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 damper for suppressing vibrations of a crankshaft of a vehicle is disclosed. The damper comprises a hub having a circular wall extending about a rotational axis to define a bore formed therethrough. The wall comprises a step portion radially extending therefrom and having a first arcuate portion formed thereon. The hub comprises a body portion radially extending from the wall to a lip to define an open cavity. The damper comprises a weld nugget disposed between the hub and the plate. The weld nugget has a root extending therethrough concurrent with the rotational axis to join the hub and the plate. The root has tip defining a profile such that the hollow channel is disposed at an angle tangent to the profile to lessen cracking due to stress.

Abstract: A pump includes a first gear plate and a first pair of counter rotating gears positioned on a first side of the gear plate. The pair of counter rotating gears draws fluid from an inlet and transfers the fluid into an outlet of a common manifold. The gear plate has a cutout to increase the flow of fluid into the common manifold.

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 variable displacement pump for supplying fluid to a system is described. Controlling the variable displacement pump is determined based upon inputs from a fluidic pressure sensor and an accelerometer, and includes determining a desired fluidic pressure and monitoring, via the fluidic pressure sensor, an actual fluidic pressure. A pressure error term is determined based upon a difference between the actual fluidic pressure and the desired fluidic pressure. A time-integrated pressure error term is determined based upon the pressure error term, and a g-force is determined based upon an input signal from the accelerometer. The variable displacement pump is controlled in response to the time-integrated pressure error term when the g-force is greater than a threshold g-force.

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 pump includes a first gear plate and a first pair of counter rotating gears positioned on a first side of the gear plate. The pair of counter rotating gears draws fluid from an inlet and transfers the fluid into an outlet of a common manifold. The gear plate has a cutout to increase the flow of fluid into the common manifold.

Abstract: A gear assembly of a scavenge oil pump for a vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises a first pair of meshing gears comprising a first drive gear disposed about a drive shaft and a first slave gear disposed about a slave drive in parallel relationship with the drive shaft. The first drive gear and first slave gear are in rotational meshing cooperation. The assembly comprises a second pair of meshing gears comprising a second drive gear disposed about the drive shaft and a second slave gear disposed about the slave drive. The second drive gear and second slave gear are in rotational meshing cooperation. The second pair of meshing gears is disposed linearly adjacent to the first pair of meshing gears. The first pair and the second pair of meshing gears have about ? of a tooth spacing relative to each other for torque transmission of scavenge oil.

Abstract: A variable displacement pump for supplying fluid to a system is described. Controlling the variable displacement pump is determined based upon inputs from a fluidic pressure sensor and an accelerometer, and includes determining a desired fluidic pressure and monitoring, via the fluidic pressure sensor, an actual fluidic pressure. A pressure error term is determined based upon a difference between the actual fluidic pressure and the desired fluidic pressure. A time-integrated pressure error term is determined based upon the pressure error term, and a g-force is determined based upon an input signal from the accelerometer. The variable displacement pump is controlled in response to the time-integrated pressure error term when the g-force is greater than a threshold g-force.

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 gear pump that is used to pump fluid, such as oil, in a vehicle. The gear pump comprises a gear assembly having a drive shaft including a drive shaft key; a set of drive gears mounted on the drive shaft, with a drive gear of the set of drive gears being keyed with the drive shaft key; a driven shaft including a driven shaft key; a set of driven gears mounted on the driven shaft, with a driven gear of the driven gear set being keyed with the driven shaft key; and a torque drive feature associated with the drive shaft or the driven shaft, wherein the torque drive feature is configured to check keying with the driven shaft key.

Abstract: A gear assembly of a scavenge oil pump for a vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises a first pair of meshing gears comprising a first drive gear disposed about a drive shaft and a first slave gear disposed about a slave drive in parallel relationship with the drive shaft. The first drive gear and first slave gear are in rotational meshing cooperation. The assembly comprises a second pair of meshing gears comprising a second drive gear disposed about the drive shaft and a second slave gear disposed about the slave drive. The second drive gear and second slave gear are in rotational meshing cooperation. The second pair of meshing gears is disposed linearly adjacent to the first pair of meshing gears. The first pair and the second pair of meshing gears have about ? of a tooth spacing relative to each other for torque transmission of scavenge oil.

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 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: 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 gear pump that is used to pump fluid, such as oil, in a vehicle. The gear pump comprises a gear assembly having a drive shaft including a drive shaft key; a set of drive gears mounted on the drive shaft, with a drive gear of the set of drive gears being keyed with the drive shaft key; a driven shaft including a driven shaft key; a set of driven gears mounted on the driven shaft, with a driven gear of the driven gear set being keyed with the driven shaft key; and a torque drive feature associated with the drive shaft or the driven shaft, wherein the torque drive feature is configured to check keying with the driven shaft key.

Abstract: A temperature responsive valve includes a housing and a cylindrical structure disposed within the housing. The housing defines an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway wherein the cylinder body of the cylindrical structure is disposed between the inlet passageway and the outlet passageway. The cylindrical structure includes a first layer so that the cylindrical structure is configured to expand from a decreased diameter to an increased diameter when the first layer of the cylindrical structure is exposed to an increased pre-determined temperature range causing the cylindrical structure restricts the inlet passageway and the outlet passageway at such increased pre-determined temperature range.