Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust throttle and an EGR valve to expedite catalyst heating. By closing both valves during an engine cold start, an elevated exhaust backpressure and increased heat rejection at an EGR cooler can be synergistically used to warm each of an engine and an exhaust catalyst. The valves may also be controlled to vary an amount of exhaust flowing through an exhaust venturi so as to meet engine vacuum needs while providing a desired amount of engine EGR.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust throttle and an EGR valve to expedite catalyst heating. By closing both valves during an engine cold start, an elevated exhaust backpressure and increased heat rejection at an EGR cooler can be synergistically used to warm each of an engine and an exhaust catalyst. The valves may also be controlled to vary an amount of exhaust flowing through an exhaust venturi so as to meet engine vacuum needs while providing a desired amount of engine EGR.

A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.

A braking mechanism is provided for a hydraulic motor driven wheel utilizing a two-piece design of a hub that rotates by means of a drive shaft. A hydraulic chamber is created on the hub in which a piston resides. The piston is grounded (i.e., non-rotatable relative to the motor housing) in the sealed chamber. The piston face inside of the chamber has a radial set of face teeth. These face teeth are similar to the face teeth inside of the hydraulic chamber. When the chamber is pressurized, the piston face teeth are pushed away from the hub face teeth allowing the hub to freely rotate. When pressure is released from the chamber, a spring, or a number of springs, push the piston into the hub causing it to stop rotating relative to the piston.

The operation of an air compressor is controlled to control engine performance to thereby improve the performance of the vehicle. A compressor (4) driven by an engine (3) of a vehicle and supplying compressed air to loads (51-54) is controlled by an ECU (2). A loaded state and an unloaded state of the compressor (4) are switched between each other according to the requirements from the loads (51-54). When the vehicle requires braking force, the compressor (4) is set to the loaded state irrespective of the requirements from the loads (51-54).

The operation of an air compressor is controlled to control engine performance to thereby improve the performance of the vehicle. A compressor (4) driven by an engine (3) of a vehicle and supplying compressed air to loads (51-54) is controlled by an ECU (2). A loaded state and an unloaded state of the compressor (4) are switched between each other according to the requirements from the loads (51-54). When the vehicle requires braking force, the compressor (4) is set to the loaded state irrespective of the requirements from the loads (51-54).

A miniaturized ABS hydraulic unit is provided. In an ABS hydraulic unit 100 where a pump 12 and valves 13, 14 are disposed in the inside of a hydraulic circuit 1 for making a hydraulic brake perform braking, and an antilock brake control of the hydraulic brake is performed by controlling the pump 12 and the valves 13, 14, a motor 11 for operating the pump 12 is configured to operate the pump 12 by way of a planetary gear mechanism 30.

A miniaturized ABS hydraulic unit is provided. In an ABS hydraulic unit 100 where a pump 12 and valves 13, 14 are disposed in the inside of a hydraulic circuit 1 for making a hydraulic brake perform braking, and an antilock brake control of the hydraulic brake is performed by controlling the pump 12 and the valves 13, 14, a motor 11 for operating the pump 12 is configured to operate the pump 12 by way of a planetary gear mechanism 30.

An aspirator for a brake system is provided having integrated functions of a flow bypass and a check valve for automotive applications to achieve various suction flow openings in response to different engine operating conditions to enhance brake boost performance. The brake system includes a brake vacuum booster, an engine having an intake manifold, an aspirator having a movable convergence nozzle, the aspirator being connected to the manifold, and a vacuum line connecting the booster to the aspirator. The aspirator includes a body having an interior end wall. A biasing element such as a spring is provided between the movable convergence nozzle and the interior end wall of the aspirator body. The body of the aspirator has an air flow path having an upstream area and a downstream area. The movable convergence nozzle is positioned in the upstream area of the flow path.

An aspirator for a brake system is provided having integrated functions of a flow bypass and a check valve for automotive applications to achieve various suction flow openings in response to different engine operating conditions to enhance brake boost performance. The brake system includes a brake vacuum booster, an engine having an intake manifold, an aspirator having a movable convergence nozzle, the aspirator being connected to the manifold, and a vacuum line connecting the booster to the aspirator. The aspirator includes a body having an interior end wall. A biasing element such as a spring is provided between the movable convergence nozzle and the interior end wall of the aspirator body. The body of the aspirator has an air flow path having an upstream area and a downstream area. The movable convergence nozzle is positioned in the upstream area of the flow path.