Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for protecting an unattended parked vehicle from being impacted by a moving vehicle under control of a driver. The apparatus comprises a detection and alarm system built into the unattended parked vehicle. When a moving vehicle comes within a predetermined distance from the unattended parked vehicle, the apparatus senses the presence of the moving vehicle and activates the alarm system. If the moving vehicle continues to approach the unattended parked vehicle, the activated alarm signals are increased in intensity. Typically, the alarm signals would be in the form of lights flashing and/or horn blowing, or any appropriate combination of audible and visual signals.

Abstract: A method of controlling noise/vibration in a vehicle having a powertrain includes sensing noise/vibration in the vehicle. An operating point of the powertrain is adjusted and a constant transmission output power is maintained to reduce the noise/vibration.

Abstract: A method of regulating displacement in a displacement on demand engine includes determining a desired engine displacement and determining a current engine displacement. The method further includes adjusting activation of a first cylinder to partially achieve the desired engine displacement and subsequently adjusting activation of a second cylinder to fully achieve the desired engine displacement from the current engine displacement. The method adjusts activation of the cylinders one at a time to reduce vibration in the engine.

Abstract: An engine system according to the present invention includes an engine and a fuel system that delivers a liquid fuel and a vapor fuel to the engine. A control module communicates with the fuel system and modulates the vapor fuel delivered to said engine based on a determination of a desired vapor fuel rate and a maximum available vapor fuel rate of the fuel system. The control module determines the desired vapor rate based on a mass rate of liquid fuel being delivered to the engine and a coolant temperature of the engine. The control module determines a vapor density by estimating the vapor density based on a temperature of an intake manifold or alternatively receives a signal from a sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for limiting engine operation during fueling. The apparatus comprises, an engine control for enabling or disabling operation of the engine, one or more sensors for detecting whether (i) a cap is on the vehicle fuel fill-pipe, and (ii) a fueling nozzle is in the fuel fill-pipe, a processor coupled to the engine control and the one or more sensors receiving information therefrom and directing the engine control to enable or disable the vehicle engine depending upon the sensor outputs, thereby, disabling the engine when the cap is not on the fill-pipe and/or a fueling nozzle is in the fill-pipe, and enabling the engine when not true. In a further embodiment, a fuel level sensor coupled to the processor is used to detect whether a fuel level change rate R(t)?Rc where Rc is a predetermined value, and if so, disabling the engine.

Abstract: A cylinder deactivation (DOD™) engine is provided with features and operated in a manner to increase the cylinder air charges of the operating cylinders in DOD operation with the DOD cylinders cut out. The increased charge air allows higher loading of the STD cylinders extending the range of torque loads and speeds for DOD engine operation without requiring switchover to STD operation wherein all cylinders are in operation. The result is increased overall efficiency by extended operation of the engine in a DOD mode wherein the operating cylinders have higher levels of volumetric efficiency and reduced fuel consumption.

Abstract: An engine control system for controlling engine operation in activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine system includes an engine control that generates a load control signal based on one of an activation and a deactivation signal. An accessory control manipulates operation of an accessory driven by the engine based on the load control signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided whereby a single person can test exterior lights of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a controller coupled to the lights for turning light groups ON and OFF in a predetermined sequence in response to a START TEST signal and vehicle safe-status. Vehicle status sensors are provided for reporting to the controller the status of predetermined vehicle elements whose safe status is a prerequisite for testing the lights. A user actuated switch coupled to the controller provides the START TEST signal. Vehicle safe-status desirably includes transmission in PARK and motor OFF. An internal memory coupled to the controller stores data on prior tests and prompts the user that another test is needed. Prompts are also desirably provided to tell the user what changes need to be made to achieve safe-status for the test. Post test, the vehicle desirably returns to its prior state.

Abstract: A method of reducing exhaust emission from a catalytic converter apparatus of a vehicle, the apparatus including at least one catalytic converter, each of the at least one catalytic converter having a catalyst brick positioned within a predefined length of the vehicle. The method includes directing exhaust to pass more than once through the predefined length through at least one of the at least one catalyst brick. The converter apparatus can accelerate catalyst conversion reactions and thus accelerate converter system light-off.

Abstract: An engine control system transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. The engine control system includes a clutch plate position sensor and a shifter shaft position sensor in communication with a controller. The controller determines if conditions to increase or reduce the number of active cylinders based on data collected from the position sensors, engine speed, and manifold absolute pressure. Prediction of the driver's next movements is the basis of the control. The sensors provide the history, averages, acceleration data, and velocity data, which lead to the driver's intent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling brake-lights and reverse-lights on a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a vehicle speed sensor and a PRNDL selector capable of selecting at least PARK and REVERSE modes of operation. A control unit is coupled to the brake-light, to the reverse-light, to the vehicle speed sensor, and to the PRNDL selector, for illuminating the brake-light when the headlight is on and the vehicle is not moving, when the vehicle is not in PARK and is not moving, and when the vehicle's deceleration reaches a predetermined threshold, and for illuminating the reverse-light when the vehicle is not in REVERSE and is moving backwards.

Abstract: A throttling and intake control system transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine. The throttling and intake control system includes an intake manifold pressure sensor that generates an intake manifold pressure signal and a controller that calculates a pressure window based on the manifold pressure and an engine speed signal. The controller transitions the engine from the activated mode to the deactivated mode when the measured intake manifold pressure is greater than the maximum limit of the pressure window. The controller transitions the engine from the deactivated mode to the activated mode when the intake manifold pressure is less than the lower limit of the pressure window.