Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Robert J Schaller

Paul Alan Bauerle

Mark Henry Costin

James T Purcell

Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak

Robert Charles Simon, Jr

James L Worthing

John Norman Stockbridge

Timothy John Hartrey

Bruce A Rogers

Mario Vincent Maiorana, Jr

Patrick J O'Leary

An engine management system for a vehicle includes engine and transmission control modules that are connected to a serial vehicle data bus. A dedicated serial data bus is connected to the transmission control module and the engine control module. The engine and the transmission control modules perform processor validity and integrity checks over the dedicated data bus. In an alternate powertrain management system, engine and transmission control modules are connected to a serial vehicle data bus.

Cross-checking processors for powertrain control systems using a dedicated serial data link

Apparatus are provided for an electronic throttle control (ETC) system having a throttle body assembly. The apparatus includes a throttle actuator, an input circuit receiving sensor signals and having first, second, and third reference voltages, a first throttle position sensor (TPS) connected to the second reference voltage, a second TPS connected to the second reference voltage, a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor connected to the first reference voltage, a manifold airflow (MAF) sensor connected to the third reference voltage, and a processor connected to the input circuit and transmitting a control signal to the throttle actuator based on the sensors, reference voltages, and returns. The ETC system has improved remedial actions responsive to failures of the various sensors, reference voltages, and returns.

Electronic throttle control with throttle position sensor system and air flow indicators

Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a throttle of a vehicle engine. The apparatus comprises an input sensor configured to provide an input signal having a value that approximately corresponds to an operating level of the vehicle engine requested by an operator and a memory configured to store a maximum input value for the input sensor. The maximum input value provides the value of the input signal that approximately corresponds to a maximum operating level of the vehicle engine. The apparatus is further configured to receive the input signal and access the memory to retrieve the maximum input value and further configured to update the maximum input value with the value of the input signal if the value of the input signal is greater than the maximum input value.

Methods and apparatus for adjusting a throttle of a vehicle engine

A method of controlling a motor vehicle engine having an electronic throttle including positioning the electronic throttle in response to a requested throttle area, determining a fault in the vehicle engine, limiting the throttle area after a fault has been determined to control vehicle speed, limiting acceleration of the vehicle after the fault has been determined, and determining if the engine may be operated at full throttle after the fault has been determined to allow the vehicle to operate in a high power demand application.

Limited acceleration mode for electronic throttle control

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Brighton, MI, United States of America

Robert J Schaller