Abstract: Accelerated heating of automotive exhaust system components is effected by controlling the application of supplemental electrical loads to the vehicle electrical system thereby increasing engine load and increasing exhaust heat. Alternative strategies are disclosed for implementing the invention through control of electrical and engine management system parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensing system for monitoring an environment that includes at least two sensors and a control unit in communication with the sensors. At least one of the sensors is active providing an output signal to the control unit indicative of a sensed property, while the other sensor(s) is inactive and protected from the environment. During operation of the sensing system, if it is determined that the performance of the active sensor is abnormal, the inactive sensor is activated. Subsequently, the output signal of the abnormal sensor is ignored and the control unit utilizes an output signal of the previously inactive, but now active, sensor.

Abstract: An automatic sun visor system for a vehicle includes a light detecting apparatus for detecting sunlight incident upon the face of an occupant of the vehicle. A microcontroller receives a control signal from the light detecting apparatus, and an adjustable sun visor receives a darkening control signal from the microcontroller. The darkening control signal activates the adjustable sun visor in response to the degree of sunlight detected.

Abstract: An automatic sun visor system for a vehicle includes a light detecting apparatus for detecting sunlight incident upon the face of an occupant of the vehicle. A microcontroller receives a control signal from the light detecting apparatus, and an adjustable sun visor receives a darkening control signal from the microcontroller. The darkening control signal activates the adjustable sun visor in response to the degree of sunlight detected.

Abstract: An automatic sun visor system for a vehicle includes a light detecting apparatus for detecting sunlight incident upon the face of an occupant of the vehicle. A microcontroller receives a control signal from the light detecting apparatus, and an adjustable sun visor receives a darkening control signal from the microcontroller. The darkening control signal activates the adjustable sun visor in response to the degree of sunlight detected.

Abstract: A method of operating a spark ignition direct injection engine having two groups of cylinders supplied with air by separate manifolds controlled by separate throttles includes: (1) in a lower range of engine output, operating both groups of cylinders in a stratified charge mode with essentially unthrottled intake air; (2) in a higher range of engine output, operating both groups of cylinders in a homogeneous charge mode with partially throttled to unthrottled air flow; and (3) in an intermediate range of engine output, operating one cylinder group in a homogeneous charge mode near maximum output with lightly to essentially unthrottled intake air while operating the other cylinder group in a stratified charge mode with essentially unthrottled air intake, whereby the engine is operated over a major portion of the engine output range in unthrottled condition and with substantial throttling only in a portion of the higher range of engine output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensing system for monitoring an environment that includes at least two sensors and a control unit in communication with the sensors. At least one of the sensors is active providing an output signal to the control unit indicative of a sensed property, while the other sensor(s) is inactive and protected from the environment. During operation of the sensing system, if it is determined that the performance of the active sensor is abnormal, the inactive sensor is activated. Subsequently, the output signal of the abnormal sensor is ignored and the control unit utilizes an output signal of the previously inactive, but now active, sensor.

Abstract: A method of operating a spark ignition direct injection engine having two groups of cylinders supplied with air by separate manifolds controlled by separate throttles includes: (1) in a lower range of engine output, operating both groups of cylinders in a stratified charge mode with essentially unthrottled intake air; (2) in a higher range of engine output, operating both groups of cylinders in a homogeneous charge mode with partially throttled to unthrottled air flow; and (3) in an intermediate range of engine output, operating one cylinder group in a homogeneous charge mode near maximum output with lightly to essentially unthrottled intake air while operating the other cylinder group in a stratified charge mode with essentially unthrottled air intake, whereby the engine is operated over a major portion of the engine output range in unthrottled condition and with substantial throttling only in a portion of the higher range of engine output.

Abstract: An improved individual cylinder fuel control method based on sampled readings of a single oxygen sensor responsive to the combined exhaust gas flow of several engine cylinders. A model-based observer is used to reproduce the imbalances of the different cylinders and a proportional-plus-integral controller is used for their elimination. Both the observer and the controller are formulated in terms of a periodic system. The observer input signal is preprocessed such that it reflects at each point of time the deviation from the current A/F-ratio mean value calculated over two engine cycles. Therefore, transient engine operating conditions do not harm the reconstruction of the cylinder imbalances dramatically. The control algorithm features process/controller synchronization based on table lookup and a mechanism to automatically adjust the mapping between the observer estimates and the corresponding cylinders if unstable control operation is detected.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine control and diagnostics provides for delivery of a fuel quantity and intake air to engine cylinders and for an ignition signal to ignite the air and fuel, wherein misfire conditions in the cylinder are diagnosed over all operating conditions through a reference period model of the components of measured reference periods not attributed to a misfire condition and through removal of such components from measured reference periods yielding a resultant reference period component sensitive only to misfire conditions. The magnitude, position, and stability of the resultant component indicates misfire severity, location, and persistence.