Abstract: A method for providing ride-hailing recommendations to an operator includes receiving at least a first initial ride-hailing request and a second initial ride-hailing request from potential ride-hailing users; identifying at least a first route characteristic corresponding to a first route associated with the first initial ride-hailing request; identifying at least a second route characteristic corresponding to a second route associated with the second initial ride-hailing request; calculating a first subsequent ride-hailing request probability; calculating a second subsequent ride-hailing request; determining a first ride-hailing request value based on at least the first route characteristic and the first subsequent ride-hailing request probability; determining a second ride-hailing request value based on at least the second route characteristic and the second subsequent ride-hailing request probability; and displaying the first and second initial ride-hailing requests and the first and second ride-hailing re

Abstract: A method for torque split arbitration in a vehicle includes identifying at least one route characteristic of a portion of a route being traversed by the vehicle. The method further includes determining a target torque split based on the at least one route characteristics. The method further includes generating a first output torque demand that corresponds to a product of a first portion of a target torque demand to be provided by a first propulsion unit and a ratio of a total propulsion system torque demand and the target torque demand. The method further includes generating a second output torque demand based on the first output torque demand.

Abstract: A method for providing ride-hailing recommendations to an operator includes receiving at least a first initial ride-hailing request and a second initial ride-hailing request from potential ride-hailing users; identifying at least a first route characteristic corresponding to a first route associated with the first initial ride-hailing request; identifying at least a second route characteristic corresponding to a second route associated with the second initial ride-hailing request; calculating a first subsequent ride-hailing request probability; calculating a second subsequent ride-hailing request; determining a first ride-hailing request value based on at least the first route characteristic and the first subsequent ride-hailing request probability; determining a second ride-hailing request value based on at least the second route characteristic and the second subsequent ride-hailing request probability; and displaying the first and second initial ride-hailing requests and the first and second ride-hailing re

Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle propulsion includes identifying at least one route characteristic of a portion of a route being traversed by a vehicle. The method further includes determining a profile for a target vehicle speed based on the at least one route characteristic and a vehicle energy consumption profile. The method further includes selectively adjusting a vehicle speed control input based on the target vehicle speed profile. The method further includes communicating the vehicle speed control input to a vehicle propulsion controller to achieve the target vehicle speed profile.

Abstract: A method for torque split arbitration in a vehicle includes identifying at least one route characteristic of a portion of a route being traversed by the vehicle. The method further includes determining a target torque split based on the at least one route characteristics. The method further includes generating a first output torque demand that corresponds to a product of a first portion of a target torque demand to be provided by a first propulsion unit and a ratio of a total propulsion system torque demand and the target torque demand. The method further includes generating a second output torque demand based on the first output torque demand.

Abstract: A method for determining an energy efficient vehicle speed includes identifying at least one route characteristic of a portion of a route being traversed by a vehicle. The method further includes determining a profile for a target vehicle speed based on the at least one route characteristic and a vehicle energy consumption profile. The method further includes generating a vehicle speed recommendation. The method further includes providing, to a driver of the vehicle, the vehicle speed recommendation.

Abstract: A gasoline compression ignition engine is operated in two modes. In a one mode of operation the engine is operated with a firing fraction of one, corresponding to all of the cylinders being active, working cylinders. In a second skip fire mode of operation a firing fraction of less than one may be used under conditions, such as a low load condition, to improve efficiency. The skip fire mode of operation may also be selected in part based on other considerations, such as maintaining an exhaust temperature conducive for efficient catalytic converter operation or limiting cylinder output variability.

Abstract: A sensor includes an oxygen pump cell; an oxygen pump chamber; an emf cell; a reference chamber providing a fluid connection to the reference gas; gas channels in fluid communication with the pump and emf electrodes, the reference gas comprising reformate produced by a fuel reformer fueled by an air-fuel gas mixture having an air-fuel ratio; a reformer electronic control module; a sensor electronic control module; a heater; a temperature sensor disposed in communication with the heater and the sensor control module for maintaining the sensor at a desired operating temperature; a closed loop controlled operation amplifier in electrical communication with the sensor, whereby the oxygen pump cell provides sufficient oxygen ions to oxidize an incoming diffusion-limiting fuel flux to the emf cell and maintain a constant emf at the emf cell, and wherein a current value represents an equivalent to the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel gas mixture.

Abstract: A catalytic hydrocarbon reformer comprising a catalyst concentrically disposed within a reformer tube surrounded by an annular flow space for air entering a fuel-air mixing zone ahead of the catalyst. The catalyst is sustained by minimal insulative mounting material so that most of the side of the catalyst is exposed for radial radiative heat transfer to the reformer tube for cooling by air in the annular flow space. The forward portion of the mounting material preferably is formed of a thermally-conductive material to provide radial conductive cooling of the entry of the catalyst to prevent overheating during catalysis. The incoming air flow is protected from heat exchange with hot reformate exiting the catalyst, allowing for convective cooling of the catalyst side and greater cooling of the catalyst face, thus increasing the working life of the catalyst while providing for rapid startup of the reformer and associated fuel cell system.

Abstract: A NOX abatement system includes a first NOX adsorber capable of being disposed in-line and downstream of and in fluid communication with an engine. The NOX abatement system further includes a selective catalytic reduction catalyst disposed in-line and downstream of, and in direct fluid communication with, the first NOX adsorber. The selective catalytic reduction catalyst is capable of storing ammonia. An off-line reformer is disposed in selective communication with and upstream of the first NOX adsorber and the selective catalytic reduction catalyst. The reformer is capable of producing a reformate that includes primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly comprising a mixing chamber wherein fuel and air are mixed. The wall of the mixing chamber tapers toward an outlet end. A catalyst bed formed in an annular shape surrounds the outlet end such that the walls of the mixing chamber shield the catalyst from direct exposure to fuel droplets injected into the mixing chamber. The fuel/air mixture flows out of the mixing chamber, then turns and counterflows through the catalyst bed outside the mixing chamber. Hot reformate from the catalyst bed flows in a reformate flow chamber extending along the outer surface of the walls of the mixing chamber, heating the wall surface within the mixing chamber for instantaneous evaporation of injected fuel. A plenum for incoming air surrounds the reformate flow chamber which is also heated thereby.

Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly and methods of operation, including fast start-up, are provided. The reformer assembly includes an electrically-conductive metallic vaporizer having a very high surface area. At start-up of the reformer, electric current is passed through the vaporizer to heat the material by resistance heating, providing a high-temperature, high-surface area environment for fuel vaporization. Preferably, the electric current is started a few seconds before starting fuel flow. The fuel is sprayed either onto or through the heated vaporizer, preferably before the fuel is mixed with incoming air to minimize convective cooling by the air and to reduce the pressure drop in the fuel flow. As the reformer warms up, energy from the reforming process heats the vaporizer via radiation and/or conduction such that electric power is needed only during the start-up phase. A control circuit regulates the amount and duration of electric power supplied to the vaporizer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fuel reformer can comprise: a mixing zone capable of mixing a fuel and an oxidant to form a fuel mixture and a reforming zone disposed downstream of the mixing zone. The reforming zone comprises a primary substrate and a secondary substrate. The primary substrate is disposed upstream of the secondary substrate and has a primary thermal mass that is greater than a secondary thermal mass of the secondary substrate. One embodiment of a method for operating a fuel reformer can comprise: mixing an oxidant and a fuel to form a fuel mixture, combusting the fuel mixture, heating the secondary substrate above its light-off temperature, changing an air to fuel ratio of the fuel mixture to a reforming mixture, producing an exotherm and a reformate at the secondary substrate, heating a primary substrate with the exotherm to above its light-off temperature, and producing a reformate.

Abstract: A catalytic hydrocarbon reformer comprising a catalyst concentrically disposed within a reformer tube surrounded by an annular flow space for air entering a fuel-air mixing zone ahead of the catalyst. The catalyst is sustained by minimal insulative mounting material so that most of the side of the catalyst is exposed for radial radiative heat transfer to the reformer tube for cooling by air in the annular flow space. The forward portion of the mounting material preferably is formed of a thermally-conductive material to provide radial conductive cooling of the entry of the catalyst to prevent overheating during catalysis. The incoming air flow is protected from heat exchange with hot reformate exiting the catalyst, allowing for convective cooling of the catalyst side and greater cooling of the catalyst face, thus increasing the working life of the catalyst while providing for rapid startup of the reformer and associated fuel cell system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of heating an exhaust treatment device can comprise: generating reformate in a reformer, wherein the reformate comprises hydrogen; introducing oxygen to the reformate prior to combining the reformate with another stream; combusting a portion of the reformate and generating an exotherm to form heated reformate; and introducing the heated reformate to the exhaust treatment device. In one embodiment the exhaust system can comprise: a reformer; a reformate conduit disposed in physical communication with a reformate outlet of the reformer; an exhaust treatment device disposed in fluid communication with the reformer; and an oxygen supply disposed in fluid communication with the reformate conduit such that oxygen can be introduced into the reformate conduit upstream of a reformate conduit outlet, wherein the reformate conduit outlet is disposed in physical communication with an exhaust conduit and/or the exhaust treatment device.

Abstract: A method and system for introducing supplemental material to an exhaust aftertreatment device, including: a delivery system, an air pump operable to input pressurized air to the delivery system, and a turbosupercharger of an internal combustion engine operable to deliver pressurized air to an inlet of the air pump. The supplemental material introduced to the exhaust aftertreatment device is pressurized by the pressurized air input from the air pump, and the air inlet to the air pump is pressurized by the turbosupercharger for the internal combustion engine. The delivery system uses existing pressurized air generated within the engine system from the turbosupercharger to supplement air pressure supplied to the turbine-style air pump used by the delivery system. The supplemental material may comprise ammonia, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or urea.

Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly comprising a mixing chamber wherein fuel and air are mixed. The wall of the mixing chamber tapers toward an outlet end. A catalyst bed formed in an annular shape surrounds the outlet end such that the walls of the mixing chamber shield the catalyst from direct exposure to fuel droplets injected into the mixing chamber. The fuel/air mixture flows out of the mixing chamber, then turns and counterflows through the catalyst bed outside the mixing chamber. Hot reformate from the catalyst bed flows in a reformate flow chamber extending along the outer surface of the walls of the mixing chamber, heating the wall surface within the mixing chamber for instantaneous evaporation of injected fuel. A plenum for incoming air surrounds the reformate flow chamber which is also heated thereby.

Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly and methods of operation, including fast start-up, are provided. The reformer assembly includes an electrically-conductive metallic vaporizer having a very high surface area. At start-up of the reformer, electric current is passed through the vaporizer to heat the material by resistance heating, providing a high-temperature, high-surface area environment for fuel vaporization. Preferably, the electric current is started a few seconds before starting fuel flow. The fuel is sprayed either onto or through the heated vaporizer, preferably before the fuel is mixed with incoming air to minimize convective cooling by the air and to reduce the pressure drop in the fuel flow. As the reformer warms up, energy from the reforming process heats the vaporizer via radiation and/or conduction such that electric power is needed only during the start-up phase. A control circuit regulates the amount and duration of electric power supplied to the vaporizer.

Abstract: A diesel combustion engine system providing improved fuel combustion and exhaust aftertreatment includes: a diesel combustion engine having a liquid fuel intake, an air intake, a reformate intake, and an exhaust outlet; a liquid diesel fuel source in fluid communication with the liquid fuel intake and an on-board catalytic partial oxidation fuel reformer that receives a supply of hydrogen-containing liquid diesel fuel and a supply of air and produces therefrom a hydrogen-rich reformate. An exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet and the reformer includes a reformate conduit upstream from exhaust aftertreatment components.

Abstract: A method of operating a compression ignition engine is disclosed. The method comprises, introducing an enriching component into a combustion chamber during an intake stroke, igniting the enriching component during the compression stroke, introducing a main injection of fuel to the combustion chamber after the ignition of the enriching component, igniting the main injection of fuel, and introducing a supplemental gas to the combustion chamber after igniting the main injection of fuel.