Abstract: A solenoid assembly for implementation with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) system that shifts a transmission range between a park position and an out-of-park position. The solenoid assembly includes an extension arm biased against a member of the ETRS system. The extension arm is movable to an extended position to maintain the member in the out-of-park position. A solenoid is interconnected with the extension arm. The solenoid is operable to selectively move the extension arm between the extended position and a retracted position to selectively retain the member in the out-of-park position.

Abstract: An electric motor is connected solidly to the main transmission oil pump shaft on the transmission case. An off-axis chain and gear are connected to the main oil pump shaft via a single freewheeling clutch, so that either source of torque in a hybrid motor can drive the oil pump or the oil pump can be driven by the electric motor or the hybrid motor depending on which motor is traveling at a higher speed.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a power transmission includes three linear actuator apparatuses, which are operable to supply fluid pressure to each of five torque-transmitting mechanisms in a power transmission. The linear actuator apparatuses are operable to control the ratio interchange within the power transmission during both upshifting and downshifting operations.

Abstract: A power transmission has three planetary gearsets, which are selectively controlled by five torque-transmitting mechanisms to establish six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio for the transmission. The torque-transmitting mechanisms include piston mechanisms, which are slidably disposed within members of the transmission housing including a front end cover, a rear end cover, and a shell interconnecting the front end cover and the rear end cover.

Abstract: A cooling system has a diverter valve to selectively control the flow of coolant through an internal combustion engine having a cylinder block with a cooling jacket and a cylinder head mounted on the block with a cooling jacket. A controller, responsive to the temperature of the block and the head, controls the diverter valve and a water pump to provide adequate coolant flow through the head and the block as needed to maintain optimal operating temperatures. After the engine is shut off, the controller continues to operate the water pump and a cooling fan to continue to cool the engine for a period of time.

Abstract: A two-mode, compound-split, electra-mechanical transmission utilizes an input member for receiving power from an engine, and an output member for delivering power from the transmission. First and second motor/generators are operatively connected to an energy storage device through a control for interchanging electrical power among the storage device, the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator. The transmission employs three planetary gear sets. Each planetary gear arrangement utilizes first, second and third gear members. Moreover, one gear member of the first or second planetary gear set is operatively connected to the input member, and one gear member of the third planetary gear set is selectively connected to ground. A lock-up clutch selectively locks two of the planetary gear sets in a 1:1 ratio.

Abstract: A pressure holding apparatus incorporates a hydraulic pressure system having an engine-driven pressure source, a pressure holding valve, and a torque-transmitting mechanism. The torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engaged and disengaged by fluid pressure from the engine-driven pressure source during normal powertrain operation. The torque-transmitting mechanism apply chamber is pressurized with the oil by the pressure holding valve when the engine operation is discontinued.

Abstract: A power transmission employs a plurality of torque-to-thrust apparatus to control the engagement and disengagement of the transmission ratios. Each of the torque-to-thrust apparatus is operatively connectible with a pair of electric motors, which are individually operable to control the operation of the torque-to-thrust apparatus. During transmission operation, one of the electric motors is operable to disengage a friction device within the transmission while the other electric motor is operable to engage a different friction device within the transmission, thus permitting controlled ratio upshifts and downshifts.

Abstract: A method of providing closed-loop control of power flowing into and out of an energy storage system (ESS), wherein the ESS comprises a battery is provided. The method may be implemented as a computer control algorithm for determining the charge and discharge limits for the ESS in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), wherein the ESS comprises a battery pack or array. The method comprises determining charge and discharge power limits during each of a plurality of control loops, comparing these limits during each of the plurality of control loops, and providing a charge power limit output and a discharge power limit output for use in a subsequent control loop which are based upon the charge power limit and the discharge power limit.

Abstract: A drivetrain for a vehicle includes front and rear axles and a transfer case including two planetary gear sets and four clutches. The first member of the first planetary gear set is continuously connected with the first member of the second planetary gear set and the rear axle. The third member of the first planetary gear set is continuously connected to the second member of the second planetary gear set and the front axle through a transfer chain. An input is selectively connectable with the first member of the first planetary gear set through a first clutch, connectable with the second member of the first planetary gear set through a second clutch, and connectable with the third member of the first planetary gear set through a third clutch. A fourth clutch selectively connects the third member of the second planetary gear set with ground.

Abstract: A method of determining the condition of a grinding wheel is provided to avoid over use or premature changing of the grinding wheel in a grinding machine, such as for crankshaft or camshaft grinding. The grinding machine has a motor which drives a grinding spindle carrying an abrasive coated hub acting as a grinding wheel. Sensors detect the level of grinding force and motor torque required to grind a workpiece into a desired shape. The information is relayed to a controller, which averages and compares the grinding force and torque information to force and torque limits to determine the condition of the wheel. In addition, the controller compares grinding force and motor torque over a series of grinds to determine the level of increase between grinds to further determine the condition of the grinding wheel. If the level of increase exceeds an increase limit, the controller actuates a fault signal to stop the grinding machine indicating that the wheel is near the end of its life cycle.

Abstract: A power transmission includes three interconnected planetary gearsets and five selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gearsets and torque-transmitting mechanisms are disposed within a transmission housing. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio in the planetary gearsets between an input shaft and an output shaft.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided for a vehicle having front and rear axles. The transfer case includes a planetary gear set with first, second and third members. The first member is continuously connected with the front axle and the second member is continuously connected with the rear axle. An input shaft is selectively connectable with the first, second or third member. The transfer case provides rear-wheel drive when the second member is connected with the input shaft, all-wheel drive when the third member is connected with the input shaft, and front-wheel drive when the first member is connected with the input shaft. It is important that the specific members of the planetary gear set be chosen so the absolute value of the torque of the third member is equal to the sum of the absolute value of the torques of the first and second members.

Abstract: A power transmission has three planetary gearsets, which are interconnected and also having at least one member continuously drivingly connected with an input shaft. Two of the planetary gearsets are connected with an output shaft. Five torque-transmitting mechanisms are disposed between two end walls and an outer housing, which define four spaces within the power transmission. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are disposed within two or more of the four spaces or combinations of two of the spaces.

Abstract: A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine having a pressure increasing valve and a pressure regulator valve to optimize oil flow through an engine to increase engine efficiency. The lubrication system includes an engine driven oil pump connected to supply pressurized oil through a main oil feed to a main bearing gallery, a cam gallery, a cam phaser and switching valve lifters. The pressure increasing valve connected between the main bearing gallery and the cam gallery restricts oil flow to the cam gallery to raise oil pressure supplied to the cam phaser. The pressure regulator valve connected between the pressure increasing valve and the cam gallery to control oil pressure supplied to the switching lifters for cylinder deactivation or stepping valve train operation. The optimization of oil flow allows the engine to use a smaller oil pump and thereby increase engine efficiency while providing for actuation of the cam phaser or the switching lifters over the full engine speed range.

Abstract: The remaining useful life of a transmission fluid in a vehicle is continually estimated by a transmission control computer module during vehicle operation using both an oxidation model and a shift energy model. The oxidation model uses experimentally determined remaining useful fluid life values obtained at temperatures experienced by the fluid in transmission usage and subtracts incremental values from said life based on the temperature-time experience of volume fractions of the fluid in the sump and torque converter. The shift energy model starts with an estimated maximum number of shifts and continually obtains a current remaining useful life by deducting for actual shifts and estimated shift energy inputs based on fluid temperature. Notice of end of fluid useful life is given when one of the models first determines no remaining useful fluid life.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of cylinders each having intake and exhaust valves and at least one camshaft timed to operate the valves with a high performance fixed overlap. Each camshaft has a cam phaser controlled to equally vary the intake and exhaust valve timing for superior full throttle performance over the engine speed range; Valve deactivation mechanisms operate to deactivate up to half the cylinders during idle and light load operation for increasing fuel efficiency and emission control and maintaining stable operation of the operating cylinders. The engine may also be started with half the cylinders cut out and then run with stable operation in this mode during idle and light load because the increased load on the operating cylinders gives stable operation with an increased valve overlap permitting increased performance and emission control at higher load operation on all the cylinders.

Abstract: A compact longitudinal transmission has an input shaft rotatably supported in a front end wall, an output shaft rotatably supported in a rear end wall, and a housing interconnecting the front end wall and the rear end wall. Three planetary gearsets disposed within the housing are controlled by five torque-transmitting mechanisms including four friction disc or plate mechanisms and one band mechanism. The band mechanism being disposed radially outboard of the rearmost one of the planetary gearsets.

Abstract: Hydraulic fill and drain of a clutch chamber is controlled with a blocking valve and a trim valve. The blocking valve selectively provides pressurized fluid to the trim valve which in turn selectively provides the pressurized fluid to the clutch chamber. Exhausting of the clutch chamber is effected through one of two alternate paths utilizing deactivation of one of the trim and blocking valves. Back up exhausting of the clutch chamber is effected through the other of the alternative paths. Such system allows for determination of valve failures and continued operation until such failures can be rectified.

Abstract: A seven-speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a planetary gear arrangement having three planetary gear sets. The input shaft and output shaft are continuously connected with specific members of the gear sets. Three interconnecting members continuously connect specific members of the gear sets. Three brakes and three clutches are engageable in combinations of two to establish seven forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft.