Abstract: An engine exhaust braking system includes: a valve control system for controlling states of exhaust valves of an engine; and a control module including a memory configured to store an exhaust valve pressure equalization algorithm. The control module is configured to execute instructions of the exhaust valve pressure equalization algorithm. The instructions include: determining whether the engine is operating in an engine exhaust braking mode; and in response to the engine operating in the engine exhaust braking mode, controlling the valve control system to reopen one or more of the exhaust valves during corresponding intake strokes of the engine to equalize pressures between interior and exterior sides of the one or more exhaust valves.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a bore therein, a valve stem, a spring retainer, a valve spring, and a detent mechanism. The valve stem extends through the bore in the valve body and is adjustable between an open position and a closed position. The spring retainer is spaced apart from the valve body along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem and fixed relative to the valve body. The spring retainer defines a bore through which the valve stem extends. The valve spring is captured between the valve body and the spring retainer and is configured to apply a biasing force to the valve stem that biases the valve stem toward the closed position. The detent mechanism is configured to increase the biasing force applied to the valve stem when the valve stem is in the closed position or within a predetermined distance of the closed position.

Abstract: A system for controlling a fan of a vehicle engine. The system comprises: i) a fan configured to selectively cool the vehicle engine; and ii) an engine control module configured to: a) turn on the fan when the engine temperature exceeds a selected temperature threshold; b) determine when the vehicle engine is operating in an engine braking mode; and c) in response to the engine operating in the engine braking mode, turn on the fan when the engine temperature is below the selected temperature threshold. The engine control module turns the fan off as a means of hardware protection of the fan clutch even during engine braking modes.

Abstract: A system for controlling a fan of a vehicle engine. The system comprises: i) a fan configured to selectively cool the vehicle engine; and ii) an engine control module configured to: a) turn on the fan when the engine temperature exceeds a selected temperature threshold; b) determine when the vehicle engine is operating in an engine braking mode; and c) in response to the engine operating in the engine braking mode, turn on the fan when the engine temperature is below the selected temperature threshold. The engine control module turns the fan off as a means of hardware protection of the fan clutch even during engine braking modes.

Abstract: An exhaust brake torque system for a vehicle including an engine includes a controller configured to determine a current exhaust brake torque and a maximum exhaust brake torque. A display is configured to display at least one of the current exhaust brake torque, the maximum exhaust brake torque and a percentage corresponding to the current exhaust brake torque divided by the maximum exhaust brake torque. An engine speed sensor determines an engine speed of an engine. A pressure sensor is configured to sense turbine inlet pressure. The controller is configured to calculate the current exhaust brake torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque in response to the engine speed and the turbine inlet pressure.

Abstract: An exhaust brake torque system for a vehicle including an engine includes a controller configured to determine a current exhaust brake torque and a maximum exhaust brake torque. A display is configured to display at least one of the current exhaust brake torque, the maximum exhaust brake torque and a percentage corresponding to the current exhaust brake torque divided by the maximum exhaust brake torque. An engine speed sensor determines an engine speed of an engine. A pressure sensor is configured to sense turbine inlet pressure. The controller is configured to calculate the current exhaust brake torque and the maximum exhaust brake torque in response to the engine speed and the turbine inlet pressure.

Abstract: A method for exhaust braking includes monitoring, by a controller of a vehicle, an engine speed of an internal combustion engine; comparing, by the controller, the engine speed with the a predetermined braking speed threshold to determine whether the engine speed is greater than the a predetermined braking speed threshold; and, in response to determining that the engine speed is greater than the a predetermined braking speed threshold, switching the vehicle to an exhaust braking mode.

Abstract: A method and system for regulating an exhaust gas flow includes providing an engine and an exhaust system coupled to the engine, the exhaust system including a variable-geometry turbocharger and exhaust tubing including an exhaust pipe bellows and providing a controller and at least one sensor in communication with the controller, the at least one sensor configured to measure an engine speed of the engine. The method includes determining whether a first condition is satisfied and in response to satisfaction of the first condition, determining an exhaust gas temperature at the exhaust pipe bellows and determining a time delay for regulation of the exhaust gas flow to the variable-geometry turbocharger. The method includes controlling the exhaust gas flow to the variable-geometry turbocharger based on the determined time delay.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system for enhanced accent lighting within a vehicle interior, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to carry out the following steps: capturing an image of a user; and producing accent lighting in the vehicle interior based on the image.

Abstract: A method for exhaust braking includes monitoring, by a controller of a vehicle, an engine speed of an internal combustion engine; comparing, by the controller, the engine speed with the a predetermined braking speed threshold to determine whether the engine speed is greater than the a predetermined braking speed threshold; and, in response to determining that the engine speed is greater than the a predetermined braking speed threshold, switching the vehicle to an exhaust braking mode.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a variable intake manifold with one or more intake manifold tuning valves. Controlling the intake manifold tuning valve(s) involves determining an operating mode switching point of the intake manifold tuning valve(s). The operating mode switching point initiates opening and closing movements of the intake manifold tuning valve(s). The operating mode switching point is determined based in part or more upon temperature of intake air in the variable intake manifold.

Abstract: A valvetrain assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a first camshaft, a first intake cam, a second intake cam, a first cam slide member, and a first actuator. The first camshaft rotatably is supported by a cylinder head. The first intake cam and a second intake cam are disposed on and engaged with the first camshaft for common rotation. The first cam slide member is fixed for common rotation with the first and second intake cams. The first cam slide member has a pin groove disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam slide member. The pin groove includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposite the first side wall. The first actuator has a first and a second pins. The first and second pins are individually extendable into the pin groove of the first cam slide member.

Abstract: A gear assembly includes a primary shaft, a driving gear, a driven gear, a secondary shaft, and a key wherein the primary shaft and the driving gear define a keyway for housing the key. The primary shaft defines a lower region of the keyway while the driving gear defines an upper region of the keyway. The driving gear may be mounted on the primary shaft such that the upper region and the lower regions of the keyway are aligned with each other in order for the keyway to house the key. The driven gear may be mounted on the secondary shaft such that the driven gear may be in meshing engagement with the driven gear. The aforementioned keyway defines a peninsula in a center portion of the driving gear. The peninsula is configured to abut a key disposed within the keyway.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is configured to periodically open and close combustion chamber exhaust valves of the engine such that one exhaust valve is held open longer than another exhaust valve and/or one exhaust valve opens before another exhaust valve relative to top dead center. The resulting differential exhaust valve timing can at least partially compensate for different swallowing capacities of the scrolls of a twin-scroll turbine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a charge air cooler system having a manifold charge air cooler, a first charge air cooler and a second charge air cooler wherein each charge air cooler are in fluid communication with each other. The manifold charge air cooler is within a plenum and defines a first chamber and a second chamber within the plenum. The manifold charge air cooler is configured to cool of unsteady flow between the first and second chambers. The first charge air cooler may be configured to cool a first ambient air flow and may be in fluid communication with the first chamber. The second charge air cooler may be configured to cool a second ambient air flow wherein the second charge air cooler is in fluid communication with the second chamber.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle and method of operating the camshaft assembly to enhance engine braking performance through selective activation of a cam lobe having a brake gas recirculation contour. The camshaft assembly comprises an exhaust camshaft and a lobe pack on the exhaust camshaft, with the lobe pack including a plurality of cam lobes. At least one cam lobe of the plurality of cam lobes includes a brake gas recirculation cam contour having an exhaust stroke projection and a combustion stroke projection. The method switches to the cam lobe including the brake gas recirculation profile when certain criteria indicate that an engine braking mode is to be activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that detect a leak of vehicle fluid are provided. The method includes determining whether leak detection is active, capturing a first image of an area while parking a vehicle into the area if the leak detection is active, capturing a second image of the area while the vehicle is exiting from the area, comparing the first image and the second image to detect whether the leak is present, and outputting a notification indicating a leak is present if the comparing detects the leak.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine having an air intake system and an exhaust system. A turbocharger includes a turbine section connected to the exhaust system and a compressor section connected to the air intake system. A wastegate is disposed in the exhaust system and movable between an open and a closed position by an actuator system. The actuator system includes a gear mechanism for moving the waste gate from a closed to an open position and including a pair of noncircular gears.

Abstract: An improved cam follower includes a lifter body, a spring seat, a tower, a spring and an anti-rotation member defining at least one interference rib. The lifter body may engage with a cam via a rolling member. The lifter body defines a longitudinal axis, a first open end, and a second end. The spring seat which defines a spring seat opening may be disposed at the first open end of the lifter body. The tower which includes an upper flange may be couples a pushrod to the lifter body. The spring may be disposed between the spring seat and the upper flange of the tower. The anti-rotation member may be disposed proximate to the first open end of the lifter body and includes an outer surface and an inner surface with an interference rib integral to the inner surface which engages with an upper region of the lifter body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a charge air cooler system having a manifold charge air cooler, a first charge air cooler and a second charge air cooler wherein each charge air cooler are in fluid communication with each other. The manifold charge air cooler is within a plenum and defines a first chamber and a second chamber within the plenum. The manifold charge air cooler is configured to cool of unsteady flow between the first and second chambers. The first charge air cooler may be configured to cool a first ambient air flow and may be in fluid communication with the first chamber. The second charge air cooler may be configured to cool a second ambient air flow wherein the second charge air cooler is in fluid communication with the second chamber.