Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes receiving road data. The road data includes information about a plurality of potential events along the road ahead of the autonomous vehicle. The method further includes determining, in real time, a probability that the plurality of potential events along the road ahead of the autonomous vehicle will occur while the autonomous vehicle moves along the road and determining, in real time, an adjusted planned path using a probabilistic predictive control that takes into account the probability that the plurality of potential events along the road ahead of the autonomous vehicle will occur. Further, the method includes controlling the autonomous vehicle to cause the autonomous vehicle to autonomously follow the adjusted planned path.

Abstract: A method for downforce control includes receiving sensor data from sensors, using a feedforward control to determine a first requested normal force at the first axle of the vehicle and a second requested normal force at the second axle of the vehicle and the sensor data, using a feedback control to determine a first requested normal force adjustment at the first axle of the vehicle and a second requested normal force adjustment at the second axle of the vehicle using the sensor data, fusing the first requested normal force at the first axle of the vehicle with the first requested normal force adjustment to determine a first-adjusted normal force request at the first axle, and fusing the second requested normal force with the second requested normal force adjustment to determine a second-adjusted normal force request at the second axle.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided for an electric vehicle. The thermal management system includes a refrigerant system, a coolant system, a plurality of thermal loads, and a coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger, that includes a secondary heater positioned to heat both the refrigerant and the coolant in the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger. The secondary heater is sized to evaporate all of the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant flow path. A control system is operatively connected to the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger, and is programmed to: operate the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger in a secondary-heat-only mode in which the secondary heater evaporates the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path without any heat input from the coolant in the coolant flow path, and to operate the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger in a heat-scavenging mode in which at least some heat from the coolant in the coolant flow path evaporates the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path.

Abstract: A method for vehicle motion control includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors of a vehicle and monitoring a vehicle response of the vehicle using the sensor data. The vehicle response is represented by a plurality of vehicle-response signals. The method further includes fusing the plurality of vehicle-response signals to obtain at least one fused signal. The method further includes determining whether to activate a vehicle stability control of the vehicle based on the at least one fused signal and commanding the vehicle to activate the vehicle stability control in response to determining to activate the vehicle stability control of the vehicle based on the at least one fused signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes receiving road data. The road data includes information about a plurality of potential events along the road ahead of the autonomous vehicle. The method further includes determining, in real time, a probability that the plurality of potential events along the road ahead of the autonomous vehicle will occur while the autonomous vehicle moves along the road and determining, in real time, an adjusted planned path using a probabilistic predictive control that takes into account the probability that the plurality of potential events along the road ahead of the autonomous vehicle will occur. Further, the method includes controlling the autonomous vehicle to cause the autonomous vehicle to autonomously follow the adjusted planned path.

Abstract: A method for vehicle motion control includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors of a vehicle and monitoring a vehicle response of the vehicle using the sensor data. The vehicle response is represented by a plurality of vehicle-response signals. The method further includes fusing the plurality of vehicle-response signals to obtain at least one fused signal. The method further includes determining whether to activate a vehicle stability control of the vehicle based on the at least one fused signal and commanding the vehicle to activate the vehicle stability control in response to determining to activate the vehicle stability control of the vehicle based on the at least one fused signal.

Abstract: A system is provided for generating vacuum in a vehicle. The system includes a vacuum pump, an engagement clutch, an actuator, and a torque limiting clutch. The engagement clutch operatively connects a camshaft to the rotor. The actuator controls the clutch. The actuator is movable, based on air pressure in a vacuum conduit, between a low-pressure position in which the actuator causes the clutch to operatively disconnect the camshaft from the rotor, and a high-pressure position in which the actuator causes the clutch to operatively connect the camshaft to the rotor. The torque limiting clutch limits torque transfer to the rotor when the engagement clutch operatively connects the camshaft to the rotor. The system also provides control for hysteresis.

Abstract: A synchronous drive is provided in which a non-circular rotor generates a fluctuating corrective torque to counteract a fluctuating load torque on a driven rotor. The angular orientation of the non-circular rotor can vary relative to the driven rotor so as to change the phase angle of the fluctuating corrective torque relative to the driving rotor. The arrangement may be applied in internal combustion engines with variable valve timing (VVT) systems, wherein the phase angle of a fluctuating load torque presented on a cam rotor, due to forces arising from actuation of intake and/or exhaust valves by the camshaft, varies relative to the crankshaft. The phase angle of the fluctuating corrective torque is also varied relative to the crankshaft to maintain phase relationship with the fluctuating load torque and thereby maintain reduced cam torsional vibrations and span tensions provided by the non-circular rotor during operation.

Abstract: In an aspect a system is provided for generating vacuum in a vehicle. The system includes a vacuum pump, an engagement clutch, an actuator, and a torque limiting clutch. The e engagement clutch operatively connects a camshaft to the rotor. The actuator controls the clutch. The actuator is movable, based on air pressure in a vacuum conduit, between a low-pressure position in which the actuator causes the clutch to operatively disconnect the camshaft from the rotor, and a high-pressure position in which the actuator causes the clutch to operatively connect the camshaft to the rotor. The torque limiting clutch limits torque transfer to the rotor when the engagement clutch operatively connects the camshaft to the rotor. The system also provides control hysteresis.

Abstract: A synchronous drive is provided in which a non-circular rotor generates a fluctuating corrective torque to counteract a fluctuating load torque on a driven rotor. The angular orientation of the non-circular rotor can vary relative to the driven rotor so as to change the phase angle of the fluctuating corrective torque relative to the driving rotor. The arrangement may be applied in internal combustion engines with variable valve timing (VVT) systems, wherein the phase angle of a fluctuating load torque presented on a cam rotor, due to forces arising from actuation of intake and/or exhaust valves by the camshaft, varies relative to the crankshaft.