Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control system for a heating element used in an oxygen sensor. The control system comprises a rate module that periodically determines a rate of change of current through the heating element and a temperature adjustment module that periodically compares the rate of change and a rate value. The temperature adjustment module selectively adjusts an operating temperature of the oxygen sensor between a normal temperature and a remedial temperature lower than the normal temperature based on the comparison of the rate of change and the rate value. The present disclosure also provides a related control method for the heating element.

Abstract: A heating module for an oxygen sensor comprises an estimated mass module, a cumulative mass module, and a temperature control module. The estimated mass module determines an estimated mass of intake air to remove condensation from an exhaust system after startup of an engine. The cumulative mass module determines a cumulative mass of intake air after the engine startup. The temperature control module adjusts a temperature of an oxygen sensor measuring oxygen in the exhaust system to a first predetermined temperature after the engine startup and adjusts the temperature to a second predetermined temperature when the cumulative air mass is greater than the estimated air mass, wherein the second predetermined temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A direct connect oxygen sensor assembly is provided for measuring the proportion of oxygen in a fluid stream, and transmit signals indicative thereof to a controller. The assembly includes an oxygen sensor with a housing having an oxygen-sensing element protruding from one end thereof, and a first electrical terminal positioned at an opposing end of the sensor housing. An electrical conductor electrically couples the oxygen-sensing element to the first electrical terminal. The oxygen sensor assembly also includes a connector assembly with a housing having one or more lead wires, which are directly connected to the controller, projecting therefrom. A second electrical terminal is mounted to the connector housing, and electrically connected to the lead wires. The second electrical terminal is designed to mate with and electrically connect to the first electrical terminal. The connector housing is fabricated from a material with a working temperature of at least 200 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A method comprises detecting a status of a transfer pump for transferring fuel between a first fuel source and a second fuel source; receiving a fuel trim value and a vehicle operating parameter; and calculating a fuel composition of one of the first fuel source and second fuel source based on the fuel trim value, the transfer pump status and the vehicle operating parameter. A control module comprises a secondary pump transfer module detecting a status of a transfer pump for transferring fuel between a first fuel source and a second fuel source; and a fuel composition estimation module in communication with the secondary pump transfer module, receiving a fuel trim value and a vehicle operating parameter, and calculating a fuel composition of one of the first fuel source and second fuel source based on the fuel trim value, the transfer pump status, and the vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: A control system and method for adaptively controlling transmission ratio shifting in an electronically controlled transmission. A refueling event is detected. After the detected refueling event, fuel consumption is monitored for a predetermined period during which a change in composition of fuel to the engine reaches or approaches a steady state. During the period, the rate of adapting transmission shift controls is modified to respond quicker to the change in shift characteristics induced by differences in torque produced by the engine. Implementing this method can improve transmission shift quality while the quality of fuel reaching an engine is in transition.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control system for a heating element used in an oxygen sensor. The control system comprises a rate module that periodically determines a rate of change of current through the heating element and a temperature adjustment module that periodically compares the rate of change and a rate value. The temperature adjustment module selectively adjusts an operating temperature of the oxygen sensor between a normal temperature and a remedial temperature lower than the normal temperature based on the comparison of the rate of change and the rate value. The present disclosure also provides a related control method for the heating element.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor readiness module comprises a voltage source, a current detection module, and a control module. The voltage source selectively produces a bias signal, which is applied to a sensing element of an oxygen sensor. The current detection module measures a pumping current of the oxygen sensor. The control module generates a readiness signal based upon a comparison of the pumping current with a pumping current threshold.

Abstract: A humidity based control system for an internal combustion engine includes a calculation module and a calibration module. The calculation module determines a humidity of air used in a combustion process of the internal combustion engine. The control module selectively controls spark timing and exhaust dilution in the internal combustion engine based on the humidity.

Abstract: A heating module for an oxygen sensor comprises an estimated mass module, a cumulative mass module, and a temperature control module. The estimated mass module determines an estimated mass of intake air to remove condensation from an exhaust system after startup of an engine. The cumulative mass module determines a cumulative mass of intake air after the engine startup. The temperature control module adjusts a temperature of an oxygen sensor measuring oxygen in the exhaust system to a first predetermined temperature after the engine startup and adjusts the temperature to a second predetermined temperature when the cumulative air mass is greater than the estimated air mass, wherein the second predetermined temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor readiness module comprises a voltage source, a current detection module, and a control module. The voltage source selectively produces a bias signal, which is applied to a sensing element of an oxygen sensor. The current detection module measures a pumping current of the oxygen sensor. The control module generates a readiness signal based upon a comparison of the pumping current with a pumping current threshold.

Abstract: A method comprises detecting a status of a transfer pump for transferring fuel between a first fuel source and a second fuel source; receiving a fuel trim value and a vehicle operating parameter; and calculating a fuel composition of one of the first fuel source and second fuel source based on the fuel trim value, the transfer pump status and the vehicle operating parameter. A control module comprises a secondary pump transfer module detecting a status of a transfer pump for transferring fuel between a first fuel source and a second fuel source; and a fuel composition estimation module in communication with the secondary pump transfer module, receiving a fuel trim value and a vehicle operating parameter, and calculating a fuel composition of one of the first fuel source and second fuel source based on the fuel trim value, the transfer pump status, and the vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: A control system for an oxygen sensor heater is provided. The control system includes a passive heater control module that generates a heater control signal at a first duty cycle and measures a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater. An exhaust gas temperature mapping module maps the resistance to an exhaust gas temperature. An active heater control module generates a heater control signal at a second duty cycle based on the exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: A control system and method for adaptively controlling transmission ratio shifting in an electronically controlled transmission. A refueling event is detected. After the detected refueling event, fuel consumption is monitored for a predetermined period during which a change in composition of fuel to the engine reaches or approaches a steady state. During the period, the rate of adapting transmission shift controls is modified to respond quicker to the change in shift characteristics induced by differences in torque produced by the engine. Implementing this method can improve transmission shift quality while the quality of fuel reaching an engine is in transition.

Abstract: A control system for an oxygen sensor heater is provided. The control system includes a passive heater control module that generates a heater control signal at a first duty cycle and measures a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater. An exhaust gas temperature mapping module maps the resistance to an exhaust gas temperature. An active heater control module generates a heater control signal at a second duty cycle based on the exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: A humidity based control system for an internal combustion engine includes a calculation module and a calibration module. The calculation module determines a humidity of air used in a combustion process of the internal combustion engine. The control module selectively controls spark timing and exhaust dilution in the internal combustion engine based on the humidity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the heating of an oxygen sensor in a motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises an oxygen sensor for measuring oxygen levels in exhaust gases of a motor vehicle. The oxygen sensor comprising a heater rod, an outer electrode surrounding the heater rod, and a shell surrounding the outer electrode and configured for mounting the oxygen sensor in the motor vehicle. A first electrical connection coupled to the outer electrode and a second electrical connection coupled to the shell are configured to facilitate measurement of capacitance between the outer electrode and the shell during operation of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method of estimating composition of fuel in the fuel tank of a vehicle. A refuel event is detected. Fuel consumption is monitored during a plurality of stages after the refuel event. A plurality of fuel trim shift values are determined relative to the stages. The fuel trim shift values are used to estimate a fuel composition change. This method eliminates a need for a hardware fuel composition sensor and also provides dynamic filtering of fuel trim values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the heating of an oxygen sensor in a motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises an oxygen sensor for measuring oxygen levels in exhaust gases of a motor vehicle. The oxygen sensor comprising a heater rod, an outer electrode surrounding the heater rod, and a shell surrounding the outer electrode and configured for mounting the oxygen sensor in the motor vehicle. A first electrical connection coupled to the outer electrode and a second electrical connection coupled to the shell are configured to facilitate measurement of capacitance between the outer electrode and the shell during operation of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A capacitive liquid level sensor provides for a reliable and inexpensive means to measure fluid height. The capacitance measured at a sensor is interpreted by a control unit, which relays information regarding the liquid level to a display unit visible to the driver of the motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensor consists of two parallel electrode strips of a conductive material supported along their respective lengths by a substrate of an insulated material. The strips and the exposed side of the substrate are coated with a low conductivity porous material. The strips are connected to a control unit by a pair of electrical leads. When the sensor is immersed in a liquid, the control unit measures capacitance between the two strips and calculates the actual liquid height, based on the known dielectric constant of the liquid and the gas above it.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for sensing a vehicle steering wheel position. A permanent magnet target wheel having a global axial magnetic field normal to a first surface is attached to a steering shaft which is rotated by the steering wheel. Multiple regions equally spaced along a common radius on the first surface are magnetically altered and sensed by magnetically responsive sensors positioned adjacent the first radius. A single region positioned within a finite radius along a second radius on the first surface is magnetically altered and sensed by a magnetically responsive sensor positioned adjacent the second radius. The magnetic sensors are responsive to passage of the multiple regions and single region as the target wheel is rotated. Detection of each of the multiple regions corresponds to rotation of the target wheel by an incremental number of degrees.