A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.

A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.

If a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value when a hybrid control mode is a series mode and a charge mode is selected (S10-S14), it is determined whether an SOC of a high voltage battery is less than a predetermined value or not (S16), and when the SOC of the high voltage battery is less than the predetermined value, ignition timing is corrected to be retarded (S18).

Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline oscillations are reduced during engine air-fuel ratio modulation. The driveline oscillations may be reduced via adjusting torque of a motor.

Provided is a vehicle control device with which improved fuel economy and lowered exhaust gas emissions can be effectively achieved without adversely affecting the driver when traveling while following a leading vehicle. The present invention has: a following-determination means that, during travel while following a leading vehicle, determines, on the basis of the speed of the host vehicle, the speed of the leading vehicle, and the distance from the leading vehicle, whether the host vehicle will be able to follow the leading vehicle by coasting; and an idle stop determination means that, when the following-determination means has determined that the host vehicle will be able to follow the leading vehicle by coasting, and the driving/travel state of the host vehicle satisfies other traveling idle stop criteria, determines that a traveling idle stop should be performed; and is provided with a determination criteria updating means for updating the determination criteria for the idle stop determination means in regard to criteria such as the leading vehicle characteristics, road surface conditions, and weather. In the event that it has been determined, from the determination conditions that have been updated in regard to the leading vehicle characteristics, etc., that following by coasting is possible, a control to shut off the on-board engine is performed.

A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.

A control device for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine and of an electrical machine in a hybrid drive assembly, which permits a mechanical coupling of the engine and the machine in a drive train. An engine control part controls the internal combustion engine and an electrical machine control part controls the electrical machine. A monitoring part monitors proper operation of the control parts and, in the event of a malfunction, takes over a control function within a reaction time span. An engine false-start prevention part detects a transition of the internal combustion engine from stopped to running and, in the event of such a transition, checks if a proper start of the internal combustion engine was requested within a predefined past time span in order to prevent a fuel supply release and/or an ignition release if such a start was not requested.

In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for performing vehicle control. A computing system determines a difference between a recent rate of change and a historical rate of change of a rotating vehicle shaft of a vehicle during a vehicle race. The computing system determines that the difference between the recent rate of change of the rotating vehicle shaft and the historical rate of change of the rotating vehicle shaft satisfies a criteria for limiting vehicle power, wherein the computing system changes the criteria for limiting vehicle power during the vehicle race. The computing system sends a signal for receipt by a vehicle component of the vehicle, to cause the vehicle component to limit rotation of the rotating vehicle shaft.

A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.

In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for performing vehicle control. Multiple target rotation rates for a vehicle shaft may be identified. A first actual rotation rate may be determined to exceed a first target rotation rate. In response, a computing system may send a first signal in order to cause a first component of a vehicle to limit the rate of rotation of the vehicle shaft. A second actual rotation rate may be determined to be below a second target rotation rate. In response, the computing system may send a second signal in order to cause the first component of the vehicle or a second component of the vehicle to increase the rate of rotation of the vehicle shaft.