Abstract: A diagnostic system for a motor vehicle comprises a component installed within motor vehicle. The system further includes an identifier device mechanically coupled to the component. The identifier device comprises an identifying portion which identifies the component, and the identifier device also comprises a sensor which senses the physical environment in which the identifier device is located. A diagnostic method for a motor vehicle comprises mounting a component within the motor vehicle. The method further includes mechanically coupling an identifier device to the component, the identifier device comprising an identifying portion which identifies the component and the identifier device also including a sensor. The method also comprises confirming, with data provided by the identifying portion, that the identifying portion correctly corresponds to the component. Further, the method includes confirming, with data provided by the sensor, that the identifier device is properly coupled to the component.

Abstract: A driver's compartment for a vehicle includes an A-pillar structure (28) having an exterior surface (30) and an interior surface (32). The A-pillar (28) has a plurality of openings (34) formed in the A-pillar (28) that extend from the interior surface (32) to the exterior surface (30). Each of the plurality of openings (34) is oriented towards a driver's eyes, such that a driver can see through one or more of the plurality of openings (34) when positioned in a vehicle seat (14).

Abstract: An interior system for a motor vehicle comprises two front seats and a rear seat disposed rearwardly of the front seats and adjustable through a range of positions including a forwardmost and a rearwardmost position. The system also includes a first console disposed between the two front seats, the first console having a substantially flat portion located lower than the rear seat and in general lateral alignment with the rear seat, the flat portion further located proximate the rear seat when the rear seat is in its forwardmost position. The first console further comprises attachment provisions for attaching a second console to the first console at least in part upon the substantially flat portion. In another aspect, an interior system for a motor vehicle comprises two front seats, a first console disposed between the two front seats and a second console removably attached to the first console.

Abstract: An optical sensor device that allows a driver to verify his or her respective eye position in a driver's compartment of a vehicle. The optical device includes a plurality of channels. The device has a first channel with an illuminated base that is positioned such that the base can be seen only when the driver is in an optimum eye position. The device has a second channel which is located above the first channel. The second channel has a base which can be seen when the driver is located above the optimum eye position. The device also includes a third channel which is located below the first channel. The third channel has a base which can be seen when the driver is located below the optimum eye position.

Abstract: A starter/alternator system (24) for hybrid electric vehicle (10) having an internal combustion engine (12) and an energy storage device (34) has a controller (30) coupled to the starter/alternator (26). The controller (30) has a state of charge manager (40) that monitors the state of charge of the energy storage device. The controller has eight battery state-of-charge threshold values that determine the hybrid operating mode of the hybrid electric vehicle. The value of the battery state-of-charge relative to the threshold values is a factor in the determination of the hybrid mode, for example; regenerative braking, charging, battery bleed, boost. The starter/alternator may be operated as a generator or a motor, depending upon the mode.

Abstract: A driver's compartment for a vehicle includes an A-pillar structure (28) having an exterior surface (30) and an interior surface (32). The A-pillar (28) has a plurality of openings (34) formed in the A-pillar (28) that extend from the interior surface (32) to the exterior surface (30). Each of the plurality of openings (34) is oriented towards a driver's eyes, such that a driver can see through one or more of the plurality of openings (34) when positioned in a vehicle seat (14).

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the output of an alternator for an automotive vehicle has a first three-phase winding (18) and a second three-phase winding (20) that are coupled to a respective first rectifier circuit (26) and a second rectifier circuit (28). A switch circuit (30) is located between the first rectifier circuit (26) and the second rectifier circuit (28). A controller (32) that is coupled to a speed sensor (34) and provides a signal indicative of the speed of the alternator, controls the operation of the switch circuit (30). When the speed sensor (34) indicates that the speed of the alternator is below a predetermined threshold, the first rectifier circuit (26) and second rectifier circuit (28) are coupled together through switch circuit (30). When the speed sensor (34) indicates that the speed of the alternator is above a predetermined speed, the switch circuit (32) is controlled to an open state so that two parallel half-wave rectifier circuits are formed.

Abstract: A device for high efficiency motor control includes an induction motor and a controller. The induction motor generates a motor torque and has a given rotor resistance and magnetizing inductance at a specific temperature. The controller is coupled to and controls the induction motor. The controller includes control logic operative to maximize the motor torque using a flux current and a torque current. The controller determines the flux current and torque current based upon a requested torque, a requested speed, the magnetizing inductance, the temperature and the rotor resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing motor noise in a motor driven system (12) has a sensor (22) coupled to the system that generates an electrical signal indicative of a system operating parameter. A controller (24) is coupled to the motor (14) and the sensor (22). The controller (24) drives the motor (14) with a pulse width modulated signal having a variable duty cycle. The controller (24) monitors the electrical signal and varies the pulse width modulated signal from a low duty cycle corresponding to a low noise operation of the motor (14) to a higher duty cycle in response to an increased demand as indicated by the sensor.

Abstract: An electric motor system for reducing drive wheel torque on a hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a transmission, and a controller. The internal combustion engine is located in the hybrid electric vehicle and generates an engine torque. The electric motor is coupled to the internal combustion engine and generates and electric motor torque. Both the engine and motor are coupled to the transmission that uses the combined torque from both the engine and motor to generate drive wheel torque on a drive wheel. The vehicle system controller is coupled to the electric motor and senses any traction control events. When a traction control event occurs the controller commands the electric motor to reduce the drive wheel torque by reducing the electric motor torque.

Abstract: A system (40) for starting an internal combustion engine (12) of an automotive vehicle (10) has a controller (54) coupled to a starter/alternator (42). The engine (12) has a crankshaft (50) and a turbocharger (24). The controller (54) initiates the starting of the engine (12) by rotating the crankshaft (50). The rotating crankshaft (50) displaces an amount of air from the cylinders (14) of the engine (12) to rotate the rotor shaft of the turbocharger (21). The turbocharger (25) thus draws in air, compresses the air and provides the compressed air to the cylinders (14). When the engine is started the initial power is increased due to the compressed air.

Abstract: An inverter circuit system for controlling the voltage level at the neutral point of a three-phase wye-connected load. A dc voltage source such as a pair of batteries in series and having first and second poles is connected by one pole to an inverter bus and connected by the other pole via an inductive impedance to the neutral point of a three-phase wye-connected load.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for measuring the state-of-charge of a battery 14. Apparatus 10 includes a shunt resistor 18, a pair of capacitors 64, 66, and a controller 20. Controller 20 selectively and alternatively measures the electrical charge of battery 14 with a first of capacitors 64, 66 while selectively discharging and calibrating the other capacitor 64, 66. In this manner, controller 20 continuously provides an accurate measurement of the “state-of-charge” of battery 14.

Abstract: Several control methods are presented for application in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain including in various embodiments an engine, a motor/generator, a transmission coupled at an input thereof to receive torque from the engine and the motor generator coupled to augment torque provided by the engine, an energy storage device coupled to receive energy from and provide energy to the motor/generator, an engine controller (EEC) coupled to control the engine, a transmission controller (TCM) coupled to control the transmission and a vehicle system controller (VSC) adapted to control the powertrain.

Abstract: A control assembly 12 for use within a vehicle 10 having an engine 14 and which selectively controls the speed of the engine 14 in order to increase fuel efficiency and to effect relatively smooth starting and stopping of the engine. Particularly, in one embodiment, control assembly 12 cooperatively operates with a starter/alternator assembly 20 and is adapted for use with hybrid vehicles employing a start/stop powertrain assembly, wherein fuel efficiency is increased by selectively stopping engine operation when the vehicle has stopped.

Abstract: An inverter circuit (10) has a plurality of voltage source inverters (VSI) coupled in parallel. Each of the voltage source inverters are coupled to a load (14). A synch signal source (12) generates a square wave from a fundamental operating frequency. The square wave generated by the synch signal source (12) is coupled to each voltage source inverter (VSI). Each voltage source inverter VSI has a timer counter (22), a microprocessor (26), and an inverter (32). The timer counter (22) is preferably a triangle wave generator that corresponds to the time since a rising edge of a synch signal (18) The microprocessor (26) samples the cyclic output signal (24) and determines a phase angle for the voltage source inverter. The phase angle and the voltage magnitude are provided to the inverter (32). The inverter (32) provides an output signal to the load that has the same phase angle as the outputs of the other phase inverters.

Abstract: A method for transmitting phase angle information between inverters in a parallel connected inverter system to synchronize the phase angles of the inverters includes transmitting a common phase angle signal to server inverters. The common phase angle signal is a function of the phase angle of a master inverter. The common phase angle signal is indicative of the absolute phase angle of the master inverter when the phase angle of the master inverter is equal to a phase angle value associated with a new phase cycle. The common phase angle signal is indicative of an incremental phase angle change of the phase angle of the master inverter in a given time period while the phase angle of the master inverter is different from the value associated with a new phase cycle. The server inverters control their phase angles in accordance with the common phase angle signal such that the phase angles of the master inverter and the server inverters are synchronized.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle comprising a diesel engine and an electric motor in a parallel arrangement with a multiple ratio transmission located on the torque output side of the diesel engine, final drive gearing connecting drivably the output shaft of transmission to traction wheels of the vehicle, and an electric motor drivably coupled to the final drive gearing. A powertrain controller schedules fuel delivered to the diesel engine and effects a split of the total power available, a portion of the power being delivered by the diesel and the balance of the power being delivered by the motor. A shifting schedule for the multiple ratio transmission makes it possible for establishing a proportional relationship between accelerator pedal movement and torque desired at the wheels.

Abstract: A transfer case motor controls the rotation of a cam. The cam actuates various gear states of a transfer case of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. A contact plate rotates with the cam and encodes the position of the cam as a four-bit binary code. The code is such that when the cam travels between any two gear states, one bit of the four-bit code stays constant from the initial gear state until the final gear state is reached. The single bit can thus be observed to determine that the final gear state has been reached. The encoding scheme is also such that the bit which stays constant always assumes the same state.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a distributed electronic system includes a plurality of electronic modules. Each of the electronic modules is coupled to one battery in a series connection of batteries. The electronic modules are coupled to a central controller via a data bus. Addresses are assigned to the electronic modules based on the potentials of corresponding nodes within the modules.