Abstract: A method for failure analysis and technician assessment, the method may include sensing sensed vehicle parameters by multiple vehicle sensors that comprise multiple types of sensors; calculating, by a vehicle monitor, based on the sensed vehicle parameters, parameters of multiple vehicle components; wherein the vehicle monitor is mechanically coupled to the vehicle or installed in the vehicle; searching, by the vehicle monitor and based on the parameters of the multiple vehicle components, for a vehicle failure that is either a current vehicle failure or an impeding vehicle failure; receiving, by the vehicle monitor, a notification that the vehicle failure was repaired; and estimating an impact of the repair by the vehicle monitor and based on at least parameters of multiple vehicle components that are calculated from sensed vehicle parameters that are sensed after the repair.

Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid driveline for a vehicle is described. The driveline has a power source, a hydraulic circuit having a first hydraulic displacement unit and a second hydraulic displacement unit, a hydraulic accumulator assembly with high pressure and low pressure hydraulic accumulators, at least one accumulator valve, at least one input device, and a control unit. The first hydraulic displacement unit is drivingly engaged with the power source. The accumulator assembly is selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit through the accumulator valve. The control unit is configured to compute a total power requested from the power source based on an input command from the input device, compare the computed total power to a threshold power, and control a valve state of the accumulator valve based upon the result of the comparison. A method of controlling the driveline is also described.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a performance of a vehicle when the vehicle is operated according to a given application, the method may include sensing sensed vehicle parameters by multiple vehicle sensors that comprise multiple types of sensors; determining, by a vehicle monitor, based on the sensed vehicle parameters, duty related parameters of multiple vehicle components; wherein the vehicle monitor is mechanically coupled to the vehicle or installed in the vehicle; and calculating the performance of the vehicle when operating according to the given vehicle configuration; wherein the calculating is based on, at least, (i) the duty related parameters of the multiple vehicle components and (ii) relationships between the duty related parameters of the multiple vehicle components and the performance of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a vehicle, the method includes measuring multiple vehicle operating parameters using a vehicle monitor; wherein the vehicle monitor is mechanically coupled to the vehicle or installed in the vehicle; searching, by the vehicle monitor, for one or more out-of-range vehicle operating parameters; wherein an out-of-range vehicle operating parameter is a vehicle operating parameter that is outside an allowable range of the vehicle operating parameter; and responding to the one or more out-of-range vehicle operating parameters by the vehicle monitor; wherein the one or more out-of-range vehicle operating parameters are indicative of at least one vehicle failure that is impending; wherein the responding precedes an occurrence of the at least one vehicle failure that is impending; and wherein the responding comprises at least one out of: sending one or more out-of-range alerts indicting about the one or more out-of-range vehicle operating parameters; sending additional information relating to t

Abstract: A method for failure analysis and warranty claim assessment, the method may include sensing sensed vehicle parameters by multiple vehicle sensors that include multiple types of sensors; calculating, by a vehicle monitor, based on the sensed vehicle parameters, parameters of multiple vehicle components; wherein the vehicle monitor is mechanically coupled to a vehicle or installed in the vehicle; determining, by the vehicle monitor and based on the parameters of the multiple vehicle components, whether the operation of the vehicle exceeds a warrantable operation of the vehicle; and evaluating, by the vehicle monitor and based on the parameters of the multiple vehicle components and by the vehicle monitor, whether a vehicle failure resulted from an operation of the vehicle that exceeds the warrantable operation of the vehicle or will result from the operation of the vehicle that exceeds the warrantable operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A series hydraulic hybrid driveline for a vehicle is described. The driveline has a power source, a hydraulic circuit having a first hydraulic displacement unit and a second hydraulic displacement unit, a hydraulic accumulator assembly with high pressure and low pressure hydraulic accumulators, at least one accumulator valve, at least one input device, and a control unit. The first hydraulic displacement unit is drivingly engaged with the power source. The accumulator assembly is selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit through the accumulator valve. The control unit is configured to compute a total power requested from the power source based on an input command from the input device, compare the computed total power to a threshold power, and control a valve state of the accumulator valve based upon the result of the comparison. A method of controlling the driveline is also described.

Abstract: A supercharger for boosting intake manifold pressure in an internal combustion engine and producing electrical energy comprises an input shaft (3), a electric machine (50) including a stator (51) and a rotor (53), a compressor (70) including an impeller (71), and a planetary transmission (30) located between the input shaft (3) and the rotor (53) of the electric machine (50) and the impeller (71) of the compressor (70), all such that the input shaft 3 can drive both the impeller (71) and the rotor (53), or the rotor (53) and input shaft (3) can drive the impeller (71). The planetary transmission (30) includes an outer ring (31) operatively coupled to the input shaft (3), a sun member (39) operatively coupled to the impeller (71), planetary clusters (38) located between the outer ring (31) and sun member (39), and a carrier (37) operatively coupled to the planet clusters (38) and the rotor (53). Each planetary cluster (38) comprises an inner roller (35) and an outer roller (33).

Abstract: An interface (10) allows a user to choose when incoming information is received. Thus, the user may choose to receive particular types of information according to a current need for the information and when appropriate attention may be given to the information. The interface (10) identifies for the user at least the type of information to be received and a criticality and/or time-sensitivity of that information. The interface (10) may include, for each of a first, second and third information sources (12-16) a respective button (18-22) and a respective visual indicator (24-28).

Abstract: A power, ground and communication architecture (100) utilizes hubs (105, 110, 115). Each hub (105, 110, 115) contains computing, communication and power management elements (135, 140). Hubs (105, 110, 115) may be connected to multiple other hubs (105, 110, 115) to distribute communication and power in a freeform web-type arrangement, specific tree, bus or star arrangements are not required. Standardized wiring harness segments (120) are used to join the hubs (105, 110, 115) and control elements. Each of the strands in the web may be an independent point-to-point bus and isolated power line.

Abstract: A non-synchronous camshaft phasing device 46 for use with an internal combustion engine E. The internal combustion engine E includes an engine control unit ECU, a camshaft 42 and a crankshaft 12. The non-synchronous phasing device 46 is located between the crankshaft 12 and the camshaft 42 for controlling a phase shift angle between the camshaft 42 and the crankshaft 12. The phasing device 46 comprises an input shaft 36 coupled to the crankshaft 12 via a non-synchronous belt 40. The phasing device 46 also comprises an output shaft 42 coupled to the camshaft 44; a planetary gear train 48 co-axially aligned around and coupled with the input shaft 36 and the output shaft 42; and an motor 50 coupled to the planetary gear train 48 by a carrier 56.

Abstract: A supercharger for boosting intake manifold pressure in an internal combustion engine and producing electrical energy comprises an input shaft (3), a electric machine (50) including a stator (51) and a rotor (53), a compressor (70) including an impeller (71), and a planetary transmission (30) located between the input shaft (3) and the rotor (53) of the electric machine (50) and the impeller (71) of the compressor (70), all such that the input shaft 3 can drive both the impeller (71) and the rotor (53), or the rotor (53) and input shaft (3) can drive the impeller (71). The planetary transmission (30) includes an outer ring (31) operatively coupled to the input shaft (3), a sun member (39) operatively coupled to the impeller (71), planetary clusters (38) located between the outer ring (31) and sun member (39), and a carrier (37) operatively coupled to the planet clusters (38) and the rotor (53). Each planetary cluster (38) comprises an inner roller (35) and an outer roller (33).

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (208-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. A portion of the communication capability is reserved according to a class of message traffic.

Abstract: A method of configuring a network within a vehicle, wherein the network includes a plurality of network elements and a plurality of communication links communicatively coupling the plurality of network elements for point-to-point communication, includes storing a last known configuration state of the network. Then, the network is monitored to determine a change in the configuration state of the network to establish a current configuration state. The current configuration state is then point-to-point propagated through the network via the communication links, and is stored at each of the plurality of network elements.

Abstract: A method (700) for improving driver performance includes the steps of receiving vehicle operating data from the vehicle (702); monitoring an interior portion of the vehicle and receiving operator activity data from the interior portion of the vehicle (704); receiving vehicle environment data from the environment external to the vehicle (706); monitoring the vehicle operator and receiving operator condition data relating to a condition of the vehicle operator (708); recording an operator performance assessment based on the vehicle operating data, the operator activity data, the vehicle environment data and the operator condition data (710); and reporting the operator performance assessment to the operator (712).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a flexible, extensible, modular approach to electrical and communication system architecture in a vehicle. In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, standardized, high-volume housings and components referred to as Plug-In Modules (PIMs) are used in vehicle electrical centers. By carefully designing standardized PIMs, the same PIMs can be used (in differing quantities) on any vehicle in the range of vehicles manufactured. Furthermore, the same PIMs can even be used across different vehicle manufacturers. The use of standard modules and standard housings allows for very high-volume production, thereby dramatically reducing the cost of the electrical centers. At the same time, there can be virtually zero giveaway in vehicles with lower option content. Methods of power and signal distribution using the disclosed electrical and communication system are provided. Methods of manufacturing the electrical and communication system are further provided.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (202–212) and a plurality of communication links (214–230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. At least a portion of the plurality of communication links are specified in accordance with a shared-access bus protocol. The plurality of communication links are arranged to communicate data packets between the network elements, and data packets are modified for transport via the plurality of communication links.

Abstract: Nodes which include additional sensing and communication capability as compared to prior nodes. The sensing capability allows determination of actual current flows through the particular nodes, including each port of the node, to allow a determination of power flow to better control operations. Because of this understanding of power flow, smaller modules or nodes can be utilized if desired. For protection of a lower power node, an upstream node can open the link to the node should it go overcurrent or otherwise fault. Further, with the additional sensing capability, actual load balancing and multiple controllable flows, such as for standby, can be developed. The additional communication in combination with the sensing also allows better fault isolation. By being able to determine the actual location of the fault, other operations in the vehicle can continue with just the faulty area being disconnected.

Abstract: A vehicle network and method for communicating information within a vehicle. The network includes a plurality of network elements joined by communication links. A data frame is provided for communicating information between a first device and a second device attached to the network. A network element in the network is capable of mapping a first resource on an incoming communication link of the network element to a second link resource of an outgoing communication link of the network element. The network element further has ports for receiving the data frame from the first link resource of the incoming communication link and for communicating the data frame to the second link resource of the outgoing communication link. The mapping may be done statically or dynamically such as based on information stored in the network element or based on information stored in the data frame.

Abstract: A system and method for tunneling standard bus protocol messages through an automotive switch fabric network. When a bus protocol message arrives on a connecting node in the network, a bus driver in the node will capture the message and store it into a message buffer where the message can be further processed by a tunneling application. Each received bus protocol message will be broken, or combined, to suit the available packet size of the underlying transmit layer of the switch fabric network. Data portions such as message identification, sequence number, port number, bus data type, and data length are reserved in each data packet. If the message is being broken down, the sequence number is used to differentiate the broken segments of the bus protocol message. The bus data type is used to indicate the type of protocol data being transmitted over the switch fabric. The same tunneling application may be used to reassemble the bus protocol message at a receiving node.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.