Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a powertrain having a retarded diesel engine, an electric machine and energy storage system. The engine and motor are operatively coupled through one or more planetary gearsets and selective coupling paths in accordance with application and release of various torque transfer devices to a drivetrain via an output. Regenerative and retarded engine braking are coordinated to provide priority to energy return to an energy storage system in accordance with predetermined power flow limits. Power flow in excess of the limits are handled by increased engine retard braking contributions via engine speed increases.

Abstract: One or more friction devices of a transmission coupled to an engine through a fluid coupling are used during engine neutral idle operation to control the state of the fluid coupling for synchronous engagement and disengagement of a PTO input gear with a transmission-driven gear. The fluid coupling includes an input member connected to the engine and an output member connected to the input shaft of the transmission, and the transmission friction devices temporarily ground the output member without mechanically coupling the transmission input and output shafts under specified enable conditions. This maintains the transmission input shaft in a stationary condition while an actuator engages or disengages the PTO input gear with the transmission-driven gear. Following engagement or disengagement of the PTO input gear, the friction devices are released to resume normal operation of the fluid coupling.

Abstract: An electrically-variable transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, two electric motor/generators, and four nodes between which three parallel power paths are defined. Two of the power paths are mechanical and one of the power paths is electrical. The electric motor generators provide continuously variable speed ratios; manipulation of the power paths at the nodes provides a plurality of continuously variable operating modes for increased efficiency and smaller motor size. The transmission also provides an equal forward/reverse system with an input split.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine's start-up torsional disturbances are reduced by drawing down intake manifold pressure prior to engine cranking. In a preferred arrangement, a secondary air injection reaction pump is adapted for evacuating the intake manifold to effect the desired draw down of the intake manifold pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a differential gearset having five coaxial gear elements and two output members. Two of the gear elements are controllable via torque-transmitting devices such as friction brakes or electric motors to establish a plurality of speed ratios between the input shaft and the two output members. The two output members are selectively operatively connectable to an output shaft via a gear arrangement that allows for a plurality of speed ratios between the output members and the output shaft. If the torque-transmitting devices are electric motors or hydraulic pumps, then a continuously variable speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft is achievable. The plurality of speed ratios between the two output members and the output shaft enable a plurality of compound split operating modes, facilitating smaller and less powerful motors or pumps compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A battery tray apparatus for receiving and retaining a plurality of batteries includes a body portion having a length and a width. The body portion includes a plurality of first ridge portions extending along the length of the body portion and a plurality of second ridge portions extending along the width of the body portion. The plurality of second ridge portions intersects the plurality of first ridge portions. The plurality of first ridge portions and the plurality of second ridge portions define a plurality of recessed portions for receiving the plurality of batteries and preventing movement of the plurality of batteries relative to the body portion.

Abstract: An improved hybrid electro-mechanical vehicular transmission includes motor/generator modules assembled from like components. This is accomplished by providing “punch-out” tabs on the motor/generator module housing enabling the housing to be used on either the first or second motor/generator module within a hybrid electro-mechanical vehicular transmission, thus enabling like components to be used within both the first and second motor/generator module.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission has a pair of clutches and a first mode when the first clutch is applied and the second clutch released, a second mode when the second clutch is applied and the first clutch released, and a fixed-ratio mode when both clutches are applied. Upshifts and downshifts out of fixed-ratio are accomplished in accordance with a control based upon shift confidence factors determined in accordance with proportional and derivative input speed error quantities. Additional authority limits are placed upon the shift confidence factors in accordance with output speed derivative quantities. Additional override downshift control is provided in accordance with additional input speed condition determinations.

Abstract: A mechanical clutch-controlled planetary transmission employs three planetary gearsets and seven synchronizer clutches to establish fifteen forward speed ratios and seven reverse speed ratios between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. Two of the planetary gearsets each provide three forward speed ratios including two underdrives and a direct drive, and a third of the planetary gearsets provides a reverse speed ratio, an underdrive speed ratio, a direct speed ratio, and an overdrive speed ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a self-cleaning valve assembly. The valve is adapted to cycle and thereby clean the valve assembly in response to one or more predefined parameters which are programmed into a programmable controller. The valve is additionally configured to cycle according to one or more of several different methods which have been shown to efficiently clean the valve assembly. In this manner, the valve assembly is automatically cleaned improving the efficiency thereof and eliminating stuck valve warranty returns.

Abstract: An engine control system that regulates operation of an engine includes an intake valve that regulates air intake into a cylinder of the engine and an exhaust valve that regulates exhaust from the cylinder. A control module determines a cylinder volume at intake valve closure and a cylinder volume at intake valve opening and calculates an intake pumping torque based on the cylinder volume at intake valve closure and the cylinder volume at intake valve opening. The control module determines a cylinder volume at exhaust valve closure and a cylinder volume at exhaust valve opening and calculates an exhaust pumping torque based on the cylinder volume at exhaust valve closure and the cylinder volume at exhaust valve opening. The control module calculates a net pumping torque based on the intake pumping torque and the exhaust pumping torque and regulates engine operation based on the net pumping torque.

Abstract: This novel silent operating mode for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) reduces noise and emissions compared to traditional HEV operating modes. It is a complementary series of software control functions that allows the vehicle to operate with reduced noise and emissions where specifically needed, while phasing-in engine power where allowed. The method utilizes an energy storage system budget associated with a modal quantity of energy allocated for the mode, and is adapted to automatically adjust the operation of the vehicle to accommodate deviations from the budgeted energy amount. The mode also adjusts the vehicle operation in conjunction with changes in the parametric conditions of the ESS.

Abstract: A control system includes a device having a position between minimum and maximum positions. A first position sensor senses the position of the device and generates a first position value. A second position sensor senses the position of the device and generates a second position value. A sensor module communicates with the first and second position sensors and generates a single signal waveform based on the first and second position values. A frequency of the waveform is varied based on the first position value. A duty cycle of the waveform is varied based on the second position value. A conductor has a first end that communicates with the sensor module and a second end that communicates with a control module. The sensor module transmits the waveform to the control module on the conductor. The control module decodes the waveform to determine the first and second position values.

Abstract: The present invention is a compression ignition internal combustion engine and method of operation which expands the load limit of quietly operating a premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) engine by injecting a secondary fuel B, in ratios lean of stoichiometric, either into the intake air stream or directly into the cylinder to form a homogeneous fuel B and air mixture. Near top dead center of the compression stroke, a PCCI-type direct injection of fuel A event is used to initiate combustion of both fuel A and B at the proper time. At low loads the combustion mode is characterized a PCCI-type with high EGR rates. At medium loads the combustion mode is that of homogeneous combustion of fuel B coupled with PCCI combustion of fuel A. At the highest loads the engine will revert to a conventional diesel combustion mode of fuel A to maintain power density.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes a current section, a transformer, and a voltage section. The current section includes inductors configured to produce a boosted output voltage from a voltage sourse when then current section is operating in a forward direction. The transformer includes a primary winding electrically coupled to the secondary winding and configured to drive a load. The voltage section includes a pluralaty of balancing switchtes configured to actively driven to provide a DC voltage to the load. The balancing switches balance energy between the current section and the voltage section when the power conversion circuit is the load and operating in the forward direction.

Abstract: A powertrain incorporates an engine and a multi-speed transmission to provide at least six forward speed ratios and as many as eight forward speed ratios. The transmission incorporates three planetary gearsets and six torque-transmitting mechanisms for six speeds or seven speeds, and seven torque-transmitting mechanisms for eight speeds.

Abstract: An engine control system and method maintains an optimum exhaust fuel to air ratio in an internal combustion engine. A secondary air injection (SAI) pressure is measured in an SAI system. The SAI pressure measurement is converted into an SAI flow value. A fuel compensation value is obtained based on the SAI flow value. Fuel delivery is compensated to the engine based on the fuel compensation value. In a second embodiment, the fuel compensation value is obtained based on the SAI pressure measurement. Fuel delivery is compensated to the engine based on the fuel compensation value. In a third embodiment, a primary flow value is calculated at an air intake of the engine. A fuel compensation value is calculated based on the SAI flow and primary flow values. Fuel delivery to the engine is compensated based on the fuel compensation value.

Abstract: A transmission includes a plurality of fluid passages configured to transmit fluid through the transmission for operating the transmission. A miniature electric motor is operatively connected to a moveable blocker positioned in one of the passages for actuating movement of the blocker between an open position in which fluid is allowed to flow through the passage, and a closed position in which the passage is blocked.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for changing vehicle personalization features. The apparatus comprises a multifunction switch coupled to a multifunction display. The display includes a main menu display configured to display, in response to signals from the switch, in sequence, first numeric codes that are representative of a sequence of settable features and a second numeric code identifying the current selected mode of a given feature. The display also includes a sub-menu display that is configured to display, in response to additional signals from the switch, a first numeric code defining the feature selected to be changed and to display, in sequence, second numeric codes representative of selectable modes of the settable feature. The multifunctional switch is also coupled to an electronic module that is configured to set a selected mode of a settable feature in response to yet a further signal from the switch.

Abstract: A dual spring includes a pair of conically-shaped spring sections, which are joined at a common fulcrum. One of the spring sections is disposed radially inward from the fulcrum and the other of the spring sections is disposed radially outward from the fulcrum. Both of the conical sections open axially in the same direction relative to the fulcrum section.