Abstract: A method is provided for determining a battery capacity for a vehicle battery. Open circuit voltages of a vehicle battery are measured during ignition startups. A battery parameter is estimated for the vehicle battery that is a function of a present open circuit voltage measurement for a present ignition startup, a function of at least one open circuit voltage observation of a previous ignition startup, a function of a current draw integration over a time period from a previous ignition startup event to a present ignition startup event, and a function of an adjustment factor. A battery parameter is determined based on a new battery. The battery capacity is calculated as function of the battery parameter for the vehicle battery and the battery parameter for the new battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a vehicle. In one embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to, receiving traffic data from a vehicle communication bus. The method further includes, but is not limited to, identifying, by a processor, net-motifs from the traffic data. The method still further includes, but is not limited to, detecting a mode of components of the vehicle based on the net-motifs.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a monitoring point in an electrical and electronic system (EES) in a vehicle. The method includes defining a network model of the EES where potential monitoring point locations in the model are identified as targets, such as nodes. The method then computes a betweenness centrality metric for each target in the model as a summation of a ratio of a number of shortest paths between each pair of targets in the model that pass through the target whose betweenness centrality metric is being determined to a total number of shortest paths between each pair of targets. The method identifies which of the betweenness centrality metrics are greater than a threshold that defines a minimum acceptable metric and determines which of those targets meets a predetermined model coverage. The monitoring point is selected as the target that best satisfies the minimum metric and the desired coverage.

Abstract: A cooperative diagnostic and prognosis system for generating a prognosis of at least one component in a vehicle. An in-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a diagnostic signature of the component each time an occurrence of a condition is triggered and transmits the diagnostic signature to an off-board diagnostic unit. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a SOH of the component and a rate-of-change in the SOH of the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines whether the rate-of-change in the SOH is greater than a threshold. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit requests additional information from the vehicle in response to the rate-of-change in the SOH being greater than the threshold. The additional information relating to operating parameter data associated with the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit receives the requested information and predicts a time-to-failure of the component.

Abstract: A method includes collecting state of health (SOH) data and usage data from a plurality of vehicles. A peer group is identified among the vehicles. A vehicle health prognosis is generated for each vehicle of the peer based on the collected SOH and usage data. The vehicles of the peer group are ranked based on the generated vehicle health prognosis and the rank is reported to an output device that is associated with each vehicle or with a user of each vehicle. If evaluation of the ranking indicates that the health prognosis of a vehicle of the peer group is improvable by modifying vehicle usage, an alert is issued to a user of that vehicle.

Abstract: A cooperative diagnostic and prognosis system for generating a prognosis of at least one component in a vehicle. An in-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a diagnostic signature of the component each time an occurrence of a condition is triggered and transmits the diagnostic signature to an off-board diagnostic unit. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines a SOH of the component and a rate-of-change in the SOH of the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit determines whether the rate-of-change in the SOH is greater than a threshold. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit requests additional information from the vehicle in response to the rate-of-change in the SOH being greater than the threshold. The additional information relating to operating parameter data associated with the component. The off-vehicle diagnostic unit receives the requested information and predicts a time-to-failure of the component.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether the stator in a vehicle alternator has a turn-to-turn short circuit. The method includes determining an output current or voltage signal of the alternator, where the output current or voltage signal includes a ripple current frequency as a result of an AC-to-DC conversion. The method determines the speed of the alternator and a current output of the alternator. The method then determines the ripple current frequency of the alternator from the alternator speed, and determines a winding frequency from the ripple current frequency. The method performs an FFT analysis on the voltage and current signal, determines an amplitude of the winding frequency and compares the amplitude of the winding frequency to a predetermined amplitude, where if the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, a turn-to-turn short circuit is likely occurring.

Abstract: A method for optimizing performance of a system includes determining, via a controller, a state of health (SOH) for each of a plurality of components of the system, and determining a state of function (SOF) of the system using the SOH of each component. The method includes estimating the remaining useful life (RUL) of the system using the system SOF, selecting a cost-optimal control strategy for the system using a costing model, and dynamically, i.e., in real time, executing the selected strategy to extend the estimated RUL. The method may include comparing the selected cost-optimal strategy to a calibrated performance threshold, and executing the selected strategy only when the selected strategy exceeds the threshold. A system includes first and second components and a controller. The controller dynamically executes the above method with respect to the components, which may be a traction motor and battery in one possible embodiment.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing service diagnostics utilizing service repair data of previously serviced vehicles. Service repair data of previously serviced vehicles is obtained from a memory storage device. The service data is compiled into a service diagnostic code dataset and a service labor code dataset. The service diagnostic code dataset and service labor code dataset are categorized into an electronic data table. Respective combinations are formed in the electronic data table. An aggregate count is determined for each respective combination in the electronic data table. Either of a respective diagnostic code or a respective service labor code is identified having a correlation with more than one of either service diagnostic codes or service labor codes. At least one of a service repair procedure used to repair the vehicle or a respective service diagnostic code used to identify the fault is modified in response to analyzing the respective combinations.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a fault in an in-vehicle communication system. The in-vehicle communication system includes a transmitting node, at least one receiving node, and a network communication bus coupling the transmitting node to the at least one receiving node. A message is transmitted from the transmitting node to the at least one receiving node over the communication bus. A fault detection technique is applied within the transmitting node for detecting a fault within the transmitting node. A fault detection technique is applied to the at least one receiving node for detecting a fault within the at least one receiving node. A fault detection technique is applied within the network communication bus for detecting a fault within the communication bus. An analyzer collectively analyzes results from each respective detection technique for isolating a fault within the in-vehicle communication system.

Abstract: A method of determining a state-of-charge for a battery is provided. A startup state-of-charge of the battery is determined as a function of a present open circuit voltage measurement for a present ignition startup, at least one open circuit voltage observation of a previous ignition startup, and a current draw integration over a time period from a previous ignition startup event to a present ignition startup event. A run state-of-charge change of the battery is determined for an ignition key-on operation. The run state-of-charge change comprises a difference between the present open circuit voltage measurement and the at least one previous open circuit voltage observation, and is determined in response to of a current draw integration over a respective period of time. The state-of-charge of the battery is calculated based on a function of the startup state-of-charge and the run state-of-charge change of the battery.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the health of a component includes retrieving measured health signatures from the component, retrieving component usage variables, estimating component health signatures using an aging model, determining an aging derivative using the aging model and calculating an aging error based on the estimated component health signatures, the aging derivative and the measured health signatures.

Abstract: A method includes recording a current performance signature for first and second components in a system, recording a calibrated baseline performance signature for the components, and processing the performance signatures through an aging model to determine a future performance signature for each component. The future performance signatures are processed through a system function model to determine the state of function of the system for each possible repair case. A cost-optimal repair case is then determined from among the possible repair cases, and recorded in memory. An apparatus includes first and second components of a system, and a host machine configured for processing the current and baseline performance signatures through the aging and system function models as noted above. The cost-optimal repair case is determined from among all possible repair cases, and then recorded in memory. An example system may be a cranking system with a starter motor and battery.

Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a starter motor and a battery. A method for evaluating the starting system includes detecting a fault associated with the starter motor when a minimum starting system voltage during a cranking event is greater than a threshold minimum starting system voltage determined in relation to an engine acceleration parameter, and detecting a fault associated with the battery when the engine acceleration parameter is less than a minimum threshold for the engine acceleration parameter.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a starter motor for an internal combustion engine includes calculating a first engine power during a starting event based on an electric power flow from the battery to the starter motor, calculating a second engine power during the starting event based on an engine kinetic energy, and detecting a fault associated with the starter motor as a function of the difference between the first engine power and the second engine power.

Abstract: A system and method for telemetrically collecting on-road vehicle diagnostic data. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting vehicle diagnostic data from service shops, on-road vehicles and warranty records, aggregating the collected data and extracting knowledge therefrom. The extracted knowledge can be used to enhance algorithms on-board vehicles or at service centers so as to better identify vehicle faults and provide enhanced diagnostics and prognostics. The enhanced algorithms can then be used to provide predictive maintenance suggestions, provide trouble shooting assistance or provide vehicle design improvements.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether the stator in a vehicle alternator has a turn-to-turn short circuit. The method includes determining an output current or voltage signal of the alternator, where the output current or voltage signal includes a ripple current frequency as a result of an AC-to-DC conversion. The method determines the speed of the alternator and a current output of the alternator. The method then determines the ripple current frequency of the alternator from the alternator speed, and determines a winding frequency from the ripple current frequency. The method performs an FFT analysis on the voltage and current signal, determines an amplitude of the winding frequency and compares the amplitude of the winding frequency to a predetermined amplitude, where if the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, a turn-to-turn short circuit is likely occurring.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a monitoring point in an electrical and electronic system (EES) in a vehicle. The method includes defining a network model of the EES where potential monitoring point locations in the model are identified as targets, such as nodes. The method then computes a betweenness centrality metric for each target in the model as a summation of a ratio of a total number of shortest paths between each pair of targets and a number of shortest paths that pass through the target whose betweenness centrality metric is being determined. The method identifies which of the betweenness centrality metrics are greater than a threshold that defines a minimum acceptable metric and determines which of those targets meets a predetermined model coverage. The monitoring point is selected as the target that best satisfies the minimum metric and the desired coverage.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the speed of an alternator, for example, a vehicle alternator. The method includes measuring the current or voltage of a vehicle battery for a predetermined period of time, and then notch filtering the measured current or voltage signal to remove known harmonics. A limited data point Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectrum analysis operation is performed to identify the frequency peaks in the filtered signal, where the highest peak represents a ripple current on the DC alternator signal. The highest peak in the FFT signal is identified, and an interpolation process is performed between that peak and an adjacent peak in the data to identify the actual frequency of the ripple current. The ripple current is then converted to the speed of the alternator.

Abstract: A system and method for providing component and sub-system state of health prognosis in a complex system using fault models and component aging models. The method includes determining a current state of health value for a sub-system using fault signature test results and determining current state of health values for a plurality of components in the sub-system using the fault signature test results. The method also determines current state of health values for components in the system that cannot use fault signature test results using a first probability model and the current state of health values for the plurality of components. The method determines predicted future state of health values for the components in the sub-system using component aging models and determines a predicted future state of health value for the sub-system using a second probability model and the future state of health values of the components.