Abstract: A system and method of controlling a continuously variable transmission with variator speed ratio (VSR) closed-loop feedback is provided. The method includes determining a desired VSR based on at least one of the driver and vehicle inputs, determining a motor position adjustment needed to adjust the position of a roller to achieve the desired VSR, driving the motor based on the determined motor position adjustment needed, sensing a transmission output speed as the motor is being driven, determining an actual VSR as the motor is being driven, and providing closed-loop feedback corresponding to any difference between the actual VSR and the desired VSR and driving the motor to eliminate the difference, thereby achieving the desired VSR.

Abstract: A method of estimating soot loading in a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in a vehicle exhaust system includes estimating an engine-out soot rate using a first neural network that has a first set of vehicle operating conditions as inputs. The method further includes estimating DPF soot loading using a second neural network that has the estimated engine-out soot rate from the first neural network and a second set of vehicle operating conditions as inputs. Estimating the engine-out soot rate and estimating the DPF soot loading are performed by an electronic controller that executes the first and the second neural networks. The method also provides for training the first and second neural networks both offline (for initial settings of the neural networks in the vehicle), and online (when the vehicle is being used by a vehicle operator). An exhaust system has a controller that implements the method.

Abstract: A method for temperature compensating an air spring of an air spring suspension of a motor vehicle after engine shut-off. A desired trim height is obtained. At engine shut-off, the ambient temperature is measured and the temperature of air in the air spring determined. After a wait time (for loading/unloading), a start trim height is measured. A predicted trim height is determined for when the air in the air spring is at the ambient temperature. Finally, the volume of the air in the air spring is selectively adjusted so that when the air in the air spring arrives at the ambient temperature, the trim height will be about the desired trim height.

Abstract: A method of estimating soot loading in a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in a vehicle exhaust system includes determining engine operating conditions of an engine in exhaust flow communication with the diesel particulate filter, and monitoring a pressure differential of the exhaust flow across the diesel particulate filter. The method includes estimating soot loading in the diesel particulate filter according to a pressure-based model using the monitored pressure differential when the engine operating conditions are within a predetermined first set of engine operating conditions, and estimating soot loading in the diesel particulate filter according to an engine-out soot model and a DPF soot loading model when the engine operating conditions are within a predetermined second set of operating conditions. The method includes updating the engine-out soot model based in part on a difference in estimated soot loading between the pressure-based model and the DPF soot loading model.

Abstract: A method of estimating soot loading in a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in a vehicle exhaust system includes estimating an engine-out soot rate using a first neural network that has a first set of vehicle operating conditions as inputs. The method further includes estimating DPF soot loading using a second neural network that has the estimated engine-out soot rate from the first neural network and a second set of vehicle operating conditions as inputs. Estimating the engine-out soot rate and estimating the DPF soot loading are performed by an electronic controller that executes the first and the second neural networks. The method also provides for training the first and second neural networks both offline (for initial settings of the neural networks in the vehicle), and online (when the vehicle is being used by a vehicle operator). An exhaust system has a controller that implements the method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a power take-off (PTO) of an engine equipped vehicle. Transceivers in a portable wireless remote control device (WRCD) and an in-vehicle control system (IVCS) wirelessly communicate (a) user generated PTO action requests to the vehicle, and (b) PTO and vehicle status information to the WRCD. A PTO control module (PTOCM) in the IVCS translates the wirelessly received user action requests into engine and PTO operating or action commands, monitors the engine and PTO status and has the IVCS transceiver send the status information back to the WRCD where it can be presented to the user on a display. In a preferred embodiment, maximum use is made of components already existing in the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a continuously variable transmission with variator speed ratio (VSR) closed-loop feedback is provided. The method includes determining a desired VSR based on at least one of the driver and vehicle inputs, determining a motor position adjustment needed to adjust the position of a roller to achieve the desired VSR, driving the motor based on the determined motor position adjustment needed, sensing a transmission output speed as the motor is being driven, determining an actual VSR as the motor is being driven, and providing closed-loop feedback corresponding to any difference between the actual VSR and the desired VSR and driving the motor to eliminate the difference, thereby achieving the desired VSR with improved quick response time and more accurate control.

Abstract: An active suspension system and method for controlling the height of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the active suspension system receives information from one or more input sources, including both internal and external vehicle inputs, and uses that information to actively control the vehicle height. By doing so, the active suspension system can reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and improve the vehicle's fuel economy, ride comfort, handling, and other aspects of operation. Some examples of external vehicle inputs that may be used include: short-range road and vehicle information, as well as long-range traffic, road and route information.

Abstract: A method for providing a trailer equipped with trailer brakes with an electronically controlled trailer braking output to help slow a vehicle/trailer combination as quickly as possible, but in a stable and balanced manner. In situations where a low friction environment is detected, such as a wet or icy road, the present method can brake the trailer in a more aggressive manner than a gain setting would normally allow. This gain-independent segment of the trailer braking output can result in a shorter stopping distance for the vehicle/trailer combination, without causing excessive trailer wheel lockup.

Abstract: A method for temperature compensating an air spring of an air spring suspension of a motor vehicle after engine shut-off. A desired trim height is obtained. At engine shut-off, the ambient temperature is measured and the temperature of air in the air spring determined. After a wait time (for loading/unloading), a start trim height is measured. A predicted trim height is determined for when the air in the air spring is at the ambient temperature. Finally, the volume of the air in the air spring is selectively adjusted so that when the air in the air spring arrives at the ambient temperature, the trim height will be about the desired trim height.

Abstract: An active suspension system and method for controlling the height of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the active suspension system receives information from one or more input sources, including both internal and external vehicle inputs, and uses that information to actively control the vehicle height. By doing so, the active suspension system can reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and improve the vehicle's fuel economy, ride comfort, handling, and other aspects of operation. Some examples of external vehicle inputs that may be used include: short-range road and vehicle information, as well as long-range traffic, road and route information.

Abstract: A method for providing a trailer equipped with trailer brakes with an electronically controlled trailer braking output to help slow a vehicle/trailer combination as quickly as possible, but in a stable and balanced manner. In situations where a low friction environment is detected, such as a wet or icy road, the present method can brake the trailer in a more aggressive manner than a gain setting would normally allow. This gain-independent segment of the trailer braking output can result in a shorter stopping distance for the vehicle/trailer combination, without causing excessive trailer wheel lockup.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a power take-off (PTO) of an engine equipped vehicle. Transceivers in a portable wireless remote control device (WRCD) and an in-vehicle control system (IVCS) wirelessly communicate (a) user generated PTO action requests to the vehicle, and (b) PTO and vehicle status information to the WRCD. A PTO control module (PTOCM) in the IVCS translates the wirelessly received user action requests into engine and PTO operating or action commands, monitors the engine and PTO status and has the IVCS transceiver send the status information back to the WRCD where it can be presented to the user on a display. In a preferred embodiment, maximum use is made of components already existing in the vehicle.

Abstract: In a remote communications device (106), a method of operating a personal communications system (102) includes coupling the remote communications device (106) to a vehicle (109), wherein the remote communications device (106) comprises substantially all functionality of the personal communications system and the remote communications device utilizing at least one vehicle resource (116) while coupled to the vehicle. The remote communications device can configure at least one vehicle subsystem (118) while coupled to the vehicle and access content through remote communications device utilizing at the at least one vehicle resource. When remote communications device is uncoupled from the vehicle, it retains the functionality of the personal communications system (102) and remote communications device (106) can access content independent of the vehicle resources.