Abstract: A motor vehicle vacuum driven hydraulic balance system includes a housing. A shaft rotatably supported in the housing has a longitudinal bore to deliver oil flow to a plurality of ports created in the shaft. A vacuum flow passage communicates with both the longitudinal bore and an oil sump. A first delivery passage is created in a portion of the housing, the first delivery passage in direct communication with the longitudinal bore. An electrical oil pump pumps oil from the oil sump to the longitudinal bore through the first delivery passage. Axial rotation of the shaft creates a partial vacuum in the longitudinal bore acting to vacuum drag oil from the oil sump through the vacuum flow passage to the longitudinal bore in addition to a volume of the oil delivered to the longitudinal bore by the electrical oil pump.

Abstract: A weld joint includes a first component of a first material and a second component of a ductile second material dissimilar from the first material. A planar face of the first component abuts a planar face of the second component. A “V” shaped weld groove is created in the first component defining a first groove end where a substantially planar groove face of the first component intersects a plane defined by the planar face of the second component below an end face of the second component. A slot is created below the groove end in the planar face of the second component having a closed end facing toward the end face of the second component and extending away from the planar face of the second component at an angle measured with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the slot.

Abstract: A drive unit, method, and control system are provided that warm drive unit fluid in a drive unit having a main pump, a scavenge pump, and an electric motor for powering an axle of a vehicle. The control system and method are configured to fill a main sump of the drive unit with drive unit fluid to a predetermined fill level. In a warm-up mode, the method and control system operate the electric motor to heat the drive unit fluid within the main sump while the vehicle is stationary and the electric motor is at least partially disposed in the drive unit fluid within the main sump. Further in the warm-up mode, the method and control system are configured to operate the scavenge pump to pump the drive unit fluid from the main sump into an auxiliary reservoir after the drive unit fluid has been heated by the electric motor.

Abstract: A drive unit, method, and control system are provided that warm drive unit fluid in a drive unit having a main pump, a scavenge pump, and an electric motor for powering an axle of a vehicle. The control system and method are configured to fill a main sump of the drive unit with drive unit fluid to a predetermined fill level. In a warm-up mode, the method and control system operate the electric motor to heat the drive unit fluid within the main sump while the vehicle is stationary and the electric motor is at least partially disposed in the drive unit fluid within the main sump. Further in the warm-up mode, the method and control system are configured to operate the scavenge pump to pump the drive unit fluid from the main sump into an auxiliary reservoir after the drive unit fluid has been heated by the electric motor.

Abstract: A motor vehicle vacuum driven hydraulic balance system includes a housing. A shaft rotatably supported in the housing has a longitudinal bore to deliver oil flow to a plurality of ports created in the shaft. A vacuum flow passage communicates with both the longitudinal bore and an oil sump. A first delivery passage is created in a portion of the housing, the first delivery passage in direct communication with the longitudinal bore. An electrical oil pump pumps oil from the oil sump to the longitudinal bore through the first delivery passage. Axial rotation of the shaft creates a partial vacuum in the longitudinal bore acting to vacuum drag oil from the oil sump through the vacuum flow passage to the longitudinal bore in addition to a volume of the oil delivered to the longitudinal bore by the electrical oil pump.

Abstract: A weld joint includes a first component of a first material and a second component of a ductile second material dissimilar from the first material. A planar face of the first component abuts a planar face of the second component. A “V” shaped weld groove is created in the first component defining a first groove end where a substantially planar groove face of the first component intersects a plane defined by the planar face of the second component below an end face of the second component. A slot is created below the groove end in the planar face of the second component having a closed end facing toward the end face of the second component and extending away from the planar face of the second component at an angle measured with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the slot.

Abstract: A vehicle ignition system is provided that alleviates the problems associated with excessive voltage demand by spark plugs. The ignition system has a spark plug with an electrode and a voltage relief feature operatively connected with the electrode. The voltage relief feature is operable to discharge current from the electrode at a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a variable displacement module that deactivates N of M cylinders of an engine during a fuel management mode. N is an integer and M is an integer greater than 1. A spark control module generates a spark timing signal for the N cylinders based on a pre-dwell time and a fuel management dwell modifier during the fuel management mode. The spark control module reduces dwell time of the N cylinders during the fuel management mode based on the fuel management dwell modifier.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a determination module and a detection module. The determination module, based on an engine vibration signal generated by an engine vibration sensor, determines a frequency of engine vibration and determines a crankshaft position corresponding to the engine vibration. The detection module detects engine oil aeration and starvation when the frequency and crankshaft position are greater than predetermined thresholds, respectively.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a determination module and a detection module. The determination module, based on an engine vibration signal generated by an engine vibration sensor, determines a frequency of engine vibration and determines a crankshaft position corresponding to the engine vibration. The detection module detects engine oil aeration and starvation when the frequency and crankshaft position are greater than predetermined thresholds, respectively.

Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an injection control module, a processing module, and a malfunction detection module. The injection control module commands a fuel injector to operate in a split injection mode. The processing module that measures engine vibration during a period after commanding the split injection mode. The malfunction detection module detects a malfunction of the fuel injector based on a comparison between the measured engine vibration and expected engine vibration.

Abstract: A vehicle ignition system is provided that alleviates the problems associated with excessive voltage demand by spark plugs. The ignition system has a spark plug with an electrode and a voltage relief feature operatively connected with the electrode. The voltage relief feature is operable to discharge current from the electrode at a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a variable displacement module that deactivates N of M cylinders of an engine during a fuel management mode. N is an integer and M is an integer greater than 1. A spark control module generates a spark timing signal for the N cylinders based on a pre-dwell time and a fuel management dwell modifier during the fuel management mode. The spark control module reduces dwell time of the N cylinders during the fuel management mode based on the fuel management dwell modifier.