Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a phase control apparatus in a variable cam timing (VCT) system of an engine, the phase control apparatus having a locking pin coupled to a rotor vane and engageable with a locking pin recess in the phase control apparatus cover plate. In one example, a method for assembling the phase control apparatus may include positioning respective retarded side surfaces of the rotor vane and the housing in face-sharing contact while positioning respective retarded side surfaces of the locking pin and the locking pin recess in face-sharing contact and maintaining a backlash gap between only the advanced side surfaces of the locking pin recess.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an oil pressure supplied to an engine and a variable cam timing (VCT) responsive to a condition of the VCT system. In one example, a method may include adjusting the oil pressure based on engine speed, engine load, and engine oil temperature, and responsive to a request to shift the VCT system during specific engine operating conditions, increasing the oil pressure to an upper threshold oil pressure for the duration of the shift.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an oil pressure supplied to an engine and a variable cam timing (VCT) responsive to a condition of the VCT system. In one example, a method may include adjusting the oil pressure based on engine speed, engine load, and engine oil temperature, and responsive to a request to shift the VCT system during specific engine operating conditions, increasing the oil pressure to an upper threshold oil pressure for the duration of the shift.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a phase control apparatus in a variable cam timing (VCT) system of an engine, the phase control apparatus having a locking pin coupled to a rotor vane and engageable with a locking pin recess in the phase control apparatus cover plate. In one example, a method for assembling the phase control apparatus may include positioning respective retarded side surfaces of the rotor vane and the housing in face-sharing contact while positioning respective retarded side surfaces of the locking pin and the locking pin recess in face-sharing contact and maintaining a backlash gap between only the advanced side surfaces of the locking pin the locking pin recess.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving vacuum generation for a diesel powered vehicle that includes a mechanically engine driven vacuum pump are presented. In one non-limiting example, engine idle speed may be increased in response to a number of braking events and/or a request for vacuum based on an amount of stored vacuum.

Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations. An ultrasonic sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe transmits signals intermittently, receives their echoes upon reflection from the coolant surface, and estimates the fluid level in the standpipe based on echo times.

Abstract: An exhaust system comprises a conical shell having an indentation traversing the exhaust passage in a coiled path so as to impart mixing on an engine exhaust gas flowing through an inner passage defined by the conical shell. The indentation may be formed into the conical shell via a stamping process.

Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations. An ultrasonic sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe transmits signals intermittently, receives their echoes upon reflection from the coolant surface, and estimates the fluid level in the standpipe based on echo times.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving vacuum generation for a diesel powered vehicle that includes a mechanically engine driven vacuum pump are presented. In one non-limiting example, engine idle speed may be increased in response to a number of braking events and/or a request for vacuum based on an amount of stored vacuum.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a muffler comprising an enclosure. The enclosure, in one example, may include a relatively thin volume fittable under a preselected feature of a vehicle, and at least one relatively thick volume fittable alongside the preselected feature. The enclosure may also include an exhaust gas entry port and a tailpipe exit port. In one example, partitions may be within the thin volume forming an expansion chamber at the entry port and a tailpipe extension at the exit port.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a conformal transverse muffler including an enclosure shaped to fit around a bottom and a side of a feature of a vehicle. The enclosure may include a mid section fittable below the feature, and two side sections fittable in opposite locations only radially outside of a circumference of the spare tire well. The side sections may be thicker than the mid section and may have a vertical center above a vertical center of the mid section.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a conformal transverse muffler including an enclosure shaped to fit around a bottom and a side of a feature of a vehicle. The enclosure may include a mid section fittable below the feature, and two side sections fittable in opposite locations only radially outside of a circumference of the spare tire well. The side sections may be thicker than the mid section and may have a vertical center above a vertical center of the mid section.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a conformal transverse muffler including an enclosure shaped to fit around a bottom and a side of a feature of a vehicle. The enclosure may include a mid section fittable below the feature, and two side sections fittable in opposite locations only radially outside of a circumference of the spare tire well. The side sections may be thicker than the mid section and may have a vertical center above a vertical center of the mid section.

Abstract: An engine exhaust component is provided. The engine exhaust component may include a plurality of coolant passages having parallel coolant flow, each coolant passage at least partially surrounding a respectively corresponding exhaust runner. The engine exhaust component may further include a coolant inlet manifold coupled to each of the coolant passages and a coolant outlet manifold coupled to each of the coolant passages. In this way, more even and controlled cooling can be provided.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter (DPF) configured to separate a particulate from an engine exhaust is provided. The DPF comprises a downstream filtration stage including a plurality of downstream channels, an upstream filtration stage disposed upstream of and in fluidic communication with the downstream filtration stage, and including a plurality of upstream channels, and a shell at least partly enclosing the downstream filtration stage and the upstream filtration stage, the shell including an inlet configured to conduct the engine exhaust to the upstream filtration stage and an outlet configured to release the engine exhaust from the downstream filtration stage. The plurality of upstream channels may include a plurality of open upstream channels, the arrangement of which disperses the particulate more evenly over the plurality of downstream channels, as more flow is directed away from the major axis of the filter.

Abstract: An engine exhaust component is provided. The engine exhaust component may include a plurality of coolant passages having parallel coolant flow, each coolant passage at least partially surrounding a respectively corresponding exhaust runner. The engine exhaust component may further include a coolant inlet manifold coupled to each of the coolant passages and a coolant outlet manifold coupled to each of the coolant passages. In this way, more even and controlled cooling can be provided.

Abstract: An exhaust system comprises a conical shell having an indentation helically traversing the exhaust passage so as to impart mixing on an engine exhaust gas flowing through an inner passage defined by the conical shell. The indentation may be formed into the conical shell via a stamping process.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter (DPF) configured to separate a particulate from an engine exhaust is provided. The DPF comprises a downstream filtration stage including a plurality of downstream channels, an upstream filtration stage disposed upstream of and in fluidic communication with the downstream filtration stage, and including a plurality of upstream channels, and a shell at least partly enclosing the downstream filtration stage and the upstream filtration stage, the shell including an inlet configured to conduct the engine exhaust to the upstream filtration stage and an outlet configured to release the engine exhaust from the downstream filtration stage. The plurality of upstream channels may include a plurality of open upstream channels, the arrangement of which disperses the particulate more evenly over the plurality of downstream channels, as more flow is directed away from the major axis of the filter.

Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment system having a housing and a plurality of separate diesel particulate filter bricks disposed in the housing. A first one of such bricks is disposed upstream of a second one of the bricks. The second one of the bricks has channels with closed downstream ends and open upstream ends and channels with closed upstream ends and open downstream ends and the upstream brick has channels with closed downstream ends and open upstream ends and bypass channels with open upstream ends and open downstream ends.

Abstract: An adjustable camshaft system for an automotive engine includes a camshaft having machined and fabricated axially-directed control passages combined with an oil-activated camshaft phaser. The fabricated oil control passages are formed within a portion of the camshaft having an outside diameter which is substantially equal to the outside diameter of other portions of the camshaft fitted within bearings carried within the engine's cylinder head.