Abstract: A method of determining payload material density includes a step of determining a capacity volume of a work tool of a machine using an electronic controller of the machine. The work tool is loaded with an initial amount of loaded material matching the capacity volume, and an onboard payload mass calculation algorithm is executed using the electronic controller to determine a mass of the initial amount of loaded material. A density of the initial amount of loaded material is calculated responsive to the mass of the initial amount of loaded material and the capacity volume using the electronic controller. The density of the initial amount of loaded material is stored using the electronic controller, and a productivity datum is calculated responsive to the density of the initial amount of loaded material and a subsequent amount of loaded material.

Abstract: A battery system for vehicle comprises a battery unit that is constituted with a plurality of serially connected cell groups each include a plurality of serially connected battery cells, integrated circuits that are each disposed in correspondence to one of the cell groups of the battery unit and each measure terminal voltages at the battery cells in the corresponding cell group, and a signal transmission path through which one of the integrated circuits is connected to another one of the integrated circuits or to a circuit other than that of the integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method and associated safety system are provided for the recognition of defects in a drive system of a motor vehicle, having an electronically controllable brake control system and having at least one electronically controlled driving engine, an electronically controllable clutch and/or having an electronically controllable transmission. An electronic braking control device is assigned to the brake control system, which braking control device is connected with an independent monitoring module. The independent monitoring module checks for an occurrence of an implausible braking torque, for detecting a defect in the drive system.

Abstract: Upon displaying, on a monitor, camera images obtained by cameras mounted on a vehicle front section and vehicle rear section, the vehicle rear section with an operator's cab mounted thereon is displayed as a fixed character image while the vehicle front section is displayed as a movable character image bendable relative to the fixed character image. Around a vehicle image displayed as described above, a composite bird's eye view image, which has been composed from individual bird's eye view images obtained by subjecting the camera images to coordinate transformation such that upper viewpoint images are formed is displayed, so that the individual bird's eye view images acquired from the cameras mounted on the vehicle front section are changed in display range when the vehicle front section and vehicle rear section are bent about a pivot pin.

Abstract: The method of identifying a flight profile of an aircraft, the aircraft including a centralized maintenance system and an item of equipment including a component designed to measure the environmental conditions, comprises: a first step of collecting data measured by a sensor of the component; a second step of comparing values measured by at least one sensor with predefined threshold values so as to store in a resource the values that exceed the threshold values; a third step of comparing at least one set of stored values with at least one predefined flight profile, a flight profile representing a trend of values measured by a sensor according to at least one item of information defining a flight context; a fourth step of identifying the flight profile that is closest to the set of values stored for a sensor.

Abstract: A system for testing the air brake line of a train consist includes an airflow control device connected between the air brake line and a source of compressed air in a train yard. The system further includes a portable handheld device and an end-of-train pressure monitor that are able to wirelessly communicate with the airflow control device by means of a repeater. An airflow sensor in the airflow control device is used while charging the air brake line and also to perform an Air Flow Method of brake line testing.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer storage configured for determining period-ending positions of multiple parts movable by select actuation of corresponding active materials. The operations include receiving, from a work-source sensor, work-source input indicating a distance moved by the work source and a direction of the movement, and determining, based on the work-source input and a first and second status histories, corresponding to a first and a second part, respectively, first and second distances travelled by the parts, respectively. Operations also include calculating, based on the first and second distances determined and first and second period-starting positions, corresponding to the first and second parts, respectively, first and second period-ending positions for the first and second parts, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automotive control device and a period measurement method for measuring a period of a pulse signal input from outside. The automotive control device processes the pulse signal input from outside using an analog filter in parallel with a digital filter. When a difference between a measured value of a period of an output signal of analog filter and a measured value of a period of an output signal of digital filter is less than a threshold value, the automotive control device selects the measured value of the period of the output signal of analog filter as the period of the pulse signal. Meanwhile, when the difference between the measured values is greater than the threshold value, the automotive control device selects the measured value of the period of the output signal of digital filter as the period of the pulse signal.

Abstract: A monitoring method that includes calculating the autonomy of a lubrication system of an airplane engine and also providing for the diagnosis and prognosis of a plurality of problems and breakdowns of the engine and of its lubrication system by means of measurements taken by sensors arranged in the lubrication system. The method further comprises the step of calculating the status of the lubrication system at a given moment and calculating its evolution over time in order to determine the remaining lifetime before a breakdown.

Abstract: Health and usage monitoring systems for aircraft hoist systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a health and usage monitoring system comprises a capacitive load cell and a processing unit for communication with the capacitive load cell, the capacitive load cell comprising a load receiving surface and a capacitive assembly coupled to the load receiving surface, the capacitive assembly comprising parallel electrically conductive plates separated by a reversibly deformable spacer construction wherein the parallel plates comprise aligned apertures providing a passageway through the capacitive assembly for the hoist system cable.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, circuits, sensors, apparatus, controllers and associated computer executable code and data for monitoring assessing and predicting a mechanical, structural and/or electrical condition (hereinafter collectively referred to as: “Vehicle Health” or “VH”) of a motor vehicle, such as a car, truck, motor cycle, etc. According to some embodiments, there may be provided a vehicle health monitoring, assessing and predicting system (VHMS) functionally associated with a vehicle and adapted to monitor, assess and/or predict a VH of the vehicle. A VHMS may be comprised of a set of VH sensors adapted to collect data relating to the VH of the vehicle and processing circuitry adapted to analyze the collected data and determine and/or predict the VH of the vehicle, possibly in real time.

Abstract: A method is provided for diagnosing the chassis frame state of a motor vehicle, which includes, but is not limited to ascertaining at least one diagnostic variable and displaying this diagnostic variable. At least one ascertained and displayed diagnostic variable indicates a balance, track width and/or brake disk planarity state for a chassis frame of the motor vehicle; and/or is determined based on an in particular periodic asymmetry in a steering gear.

Abstract: A system of a vehicle includes an engine control module (ECM), a first processor module, sensors, a second processor module, and a third processor module. The ECM controls engine actuators based on driver inputs to a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a cruise control system. The first processor module includes a first microprocessor and selectively actuates at least one of an electric power steering motor, friction brakes, and a throttle valve based on processed data. The sensors sense features outside of the vehicle. The second processor module includes a second microprocessor and generates the processed data based on data from the sensors. The second microprocessor is a graphical microprocessor. The third processor module includes a third microprocessor and generates an indicator of whether a fault is present in the second processor module.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus of a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electricity storage device, a motor generating a driving force for a vehicle travel using at least electricity from the electricity storage device, a diagnostic unit diagnosing a vehicle state when an output of the internal combustion engine is zero, a state detection unit detecting a state of the electricity storage device, a remaining time acquisition unit acquiring a remaining time required until diagnostic completion, when the vehicle state is diagnosed by the diagnostic unit, a determination unit determining whether or not the diagnosis of the vehicle state is continued by the diagnostic unit, based on the state of the electricity storage device and the remaining time when the vehicle state is diagnosed by the diagnostic unit, and a control unit that controls continuation or stop of the vehicle state diagnosis according to the determination result.

Abstract: A network system for monitoring and storing data of aircraft intelligent windows or windshields to provide useable life of, provide real life performance of, and/or measure characteristics and/or properties of, the windshields forwards the data from sensors mounting the windshield to a window sensing hub having a microprocessor programed to receive and process the data to determine the performance of the windshield and formatting the data in accordance to a preset program, wherein the program includes providing data from the sensors that measures characteristics and properties of the windshield that are active during the period in which the data is taken. An aircraft central maintenance system connected to the window sensing hub receives the formatted information from the window sensing hub and unfiltered or unformatted information, wherein the unfiltered information from the windshield is acted on by the central maintenance system to provide an estimated useable life of the windshield.

Abstract: A method includes determining a state of operational devices in a second group coupled with a second router onboard a second vehicular unit of a vehicle consist, registering an operational device in the second group based on the determined state, and transmitting a data message from an operational device in a first group of operational devices to the second router via a first router and a communication pathway of the vehicle consist. The first group is coupled with the first router onboard a first vehicular unit. The operational devices in the first and second groups perform functions of the respective first vehicular unit and second vehicular unit. The first and second routers are connected with each other by the communication pathway. The method also includes communicating the data message to the at least one of the operational devices in the second group that are registered with the second router.

Abstract: A control method for a vehicle is provided. The control method includes estimating a magnitude of wheel disturbance based on wheel velocity, and generating a disturbance status signal based on the magnitude of wheel disturbance.

Abstract: A particulate filter ash loading prediction method including the steps of determining a maximum average lifetime for the particulate filter; performing a calculation of a running average of time between regenerations of the particulate filter; calculating an end-of-service-life ratio of the particulate filter dependent upon the maximum average lifetime and the running average; and comparing the end-of-service-life ratio to a predetermined minimum end-of-service-life ratio. If the end-of-service-life ratio is equal to or less than the minimum end-of-service-life ratio then indicating that at least one of service and replacement of the particulate filter is needed due to ash loading.

Abstract: An output section of one detection coil of a first resolver and an output section of one detection coil of a second resolver are connected by a first inter-coil resistor element, and an output section of the other detection coil of the first resolver and an output section of the other detection coil of the second resolver are connected by a second inter-coil resistor element. A sin wave signal for excitation is supplied to one of first and second excitation coils, and a cos wave signal for excitation having the same frequency as that of the sin wave signal for excitation and having a phase delay of 90° in relation to the sin wave signal for excitation is supplied to the other of the first and second excitation coils. By virtue of this configuration, the rotational angles of the two resolvers can be calculated even when one of detection lines is broken.

Abstract: A method, a sensor, a detector and a system are provided for locating at least one wheel on a vehicle. A signal is received from a first sensor mounted on the wheel, the signal providing a position of the wheel. Additionally, a measurement value is received from a second sensor that measures the angular position of a wheel and that is associated with a specific position of the vehicle. When the phase position of the first signal stays within a predefined tolerance range relative to the measured value within a specific observation period, the first sensor can be associated with the second sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of providing high reliability for an absolute angle in an electric power steering system in which the final absolute steering angle is calculated using a device configured to measure an absolute steering angle and a relative steering angle.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a first sensor that provides first data indicating at least one of vehicle speed and ambient temperature. The system also includes a shutter control module. The shutter control module includes a first sub-module that provides a first amount of modification to an opening amount for a shutter based on the first data.

Abstract: A battery management system includes: measuring a surface pressure of a vehicle-mounted secondary battery (battery cell) for driving the vehicle with a lapse of time; calculating a high-rate driving frequency coefficient on the basis of the measured surface pressure at intervals of a predetermined period (24 hours); deriving a high-rate driving frequency on the basis of the number of times that the calculated high-rate driving frequency coefficient has exceeded a predetermined threshold; and selecting a replacement battery from among batteries including a high-power battery on the basis of the derived high-rate driving frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine navigation states of a platform are disclosed. An example system includes a first processing node to determine a first aeroelastic navigation state of a platform at a first structural location of the platform with respect to a first aeroelasticity reference, a second processing node to determine a second aeroelastic navigation state of the platform at a second structural location of the platform with respect to the first aeroelasticity reference or a second aeroelasticity reference, and a storage device to store a platform navigation state based on at least one of the first or second aeroelastic navigation states.

Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor assembly for an air disk brake includes a brake actuator having a pushrod projecting from inside a chamber of said brake actuator. The pushrod releasably actuates a lever arm of a caliper thereby moving the disk brake into a braking position when the pushrod is in an extended position and releasing the disk brake from the braking position when the pushrod is in a retracted position. The pushrod includes a pushrod shaft and a contact member biased in a telescoping relationship relative to the pushrod shaft and the lever arm of the caliper abuts the contact member counteracting the bias of the contact member. A sensor is integrated with the assembly proximate the contact member and detects movement of the pushrod relative to the lever arm and to the pushrod shaft.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the state of components of a railway vehicle, wherein sensors for capturing loads acting on the components are operated, the measurement values thereof are fed as input values to an analysis unit for analyzing the wear state, wherein the current position of the railway vehicle is processed as a signal to this end, wherein the current velocity of the railway vehicle is recorded over time, from which a v-t profile is generated and compared to a stored v-t profile in order to determine the current position as a further input value for monitoring the state by stochastically comparing both profiles.

Abstract: A battery system for vehicle comprises a battery unit that is constituted with a plurality of serially connected cell groups each include a plurality of serially connected battery cells, integrated circuits that are each disposed in correspondence to one of the cell groups of the battery unit and each measure terminal voltages at the battery cells in the corresponding cell group, and a signal transmission path through which one of the integrated circuits is connected to another one of the integrated circuits or to a circuit other than that of the integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining the angle of steering of a vehicle, particularly an agricultural vehicle, by determining vehicle yaw rate, determining vehicle speed, determining hydraulic flow in a hydraulic steering assembly connected in parallel with a manual hydraulic steering circuit of the vehicle, and processing the yaw rate, speed, and hydraulic flow data to determine the angle of steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: A diagnosing device is provided for a vehicle having a flow passage for circulating a liquid medium for cooling an inverter of the vehicle, and a pump provided on the flow passage to circulate the liquid medium. The diagnosing device includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature related to a temperature of the liquid medium, and a calculating unit for calculating a concentration of the liquid medium. The calculating unit calculates a viscosity of the liquid medium based on a flow rate of the liquid medium flowing through the flow passage and performance of the pump, and when the calculation as to the viscosity of the liquid medium is executed with a plurality temperature conditions, the calculating unit calculates the concentration of the liquid medium based on a relationship between the plurality of temperature conditions and the corresponding viscosities of the liquid medium.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining a tire operating condition including a tire-based sensor for sensing tire pressure and temperature and transmitting a signal indicative thereof and a vehicle ignition system. A vehicle-based receiver/controller is provided for receiving the signal from the tire-based sensor and for detecting the state of the vehicle ignition system. The controller provides an error signal when the sensed tire pressure is less than a set threshold value Pset and resets the error signal when the sensed tire pressure is greater than a reset threshold value Prst. The receiver/controller determines the set threshold value Pset and the reset threshold value Prst as a function of a calculated warm tire pressure value Pwarm, determines a mole value N of the tire pressure, and adjusts the determined set threshold value Pset and the reset threshold value Prst in response to the vehicle ignition state and a change in the determined mole value N.

Abstract: A communications system that includes a vehicular diagnostic tool and a vehicle communication interface (VCI) configured to be connected to a vehicular computing system. In operation, the vehicular diagnostic tool automatically detects the presence of the VCI when the VCI is proximate thereto. Thereafter, the VCI and vehicular diagnostic tool communicate through a wireless connection. Also, a method of communicating using the aforementioned vehicular diagnostic tool and VCI.

Abstract: The invention proceeds from an on-board diagnosis unit for a motor vehicle for detecting a released mechanical connection between at least two fluidic lines (10, 11), having at least one first contact element (12, 13, 14) and at least one second contact element (15) which is spaced apart axially, of which contact elements (12, 13, 14, 15) at least one is provided for being deformed at least substantially elastically for making contact with at least one connecting point (16, 17, 18) of the mechanical connection. It is proposed that the on-board diagnosis unit has at least one third contact element (12, 13, 14) which is arranged spaced apart axially from the second contact element (15).

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a fault of an oil piston cooling jets valve of an internal combustion engine are provided. A method includes sensing a pressure value in a main oil gallery and checking whether the oil piston cooling jets valve is commanded in a state for opening a communication between the main oil gallery and an auxiliary oil gallery or in a state for closing the communication. A pressure value in the auxiliary oil gallery is checked to as to whether it exceeds a predetermined threshold value thereof, above which a jet nozzle of the auxiliary oil gallery automatically opens. A fault of the valve is identified if the pressure value in the main oil gallery exceeds the predetermined threshold value by a predetermined quantity and if a pressure value in the auxiliary oil gallery is different than expected on a basis of the state of the valve.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a mobile railway car monitoring system. The mobile railway car monitoring system includes a plurality of sensor nodes coupled to an undercarriage portion of a railway car, and a control node coupled to the railway car. Each of the plurality of sensor nodes is configured to monitor the undercarriage portion of the railway car when in motion and transmit information about the undercarriage portion to the control node. The control node is configured to receive the information about the undercarriage portion, process the information to determine a fault condition for the undercarriage portion, and wirelessly report the fault condition to a collection system.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to systems and methods for tracking data during operation of a power transfer device. A system may include an electrical relay and a switch. The switch may be coupled to each of the electrical relay and a power transfer device and may be configured to couple the electrical relay to a reference voltage upon engagement of the power transfer device. The system may further include a processing unit configured to receive a signal from the electrical relay while the power transfer device is engaged.

Abstract: A range estimation system for battery-powered vehicles which has a means for manually entering desired destination information, a processor, and a display. The system is capable of retrieving state-of-charge information from the vehicle's battery, is configured to obtain available road and terrain information regarding potential paths from the vehicles current location to the desired destination, and is configured to use said road and terrain information to compare said state-of-charge information to said desired destination and provide information to the user about whether the battery has sufficient charge to power the vehicle to the desired destination.

Abstract: A method for determining a state of health (SOH) value for an electric power steering (EPS) system in a vehicle includes estimating a first Self-Aligning Torque (SAT) value using a tire dynamics model, which includes modeled dynamics in the linear region of a lateral force acting on the vehicle tires. The method also includes estimating a second SAT value using an extended state observer and nominal parameters for the EPS system, and calculating a variance between the first and second SAT values. The controller monitors a progression of the calculated variance over a calibrated interval using the controller to thereby determine the SOH value, and automatically executes a control action using the SOH value. An EPS system for a vehicle includes a steering wheel, torque and angle sensors, a rack and pinion assembly, a steering motor, and the controller. A vehicle is also disclosed having the same controller.

Abstract: A creep travel capability of an electric vehicle is secured when an abnormality occurs in a brake sensor. When an accelerator operation amount reaches 0% in a low vehicle speed region, a target creep torque is set, whereupon a motor-generator is controlled toward the target creep torque. The target creep torque is reduced as a brake pedal is depressed in order to suppress heat generation and the like in the motor-generator during vehicle braking. Hence, in an electric vehicle in which the target creep torque is varied in accordance with the brake operation amount, when an abnormality occurs (step S11) in a brake sensor for detecting a brake operation amount, a preset prescribed creep torque is employed as the target creep torque regardless of the brake operation amount (step S15). The prescribed creep torque is set at a required magnitude for securing the creep travel capability.

Abstract: Method for locating the position of the wheels of a vehicle, each equipped with an electronic module for measuring operational parameters of each wheel, includes: controlling the transmission, by the module equipping that wheel, of n signals transmitted at times t1 to tn for given angular positions ?1 to ?n of the module, to a connected central processing unit, and to speed sensors each positioned close to a wheel, capable of delivering, values convertible into angular values, data representing the orientation of the wheel. The central processing unit is programmed to calculate, for each series of angular values ?1 to ?n provided by a wheel measuring sensor at the times t1 to tn, a characteristic value Vn1-Vnr representing the dispersion of the values ?1, (?2-?2) . . . (?n-?n), and to compare the characteristic values to allocate, to the electronic module, the position of the wheel located close to the wheel speed sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a center-of-gravity height h of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. A controller is operatively coupled with a left wheel load sensor, a right wheel load sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor, and a roll rate sensor. The controller determines a left wheel load FL based upon input from the left wheel load sensor, determines a right wheel load FR based upon input from the right wheel sensor, determines a lateral acceleration ay of a vehicle body based upon input from the lateral acceleration sensor, determines a body roll angle ? based upon input from the roll rate sensor, and estimate a center-of-gravity height h in real-time using the calculated values of FL, FR, ay, and ?.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining and providing information for the transport of an object with a passenger car. A determining of the first parameter of the object to be transported takes place, where the at least one first parameter is selected from the group consisting of dimensions of the object and the mass of the object. In addition, a determining of a current transport capacity of the passenger car takes place. Furthermore, a determining of a probable loading state of the passenger car based on the determined first parameter and the determined current transport capacity of the passenger car takes place. In addition, an outputting of information regarding the determined probable loading state takes place.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining the efficiency of an ABS controller. The method may comprise performing a first test on a first tire using a first ABS controller at a first inflation pressure, gathering a first data set, using a digital computer to generate a first function from the first data set, and using a digital computer to calculate a first efficiency based on the first function. The first data set may comprise data about the first test. The first function may describe normalized mu versus time for a first time period.

Abstract: A vehicle load sensing system, said system comprising: at least one load sensor located on a vehicle; display means located on the vehicle; wherein the at least one load sensor is capable of measuring and/or monitoring the load being carried in the vehicle and displaying the measured/monitored level on the display means. The display means may further be a standard mobile phone that has a suitable wireless connection. The information transmitted to the display means may also be transmitted to a further information point allowing a central control of a number of vehicles.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for performing engine material temperature sensor diagnostics includes a coolant flow sensor configured to provide an indication of coolant flow within a coolant system; an engine state sensor configured to provide an indication of an operational state of an internal combustion engine; and a diagnostic module in communication with the coolant flow sensor and engine state sensor. The diagnostic module is configured to use the indication of coolant flow and the indication of an operational state of the internal combustion engine to estimate an amount of accumulated energy within the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The disclosed method and system utilizes inspection information from individual components to predict a value for a system performance parameter. The predicted system performance parameter is utilized to determine if corrective action is required for any of the system components. No corrective action is recommended if the predicted system performance parameter is within desired limits. Further, corrective action for a specific component of the system is performed and indicated independent of the inspection results of a specific component.

Abstract: A method for determining a power reserve of an electric drive, particularly for use in a drive train of a motor vehicle, having the steps: determining a power limit of the electric drive which forms the limit of the convertible power of the electric drive; recording a requested, provided or applied torque of the electric drive; determining a power reserve which forms a power that is implementable above the requested, provided or applied torque within the determined power limit of the electric drive; and displaying the power reserve using a display.

Abstract: A battery condition monitoring device has a control section for monitoring conditions of a high voltage battery on the basis of detection signals detected and transmitted by monitoring ICs. The control section has a main control section and a sub control section. When the main control section is in an abnormal condition, the sub control section detects the conditions of the high voltage battery, and instructs SMRs to turn on and off an electrical connection between the high voltage battery and a vehicle driving electric motor. The SMRs are arranged on connection lines through which the high voltage battery is connected to the vehicle driving electric motor.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a mechanical failure in an active grille shutter (AGS) system of a vehicle. The method includes receiving at least one mechanical fault condition signal, each of the at least one mechanical fault condition signals being indicative of whether a particular mechanical fault condition was detected in the AGS system. The method also includes receiving a temperature signal indicating a temperature at a location proximate to a grille shutter of the AGS and determining whether to perform an extended diagnostic based on the at least one mechanical fault condition signal and the temperature signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed an on-vehicle fault detecting device that can more accurately identify what has caused data different from intended-to-be-written data in a memory as a hardware fault. The IG-operation counting unit counts a number of ON-operations of the ignition (IG) switch. The usage-environment-change determining unit determines whether or not a number of times of continuous non-coincidence has reached a determination number, and presumes that the usage environment has changed if a number of continuous IG-switch operations has reached a determination number. Even in cases where the number of times of continuous non-coincidence has reached the determination number, the data writing unit will not write occurrence of a fault in hardware in the memory unless it is presumed by the usage-environment-change determining unit that the usage environment around the vehicle C has changed.

Abstract: A method for optimizing performance of a system includes determining, via a controller, a state of health (SOH) for each of a plurality of components of the system, and determining a state of function (SOF) of the system using the SOH of each component. The method includes estimating the remaining useful life (RUL) of the system using the system SOF, selecting a cost-optimal control strategy for the system using a costing model, and dynamically, i.e., in real time, executing the selected strategy to extend the estimated RUL. The method may include comparing the selected cost-optimal strategy to a calibrated performance threshold, and executing the selected strategy only when the selected strategy exceeds the threshold. A system includes first and second components and a controller. The controller dynamically executes the above method with respect to the components, which may be a traction motor and battery in one possible embodiment.