Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Mark J Rychlinski

Yilu Zhang

Varsha K Sadekar

Nathan D Ampunan

Krishnaraj Inbarajan

Gary W Gantt, Jr

Jakob Yonan

Chandra S Namuduri

Mutasim Abdurrahman Salman

John J Correia

Rajeev Vyas

Dennis F Regmont

Suresh Gopalakrishnan

Christopher L Oesterling

Xinyu Du

Michael G Reynolds

Mark N Howell

David W Walters

Xiaodong Zhang

Michael Douglas Rizzo

Ryan M Edwards

Phanu Amatyakul

Paul S Shaub

Markus Demmerle

Halasya Siva Subramania

Anthony J Rifici

Fausto Eleazar Vazquez Flores

Mark E Gilbert

Paul W Loewer

Shirley B Dost

Kyle L Lobes

Haiping Song

A vehicle includes at least one brake assembly configured to brake at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to an applied voltage. A power supply is in signal communication with the at least one brake assembly. The power supply is configured to operate in a first mode that outputs a first voltage and a second mode that outputs a second voltage greater than the first voltage. A brake control system is in signal communication with the at least one brake assembly and the power supply. The brake control system is configured to determine a driving state of the vehicle, and is configured to output a brake boost request signal to initiate the second mode of the power supply in response to detecting the driving state, wherein a braking response time of the at least one brake assembly is improved in response to applying the second voltage.

Vehicle brake control system including eBoost regulated voltage control

A method and system for diagnosing battery system problems in a vehicle, where the method distinguishes between problems of various battery system components. More particularly, battery connection problems such as loose connections, corroded battery terminals, etc., may be distinguished from battery system problems as a whole. Load related readings that generally reflect the performance of the battery system during a cranking event and one or more non-load related readings may be gathered and used to determine whether there is a battery system problem and whether there is a battery specific problem. If load related readings and/or non-load related readings fail to indicate a battery specific problem, a battery connection problem may be diagnosed.

Method and system for diagnosing battery system problems

A number of illustrative variations may include a method of estimating battery health including using a charging resistance equivalent.

Battery state of health estimation using charging resistance equivalent

A vehicle including a cooling fan that is rotatably coupled to an electric motor that is electrically powered by a DC power source via an inverter is described. A method for controlling the cooling fan includes monitoring, via a first controller, a vehicle speed, and selecting a preferred operating state for the electric motor based upon the vehicle speed. The preferred operating state includes one of a first command associated with controlling the cooling fan to force air through the cooling system, a second command associated with a fan brake request, and a third command associated with an energy recovery mode. A discrete message from the first controller is communicated to an inverter controller, wherein the discrete message is based upon the preferred operating state for the electric motor. The inverter controller controls the inverter to control the electric motor in response to the discrete message.

Method and apparatus for controlling an electric motor of a cooling fan

An electrical system includes a direct current (DC) voltage bus, a power supply providing a supply voltage to the DC voltage bus, an electric machine connected to the power supply, a reverse current protection (RCP) circuit positioned between the power supply and the electric machine, the RCP circuit including an energy dissipating element, and a controller. As part of an associated method, the controller detects a reverse current condition in which a current flows from the electric machine toward the power supply when an induced voltage of the electric machine exceeds a voltage level of the voltage bus. The controller transmits a control signal to the RCP circuit to direct the electrical current through the energy dissipating element for a duration of the reverse current condition or for a predetermined duration equal to or greater than that of the reverse current condition.

Electrical system with reverse current protection circuit

Methods and systems for monitoring no start events for vehicles are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes an engine, a sensing unit, a processor, and a transmitter. The sensing unit is configured to measure one or more parameter values for a vehicle after a request has been made to start the engine. The processor is coupled to the sensing unit, and configured to determine when a no start event has occurred for the vehicle using the one or more parameter values. The transmitter is coupled to the processor, and is configured to transmit, to a remote server, a no start event history for the vehicle based on the determining by the processor.

No start event monitoring

A method and system are provided for controlling a vehicle capable of operating in a fuel economy mode in which fuel is conserved by limiting operation of an engine. The method includes obtaining forecast temperatures for one or more dates and comparing the forecast temperature for each date to a threshold temperature. The method further includes generating a control signal if the forecast temperature for a given date meets a predetermined condition relative to the threshold temperature. The control signal is configured to disable fuel economy mode of the vehicle. The method further includes disabling the fuel economy mode of the vehicle in response to receiving the control signal. By disabling fuel economy mode at selected temperatures, the method and system allow the vehicle to preserve a sufficient state of charge in the vehicle battery for cold starts.

Method and system for controlling a vehicle capable of operating in fuel economy mode

Methods and systems are provided for controlling an auto stop feature of an engine of a vehicle. A sensor is configured to provide information pertaining to engine speed at first full compression of the engine and at predetermined times including and beyond the time to first full compression after commencement of engine crank. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to disable the auto stop feature if the engine speed is less than a predetermined speed threshold.

Auto stop engine control for vehicles

A system and method for telemetrically collecting on-road vehicle diagnostic data. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting vehicle diagnostic data from service shops, on-road vehicles and warranty records, aggregating the collected data and extracting knowledge therefrom. The extracted knowledge can be used to enhance algorithms on-board vehicles or at service centers so as to better identify vehicle faults and provide enhanced diagnostics and prognostics. The enhanced algorithms can then be used to provide predictive maintenance suggestions, provide trouble shooting assistance or provide vehicle design improvements.

Telematics-enabled aggregated vehicle diagnosis and prognosis

A system and method for determining the status of a vehicle battery to determine whether the battery may not have enough charge to start the vehicle. The method includes collecting data relating to the battery on the vehicle and collecting data relating to the battery at a remote back-office. Both the vehicle and the remote data center determine battery characteristics based on the collected data and the likelihood of a vehicle no-start condition, where the algorithm used at the remote back-office may be more sophisticated. The data collected at the remote back-office may include vehicle battery information transmitted wirelessly from the vehicle, and other information, such as temperature, battery reliability, miles that the vehicle has driven per day, ambient temperature, high content vehicle, etc. Both the vehicle and the remote back-office may determine the battery open circuit voltage.

Method and apparatus for telematics-based vehicle no-start prognosis

Parasitic loads on a vehicular battery are evaluated based on an estimated reduction in the state of charge of the battery over the course of an engine-off state.

Telematics-based method and system of battery parasitic load validation for a vehicle fleet

A telematics method comprising the steps of: using a device in a vehicle, obtaining data including at least location and at least one device parameter during a time period between vehicle assembly and delivery to a retail customer; transmitting the data to a remote station for processing; conditionally communicating an alert for the vehicle responsive to the device parameter; and conditionally communicating, response to the device parameter and additional device parameters from additional vehicles, an alert for at least one of (a) a vehicle assembly plant, (b) a vehicle dealer, (c) a vehicle distribution center and (d) a vehicle logistical support center.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Mark J Rychlinski