Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first signal line including a first part and a second part, a second signal line including a third part and a fourth part, a first inverter, a second inverter, and a control circuit. A first signal is input to the first part in a first period. A second signal is input to the third part in a second period. The first inverter outputs, to the second part, a first inverted signal obtained such that a logic of the first signal is inverted. The second inverter outputs, to the fourth part, a second inverted signal obtained such that a logic of the second signal is inverted. The control circuit brings the second signal line into a floating state in the first period, and brings the first signal line into a floating state in the second period.

Abstract: A controller executes a method to manage an engine connect/disconnect decision in a powertrain having an engine, transmission, electric machine, and a battery pack and power inverter module (“TPIM”). In response to vehicle ground speed being less than a calibrated maximum electric vehicle accelerator pedal signal (“EVAPS”) level, the controller calculates a delta APS (“?APS”) value by subtracting a scaled APS value from the actual APS level. The scaled APS value is a scaled variant of a maximum EVAPS value selected from a maximum EVSAPS table, the latter populated based on inverter temperature, state of charge of the battery pack, and ground speed. When the ?APS value exceeds a threshold, the controller connects the engine to the transmission via an engine disconnect clutch. The engine is disconnected based on acceleration of the vehicle and the above-noted factors.

Abstract: A powertrain system configured to transfer torque to a driveline is described, and includes an internal combustion engine, a torque converter, a transmission, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine is configured to operate in one of an all-cylinder mode and a dynamic deactivation mode to generate an engine torque. The electric machine is configured to generate a motor torque. The motor torque and the engine torque combine to generate an output torque that is transferable to the driveline and is responsive to an output torque request. The controller is in communication with the engine, the torque converter, the transmission, and the electric machine. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to operate the engine in the dynamic deactivation mode to generate engine torque, and operate the electric machine to generate motor torque to supplement the engine torque to generate the output torque.

Abstract: One or more implementations of the present specification provide an invoice invalidation method and apparatus based on a blockchain, and an electronic device. The method includes: receiving an invalidation request that is initiated by an invoice invalidation party for a target invoice recorded in the blockchain; in response to the invalidation request, determining whether the invoice invalidation party has authority to invalidate the target invoice; and in response to that the invoice invalidation party has the authority to invalidate the target invoice, invoking an invoice invalidation logic provided in a smart contract deployed in a blockchain network of the blockchain to invalidate the target invoice.

Abstract: An energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle propulsion system includes a first battery electrically coupled to a first voltage bus, a second battery electrically coupled to a second voltage bus, and a bidirectional DC/DC power converter electrically coupled to the voltage buses. A starter for cranking an engine is electrically coupled to the first voltage bus. A controller executes computer code stored in memory. The computer code is configured to operate the converter in a boost mode to transfer power from the second voltage bus to the first voltage bus, in response to the controller determining that: a power capability of the first battery is below a power demand on the first voltage bus; a state of charge of the first battery is below a state of charge threshold; or a temperature of the first battery is below a temperature threshold.

Abstract: An energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle propulsion system includes a first battery electrically coupled to a first voltage bus, a second battery electrically coupled to a second voltage bus, and a bidirectional DC/DC power converter electrically coupled to the voltage buses. A starter for cranking an engine is electrically coupled to the first voltage bus. A controller executes computer code stored in memory. The computer code is configured to operate the converter in a boost mode to transfer power from the second voltage bus to the first voltage bus, in response to the controller determining that: a power capability of the first battery is below a power demand on the first voltage bus; a state of charge of the first battery is below a state of charge threshold; or a temperature of the first battery is below a temperature threshold.

Abstract: Presented are torque converters (TC) with planetary-type vibration dampers, methods for making/using such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a TC housing drivingly connected to a prime mover to receive torque therefrom, and a TC output member drivingly connected to a transmission to transfer torque thereto. Rotatably mounted within an internal fluid chamber of the TC housing are juxtaposed turbine and impeller blades. The impeller blades are rotatably mounted to the housing. A TC clutch is operable to lock the TC housing to the TC output member. A torsional vibration damper, which is disposed within the internal fluid chamber, includes a sun gear attached to the TC output member for unitary rotation, a ring gear attached to the TC clutch for unitary rotation, and a planet carrier intermeshed with the ring and sun gears and attached to the turbine blades for unitary rotation.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes an electric machine, a torque converter, a transmission, a hydraulic pump, and a controller, and it is arranged to transfer mechanical power to a driveline. The torque converter includes a clutch, a pump, and a turbine, and the electric machine is rotatably coupled to the hydraulic pump and to the torque converter pump. The hydraulic pump is fluidly connected to the transmission, and the controller is operably connected to the electric machine and the torque converter clutch. The controller is executable to determine an operator command, and control the electric machine to spin the hydraulic pump in a speed control mode and control the torque converter clutch in an open state. Upon achieving a desired minimum pump speed, the torque converter clutch is applied in a slip state and the electric machine is controlled in response to the operator command.

Abstract: Presented are torque converters (TC) with planetary-type vibration dampers, methods for making/using such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a TC housing drivingly connected to a prime mover to receive torque therefrom, and a TC output member drivingly connected to a transmission to transfer torque thereto. Rotatably mounted within an internal fluid chamber of the TC housing are juxtaposed turbine and impeller blades. The impeller blades are rotatably mounted to the housing. A TC clutch is operable to lock the TC housing to the TC output member. A torsional vibration damper, which is disposed within the internal fluid chamber, includes a sun gear attached to the TC output member for unitary rotation, a ring gear attached to the TC clutch for unitary rotation, and a planet carrier intermeshed with the ring and sun gears and attached to the turbine blades for unitary rotation.

Abstract: A hybrid electric powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine, electric machine, torque converter having a pump, turbine, and torque converter clutch (“TCC”) configured, when applied, to lock the pump to the turbine, a one-way engine disconnect clutch connected to the turbine, a transmission, and a controller. A transmission input shaft directly couples to the electric machine, and is selectively coupled to the engine via the disconnect clutch. An output shaft is connectable to road wheels of the vehicle. The controller, in response to an engine-off request, determines turbine and pump speeds of the turbine and pump, respectively, registers that the engine is in an engine-off state when the pump speed is less than the turbine speed, and executes an electric vehicle (“EV”) mode shift using machine torque from the electric machine when the pump speed is zero during the engine-off state.

Abstract: Operating a subject vehicle equipped with an adaptive cruise control system includes setting initial states for control parameters, including setting a desired vehicle speed and determining a desired following gap range, wherein the desired following gap range is associated with a lead vehicle. Operation is controlled via the adaptive cruise control system based upon the initial states for the control parameters. Operation also includes monitoring for presence of the lead vehicle. Upon detecting presence of the lead vehicle, an actual following gap is determined between the subject vehicle and the lead vehicle, and the initial states of the control parameters associated with the adaptive cruise control system are adjusted based upon the actual following gap between the subject vehicle and the lead vehicle, and the desired following gap range. Operation is controlled via the adaptive cruise control system based upon the adjusted initial states of the control parameters.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicles and control logic for provisioning comprehensive tow features, methods for manufacturing/operating such vehicles, and electric-drive vehicles with tow features for protecting the vehicle's powertrain and electrical components during towing. A method for controlling operation of an electric-drive vehicle includes a vehicle controller verifying initiation of a towing operation for the vehicle, and responsively determining if there is a drive system failure preventing the vehicle's traction motor from electrically connecting with its traction battery pack. If there is no drive system failure, the controller determines if the speed of the traction motor during towing exceeds a calibrated base speed; if so, the controller commands a power inverter to electrically connect the traction motor to the traction battery pack.

Abstract: A hybrid electric powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine, electric machine, torque converter having a pump, turbine, and torque converter clutch (“TCC”) configured, when applied, to lock the pump to the turbine, a one-way engine disconnect clutch connected to the turbine, a transmission, and a controller. A transmission input shaft directly couples to the electric machine, and is selectively coupled to the engine via the disconnect clutch. An output shaft is connectable to road wheels of the vehicle. The controller, in response to an engine-off request, determines turbine and pump speeds of the turbine and pump, respectively, registers that the engine is in an engine-off state when the pump speed is less than the turbine speed, and executes an electric vehicle (“EV”) mode shift using machine torque from the electric machine when the pump speed is zero during the engine-off state.

Abstract: A controller executes a method to manage an engine connect/disconnect decision in a powertrain having an engine, transmission, electric machine, and a battery pack and power inverter module (“TPIM”). In response to vehicle ground speed being less than a calibrated maximum electric vehicle accelerator pedal signal (“EVAPS”) level, the controller calculates a delta APS (“?PS”) value by subtracting a scaled APS value from the actual APS level. The scaled APS value is a scaled variant of a maximum EVAPS value selected from a maximum EVSAPS table, the latter populated based on inverter temperature, state of charge of the battery pack, and ground speed. When the ?APS value exceeds a threshold, the controller connects the engine to the transmission via an engine disconnect clutch. The engine is disconnected based on acceleration of the vehicle and the above-noted factors.

Abstract: Presented are torque converters (TC) with planetary-type vibration dampers, methods for making/using such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a TC housing drivingly connected to a prime mover to receive torque therefrom, and a TC output member drivingly connected to a transmission to transfer torque thereto. Rotatably mounted within an internal fluid chamber of the TC housing are juxtaposed turbine and impeller blades. The impeller blades are rotatably mounted to the housing. A TC clutch is operable to lock the TC housing to the TC output member. A torsional vibration damper, which is disposed within the internal fluid chamber, includes a sun gear attached to the TC output member for unitary rotation, a ring gear attached to the TC clutch for unitary rotation, and a planet carrier intermeshed with the ring and sun gears and attached to the turbine blades for unitary rotation.

Abstract: A method of using a control system to estimate range of an electrified vehicle operated by a driver includes monitoring a first set of driver behaviors while the vehicle is in operation and comparing the monitored first set of driver behaviors to a plurality of known profiles having respective stored behaviors. The method may include matching the first set of driver behaviors to at least one of the known profiles to create an adapted driver model, modeling an adapted drive cycle profile based on the matched adapted driver model, and calculating a predicted driving range based on the adapted drive cycle profile. The method may classify the monitored first set of driver behaviors as at least one of conservative, neutral, and aggressive, relative to the plurality of known profiles, and model the adapted drive cycle profile is further based on the conservative, neutral, or aggressive classification.

Abstract: One or more implementations of the present specification provide an invoice invalidation method and apparatus based on a blockchain, and an electronic device. The method includes: receiving an invalidation request that is initiated by an invoice invalidation party for a target invoice recorded in the blockchain; in response to the invalidation request, determining whether the invoice invalidation party has authority to invalidate the target invoice; and in response to that the invoice invalidation party has the authority to invalidate the target invoice, invoking an invoice invalidation logic provided in a smart contract deployed in a blockchain network of the blockchain to invalidate the target invoice.

Abstract: Presented are torque converters with integrated engine disconnect devices, methods for making/using such torque converters, and electric-drive vehicles equipped with such torque converters. A torque converter (TC) assembly includes a TC housing that drivingly connects to an engine output member. A TC output member projects from the TC housing and drivingly connects to a transmission input member. A turbine with a bladed turbine shell is mounted on the TC output member and rotatable within the TC's internal fluid chamber. An impeller with a bladed impeller shell is juxtaposed with the turbine and rotatable within the fluid chamber. An engine disconnect device, which is disposed within the fluid chamber between the impeller shell and TC housing, drivingly couples the impeller to and, when desired, drivingly decouples the impeller from the TC housing and engine output member to thereby transfer torque and prevent torque transfer, respectively, between the engine and transmission.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicles and control logic for provisioning comprehensive tow features, methods for manufacturing/operating such vehicles, and electric-drive vehicles with tow features for protecting the vehicle's powertrain and electrical components during towing. A method for controlling operation of an electric-drive vehicle includes a vehicle controller verifying initiation of a towing operation for the vehicle, and responsively determining if there is a drive system failure preventing the vehicle's traction motor from electrically connecting with its traction battery pack. If there is no drive system failure, the controller determines if the speed of the traction motor during towing exceeds a calibrated base speed; if so, the controller commands a power inverter to electrically connect the traction motor to the traction battery pack.

Abstract: Presented are clutch-type engine disconnect devices, methods for making/using such disconnect devices, and motor vehicles equipped with such disconnect devices. An engine disconnect device includes a notch plate, which has multiple notches and attaches to a torque converter, and a pocket plate, which has multiple pockets and attaches to an engine's crankshaft. A pawl is movably mounted within each notch; these pawls selectively engage the notches with the pockets. A notch plate insert is nested within each notch, supporting thereon one of the pawls. A selector plate interposed between the pocket and notch plates moves from a first position, to shift the pawls out of engagement with the pockets, and a second position, to move the notch plate inserts within the notches and allow the pawls to engage the notches with the pockets to thereby lock the notch plate to the pocket plate to rotate in unison with each other.