diagnosing a park function in a vehicle including a plurality of in-wheel motors each including first and second planetary gear sets includes, at a computing device, selectively engaging each of the first and second planetary gear sets in each of the plurality of in-wheel motors to place each of the in-wheel motors into a park state, engaging respective locking mechanisms of each of the in-wheel motors, when each of the first and second planetary gear sets is engaged and the respective locking mechanisms are engaged, determining whether a corresponding one of the in-wheel motors maintains the park state, and operating the vehicle in a selected one of a plurality of operating modes based on the determination of whether the corresponding one of the in-wheel motors maintained the park state.

Abstract: An assembly (8) for a central tire inflation system includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing defines a fluid conduit disposed through the first and second ends. The assembly also includes one or more sensors (205, 210) having a portion disposed in the fluid conduit. Further, a power source (245) is in electrical communication with the sensor. The assembly additionally includes a kinetic energy device (220) in electrical communication with the power source. The kinetic energy device may comprise a magnet (255) sliding on a guide (265). As an alternative, the kinetic energy device may comprise a turbine (275).

Abstract: An assembly (8) for a central tire inflation system includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing defines a fluid conduit disposed through the first and second ends. The assembly also includes one or more sensors (205, 210) having a portion disposed in the fluid conduit. Further, a power source (245) is in electrical communication with the sensor. The assembly additionally includes a kinetic energy device (220) in electrical communication with the power source. The kinetic energy device may comprise a magnet (255) sliding on a guide (265). As an alternative, the kinetic energy device may comprise a turbine (275).

Abstract: A method and system for latching a solenoid. The method includes providing an axle disconnect system having an actuator with an electromagnetic coil, a housing, an armature, and a rotatable and axially slidable slide ring. The electromagnetic coil may then energized creating a magnetic flux through a magnetic circuit thereby causing the armature to move from a first to a second axial position where the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit is uninterrupted. Once the electromagnetic coil has been energized, it is de-energized thereby allowing an amount of residual magnetism within the housing and/or the armature to maintain the armature in the second axial position. The armature is maintained in the second axial position by the magnetic flux of the magnetic circuit being uninterrupted.

Abstract: A method and system for latching a solenoid. The method includes providing an axle disconnect system having an actuator with an electromagnetic coil, a housing, an armature, and a rotatable and axially slidable slide ring. The electromagnetic coil may then energized creating a magnetic flux through a magnetic circuit thereby causing the armature to move from a first to a second axial position where the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit is uninterrupted. Once the electromagnetic coil has been energized, it is de-energized thereby allowing an amount of residual magnetism within the housing and/or the armature to maintain the armature in the second axial position. The armature is maintained in the second axial position by the magnetic flux of the magnetic circuit being uninterrupted.

Abstract: An axle disconnect system including an actuator having an energizable coil in an overmold that is at least partially surrounded by a coil housing. An armature is in sliding engagement with the housing such that the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit is uninterrupted. Disposed between one of (i) the housing or armature and (ii) a sliding collar is a slide ring. The sliding collar is located directly radially inward from the slide ring. A first end portion of the sliding collar has a set of axially extending teeth. Radially inward from the first end portion of the sliding collar is a return spring groove having a return spring. An outer surface of a second end portion of an output gear has a set of axially extending teeth that are selectively engageable with the teeth on the first end portion of the sliding collar.

Abstract: A tire condition telematics system. The system includes a vehicle having an onboard computer and one or more wheel assemblies with one or more tires with a tire tread. A prediction as to when said tire tread will fall below a minimum tread depth in performed. The prediction is based on an amount of distance said wheel assemblies experience said wheel slip condition, a distance said wheel assemblies drive over said one or more road materials, a distance said wheel assemblies drive in rain and snow, a distance one or more loads are on said vehicle.

Abstract: A method of providing road and vehicle diagnostics, includes providing a vehicle axle system having a first axle half shaft housing, a second axle half shaft housing and a differential housing. Attached to one or more of the housings is one or more tri-axis accelerometers. In communication with the accelerometers is one or more data processors configured to receive and analyze data from the accelerometers. An occurrence of one or more road events is determined by one or more spikes in the Z-direction of the data collected from the accelerometers. A depth of the road event is determined by a magnitude of the positive and negative changes in acceleration of the spike in the Z-direction and a length of road event is determined by an amount of time between two spikes of opposite magnitudes in said Z-direction. Once identified, the time and geographic location of the road event is identified.

Abstract: A method of providing road and vehicle diagnostics. The method includes providing a vehicle axle system having a first axle half shaft housing, a second axle half shaft housing and a differential housing. Attached one or more of said housings is one or more tri-axis accelerometers. In communication with the accelerometers is one or more data processors operably configured to receive and analyze data from the accelerometers. An occurrence of one or more road events is determined by one or more spikes in the Z-direction of said data collected from said accelerometers. A depth of the road event is determined by a magnitude of said positive and negative changes in acceleration of said spike in said Z-direction and a length of road event is determined by a span of said one or more spikes in said Z-direction. Once the road event is identified the time and geographic location of the road event is identified.

Abstract: A tire condition telemetrics system. The system includes a vehicle having an onboard computer and one or more wheel assemblies with one or more tires with a tire tread. A prediction as to when said tire tread will fall below a minimum tread depth in performed. The prediction is based on an amount of distance said wheel assemblies experience said wheel slip condition, a distance said wheel assemblies drive over said one or more road materials, a distance said wheel assemblies drive in rain and snow, a distance one or more loads are on said vehicle, an amount of braking force applied by one or more braking systems to said wheel assemblies and a speed of said vehicle when said braking force is applied.

Abstract: A method of repairing a tire includes providing a tire. The tire has a tire pressure. It is determined if the tire pressure is below a target tire pressure. If the tire pressure is below the target tire pressure a first flow of pressurized air is directed to the tire. It is determined if the tire is torn or punctured. If it is determined that the tire is torn or punctured, a signal is sent to a heating element to produce heat energy. The heat energy is transferred to a second flow of pressurized air. The heated, second flow of pressurized air is directed to the tire.

Abstract: An axle disconnect system including an actuator having an energizable coil in an overmold that is at least partially surrounded by a coil housing. An armature is in sliding engagement with the housing such that the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit is uninterrupted. Disposed between one of (i) the housing or armature and (ii) a sliding collar is a slide ring. The sliding collar is located directly radially inward from the slide ring. A first end portion of the sliding collar has a set of axially extending teeth. Radially inward from the first end portion of the sliding collar is a return spring groove having a return spring. An outer surface of a second end portion of an output gear has a set of axially extending teeth that are selectively engageable with the teeth on the first end portion of the sliding collar.

Abstract: A method for shifting tandem axle loads on a vehicle including an air suspension circuit having a three way valve, a first air spring connected between a drive axle of a tandem and a vehicle frame and a second air spring connected between a tag axle of the tandem and the vehicle frame. A diameter of the first air spring is larger than a diameter of the second air spring. The system also has an air supply, a first fluid line connected between a port one of the three way valve and the first air spring and a second fluid line connected between a port three of the three way valve and the second air spring.

Abstract: A method for shifting tandem axle loads on a vehicle including an air suspension circuit having a three way valve, a first air spring connected between a drive axle of a tandem and a vehicle frame and a second air spring connected between a tag axle of the tandem and the vehicle frame. A diameter of the first air spring is larger than a diameter of the second air spring. The system also has an air supply, a first fluid line connected between a port one of the three way valve and the first air spring and a second fluid line connected between a port three of the three way valve and the second air spring.

Abstract: A power charging assembly and methods are provided to provide a pre-charge low-current state, a steady-state, high-current charging state, and an unconnect state for an electrical load of an electrical propulsion system in a hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV). The power charging assembly includes a positive contactor device, a negative contactor device, and a non-contactor device means. The rate at which that electrical load is pre-charged may be effectively controlled by using a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal received by the non-contactor device means. A current-only carrying positive or negative contactor may be configured with the non-contactor device means to further prevent electrical arcing of the contacts of the positive and the negative contactor during power charging assembly operation.

Abstract: A power charging assembly and methods are provided to provide a pre-charge low-current state, a steady-state, high-current charging state, and an unconnect state for an electrical load of an electrical propulsion system in a hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV). The power charging assembly includes a positive contactor device, a negative contactor device, and a non-contactor device means. The rate at which that electrical load is pre-charged may be effectively controlled by using a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal received by the non-contactor device means. A current-only carrying positive or negative contactor may be configured with the non-contactor device means to further prevent electrical arcing of the contacts of the positive and the negative contactor during power charging assembly operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely controlling multiple control functions from a single remote entry device has a plurality of unique device transmission codes stored in the memory of the remote entry device. Each code is selectable to enable a single remote entry device to remotely control functions in a plurality of different devices, such as vehicles.

Abstract: A potential collision is predicted by comparing estimates of the time-to-brake (TTB) and the time-to-turn (TTT) of a host vehicle with a computed time-to-collision (TTC). The collision is deemed to be unavoidable when the smaller of TTB and TTT is greater than TTC. The TTT estimate is based in part on the lateral acceleration capability of the vehicle, and the lateral acceleration is initialized to a low value corresponding to its instantaneous capability, and is set incrementally higher than the actual lateral acceleration when the driver initiates evasive turning. The TTT and TTB estimates are increased by the time required to pre-charge the vehicle brakes so that brake pre-charging can be automatically initiated when required to optimize collision mitigation due to braking.

Abstract: An immobilizer monitors the ignition status of a motor vehicle, in a low power sleep mode or while performing other tasks, and is responsive to a change in ignition status between an off state and an on state to become active from the sleep mode or to interrupt the other tasks. If the change is to an on state, the immobilizer initiates ignition control module interrogation of an ignition control module to check for a valid key in the ignition, authorizes or prevents engine operation according to the result and returns to the sleep mode when finished. If the change is to the off state, the immobilizer again initiates ignition control module interrogation of the ignition control module to check for a valid key in the ignition and sets a key in status datum true or false according to the result. Either the immobilizer itself or a separate body computer responsive to the key in status datum provides a key in ignition warning when a key in status datum of true is detected simultaneously with an open driver door.

Abstract: An immobilizer monitors the ignition status of a motor vehicle, in a low power sleep mode or while performing other tasks, and is responsive to a change in ignition status between an off state and an on state to become active from the sleep mode or to interrupt the other tasks. If the change is to an on state, the immobilizer initiates ignition control module interrogation of an ignition control module to check for a valid key in the ignition, authorizes or prevents engine operation according to the result and returns to the sleep mode when finished. If the change is to the off state, the immobilizer again initiates ignition control module interrogation of the ignition control module to check for a valid key in the ignition and sets a key in status datum true or false according to the result. Either the immobilizer itself or a separate body computer responsive to the key in status datum provides a key in ignition warning when a key in status datum of true is detected simultaneously with an open driver door.