Abstract: A method of selecting a compression ratio in an internal combustion engine having a mechanism configured to vary the compression ratio includes receiving, via an electronic controller, a requested output torque value. The method also includes determining, via the controller, a value of engine speed corresponding to the requested output torque value. The method additionally includes determining, via the controller, a compression ratio value corresponding to the requested output torque value and the determined value of the engine speed. The method also includes determining, via the controller, a position of the mechanism corresponding to the determined compression ratio value. Furthermore, the method includes commanding, via the controller, the determined position of the mechanism and thereby selecting the determined compression ratio value.

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 turbocharger includes a compressor wheel configured to pressurize an airflow for delivery to an internal combustion engine. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel configured to be driven by the engine's post-combustion gases and drive the compressor wheel. The turbocharger additionally includes a waste-gate assembly. The waste-gate assembly includes a first waste-gate valve and a second waste-gate valve, wherein each of the first and second waste-gate valves is configured to selectively redirect at least a portion of the post-combustion gases away from the turbine wheel into the exhaust passage. A vehicle having an internal combustion engine operatively connected to such a turbocharger and also employing a controller configured to regulate the first and second waste-gate valves is also disclosed.

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 an engagement device and detent mechanism for assisting with holding the wastegate in the closed position.

Abstract: A method of controlling intake and exhaust cam phase in an internal combustion engine for optimal HVAC performance in a motor vehicle includes requesting a cabin heating value, sensing an engine speed and an engine load of the internal combustion engine, utilizing the cabin heating value, the engine speed and the engine load in one or more lookup tables to determine intake phaser constraint values and exhaust phaser constraint values for cabin heating, and transitioning the intake phaser constraint values and the exhaust phaser constraint values for cabin heating to intake phaser constraint values and exhaust phaser constraint values based on one or more lookup tables for normal operation without a cabin heating request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a size of a person at an exterior of the space to be occupied are provided. The method includes: detecting, at an exterior of a vehicle, a size of a person approaching the vehicle to enter the vehicle; and adjusting a position of at least one from among a vehicle control, a vehicle mirror, and a vehicle seat based on the detected size of the person approaching the vehicle. The method and apparatus may be used to detect the size of a person intending to occupy a vehicle and to adjust positioning of various elements and controls based on the detected size prior to entering the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a size of a person at an exterior of the space to be occupied are provided. The method includes: detecting, at an exterior of a vehicle, a size of a person approaching the vehicle to enter the vehicle; and adjusting a position of at least one from among a vehicle control, a vehicle mirror, and a vehicle seat based on the detected size of the person approaching the vehicle. The method and apparatus may be used to detect the size of a person intending to occupy a vehicle and to adjust positioning of various elements and controls based on the detected size prior to entering the vehicle.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a compressor wheel configured to pressurize an airflow for delivery to an internal combustion engine. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel configured to be driven by the engine's post-combustion gases and drive the compressor wheel. The turbocharger additionally includes a waste-gate assembly. The waste-gate assembly includes a first waste-gate valve and a second waste-gate valve, wherein each of the first and second waste-gate valves is configured to selectively redirect at least a portion of the post-combustion gases away from the turbine wheel into the exhaust passage. A vehicle having an internal combustion engine operatively connected to such a turbocharger and also employing a controller configured to regulate the first and second waste-gate valves is also disclosed.

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 an engagement device and detent mechanism for assisting with holding the wastegate in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining whether one or more doors of a vehicle are expected to contact the one or more objects when opened. In accordance with one embodiment, the vehicle includes, in addition to the one or more doors, one or more sensors, a memory, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to generate sensor data pertaining to one or more objects in proximity to a vehicle. The memory is configured to store a door geometry for the one or more doors. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors and to the memory, and is configured to at least facilitate determining whether the one or more doors are expected to contact the one or more objects when opened, using the sensor data and the door geometry.

Abstract: A method of controlling a HVAC system of a vehicle includes repeatedly sensing an area of a window of the vehicle that is not covered by frost with a sensor positioned adjacent the window. When the sensed area not covered by frost is less than an area threshold value, a HVAC controller controls the HVAC system to operate in a defrost mode. When the sensed area not covered by frost is equal to or greater than the area threshold value the HVAC controller controls the HVAC system to operate in a cabin heating mode. The HVAC controller automatically switches the HVAC system from the defrost mode to the cabin heating mode when the sensed area not covered by frost increases to a value that is equal to or greater than the area threshold value.