Abstract: Cable slack control systems for controlling cable slack and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a cable slack control system includes two sliding carriage assemblies that can slide toward or away from one another, and biasing members disposed in between the sliding carriage assemblies. Each sliding carriage assembly can include a plurality of pullies that each receive a portion of a cable extending through the cable slack control system. When the cable is pulled out of the system, the tension in the cable causes the sliding carriage assemblies to slide toward one another and the biasing members to compress, letting cable out of the cable slack control system. When tension in the cable is released, producing cable slack, the biasing members push the sliding carriage assemblies away from one another, drawing cable into the cable slack control system.

Abstract: Engines fuelled with gaseous fuel stored in liquefied form comprise different strategies and controls for managing gaseous fuel compared to other systems, previously resulting in an ad hoc arrangements of controllers. An engine control apparatus comprises an internal combustion engine fuelled with a gaseous fuel stored in liquefied form and a control unit programmed with a fuel system module, for monitoring gaseous fuel pressure and actuating a fuel injection apparatus for introducing gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber, and a liquefied gaseous fuel module, for monitoring the quantity of liquefied gaseous fuel remaining in a storage vessel and controlling a pumping apparatus that pumps liquefied gaseous fuel from the storage vessel to a vaporizer. The fuel system control module and the liquefied gaseous fuel control module cooperate to introduce gaseous fuel in the combustion chamber at a predetermined pressure as a function of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: Volumetric efficiency is reduced in a premixed gaseous fuel engine compared to a premixed liquid fuel engine. An improved method for operating an internal combustion engine and improving volumetric efficiency comprises storing a gaseous fuel in a liquid state; determining a load on the internal combustion engine as a function of engine operating conditions; determining a target temperature for the gaseous fuel that reduces the likelihood of pre-ignition and knock as a function of the load; and controlling the amount of heat transferred to the gaseous fuel to convert it to one of a gas state and a supercritical state, such that the gaseous fuel is introduced into the internal combustion engine at the target temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling a gear ratio in an automatic transmission of a vehicle. The method includes detecting a desired engine braking condition associated with the vehicle. Once the engine braking condition is determined, a decay factor is determined for reducing the gear ratio of the transmission. The decay factor maintains the gear ratio for a delayed period of time before gradually reducing the gear ratio over time. After determining the decay factor, the gear ratio of the transmission is controlled in accordance with the decay factor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a rate of change of speed ratios in a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes sensing a vehicle speed, sensing an engine speed, and sensing a change in a position of an accelerator pedal. The method includes determining a desired engine speed based on said change in said position of said accelerator pedal, said vehicle speed, and said engine speed. The method includes increasing a target engine speed at a first rate to a predetermined value, wherein said target engine speed corresponds to a speed ratio. The method includes measuring a difference between said target engine speed that is held at said predetermined value and an actual engine speed, and increasing said target engine speed to said desired engine speed at a second rate when said difference substantially equals a predetermined threshold, wherein said second rate is less than said first rate.

Abstract: A towing load detection system for detecting whether a vehicle is towing an object. The system includes a controller and at least one proximity sensor operable to detect the presence of the object being towed. The controller is operable to cause a vehicle effect when the proximity sensor detects that the vehicle is towing an object.

Abstract: A gear ratio selection method for a transmission in a motor vehicle includes detecting a power request, detecting a vehicle speed of the motor vehicle, and providing an engine speed of the motor vehicle. A first desired engine speed is calculated from a first variogram using the power request and the vehicle speed. A second desired engine speed is calculated from a second variogram using the power request and the vehicle speed. A blend factor is determined from the power request, the vehicle speed, and the engine speed. Finally, a blended desired engine speed is calculated from the first desired engine speed, the second desired engine speed, and the blend factor. The blended desired engine speed is used to determine a gear ratio for the continuously variable transmission.