Abstract: A system and method of controlling shift points of a transmission coupled to an internal combustion engine by modifying at least one transmission shift point schedule may comprise determining a weight of a vehicle carrying the engine and the transmission, modifying the at least one transmission shift point schedule as a function of the weight of the vehicle, and controlling automatic shifting between two or more gear ratios of the transmission in accordance with the modified at least one transmission shift point schedule.

Abstract: A method for driveline impact reverberation reduction including operating an engine coupled to a transmission; regulating operation of the engine with a controller to adjust fueling of the engine which includes providing a signal to the controller representative of a requested engine torque; determining a first fueling rate as a function of the signal and a set of preselected operating instructions; adjusting a set of engine operating parameters according to the first fueling rate; determining a second fueling rate as a function of the first fueling rate; and adjusting a set of engine operating conditions according to the second fueling rate.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for adapting a regeneration profile for a particulate filter. A controller's input module receives inputs relating to conditions of the filter or engine, and a regeneration vector module creates a regeneration vector. The regeneration vector is based on the inputs and comprises a plurality of regeneration parameters. An output module directs a regeneration mechanism to regenerate the particulate filter according to the regeneration vector. The inputs may include filter condition and regeneration opportunity availability, and the parameters may include temperature, particulate load, exhaust composition and flow rate, and regeneration opportunity recognition.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling shift points of a transmission coupled to an internal combustion engine by modifying at least one transmission shift point schedule may comprise determining a weight of a vehicle carrying the engine and the transmission, modifying the at least one transmission shift point schedule as a function of the weight of the vehicle, and controlling automatic shifting between two or more gear ratios of the transmission in accordance with the modified at least one transmission shift point schedule.

Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment device for an internal combustion engine producing the exhaust gas comprises an inlet configured to receive the exhaust gas, an outlet from which the exhaust gas exits the device, an aftertreatment element disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and a flow modification mechanism. The aftertreatment element has a front face receiving the exhaust gas from the inlet of the device, and the flow modification mechanism is configured to modify exhaust gas flow through the aftertreatment element in a manner that maintains uniform temperature across the front face of the element.

Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment device for an internal combustion engine comprises an inlet configured to receive the exhaust gas, an outlet from which the exhaust gas exits the device, a first passageway defined between the inlet and the outlet, and a second passageway defined between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the second passageway is separate from the first passageway. A first aftertreatment element is disposed in the first passageway. In one embodiment, the device is a diesel oxidation catalyst device and the second passageway represents a bypass passageway. The second passageway may further have a second aftertreatment element disposed therein. In an alternative embodiment, the device is a NOx aftertreatment element, and a second aftertreatment element is disposed in the second passageway. In either case, the device includes an exhaust gas flow control mechanism configured to selectively control exhaust gas flow through the first and second passageways.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for processing vehicle powertrain torsional information resulting from vibration of the vehicle powertrain. A speed sensor produces a speed signal indicative of rotational speed of one of the powertrain components, and a control computer is operable to determine a magnitude of an Nth-order torsional component of vehicle powertrain vibration as a function of the speed signal. The control computer is further operable to execute either of a diagnostic routine relating to the Nth-order torsional component and a control routine controlling operation of the vehicle powertrain away from conditions at which the magnitude of the Nth-order torsional component exceeds a threshold magnitude if the magnitude of the Nth-order torsional component exceeds the threshold magnitude for at least a first predefined duration.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle drivetrain in a fuel-efficient manner includes a control computer operable to define a contour from substantially zero engine load to substantially full engine load, wherein the contour may correspond to a fuel-efficient path from no-load to full-load engine operating conditions. With change gear transmissions, the control computer is operable to control transmission shift points about the contour. With continuous variable transmissions the control computer is operable to modify the effective gear ratio thereof to maintain engine operation on or about the contour. In either case, fuel efficient operation may be optimized.

Abstract: A system for controlling an engine in a fuel efficient manner includes a memory having stored therein an engine output characteristics map bounded by a maximum engine output curve. The map defines a region of undesirable operation having a first border defined as a function of engine speed and intersecting the maximum engine output curve. A control computer is configured to control engine operation in a fuel efficient manner by limiting engine operation within the map to the first border while also allowing the engine to operate anywhere on the maximum engine output curve. The control computer may be configured to so limit engine operation to the first border only if an engine or vehicle acceleration value is outside of an acceleration range, and further only if an engine work value is greater than an engine work threshold, and otherwise to allow engine operation anywhere on or within the map.

Abstract: A system for controlling a fueling governor for an internal combustion engine includes a fueling governor responsive to a throttle command value and current engine speed to produce a fueling signal for supplying fuel to the engine. The governor defines a droop value corresponding to an engine speed difference between a no-load fueling condition and a full-load fueling condition for any constant throttle command value, and also has a gain value associated therewith defining a responsiveness of the governor to changes in the throttle command value to effectuate corresponding changes in engine speed via control of the fueling signal. In one embodiment a control computer is operable to modify the droop value as a function of one or more engine and/or vehicle operating conditions. Alternatively or additionally, the control computer may be operable to modify the gain value as a function of one or more engine and/or vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicle braking operation includes a mechanism for determining desired service brake force, a mechanism for determining vehicle deceleration, an electronically actuatable engine compression brake unit, an electronically controllable turbocharger boost pressure adjustment device and a transmission including a number of automatically selectable gear ratios, wherein each of these components are coupled to a control computer. The control computer is operable to activate the engine compression brakes whenever service brake action is detected, and to modulate the downshift engine speed points of the transmission as a function of the desired brake force. The boost pressure adjustment device and the engine compression brake may optionally be controlled to maintain a vehicle deceleration rate below a deceleration rate threshold. Alternatively, the downshift engine speed points may be controlled to maintain the vehicle deceleration rate below the deceleration rate threshold.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle drivetrain in a fuel-efficient manner includes, in one embodiment, a control computer operable to determine a number of engine load/engine speed boundary conditions as functions of brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) contours in relation to an engine output characteristics map and define therefrom an undesirable engine operation region U. As long as the engine is engaged with at least one of the gear ratios of the vehicle transmission, the control computer is operable to maintain or encourage engine operation outside of the region U. In another embodiment, the control computer is operable to define a contour from substantially zero engine load to substantially full engine load, wherein the contour preferably corresponds to a fuel-efficient path from no-load to full-load engine operating conditions. With change gear transmissions, the control computer is operable to control transmission shift points about the contour.

Abstract: A system for controlling an engine in a fuel efficient manner includes a memory having stored therein an engine output characteristics map bounded by a maximum engine output curve. The map defines a region of undesirable operation having a first border defined as a function of engine speed and intersecting the maximum engine output curve. A control computer is configured to control engine operation in a fuel efficient manner by limiting engine operation within the map to the first border while also allowing the engine to operate anywhere on the maximum engine output curve. The control computer may be configured to so limit engine operation to the first border only if an engine or vehicle acceleration value is outside of an acceleration range, and further only if an engine work value is greater than an engine work threshold, and otherwise to allow engine operation anywhere on or within the map.

Abstract: A system for controlling a fueling governor for an internal combustion engine includes a fueling governor responsive to a throttle command value and current engine speed to produce a fueling signal for supplying fuel to the engine. The governor defines a droop value corresponding to an engine speed difference between a no-load fueling condition and a full-load fueling condition for any constant throttle command value, and also has a gain value associated therewith defining a responsiveness of the governor to changes in the throttle command value to effectuate corresponding changes in engine speed via control of the fueling signal. In one embodiment a control computer is operable to modify the droop value as a function of one or more engine and/or vehicle operating conditions. Alternatively or additionally, the control computer may be operable to modify the gain value as a function of one or more engine and/or vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A system for selecting between automatic and manual control of a number of gear ratios of a semiautomatic transmission includes an internal combustion engine coupled to a semiautomatic transmission having a number of manually selectable gear ratios and a number of automatically selectable gear ratios wherein the engine and transmission are both subject to management and control thereof by a control computer. A memory unit includes a software algorithm for controlling shifting between the automatically selectable gear ratios and the control computer is operable to execute the software algorithm. A switch is provided, which is preferably a cruise control enable/disable switch, wherein the control computer is responsive to a cruise control disable position of the switch to inhibit execution of the software algorithm and thereby subject the automatically selectable gear ratios to manual control thereof.

Abstract: A system for estimating vehicle mass includes a control circuit determining an instantaneous vehicle acceleration signal (VA) and an instantaneous vehicle drive force (FDW). As long as a number of preconditions are met, such as vehicle speed within speed range, fueling command above a fueling threshold, gear ratio within a predefined range and VA above an acceleration threshold, the control circuit computes a number of instantaneous vehicle mass estimates (VM) as a function of the VA and FDW values. When any one of the preconditions is no longer met, the control circuit computes a vehicle speed change during the next gear shift and disregards the number of vehicle mass estimates if this vehicle speed change is outside predefined boundaries. Otherwise, the control computer processes the number of vehicle mass estimates to form an updated vehicle mass estimate.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle drivetrain in a fuel-efficient manner includes, in one embodiment, a control computer operable to determine a number of engine load/engine speed boundary conditions as functions of brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) contours in relation to an engine output characteristics map and define therefrom an undesirable engine operation region U. As long as the engine is engaged with at least one of the gear ratios of the vehicle transmission, the control computer is operable to maintain or encourage engine operation outside of the region U. In another embodiment, the control computer is operable to define a contour from substantially zero engine load to substantially full engine load, wherein the contour preferably corresponds to a fuel-efficient path from no-load to full-load engine operating conditions. With change gear transmissions, the control computer is operable to control transmission shift points about the contour.

Abstract: A system for estimating vehicle mass includes a control circuit determining an instantaneous vehicle acceleration signal (VA) and an instantaneous vehicle drive force (FDW). As long as a number of preconditions are met, such as vehicle speed within speed range, fueling command above a fueling threshold, gear ratio within a predefined range and VA above an acceleration threshold, the control circuit computes a number of instantaneous vehicle mass estimates (VM) as a function of the VA and FDW values. When any one of the preconditions is no longer met, the control circuit computes a vehicle speed change during the next gear shift and disregards the number of vehicle mass estimates if this vehicle speed change is outside predefined boundaries. Otherwise, the control computer processes the number of vehicle mass estimates to form an updated vehicle mass estimate.

Abstract: A system for protecting one or more drive line components from excessive inertial torque includes a torque converter disposed between an internal combustion engine and a transmission coupled thereto, wherein the torque converter is responsive to computer control to operate in a lockup mode to directly couple the engine output shaft to the transmission input shaft and otherwise in a torque converter mode. Under conditions wherein drive line acceleration exceeds an acceleration threshold, wherein the acceleration threshold preferably corresponds to the weakest of the drive line components, a control computer is operable to force the torque converter to operate in a torque converter mode of operation to thereby electronically disengage direct connection between the engine and the transmission and then to modify fueling to thereby protect the various drive line components from damage due to excessive engine inertial torque.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle drivetrain in a fuel-efficient manner includes, in one embodiment, a control computer operable to determine a number of engine load/engine speed boundary conditions as functions of brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) contours in relation to an engine output characteristics map and define therefrom an undesirable engine operation region U. As long as the engine is engaged with at least one of the gear ratios of the vehicle transmission, the control computer is operable to maintain or encourage engine operation outside of the region U. In another embodiment, the control computer is operable to define a contour from substantially zero engine load to substantially full engine load, wherein the contour preferably corresponds to a fuel-efficient path from no-load to full-load engine operating conditions. With change gear transmissions, the control computer is operable to control transmission shift points about the contour.