Abstract: A powertrain includes a variable ratio transmission device having an input shaft coupled to an engine and an output shaft coupled to a driven unit, a three-way power split transmission device including three input/output couplings, a first of which is coupled to a flywheel and a second of which is coupled to an electrical machine. The third input/output coupling of the three way power split transmission device is mechanically coupled to the engine and to the input shaft of the variable ratio transmission device.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated valve control system includes a hydraulic flow divider including a hydraulic valve adapted to distribute, between two lines feeding respectively to actuators coupled to two inlet or outlet valves of a cylinder, the flow of oil coming either from a source of oil under pressure or from the feeding lines. The oil flow is distributed between the two feeding lines on the basis of the ratio of oil flow-rates in these two lines.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for injection of a fluid for an exhaust gases treatment device of an internal combustion engine arrangement. The apparatus includes a fluid injector fed from a source of fluid under pressure through a fluid conduit, a feed valve in the fluid conduit between the source of fluid the said injector, a purge system including a gas conduit connecting a source of pressurized gas to the fluid conduit, a pressure limiter within the gas conduit, and a check valve downstream of the pressure limiter. The pressure limited by the pressure limiter is lower than the pressure of fluid delivered by the source of fluid.

Abstract: A keyless access system is provided for a truck including a tractor area and a cargo area provided with at least an access door. This system includes a main control unit located in the tractor area and adapted to interact with a customer identification device to selectively operate a control access arrangement which allows or prevents access to a driver cabin of the truck, a secondary control unit located in or near the cargo area and adapted to interact with the same customer identification device and to selectively operate an actuator which locks or unlocks the access door, and a bidirectional telecommunication arrangement between the main and secondary units.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine arrangement includes an EGR circuit connecting a exhaust circuit to an intake circuit to incorporate a portion of exhaust gases in the intake gases, at least one turbine located, and a dedicated drain conduit which connects the EGR circuit to the exhaust circuit. The EGR circuit includes at least one low position point and the dedicated drain conduit permanently connects the low position point of the EGR circuit to the exhaust circuit upstream of the turbine.

Abstract: This exhaust arrangement for an exhaust line having an exhaust gas treatment device and a liquid injection device located upstream of the exhaust gas treatment device includes a single moving element incorporating a throttling member having a solid closing surface and, operatively connected to the throttling member, a turbulence generating member and an actuator for controlling the position of the moving element between a first position wherein the moving element is in a retracted position and creates a minimum back pressure in the exhaust line and a second position wherein the moving element is in an extended position and creates a maximum back pressure, or selectively in at least one intermediate position wherein the moving element is in a turbulence generating position wherein the turbulence generating member intrudes at least partially into the exhaust line and creates turbulences within the flow of exhaust gases.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of cylinders, an air intake line and an exhaust line collecting exhaust gas. The engine also includes an EGR line for rerouting a part of the exhaust gas from the exhaust line towards the air intake line and at least a first turbocharger comprising a first turbine driven by the exhaust gas flowing towards the atmosphere, linked to a first compressor located on the air intake line. The engine further includes a variable geometry EGR turbine located on the EGR line, driven by the EGR gas flowing in the EGR line. Thus, thanks to the pressure reduction occurring in the turbine, the EGR gas temperature is lowered, and less cooling power from the engine cooling system is required to cool down the EGR.

Abstract: A method is aimed at controlling a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle having at least one steering axle having at least two steer wheels electronically controlled by a control member. In the case of asymmetric adhesion conditions, the method anticipates steering into the skid for the first steer wheel that is on the surface exhibiting the higher coefficient of adhesion—for example asphalt—so as to counter a moment applied to the Z-axis. At the same time, the second steer wheel which is on the surface having the lower coefficient of adhesion—for example a sheet of black ice—remains in the vehicle direction of travel or is oriented towards the second steer wheel in a snow plough mode. The vehicle stability is vastly improved when the vehicle regains an area of uniform adhesion.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a first needle and a second needle controlling respectively fuel flow towards a first series of outlets and a second series of outlets. It includes a passive control valve adapted to select, on the basis of the fuel feeding pressure, the needle to be activated for fuel delivery to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. An injector with such an assembly is economic and efficient to spray fuel with two different patterns.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of cylinders, an air intake line and an exhaust line collecting exhaust gas. The engine also includes an EGR line for rerouting a part of the exhaust gas from the exhaust line towards the air intake line and at least a first turbocharger comprising a first turbine driven by the exhaust gas flowing towards the atmosphere, linked to a first compressor located on the air intake line. The engine further includes a variable geometry EGR turbine located on the EGR line, driven by the EGR gas flowing in the EGR line. Thus, thanks to the pressure reduction occurring in the turbine, the EGR gas temperature is lowered, and less cooling power from the engine cooling system is required to cool down the EGR.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an engine block including a crankshaft which is mounted on the engine block by at least a first and a second main bearings, wherein the main bearings each include a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion, the second bearing portion being part of a bearing cap, wherein at least the first bearing cap is connected to the engine block or to the second bearing cap by at least one dampening structure, the structure including a first support portion fixed on the bearing cap, a second support portion fixed on the engine block or on an adjacent bearing cap, and a dampening portion including an elastomeric material which connects the two support portions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an engine block including a crankshaft which is mounted on the engine block by at least a first and a second main bearings, wherein the main bearings each include a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion, the second bearing portion being part of a bearing cap, wherein at least the first bearing cap is connected to the engine block or to the second bearing cap by at least one dampening structure, the structure including a first support portion fixed on the bearing cap, a second support portion fixed on the engine block or on an adjacent bearing cap, and a dampening portion including an elastomeric material which connects the two support portions.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling operation of a hybrid automotive vehicle, equipped with an internal combustion engine, at least one electric machine connected to a traction battery set and at least one logical control unit. Each of the internal combustion engine and the electric machine is adapted to deliver torque to a driveline of the vehicle and the method includes a) watch of an activity area of the vehicle and/or watch of an electrical/electronic network of the vehicle in order to detect a user in the activity area and/or the use of an auxiliary equipment of the vehicle; b) determination of whether or not the watch of step a) has detected, during a given period of time, a user in the activity area and/or the use of an auxiliary equipment of the vehicle; c) if the result of the determination of step b) is negative, initiate a shutdown procedure of at least the traction battery set.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling power supply of an electrically powered steering system on-board an automotive land vehicle equipped with a high voltage source and a low voltage source. A first and a second steering motor operate at a nominal operating voltage which is higher than the voltage of the low voltage source, are fed by the high voltage source and may absorb respectively a first and a second nominal operating power. A step-up circuit is connected to the low voltage source, and is adapted to deliver a back-up electrical power in case of failure of the high voltage source. In the method, in case of failure of the high voltage source, back-up electrical power absorbed by each of the two motors is limited on the basis of a priority rule.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a fixed axle spindle, a rotating drive shaft extending inside the axle spindle, a bearing, a hub, a brake disc, and a wheel rim. An inner ring of the bearing is mounted on the spindle, the hub is mounted on an outer ring of the bearing and the drive shaft, the brake disc and the rim are fast in rotation with the hub. The drive shaft is mounted on the hub, the brake disc is mounted on the drive shaft and the rim is mounted on the brake disc, in that order, from an interior side to an exterior side of the wheel assembly with respect to a vehicle provided with said wheel assembly.

Abstract: A power unit for an automotive vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine electrically connected to electrical power storage arrangement, and a turbocharger comprising a first turbine located in an exhaust line of the engine. This power unit further includes a second turbine, located in an exhaust line of the engine and drivingly connected to the electric machine, and a transmission set. A first input/output of the transmission set is connected to the second turbine and a second input/output of the transmission set is connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The transmission set has an adjustable speed reduction ratio between its first and second inputs/outputs.

Abstract: The magnitude (Y) of a data associated to a journey of an automotive vehicle is expressed by a function (f) of at least one input parameter (x). This method includes at least the steps of: a) defining a first model (ft=0) of the function; b) running the vehicle on a reference trip, the input parameter (x, m, p) and the magnitude (Y) being measured (YM, xM) during or at the end of the reference trip; c) computing a value (YC) of the magnitude by using the first model (ft=0) of the function (f) and the value of the parameter (xM) measured at step b); d) comparing the values (YM, YC) of the magnitude at said time; and e) adjusting the function (ft=1) in a way corresponding to the reduction of the difference between the measured value (YM) and the computed value (YC).

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the height of the gravity center of a vehicle having at least a front axle and a rear axle each carrying at least two wheels. The method includes determining a first braking period and a second braking period occurring along road portions having substantially the same slope, but where the first and second braking periods result in different vehicle decelerations, and during both braking periods, estimating at least the following variables: vehicle acceleration; the wheel slippage rate for the front and rear axles; the braking forces or braking torque at each of the front and rear axles, or a ratio thereof; and the slope of the corresponding road portion. The method also includes estimating, using only the foregoing estimations made during both periods, the vehicle center of gravity height.

Abstract: A vehicle unlocking sequence includes passively authenticating a vehicle user, granting the authenticated vehicle user access to the vehicle and setting the vehicle main switch into an on-state. A vehicle locking sequence includes passively authenticating the vehicle user, configuring the vehicle, upon a first action from the authenticated vehicle user, into a first locking mode whereby access to the vehicle is denied to a non authenticated user, or configuring the vehicle, upon a second action from the authenticated vehicle user, into a second locking mode whereby access to the vehicle is denied to a non authenticated user and the vehicle main switch is set into an off-state.

Abstract: A method is aimed at controlling a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle having at least one steering axle having at least two steer wheels electronically controlled by a control member. In the case of asymmetric adhesion conditions, the method anticipates steering into the skid for the first steer wheel that is on the surface exhibiting the higher coefficient of adhesion—for example asphalt—so as to counter a moment applied to the Z-axis. At the same time, the second steer wheel which is on the surface having the lower coefficient of adhesion—for example a sheet of black ice—remains in the vehicle direction of travel or is oriented towards the second steer wheel in a snow plough mode. The vehicle stability is vastly improved when the vehicle regains an area of uniform adhesion.