Abstract: A clutch system for a transmission having a clutch assembly and a brake assembly. The clutch system includes a clutch assembly and a brake assembly coupled to a planetary gear set, engine and two electric motors to reduce transmission complexity, costs, and efficiency losses. The clutch assembly also includes a wear compensation mechanism and a clutch separator mechanism.

Abstract: A rocker arm assembly to provide either cylinder deactivation or reduced valve lift. The rocker arm assembly includes inner and outer portions that are rotatably connected to one another. In one state, the inner and outer portions are locked together to provide traditional valve lift. In a second state, the inner portion is allowed to rotate relative to the outer portion to deactivate the cylinder or provide reduced valve lift. Bearings on both the inner and outer portions provide rolling contact with corresponding cam shaft features. A hydraulic system provides transition between the first and second states.

Abstract: In at least one implementation, a vehicle wiper control system includes an actuator and a controller. The actuator is coupled to the wiper and operable to selectively move the wiper from a normal operating position engaged with a vehicle surface to be wiped and to a deployed position not engaged with said vehicle surface. The controller is communicated with the actuator and with a source of weather information regarding one or more weather factors, the controller being operable to cause the actuator to move the wiper from its normal position to its deployed position when one or more of the weather factors are at or beyond a threshold for said one or more weather factors. This may cause, for example, a wiper blade to be moved off of a vehicle surface if the current or predicted weather is indicative of possible snow fall or ice formation.

Abstract: An electrically variable drive unit having two electric motors is provided. The first electric motor is mounted along the same axis as an engine. The second electric motor is mounted along the same axis as a transmission output.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a shield that extends about a sector of the winding head to be disposed axially outboard of the outer axial end of the winding head and radially inboard of the inner diameter portion of the winding head. The shield defines a reservoir in which the sector of the winding head is received. The reservoir is operable to receive the coolant for cooling the winding head. Additionally, the motor assembly includes at least one sealing member that substantially seals at least one of the slots formed in an inner diameter portion of the stator core. The sealing member is operable to contain the coolant within the corresponding longitudinal opening and the reservoir.

Abstract: In at least one implementation, a variable volume airbag includes an inflatable cushion and a tether coupled to the cushion. The inflatable cushion defines an inner volume in which a gas is received to inflate the cushion longitudinally and laterally within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, and has laterally opposed side surfaces defining part of the inner volume of the cushion. The tether is coupled to each of the side surfaces of the cushion and has a first state wherein the tether limits lateral separation of the side surfaces and a second state wherein increased separation of the side surfaces is permitted as compared to the first state.

Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a seat bottom, a seatback and a head restraint. The seatback may engage the seat bottom and may be movable relative thereto between a normal use position and a second position. The head restraint may be coupled to the seatback and may include front and rear portions attached to each other for relative movement therebetween. The front and rear portions may define a first thickness when the seatback is in the normal use position and a second thickness when the seatback is in the second position.

Abstract: A variable speed alternator can include a shaft and adjustable pulley assembly coupled to the shaft. The adjustable pulley assembly can include a support member fixed to the shaft and an adjustable pulley moveably coupled to the support member. The adjustable pulley can have a plurality of individually moveable members each with an outer surface forming a portion of a belt engaging surface for receiving a flat belt to drive the adjustable pulley. Each moveable member can be selectively linearly moveable in a radial direction to vary an outer diameter of the adjustable pulley between a first position having a first outer diameter and a second position having a second outer diameter to selectively vary a driven speed of the alternator shaft.

Abstract: A catalyst degradation detection method for use with a zero ceria catalyst. The method uses techniques to measure transient responses to engine control events of upstream and downstream sensors to determine catalyst degradation and performance. By measuring transient behavior, the method can determine catalyst degradation and performance based on the limited oxygen storage of precious metal catalysts that do not include added ceria or other materials with high oxygen capture rates.

Abstract: Methods and systems of processing sensor signals to determine motion of a motor shaft are disclosed. This disclosure relates to the processing of sequences of pulses from a sensor for computing the motion of an electric motor output shaft. Furthermore, this disclosure relates to the processing of two sequences of pulses from sensor outputs, which may be separated by only a few electrical degrees, to compute the motion of an electrical motor output shaft while using a limited bandwidth controller. Motor shaft direction, displacement, speed, phase, and phase offset may be determined from processing the sensor signals.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for a turbocharged engine. The system includes a fuel vapor canister in fluid communication with an intake manifold of the engine, a purge valve positioned between the intake manifold and the canister, a bypass valve positioned between the purge valve and the canister and connected to the atmosphere, and an evaporative system integrity monitor operable to seal the canister from the atmosphere when the engine is off. In operation, the monitor is closed so as to seal the canister from the atmosphere, the purge valve is closed so as to isolate the intake manifold from the canister, and the bypass valve is opened so as to connect the canister to the atmosphere. Proper operation of the monitor is determined if the monitor toggles from closed to open when a vacuum in the fuel vapor canister reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A storage console for a vehicle is provided and may include a housing movable from a stowed position to an upright position. The housing may include a top surface that is substantially flush with a floor of the vehicle in the stowed position and is spaced apart from the floor in the upright position.

Abstract: An iterative process for determining an aperture in a representation of an object is disclosed. The object is received and a bounding box corresponding thereto is determined. The bounding box includes a plurality of initial voxels and the object is embedded therein. An intersecting set of initial voxels is determined, as well as an internal set and an external set of initial voxels. The resolution of the voxels is iteratively decreased until the ratio of internal voxels to external voxels exceeds a predetermined threshold. The voxels corresponding to the final iteration are the final voxels. An internal set of final voxels is determined. A union set of initial voxels is determined indicating an intersection between the external set of initial voxels and the internal set of final voxels. From the union set of initial voxels and the external set of initial voxels, a location of an aperture is determined.

Abstract: A thermal management unit for a vehicle powertrain component. The thermal management unit is designed to maintain the operating temperature of the vehicle component within a relatively small, ideal temperature range. The thermal management unit includes a three-way valve and temperature sensor that uses the temperature of a lubricant used by the component itself to configure the valve such that lubricant having the desired temperature is passed to the component.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling first and second electric motors of a vehicle having an electrically variable transmission during an engine start/stop operation. The system and method determine an input speed profile and an input acceleration profile based on an optimum engine speed, determine a requested output torque based on a plurality of torque limits and a desired output torque, determine first and second feedforward motor torques based on a requested output torque and the input speed and input acceleration profiles, determine first and second feedback motor torques based on a difference between the input speed profile and an actual input speed, and using the feedforward and feedback first and second motor torques to control the operation of the first and second electric motors when an engine is being turned on or off.

Abstract: A modular seat assembly for installation into one of at least two vehicles differing in body style includes a seat frame including a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The seat assembly also includes a coupling device that operably couples the seat frame to the vehicle. The coupling device is attached to the seat frame in one of the first and second attachment areas. The one of the first and second attachment areas is chosen for attachment of the coupling device according to the body style of the vehicle.