An auxiliary power system for a motor vehicle includes a power generator that generates electricity to charge one or more auxiliary power system batteries. The motor vehicle includes an engine and drive train that distributes power from the engine to the drive wheels. The drive train can include a transmission, a drive shaft and a differential that connects the engine to the drive wheels. The power generator can be connected to the drive train (e.g., the transmission, the drive shaft or the differential) to draw power to generate electricity as well as to apply braking loads on the drive wheels to increase the ability to stop the motor vehicle.

An engine control strategy for a marine vessel propulsion system receives a request for a gear from among plural transmission gears, determines an engine speed for the requested transmission gear shift, adjusts the engine to the determined speed for a predetermined amount of time, and prevents the requested transmission gear shift from occurring for the predetermined amount of time while maintaining the engine at the predetermined speed. After the predetermined amount of time elapses, the requested shift is allowed to occur.

A controller includes a processor programmed to determine, for a vehicle, a first control input based on input data and first reference parameters. The processor is further programmed to operate the vehicle according to the first control input. Based on operating data of the vehicle for an operating condition, the processor determines a second control input for the vehicle. Operating the vehicle according to the second control input reduces a cost of operating the vehicle relative to operating the vehicle according to the first control input. The processor is further programmed to determine, based on the second control input, second reference parameters. The controller generates a third control input based on the second reference parameters and the input data. A cost of operating the vehicle according to the third control input is reduced relative to the cost of operating the vehicle based on the first control input.

Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.

A method and an apparatus for controlling a mild hybrid electric vehicle are provided. The method includes detecting data for operating the vehicle and determining a target torque of an engine based on the detected data. Additionally, the method includes determining whether an operating condition of a limiting logic of a combustion torque of the engine is satisfied based on a temperature of coolant of the engine and operating the limiting logic when the operating condition of the limiting logic is satisfied. A first available combustion torque of the engine is determined based on a speed of the engine and the temperature of the coolant when the limiting logic is operated and a target torque of a MHSG is determined based on the target torque of the engine and the first available combustion torque of the engine. The MHSG is then operated to generate the target torque of the MHSG.

A method of applying a brake force to all four wheels of a motor vehicle to stop the vehicle while torque continues to be applied to its driven wheels; and preventing wheel slippage of the driven wheels by reducing the applied torque when the vehicle is stopped or nearly stopped from moving in a forward direction. In this way, unintentional lateral movement of the vehicle due to creep torque applied to the driven wheels on slippery surfaces can be prevented or corrected.

Methods and apparatuses for safety enhanced computer-assisted driving. In embodiments, an apparatus for computer-assisted driving may include a neural network to determine a classification for behavior of a driver of a vehicle having the apparatus, based at least in part on data about the vehicle collected in real time, and a current level of stress or drowsiness of the driver determined in real time; and a safety action engine coupled to the neural network to determine a safety related action, based at least in part on the determined driver behavior classification and data related to current traffic or road condition of a route the vehicles is currently traveling on. The safety related action may be performed by an infotainment system or a navigation system of the vehicle to assist the driver in driving the vehicle in a safer manner.

A determination unit in an ECU of a rough terrain vehicle determines a reverse running state in a case that an engine rotational speed of an engine decreases when a traveling drive force is generated in the rough terrain vehicle. Further, if the determination unit determines occurrence of the reverse running state, the ECU refers to a clutch hydraulic pressure map, and sets a target hydraulic pressure so as to decrease gradually over time.

Disclosed is a vehicle speed limiter for use with a vehicle throttle system comprising a mechanically actuable throttle member, an engine speed controller, and a throttle signal unit in data communication with an engine speed controller and operably coupled to the throttle member so as to generate an electronic throttle signal in functional response to the degree of actuation of the throttle member, and to transmit a throttle signal to the engine speed controller whereby the engine speed is controlled; the vehicle speed limiter comprising a vehicle speed sensor (15) to obtain a signal indicative of vehicle speed; a GPS system (30), operable to provide a speed limit applicable for a present position of the vehicle; a comparator to compare the speed sensor (15) output with the speed limit provided from the GPS system (30); a throttle signal modifier unit (23) acting on the output of a throttle signal unit in use when fitted in conjunction with a vehicle throttle system to modify a generated throttle signal so that a transmitted throttle signal is produced such as to tend to limit the vehicle to the speed limit for the present position of the vehicle.

A method of controlling a powertrain of a vehicle includes opening and/or closing one or more of a first switching device, a second switching device, a third switching device, and engaging and/or disengaging at least one of a pair of actuators for a starter mechanism or a motor/generator clutch. Many different control modes are provided for the powertrain by changing the operation of a motor-generator between a motor or a generator, and changing the electrical connections between a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device, an auxiliary electric system, the starter mechanism, and the motor-generator.