Abstract: A method mitigates an unintended lateral motion (ULM) event of a motor vehicle having a powertrain system with multiple propulsion actuators. The method, which may be recorded on a computer readable storage medium and executed therefrom by a processor, includes identifying, via an electronic controller of the motor vehicle, a present dynamic operating region at an onset of the ULM event as a linear or non-linear operating region. Lateral motion includes lateral acceleration and/or lateral yaw of the motor vehicle. The method also includes determining whether the lateral motion exceeds calibrated lateral dynamic limits for the particular operating region, and executing a powertrain control action in different manners depending on whether the ULM event occurs in the non-linear or linear operating region. The powertrain control action includes changing a dynamic speed state of at least one of the propulsion actuators.

Abstract: Presented herein are adaptive power assist systems for manually-powered vehicles, methods for operating such systems, and motor-assisted, operator-powered vehicles equipped with such systems. A method for regulating a power assist system includes a vehicle controller receiving torque sensor data indicative of user-generated torque input. The vehicle controller then determines: if the torque input is less than a commanded motor torque generated by a tractive motor; and, if a calibrated motor decay time of the tractive motor is less than a scaled cadence time of the user's cadence speed. Responsive to both determinations being positive, the vehicle controller calculates a torque decay factor based on the current cadence speed, and modifies the commanded motor torque based on this calculated torque decay factor. The vehicle controller then transmits command signals to the tractive motor to output a modulated motor torque according to the modified commanded motor torque.

Abstract: Presented herein are adaptive power assist systems for manually-powered vehicles, methods for operating/constructing such systems, and motor-assisted, operator-powered vehicles with input torque filtering for adaptive power assist operations. A method for regulating a power assist system includes a vehicle controller receiving torque sensor data indicative of user-generated torque input. The vehicle controller then determines: if the torque input is less than a commanded motor torque generated by a tractive motor; and, if a calibrated motor decay time of the tractive motor is less than a scaled cadence time of the user's cadence speed. Responsive to both determinations being positive, the vehicle controller calculates a torque decay factor based on the current cadence speed, and modifies the commanded motor torque based on this calculated torque decay factor.

Abstract: A torque request module determines a torque request for an engine based on a driver input. A cylinder control module determines a target fraction of a total number of cylinders of the engine to be activated based on the torque request. An air fuel imbalance (AFIM) module selectively commands that the cylinder control module set the target fraction based on a predetermined fraction of the total number of cylinders of the engine to be activated. The cylinder control module further: sets the target fraction based on the predetermined fraction in response to the command; and activates and deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders of the engine based on the target fraction. The AFIM module further, while the target firing fraction is set based on the predetermined fraction, selectively diagnoses the presence of an AFIM fault based on samples of a signal from an oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A torque request module determines a torque request for an engine based on a driver input. A cylinder control module determines a target fraction of a total number of cylinders of the engine to be activated based on the torque request. An air fuel imbalance (AFIM) module selectively commands that the cylinder control module set the target fraction based on a predetermined fraction of the total number of cylinders of the engine to be activated. The cylinder control module further: sets the target fraction based on the predetermined fraction in response to the command; and activates and deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders of the engine based on the target fraction. The AFIM module further, while the target firing fraction is set based on the predetermined fraction, selectively diagnoses the presence of an AFIM fault based on samples of a signal from an oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A system comprises a post oxygen performance diagnostic (POPD) module that performs a POPD of a post oxygen sensor, wherein the POPD includes a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) portion. A torque converter control module adjusts operation of a torque converter clutch (TCC). The POPD module and the torque converter control module operate the TCC to control engine speed above a predetermined engine speed during the DFCO portion of the POPD. A method comprises performing a POPD of a post oxygen sensor, wherein the POPD includes a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) portion and adjusting operation of a torque converter clutch (TCC) to control engine speed above a predetermined engine speed during the DFCO portion of the POPD.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for an engine includes an oxygen detection module, a timing module and a control module. The oxygen detection module receives an oxygen signal from an oxygen sensor that detects an oxygen level in an exhaust system of the engine. The oxygen signal has N rich states and M lean states, where N and M are integers greater than or equal to 1. The timing module determines a rich period that the oxygen signal is in at least one of the N rich states and determines a lean period that the oxygen signal is in at least one of the M lean states. The control module detects an asymmetrical error with the oxygen sensor based on a comparison between the rich period and the lean period.

Abstract: A fuel level monitoring system for a fuel system having a primary fuel tank and a secondary fuel tank includes a fuel level sensor that is disposed within the secondary fuel tank and that generates a first signal. An empty switch is disposed within the secondary fuel tank and generates a second signal. A control module determines a condition of one of the fuel level sensor and the empty switch based on the first signal, the second signal and a plurality of signal thresholds.

Abstract: A system comprises a post oxygen performance diagnostic (POPD) module that performs a POPD of a post oxygen sensor, wherein the POPD includes a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) portion. A torque converter control module adjusts operation of a torque converter clutch (TCC). The POPD module and the torque converter control module operate the TCC to control engine speed above a predetermined engine speed during the DFCO portion of the POPD. A method comprises performing a POPD of a post oxygen sensor, wherein the POPD includes a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) portion and adjusting operation of a torque converter clutch (TCC) to control engine speed above a predetermined engine speed during the DFCO portion of the POPD.

Abstract: A fuel level monitoring system for a fuel system having a primary fuel tank and a secondary fuel tank includes a fuel level sensor that is disposed within the secondary fuel tank and that generates a first signal. An empty switch is disposed within the secondary fuel tank and generates a second signal. A control module determines a condition of one of the fuel level sensor and the empty switch based on the first signal, the second signal and a plurality of signal thresholds.

Abstract: A cylinder misfire control system for a displacement on demand (DOD) engine that is operable in an activated mode and a deactivated mode includes a sensor that is responsive to rotation of a crankshaft of the engine and a first module that calculates a time derivative based on a first time period associated with a first deactivated cylinder and a second time period associated with a second deactivated cylinder. The first and second time periods are based on the rotation of the crankshaft. A second module detects a misfire occurrence in an activated cylinder based on the time period derivative.