Abstract: A method of analyzing vehicle parameters to distinguish between whether an unexpected vehicle acceleration is due to an internal fault or external forces. The method uses a magnitude and direction of a change in acceleration for evaluating whether the unexpected acceleration is due to a potential system fault scenario or a potential crash scenario.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an electrical system of a vehicle. Sensors are used to obtain first data for a first path of calculations and second data for a second path of calculations. The first path comprises a first plurality of calculations of generating a value of a parameter pertaining to the electrical system, and the second path comprises a second plurality of calculations of monitoring the electrical system with respect to the first path. A processor is coupled to the plurality of sensors, and is configured to determine whether a data frozen flag is active, perform the first plurality of calculations of the first path using the first data if the first data flag is inactive, and perform the second plurality of calculations of the second path if the first data flag is active.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an acceleration delta module and a remedial action module. The acceleration delta module determines an acceleration delta of a vehicle based on a difference between an actual acceleration of the vehicle and a desired acceleration of the vehicle. The acceleration delta module also determines an average value of the acceleration delta corresponding to at least one of a first predetermined period and a predetermined number of samples of the acceleration delta. The remedial action module, based on the average value of the acceleration delta and independent of a torque command generated to accelerate the vehicle, selectively takes a remedial action by adjusting operation of at least one of an engine and an electric motor.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an acceleration delta module and a remedial action module. The acceleration delta module determines an acceleration delta of a vehicle based on a difference between an actual acceleration of the vehicle and a desired acceleration of the vehicle. The acceleration delta module also determines an average value of the acceleration delta corresponding to at least one of a first predetermined period and a predetermined number of samples of the acceleration delta. The remedial action module, based on the average value of the acceleration delta and independent of a torque command generated to accelerate the vehicle, selectively takes a remedial action by adjusting operation of at least one of an engine and an electric motor.

Abstract: A powertrain system is configured to transfer propulsion torque to a driveline of a vehicle. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a magnitude of unintended vehicle motion based upon a difference between a change in actual vehicle acceleration and a change in an operator-intended vehicle acceleration. Propulsion torque to the driveline is limited when a fault associated with unintended vehicle motion is detected and the magnitude of unintended vehicle motion is less than a predetermined first threshold.

Abstract: A powertrain system is configured to transfer propulsion torque to a driveline of a vehicle. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a magnitude of unintended vehicle motion based upon a difference between a change in actual vehicle acceleration and a change in an operator-intended vehicle acceleration. Propulsion torque to the driveline is limited when a fault associated with unintended vehicle motion is detected and the magnitude of unintended vehicle motion is less than a predetermined first threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring an electrical system of a vehicle. Data pertaining to the electrical system is obtained. Calculation modules are performed using the data to generate intermediate determinations. An aggregate calculation module is performed using each of the intermediate determinations to generate an aggregate determination pertaining to the electrical system. Redundant intermediate calculations are performed using the data to generate redundant intermediate determinations. Each of the redundant intermediate determinations is used for comparison with a respective intermediate determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for motor torque control for hybrid vehicles having a motor and a communications bus. The motor torque is controlled using a first motor torque capacity if the communications bus is healthy. The motor torque is controlled using a second motor torque capacity if the communications bus is unhealthy. The first motor torque capacity has a first absolute value. The second motor torque capacity has a second absolute value that is less than the first absolute value.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine coupled via a torque transfer device to a transmission. A method for operating the powertrain system to transfer torque to a driveline includes establishing an operating torque security limit that is a default torque security limit. The operating torque security limit is set to an override limit when engine speed is less than a threshold speed. A torque security fault is detected only when a combined torque output from the internal combustion engine and the electric machine to the torque transfer device deviates from an operator torque request by an amount greater than the operating torque security limit.

Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a signal generated and communicated in a distributed control module system for a hybrid powertrain system includes generating and verifying signal within an originating control module. A message is generated based upon the signal. The message is transmitted and received at a receiving control module. The signal is extracted from the message and its integrity is verified.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling motor torque in a hybrid vehicle are provided. A current sensor provides a feedback current when the sensor is operating properly. A processor controls the motor torque using the feedback current if the current sensor is operating properly. The processor controls the motor torque using a slip value for the hybrid vehicle if the current sensor is not operating properly.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine coupled via a torque transfer device to a transmission. A method for operating the powertrain system to transfer torque to a driveline includes establishing an operating torque security limit that is a default torque security limit. The operating torque security limit is set to an override limit when engine speed is less than a threshold speed. A torque security fault is detected only when a combined torque output from the internal combustion engine and the electric machine to the torque transfer device deviates from an operator torque request by an amount greater than the operating torque security limit.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring an automotive electrical system including an inverter having at least one switch. First and second voltage commands corresponding to respective first and second components of a commanded voltage vector on a synchronous frame of reference coordinate system are received. A plurality of duty cycles for operating the at least one switch are calculated based on the first and second voltage commands. First and second actual voltages are calculated based on the plurality of duty cycles. The first and second actual voltages correspond to respective first and second components of an actual voltage vector on the synchronous frame of reference coordinate system. An indication of a fault is generated based on the difference between the first components of the commanded voltage vector and the actual voltage vector and the difference between the second components of the commanded voltage vector and the actual voltage vector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling motor torque in a hybrid vehicle are provided. A current sensor provides a feedback current when the sensor is operating properly. A processor controls the motor torque using the feedback current if the current sensor is operating properly. The processor controls the motor torque using a slip value for the hybrid vehicle if the current sensor is not operating properly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for motor torque control for hybrid vehicles having a motor and a communications bus. The motor torque is controlled using a first motor torque capacity if the communications bus is healthy. The motor torque is controlled using a second motor torque capacity if the communications bus is unhealthy. The first motor torque capacity has a first absolute value. The second motor torque capacity has a second absolute value that is less than the first absolute value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an electrical system of a vehicle. Sensors are used to obtain first data for a first path of calculations and second data for a second path of calculations. The first path comprises a first plurality of calculations of generating a value of a parameter pertaining to the electrical system, and the second path comprises a second plurality of calculations of monitoring the electrical system with respect to the first path. A processor is coupled to the plurality of sensors, and is configured to determine whether a data frozen flag is active, perform the first plurality of calculations of the first path using the first data if the first data flag is inactive, and perform the second plurality of calculations of the second path if the first data flag is active.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring an electrical system of a vehicle. Data pertaining to the electrical system is obtained. Calculation modules are performed using the data to generate intermediate determinations. An aggregate calculation module is performed using each of the intermediate determinations to generate an aggregate determination pertaining to the electrical system. Redundant intermediate calculations are performed using the data to generate redundant intermediate determinations. Each of the redundant intermediate determinations is used for comparison with a respective intermediate determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring an automotive electrical system including an inverter having at least one switch. First and second voltage commands corresponding to respective first and second components of a commanded voltage vector on a synchronous frame of reference coordinate system are received. A plurality of duty cycles for operating the at least one switch are calculated based on the first and second voltage commands. First and second actual voltages are calculated based on the plurality of duty cycles. The first and second actual voltages correspond to respective first and second components of an actual voltage vector on the synchronous frame of reference coordinate system. An indication of a fault is generated based on the difference between the first components of the commanded voltage vector and the actual voltage vector and the difference between the second components of the commanded voltage vector and the actual voltage vector.

Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a signal generated and communicated in a distributed control module system for a hybrid powertrain system includes generating and verifying signal within an originating control module. A message is generated based upon the signal. The message is transmitted and received at a receiving control module. The signal is extracted from the message and its integrity is verified.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a pollution control system with a catalytic converter using a two-phase fuel system in which a small supply of flammable gaseous fuel is used for ignition and initial start-up of the engine. As the engine is warmed up and the catalytic converter is heated, the gaseous fuel is phased out and the liquid fuel is phased in.