Abstract: A controller is provided and may monitor a pressure of brake fluid and a state of a transmission of a vehicle. The controller may maintain predetermined brake pressure below a threshold pressure required to prevent movement of the vehicle in response to movement of the transmission into a park state and in response to a drop in brake pressure below the threshold pressure to permit the vehicle to roll with resistance for a predetermined time following the drop of brake pressure below the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A spring system that includes at least an inner spring and an outer spring disposed around the inner spring. The inner spring exhibits a stiffness (k1) and the outer spring exhibits a stiffness (k2) in an uncompressed state. The inner spring exhibits a stiffness (k3) and the outer spring exhibits the stiffness (k2) in an intermediate compressed state, and the inner spring exhibits the stiffness (k3) and the outer spring exhibits a stiffness (k4) in a fully compressed state. In this manner, the spring system of the present disclosure may provide a vehicle with variable rates of compression that assist in providing a smooth ride at lower loads or jounce levels.

Abstract: A technique can include receiving, at a controller for a vehicle, the controller including one or more processors, a signal indicative of a pressure in an intake manifold of an engine of the vehicle. The vehicle can include a supercharger configured to supply pressurized air to the intake manifold. The supercharger can be driven by a crankshaft of the engine via a belt. The technique can include estimating, at the controller, a frequency of the signal to obtain an estimated frequency. The technique can include determining, at the controller, whether the belt is slipping based on a comparison between the estimated frequency and a predetermined frequency. The technique can also include outputting, at the controller, a notification when the belt is determined to be slipping.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain system includes monitoring an operator torque request, selecting a candidate powertrain system operating point, and determining a preferred engine torque range, a preferred torque machine torque range, and a preferred energy storage device output power range. The method further includes determining an engine torque, a torque machine torque, and an energy storage device output power based upon the operator torque request and the candidate powertrain system operating point. Power costs for operating the powertrain at the candidate powertrain system operating point are determined based on the determined engine torque, the determined torque machine torque, and the determined energy storage device output power range. Penalty costs are determined relative to the preferred engine torque range, the preferred torque machine torque range, and the preferred energy storage device output power range for operating the powertrain at the candidate powertrain system operating point.

Abstract: A motor operation control system and method for controlling first and second electric motors of an electrically variable transmission. The system and method determine a minimum battery power associated with a torque of the second electric motor, set the torque of the second electric motor based on the determined minimum battery power, and set a torque of the first electric motor based on the determined minimum battery power.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with four Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes and six fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, and five selectively engageable clutches. The clutches are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the six fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the four EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. The EVT modes are designed for the lowest power split ratios, allowing the use of low powered E-motors. Additionally, the present disclosure can include a front E-motor design allowing scalable E-motors and a modular transmission design, and a middle E-motor design.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing air flow in a vehicle that uses a cooling fan for an engine of the vehicle. The cooling fan has plurality of blades, which define an outer perimeter of the fan. The apparatus also includes a housing surrounding at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the fan and a plurality of vanes between the housing and the fan. The vanes are revolved around the outer perimeter of the fan to direct air into the housing.

Abstract: A method and system of improving shift event performance in a vehicle with an automatic transmission. One or more accelerometers in the vehicle are used to sense one or more longitudinal acceleration values. The longitudinal acceleration values or values derived therefrom are compared with predetermined stored values. Shift event behavior is changed in response to differences between the one or more longitudinal acceleration values or values derived therefrom and the predetermined stored values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electric motor. An electric motor apparatus has an electric motor with motor stator windings, a battery, battery control module coupled to the battery and configured to monitor and detect a state of the battery, and a motor control unit coupled to the battery and the batter control module and being configured to select an operation of the electric motor based on a signal from the battery control module representing the state of the battery. The motor control unit selects a normal motor control operation, a power dissipation motor control operation, or a discharge operation. During the power dissipation motor control operation, power from brake torque is dissipated in the motor stator windings of the electric motor.

Abstract: A microprocessor driven two dimensional search engine examines transmission operating points within a plurality of search range spaces and assists in determining properties associated with the driveline at various operating points within the space. The size of the space is reduced by rearrangement of data.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for engaging a friction element, e.g., a clutch, in an automatic transmission. The apparatus includes a piston contained within a housing that is used to apply pressure to and operate the friction element. The piston divides the housing into first and second chambers that are supplied with fluid by various valves. The pressure of the fluid in the chambers controls the position of the piston.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system is provided and may include at least one communication device that audibly communicates information within the vehicle. A controller may receive a character string from an external device and may determine if the character string represents an emoticon. The controller may translate the character string into a face description if the character string represents an emoticon and may audibly communicate the face description via the at least one communication device.

Abstract: A transmission and a method for loading an engine in a vehicle. The transmission includes a gear set, an input shaft coupled to the gear set, and a plurality of friction elements coupled to the gear set. The transmission also includes a control system to direct a subset of the plurality of friction elements to engage the gear set to stall the input shaft thereby placing a load on the engine. The load causes additional heat that may be used to warm up the vehicle's passenger compartment and/or defrost the vehicle's windshield.

Abstract: A retainer device retains an object within a cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo area is defined at least partially by a cargo area floor, a rear panel that extends upright from the cargo area floor, and a plurality of side panels that extend upright from the cargo area floor and that are disposed at respective sides of the rear panel. The retainer device includes a retaining member operable for retaining the object thereto. The retainer device also includes a coupling member that moveably couples the retaining member to an interior surface of the rear panel. The retaining member is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.