Abstract: A system includes a transceiver module and a rotating device. The transceiver module generates an electromagnetic (EM) field using an antenna. The rotating device includes N transponders arranged such that each of the N transponders passes through the EM field during one revolution of the rotating device. Each of the N transponders damps the EM field when passing through the EM field. The transceiver module determines a rotational speed of the rotating device based on a number of times the EM field is damped during a period. N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an engine function includes a deflection determination module generating a clutch deflection signal. The system further includes an engine function module controlling an engine function in response to the clutch deflection signal. The clutch deflection signal may be generated by sensors associated with the transmission shaft such as within the clutch housing or the friction disk.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas feedstream flowing past a gas sensing device disposed therein. The gas sensor includes an integrated electrical heating element which provides a resistance indicative of its temperature. An unknown input observer is used to determine the exhaust gas feedstream temperature based on the heating element temperature.

Abstract: A control module and method for controlling an engine operation includes a runtime module that determines a previous run period, a fuel mass module that determines a fuel mass during the previous run period, a spark fouling condition estimation module that determines a spark fouling condition based on the fuel mass during the previous run period and an engine operation module that controls the engine in response to the spark fouling condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel polyaromatic and polyheteroaromatic compounds and derivatives thereof. The compounds display high solubility in organic solvents. A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of the novel compounds in the fabrication of organic film based heterojunction devices. In one form the devices display high conversion efficiencies in solar cell applications.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electro-mechanical transmission and an electric machine. In an engine starting routine, flow control devices located proximate each combustion chamber in the engine initially restrict airflow into the cylinders to allow for a starter motor to rotate the engine at lower expansion and compression torque whereafter rotation of the engine is transitioned to the electric machine.

Abstract: An engine system includes a stop-start module that generates a shut down signal to shut down an engine. A friction module that generates a friction signal based on the engine shut down signal. The friction signal indicates an estimate of a sum of friction forces between components of the engine. A position module estimates a position of the engine and generates a position signal. An energy module estimates kinetic energy of the engine based on the friction signal and the position signal. A cylinder deactivation module stops the engine based on the kinetic energy in at least one of (i) a predetermined position and (ii) a predetermined range.

Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes an auto-stop/start module and an actuator control module. The auto-stop/start module selectively generates an auto-stop command for shutting down an engine while an ignition is in an ON state. The actuator control module disables fuel to the engine when the auto-stop command is generated and closes a throttle valve to a predetermined throttle opening when the auto-stop command is generated.

Abstract: An engine system of a vehicle includes an engine torque module. The engine torque module determines an engine output torque profile including predicted torque outputs based on an accelerator signal and an engine state variable. A load control module determines a dynamic transmission load profile based on the engine output torque profile and an engine speed profile. The dynamic transmission load profile includes transmission loads as a function of engine speed during an auto-start of an engine. A compensation module generates a torque compensation signal based on the dynamic transmission load profile. An actuator module compensates for a change in a transmission load based on the torque compensation signal and during a transition of the engine from a cranking state to an idle state.

Abstract: A control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes a transmission load module, a target engine speed module, and an actuator control module. The transmission load module determines a load imposed on an engine through a transmission. The target engine speed module selectively determines a target engine speed during an engine startup event based on the load. The actuator control module controls at least one engine actuator based on the target engine speed during the engine startup event.

Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes a mode control module and an actuator control module. The mode control module selectively initiates an engine startup event when an engine startup command is generated. The actuator control module cranks an engine during the engine startup event, provides fuel to a first cylinder of the engine while the engine is being cranked, and selectively disables fuel to a second cylinder of the engine while the engine is being cranked. The second cylinder is after the first cylinder in a firing order.

Abstract: An engine system includes a first module that determines a cylinder of an engine to be in one of M prediction types and generates a distance from intake signal indicating a number of prediction steps the cylinder is away from an intake stroke. M is an integer greater than or equal to 3. A second module determines a cycle type of the cylinder. The cycle type indicates a number of combustion cycles the cylinder has experienced from a last restart of the engine. A cylinder air charge module estimates an air mass within the cylinder based on the distance from intake signal and the cycle type.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle that includes an engine includes an engine-stop module and a fuel control module. The engine-stop module determines whether to stop the engine based on at least one of input from a driver of the vehicle and vehicle operating parameters. The fuel control module stops the engine and controls a rate of engine speed decay by disabling fueling to cylinders of the engine according to a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle, comprising: an actuator control module, a correction determination module, and a spark adjustment module. The actuator control module determines a target spark timing for a first time that is between a second time when engine cranking begins and a third time when a measured engine speed becomes greater than a predetermined engine speed after the second time. The correction determination module determines a spark timing correction for the first time based on a target engine speed and a measured engine speed. The spark adjustment module sets a spark timing for the first time based on the target spark timing and the spark timing correction.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing pressurized fuel for an engine includes an electric motor operative to crank said engine, a fuel pump, and a gear reduction device. This gear reduction device includes a worm and worm wheel and operates to receive a high speed input from said electric motor and to deliver a low speed output to said fuel pump.

Abstract: A control module and method for controlling an engine operation includes a runtime module that determines a previous run period, a fuel mass module that determines a fuel mass during the previous run period, a spark fouling condition estimation module that determines a spark fouling condition based on the fuel mass during the previous run period and an engine operation module that controls the engine in response to the spark fouling condition.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas feedstream flowing past a gas sensing device disposed therein. The gas sensor includes an integrated electrical heating element which provides a resistance indicative of its temperature. An unknown input observer is used to determine the exhaust gas feedstream temperature based on the heating element temperature.

Abstract: A system includes a transceiver module and a rotating device. The transceiver module generates an electromagnetic (EM) field using an antenna. The rotating device includes N transponders arranged such that each of the N transponders passes through the EM field during one revolution of the rotating device. Each of the N transponders damps the EM field when passing through the EM field. The transceiver module determines a rotational speed of the rotating device based on a number of times the EM field is damped during a period. N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A method for controlling EGR gas flow in an internal combustion engine during ongoing operation includes determining an engine operating point and a preferred EGR fraction for a cylinder charge based upon the engine operating point. A feed-forward command for controlling an external EGR gas flowrate to an engine intake manifold based upon the preferred EGR fraction for the cylinder charge is determined. An EGR ratio in the intake manifold is determined. And, the external EGR gas flowrate is controlled based upon the estimated EGR ratio in the intake manifold and the feed-forward command for controlling the external EGR gas flowrate.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas feedstream flowing past a gas sensing device disposed therein. The gas sensor includes an integrated electrical heating element which provides a resistance indicative of its temperature. An unknown input observer is used to determine the exhaust gas feedstream temperature based on the heating element temperature.