Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to managing the freshness of the fuel in a vehicle. One embodiment tracks a freshness level of the fuel in the vehicle as time passes; determines a fuel consumption plan based, at least in part, on a predetermined refueling schedule for the vehicle and the freshness level of the fuel in the vehicle; and activates an internal combustion engine of the vehicle automatically on one or more occasions in accordance with the fuel consumption plan to consume at least a portion of the fuel.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to managing the freshness of the fuel in a vehicle. One embodiment tracks a freshness level of the fuel in the vehicle as time passes; determines a fuel consumption plan based, at least in part, on a predetermined refueling schedule for the vehicle and the freshness level of the fuel in the vehicle; and activates an internal combustion engine of the vehicle automatically on one or more occasions in accordance with the fuel consumption plan to consume at least a portion of the fuel.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for fuel-detection by a fuel sending unit by placing a fuel sending unit in a first position from a second position, and releasing the fuel sending unit from the first position such that a buoyancy characteristic of a fuel sending unit float prompts the fuel sending unit to the second position. A rate-of-travel of the fuel sending unit is sensed from the first position to the second position to produce fluid travel data, wherein the rate-of-travel being affected by a fuel density. Fluid-type identification data may be generated based on the fluid travel data.

Abstract: A method and device for mitigating environmental-control load for a hybrid vehicle are disclosed. In operation, a determination is made as to whether a hybrid vehicle is at a high-power operational mode. When the hybrid vehicle is at a high-power operational mode, a determination of an estimated time-of-travel to a low-power operational mode is made based on vehicle trajectory plan data. Heat-load buffer data is generated based on the estimated time to prolong a passenger comfort setting during the low-power operational mode.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for fuel-detection by a fuel sending unit by placing a fuel sending unit in a first position from a second position, and releasing the fuel sending unit from the first position such that a buoyancy characteristic of a fuel sending unit float prompts the fuel sending unit to the second position. A rate-of-travel of the fuel sending unit is sensed from the first position to the second position to produce fluid travel data, wherein the rate-of-travel being affected by a fuel density. Fluid-type identification data may be generated based on the fluid travel data.

Abstract: A method and device for mitigating environmental-control load for a hybrid vehicle are disclosed. In operation, a determination is made as to whether a hybrid vehicle is at a high-power operational mode. When the hybrid vehicle is at a high-power operational mode, a determination of an estimated time-of-travel to a low-power operational mode is made based on vehicle trajectory plan data. Heat-load buffer data is generated based on the estimated time to prolong a passenger comfort setting during the low-power operational mode.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to preemptively controlling one or more vehicle systems of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to (i) detecting that a present traffic level along a route of the vehicle satisfies a congestion threshold and (ii) detecting that a type of roadway on which the vehicle is traveling is a highway, determining whether the vehicle is traveling in a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane by identifying whether a number of passengers in the vehicle satisfies an HOV threshold. The method includes adjusting the one or more vehicle systems within the vehicle according to whether the number of passengers satisfies the HOV threshold to cause the vehicle to operate efficiently while traveling along the route with the present traffic level.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to preemptively controlling one or more vehicle systems of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to (i) detecting that a present traffic level along a route of the vehicle satisfies a congestion threshold and (ii) detecting that a type of roadway on which the vehicle is traveling is a highway, determining whether the vehicle is traveling in a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane by identifying whether a number of passengers in the vehicle satisfies an HOV threshold. The method includes adjusting the one or more vehicle systems within the vehicle according to whether the number of passengers satisfies the HOV threshold to cause the vehicle to operate efficiently while traveling along the route with the present traffic level.

Abstract: A system and a method for a hybrid vehicle for pre-charging the battery. A hybrid vehicle includes a battery having a state of charge (SOC), an engine configured to charge the battery, an actuation device having an on state and an off state, and a processor configured to activate the engine to charge the battery when the actuation device is switched to the on state until the SOC reaches a required SOC. The required SOC may be input by a driver and may exceed a normal maximum SOC utilized by the hybrid vehicle. The pre-charge feature can override the normal hybrid vehicle battery management logic. The required SOC allows the driver to perform reverse maneuvers without running out of battery power.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the consistency of a hybrid vehicle parking pawl engagement control. A hybrid vehicle includes a motor-generator, a planetary gear, a parking pawl, and a processor. The hybrid vehicle uses feedback to more accurately determine that the parking pawl is fully engaged. The parking pawl is applied to the planetary gear. The processor determines a target movement for the hybrid vehicle and commands a torque from the motor-generator to achieve the target movement. The processor determines that the parking pawl has fully engaged and locked the planetary gear.

Abstract: A system and a method for a hybrid vehicle for pre-charging the battery. A hybrid vehicle includes a battery having a state of charge (SOC), an engine configured to charge the battery, an actuation device having an on state and an off state, and a processor configured to activate the engine to charge the battery when the actuation device is switched to the on state until the SOC reaches a required SOC. The required SOC may be input by a driver and may exceed a normal maximum SOC utilized by the hybrid vehicle. The pre-charge feature can override the normal hybrid vehicle battery management logic. The required SOC allows the driver to perform reverse maneuvers without running out of battery power.

Abstract: The present invention includes an automobile including an enrichment delivery system. The enrichment delivery system includes an engine, a catalytic converter, multiple sensors, a memory, and a control unit. The engine includes an enrichment delivery unit, which delivers base fuel and enrichment to the engine. The engine generates an output which can be received by the catalytic converter. Reactions occur within the catalytic converter, and are outputted by the catalytic converter. The sensors detect an air-fuel ratio from the output of the engine, and the output of a catalytic converter. The sensors detect temperature data for the catalytic converter. The memory stores an enrichment curve indicating that an amount of enrichment supplied to the engine should be gradually increased based on the enrichment curve until a target enrichment amount is reached, or a predetermined target enrichment time is reached.

Abstract: The present invention includes an automobile including an enrichment delivery system. The enrichment delivery system includes an engine, a catalytic converter, multiple sensors, a memory, and a control unit. The engine includes an enrichment delivery unit, which delivers base fuel and enrichment to the engine. The engine generates an output which can be received by the catalytic converter. Reactions occur within the catalytic converter, and are outputted by the catalytic converter. The sensors detect an air-fuel ratio from the output of the engine, and the output of a catalytic converter. The sensors detect temperature data for the catalytic converter. The memory stores an enrichment curve indicating that an amount of enrichment supplied to the engine should be gradually increased based on the enrichment curve until a target enrichment amount is reached, or a predetermined target enrichment time is reached.