Showing papers by "Ford Motor Company published in 2009"

The direct examination of three‐dimensional bone architecture in vitro by computed tomography

Abstract: We describe a new method for the direct examination of three-dimensional bone structure in vitro based on high-resolution computed tomography (CT). Unlike clinical CT, a three-dimensional reconstruction array is created directly, rather than a series of two-dimensional slices. All structural indices commonly determined from two-dimensional histologic sections can be obtained nondestructively from a large number of slices in each of three orthogonal directions. This permits a comprehensive description of structural variation within a specimen and greatly facilitates the study of structural anisotropy. A measure of three-dimensional connectivity (Euler number/tissue volume) has been determined for the first time in human cancellous bone and shown to correlate with several two-dimensional histomorphometric indices. The method has the potential for overcoming many of the limitations of current approaches to the study of bone architecture at the microscopic level.

Predictive energy management of a power-split hybrid electric vehicle

Abstract: In this paper, a Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy is developed for the first time to solve the optimal energy management problem of power-split hybrid electric vehicles. A power-split hybrid combines the advantages of series and parallel hybrids by utilizing two electric machines and a combustion engine. Because of its many modes of operation, modeling a power-split configuration is complex and devising a near-optimal power management strategy is quite challenging. To systematically improve the fuel economy of a power-split hybrid, we formulate the power management problem as a nonlinear optimization problem. The nonlinear powertrain model and the constraints are linearized at each sample time and a receding horizon linear MPC strategy is employed to determine the power split ratio based on the updated model. Simulation results over multiple driving cycles indicate better fuel economy over conventional strategies can be achieved. In addition the proposed algorithm is causal and has the potential for real-time implementation.

Discrete-time current regulator design for AC machine drives

Abstract: This paper analyzes the behavior of discrete-time current regulators for AC machines operating at high ratios of fundamental-to-sampling frequencies, a situation common for high speed automotive drives and large traction drives. At high ratios of fundamental-to-sampling frequencies, highly oscillatory, or unstable, response can occur if the current regulator design does not properly incorporate the effects of the discrete nature of the controller, including delays between the sampling of signals and the application of the voltage commands through pulse-width modulation (PWM). This paper investigates these issues for different design methods and current regulator topologies. As part of this investigation a simple discrete-time domain AC machine model is developed that includes the delays associated with PWM. This model is then used to design a discrete-time domain version of the complex vector PI current regulator that demonstrates improved response compared with the other regulators studied. Simulation and experimental results are provided to compare the performance, stability, and robustness of the current regulators analyzed.

Fish oil, but not flaxseed oil, decreases inflammation and prevents pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Abstract: Aims Clinical studies suggest that intake of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) may lower the incidence of heart failure. Dietary supplementation with ω-3 PUFA exerts metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects that could prevent left ventricle (LV) pathology; however, it is unclear whether these effects occur at clinically relevant doses and whether there are differences between ω-3 PUFA from fish [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] and vegetable sources [α-linolenic acid (ALA)]. Methods and results We assessed the development of LV remodelling and pathology in rats subjected to aortic banding treated with ω-3 PUFA over a dose range that spanned the intake of humans taking ω-3 PUFA supplements. Rats were fed a standard food or diets supplemented with EPA+DHA or ALA at 0.7, 2.3, or 7% of energy intake. Without supplementation, aortic banding increased LV mass and end-systolic and -diastolic volumes. ALA supplementation had little effect on LV remodelling and dysfunction. In contrast, EPA+DHA dose-dependently increased EPA and DHA, decreased arachidonic acid in cardiac membrane phospholipids, and prevented the increase in LV end-diastolic and -systolic volumes. EPA+DHA resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin, and there was a strong correlation between the prevention of LV chamber enlargement and plasma levels of adiponectin ( r = −0.78). Supplementation with EPA+DHA had anti-aggregatory and anti-inflammatory effects as evidenced by decreases in urinary thromboxane B2 and serum tumour necrosis factor-α. Conclusion Dietary supplementation with ω-3 PUFA derived from fish, but not from vegetable sources, increased plasma adiponectin, suppressed inflammation, and prevented cardiac remodelling and dysfunction under pressure overload conditions.

Integrated vehicle control system using dynamically determined vehicle conditions

Abstract: A vehicle includes a control system that is used to control a vehicle system. The control system determines a roll condition in response to a yaw rate sensor and a pitch rate sensor without having to use a roll rate sensor. A relative roll angle, relative pitch angle, global roll angle, and global pitch angle may also be determined. A safety system may be controlled in response to the roll condition, roll angle, or the pitch angles individually or in combination.

System and method for remotely controlling vehicle components from a nomadic communication device or computer

Abstract: A method for remotely controlling one or more vehicle components includes receiving over a telecommunications network signals originating from a remote terminal. The signals include remote operation instructions for remotely operating a vehicle entertainment system component. The remote operation instructions are executed. Operation status identifiers transmitted over a vehicle data bus are received from the vehicle entertainment system component. Based on the operation status identifiers, an operating status of the vehicle entertainment system component is determined. A return signal including an operation status message and an instruction for displaying the operation status message at the remote terminal is generated. The signal is transmitted to the remote terminal for display.

Vehicle And Method For Controlling Engine Start In A Vehicle

Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized The starter motor is used to crank the engine upon an engine start request, thereby eliminating the need to transfer torque from the motor/generator to the engine This helps to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline when the engine is started

Aggregator, monitor, and manager of distributed demand response

Abstract: The invention broadly encompasses a system including a database to store demand response data, the demand response data including demand response agreement parameters, demand response load and energy demand characteristics of one or more demand response customers, the demand response load characteristics including power consumption capacity of each of one or more demand response loads, an aggregator to aggregate the demand response loads based on the demand response data and forecast data into a demand response portfolio, a monitor to monitor power demand of one or more demand response customers and one or more power grids, and a dispatcher to notify the one or more demand response customers of the demand response portfolio and to notify a utility of a response from the one or more demand response customers whether to control the demand response load to return the power consumption capacity of the demand response load back to the one or more power grids.

Vehicle park assist system and method for parking a vehicle using such system

Abstract: A park assist system for parking a vehicle in a target parking space includes a first sensing system which determines whether there is a sufficient slot length in a target parking space in which to park the vehicle. A second sensing system determines whether an obstacle is located in a predetermined clearance zone on a side of the vehicle opposite the target parking space. A decision regarding whether to recommend parking the vehicle in the target parking space sensed by the first sensing system is dependent upon a determination that an obstacle located in the clearance zone may be avoided by executing a first steering trajectory provided by the park assist system in order to avoid the obstacle before executing a second steering trajectory provided by the park assist system in order to park the vehicle into the target parking space.

Telematics system and method for traction reporting and control in a vehicle

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method are provided for detecting a slip condition between a vehicle tire and a road surface, processing contemporaneous vehicle data, such as torque or brake pressure applied, to determine a force of friction, and calculating a coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction and location of the slip are broadcast to other vehicles driving in the proximity of the slip. The broadcasts may be utilized to notify drivers of slippery driving conditions at or ahead of the vehicle, and/or to limit torque and braking pressure applied to vehicle wheels to enhance traction and avoid slip.

Barriers to insulin injection therapy: patient and health care provider perspectives.

Abstract: ObjectiveTo compare patients’ perceptions of injection-related problems with clinicians’ estimates of those problems. Methods Data were obtained through 2 Internet surveys, one of US adults self-identified as taking insulin to treat diabe- tes and the second of health care professionals who treat people with diabetes who inject insulin, including pri- mary care physicians, endocrinologists, and diabetes educators.ResultsA substantial majority of patients would like to reduce the number of injections they take each day; almost half said that they would be more likely to take their insulin injections regularly if a product were available to ease the pain. A much smaller proportion of patients reported that (1) injections were a serious burden, (2) they were dissatisfied with the way they took insulin, (3) injections had a substantial negative impact on qual- ity of life, (4) they skipped injections they should take, or (5) injection-related problems affected the number of injections they were willing to tak...

Antithrombotic therapy and outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation following primary percutaneous coronary intervention: results from the APEX-AMI trial

Abstract: Aims To assess the incidence and timing of atrial fibrillation (AF), describe antithrombotic therapy use, and evaluate the association of AF with 90 day mortality and other secondary clinical outcomes. Methods and results We studied 5745 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in APEX-AMI. Approximately 11% had AF during hospitalization. Atrial fibrillation prevalence at baseline and at discharge was 4.8% [confidence interval (CI) 4.3–5.4%] and 2.5% (CI 2.1–2.9%), respectively. The proportion of 5466 patients without AF at baseline who developed new onset AF was 6.3% (CI 5.6–6.9%). This corresponded to 9.3 cases of new onset AF/1000 patient days at risk. New onset AF was independently associated with 90 day mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.81; 95% CI 1.06–3.09; P = 0.029] after accounting for baseline covariates and in-hospital procedures and complications. New onset AF was associated with shock (adjusted HR 3.81; 95% CI 1.88–7.70; P = 0.0002), congestive heart failure (adjusted HR 2.66; 95% CI 1.74–4.06; P < 0.0001), and stroke (adjusted HR 2.98; 95% CI 1.47–6.04; P = 0.0024) in models accounting for baseline covariates. Of AF patients, 55% did not receive oral anticoagulation therapy at discharge. Among patients with coronary stents, 5.1% were discharged on triple therapy. Patients at highest risk of stroke (CHADS2 score ≥2) were least likely to receive oral anticoagulation at discharge (39%). Warfarin use in patients with AF at discharge (43.4%) was associated with lower rates of 90 day mortality and stroke. Conclusion Atrial fibrillation prevalence at baseline and at discharge was 4.8 and 2.5%, respectively. The proportion of patients who developed new onset AF was 6.3%. New onset AF was independently associated with 90 day mortality and was a marker of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing primary PCI.

Intelligent Vehicle Power Control Based on Machine Learning of Optimal Control Parameters and Prediction of Road Type and Traffic Congestion

Abstract: Previous research has shown that current driving conditions and driving style have a strong influence over a vehicle's fuel consumption and emissions. This paper presents a methodology for inferring road type and traffic congestion (RT&TC) levels from available onboard vehicle data and then using this information for improved vehicle power management. A machine-learning algorithm has been developed to learn the critical knowledge about fuel efficiency on 11 facility-specific drive cycles representing different road types and traffic congestion levels, as well as a neural learning algorithm for the training of a neural network to predict the RT&TC level. An online University of Michigan-Dearborn intelligent power controller (UMD_IPC) applies this knowledge to real-time vehicle power control to achieve improved fuel efficiency. UMD_IPC has been fully implemented in a conventional (nonhybrid) vehicle model in the powertrain systems analysis toolkit (PSAT) environment. Simulations conducted on the standard drive cycles provided by the PSAT show that the performance of the UMD_IPC algorithm is very close to the offline controller that is generated using a dynamic programming optimization approach. Furthermore, UMD_IPC gives improved fuel consumption in a conventional vehicle, alternating neither the vehicle structure nor its components.

Patterns and dynamics of subventricular zone neuroblast migration in the ischemic striatum of the adult mouse

Abstract: The migratory behavior of neuroblasts after a stroke is poorly understood. Using time-lapse microscopy, we imaged migration of neuroblasts and cerebral vessels in living brain slices of adult doublecortin (DCX, a marker of neuroblasts) enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) transgenic mice that were subjected to 7 days of stroke. Our results show that neuroblasts originating in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of adult mouse brain laterally migrated in chains or individually to reach the ischemic striatum. The chains were initially formed at the border between the SVZ and the striatum by neuroblasts in the SVZ and then extended to the striatum. The average speed of DCX-eGFP-expressing cells within chains was 28.67±1.04 μm/h, which was significantly faster (P < 0.01) than the speed of the cells in the SVZ (17.98±0.57 μm/h). Within the ischemic striatum, individual neuroblasts actively extended or retracted their processes, suggestive of probing the immediate microenvironment. The neuroblasts close to cerebral blood vessels exhibited multiple processes. Our data suggest that neuroblasts actively interact with the microenvironment to reach the ischemic striatum by multiple migratory routes.

System and method for executing hands-free operation of an electronic calendar application within a vehicle

Abstract: One or more embodiments may include a method and system for operating a computer application stored on a nomadic device (ND) located within the vicinity of a vehicle. The system may include a vehicle computer system (VCS). The method may include receiving an input at the VCS to pair the VCS with the ND to establish a wireless communication link over which the VCS may receive one or more instructions from the ND. The one or more instructions may include instructions for establishing a connection with an electronic calendar application executing on the ND and instructions for prompting a user for one or more electronic calendar application events. The method may further include receiving a request from the user for the one or more electronic calendar application events and executing the one or more electronic calendar application events.

Disturbance and the rising tide: the challenge of biodiversity management on low-island ecosystems

Abstract: Sea-level rise presents an imminent threat to freshwater-dependent ecosystems on small oceanic islands, which often harbor rare and endemic taxa. Conservation of these assemblages is complicated by feedbacks between sea level and recurring pulse disturbances (eg hurricanes, fire). Once sea level reaches a critical level, the transition from a landscape characterized by mesophytic upland forests and freshwater wetlands to one dominated by mangroves can occur suddenly, following a single storm-surge event. We document such a trajectory, unfolding today in the Florida Keys. With sea level projected to rise substantially during the next century, ex-situ actions may be needed to conserve individual species of special concern. However, within existing public conservation units, managers have a responsibility to conserve extant biodiversity. We propose a strategy that combines the identification and intensive management of the most defensible core sites within a broader reserve system, in which refugia for biota facing local extirpation may be sought.

Intelligent music selection in vehicles

Abstract: A method of intelligent music selection in a vehicle includes learning user preferences for music selection in the vehicle corresponding to a plurality of driving conditions of the vehicle. Input is received that is indicative of a current driving condition of the vehicle. And, music is selected and played based on the learned user preferences for music selection in the vehicle corresponding to the current driving condition.

Detection of Driver Fatigue Caused by Sleep Deprivation

Abstract: This paper aims to provide reliable indications of driver drowsiness based on the characteristics of driver-vehicle interaction. A test bed was built under a simulated driving environment, and a total of 12 subjects participated in two experiment sessions requiring different levels of sleep (partial sleep-deprivation versus no sleep-deprivation) before the experiment. The performance of the subjects was analyzed in a series of stimulus-response and routine driving tasks, which revealed the performance differences of drivers under different sleep-deprivation levels. The experiments further demonstrated that sleep deprivation had greater effect on rule-based than on skill-based cognitive functions: when drivers were sleep-deprived, their performance of responding to unexpected disturbances degraded, while they were robust enough to continue the routine driving tasks such as lane tracking, vehicle following, and lane changing. In addition, we presented both qualitative and quantitative guidelines for designing drowsy-driver detection systems in a probabilistic framework based on the paradigm of Bayesian networks. Temporal aspects of drowsiness and individual differences of subjects were addressed in the framework.

Methods and Systems for Emission System Control

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a turbocharged engine including a particulate filter positioned upstream of a turbocharger turbine, a catalyst positioned downstream of the turbine, and an EGR passage coupled between an engine exhaust and engine intake. In one example, the method comprises, diverting exhaust gas from downstream of the filter to the engine intake via the EGR passage, and adjusting an amount of diverted exhaust gas based on filter operating conditions.

Comparison of radiographic absorptiometry with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and quantitative computed tomography in normal older white and black women

Abstract: Bone mineral density (BMD) of the phalanges of the hand was measured by the technique of radiographic absorptiometry (RA) in 199 older postmenopausal women previously determined to have normal BMD by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). The average age of the women was 66.8 +/- 4.9 years, and they were 19.9 +/- 6.7 years postmenopause. In the 54 black women, phalangeal BMD was 11.7% greater than in the 145 white women, a difference comparable to that found using DXA at the radial midshaft, the lumbar spine, and femoral neck. A correlation matrix comparing BMD measured by RA to BMD measured by DXA and QCT indicates that, in general, RA was related to the various DXA and QCT measurement sites as well as these sites were related to each other. When results for RA, DXA, and QCT obtained in our cohort of older women were compared to available reference data for peak adult bone mass, the average difference (SD units) from peak value was greatest for RA (-1.77 radius, -1.24 spine, -2.13 femoral neck, -2.34 QCT spine, and -2.71 phalanges). We conclude that RA is an acceptable measure of phalangeal BMD and that the data in our cohort can serve as reference data for older white and black women aged 55-75 years. Once the ability of RA to predict future fracture occurrence has been demonstrated, it could be rapidly deployed as a low-cost, widely available bone mass measurement technique.