Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery system is provided. In one embodiment, the battery system includes a metal oxygen battery including a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode including a metal material (M); and an oxygen containment unit in communication with and external to the metal oxygen battery, the oxygen containment unit including an oxygen storage material. In another embodiment, the metal oxygen battery and the oxygen containment unit are in a closed-loop with respect to each other.

Abstract: A power system may include at least one controller configured to determine a net reactive power on at least one power distribution circuit and to issue at least one request for offsetting reactive power based on the determination to reduce the net reactive power on the at least one power distribution circuit.

Abstract: A battery charger may be capable of receiving power from a power distribution circuit. The charger may be configured to receive a request for reactive power and, in response, cause the requested reactive power to be present on the power distribution circuit.

Abstract: A power system may include at least one controller configured to determine a net reactive power on at least one power distribution circuit and to issue at least one request for offsetting reactive power based on the determination to reduce the net reactive power on the at least one power distribution circuit.

Abstract: A method of operating a battery charger electrically connected with a power distribution circuit having a power line and return line includes determining at least one of a temperature and a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line, and controlling a current through the power line based on the at least one of temperature and change in temperature.

Abstract: Environment conditions expected to be encountered by a vehicle are used as inputs in determining operating modes of a motive power system of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. A vehicle operating in charge depleting mode may transition to operate in charge sustaining mode if the vehicle is expected to encounter circumstances where it is desirable to allow the vehicle to more quickly respond to sudden requests for torque.

Abstract: A method for managing power distribution from an engine and a battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle whereby battery power is used to meet a driver demand for power and engine power complements battery power when either battery state-of-charge limit or battery discharge power limit would be exceeded, an external power grid being used to restore battery power following battery charge depletion.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid electric vehicle method and system including an internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric traction motor/generator, and a controller. A control strategy is provided to prevent unpredicted or undesired engine starts by anticipating the need for the vehicle engine, while avoiding “false starting” the engine or allowing an annoying lag in performance that will occur if the engine is not started in advance of an actual requirement. The invention anticipates the need for engine starts by monitoring vehicle speed and driver demand and their rates of change. The invention allows consistent performance and operates in a manner pleasing to the customer because a substantially constant drive force is maintained.

Abstract: A control and control method for a powertrain for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) method and system, including a pre-transmission internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric traction motor/generator (motor), and a controller for the motor to emulate the behavior of the internal combustion engine. Emulation strategy allows the use of the same transmission hardware and control for both the engine and the motor in each of several operating modes. The complexity of the parallel HEV powertrain system is reduced, and vehicle performance is consistent with a substantially constant drive force.

Abstract: A system and method of charging an energy storage device in a vehicle including an engine coupled to a combined starter/alternator and an energy storage device connected to said starter/alternator. The energy storage device provides electrical power to the vehicle. The method comprises the steps of determining a peak efficiency torque value of the starter/alternator when operating as an electrical generator, and intermittently operating the starter/alternator for a predetermined period of time as an electrical generator at approximately the peak efficiency torque value. In this way, the output of the starter/generator is substantially greater than an average power load value of the vehicle for a predetermined period of time, but the average power output of the starter/generator is approximately equal to the average power load requirements of the vehicle.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid electric vehicle method and system including an internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric traction motor/generator, and a controller. A control strategy is provided to prevent unpredicted or undesired engine starts by anticipating the need for the vehicle engine, while avoiding “false starting” the engine or allowing an annoying lag in performance that will occur if the engine is not started in advance of an actual requirement. The invention anticipates the need for engine starts by monitoring vehicle speed and driver demand and their rates of change. The invention allows consistent performance and operates in a manner pleasing to the customer because a substantially constant drive force is maintained.

Abstract: The invention is a parallel hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) method and system, including a pre-transmission internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric traction motor/generator (motor), and a controller for the motor to emulate the behavior of a traditional internal combustion engine. The emulation strategies allow the use of the same transmission hardware and control. The complexity of the parallel HEV powertrain system is reduced, and vehicle performance is consistent with a substantially constant drive force.

Abstract: A method of energizing a combined starter/alternator to start an engine in a vehicle including a primary energy storage device and a secondary energy storage device. The method includes the steps of monitoring a charge value on the secondary energy storage device, and activating a converter switching circuit to charge the secondary energy storage device with the primary energy storage device until the charge value is greater than a maximum charge value. Thereafter, an inverter switching circuit is activated to energize the starter/alternator with the power available in the primary and secondary energy storage devices. The starter/alternator is activated as a starter motor until the engine starts or the charge on the secondary energy storage device falls below a mininum charge value.

Abstract: A method of charging a primary energy storage device in a vehicle including a secondary energy storage device and an engine coupled to a combined starter/alternator. The method comprises the steps of operating the starter/alternator as a generator at approximately a peak efficiency value, and electrically connecting the starter/alternator and the secondary energy storage device for a first predetermined period of time such that the starter/alternator charges the secondary energy storage device. Once the secondary energy storage device reaches a desired charge value, the starter/alternator and the secondary energy storage device are disconnected. The method also electrically connects the primary and secondary energy storage devices such that the secondary energy storage device charges the primary energy storage device.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having a brake rotor (10) and brake pedal-actuated hydraulic piston (24) that actuates a brake caliper (22) to engage a friction brake (25a, 25b) with the rotor (10) and further having a brake caliper retractor mechanism (40) including an actuator (46) for actively controlling retraction of the caliper (22) relative to the rotor (10) to provide either a friction brake force versus pedal brake force curve where the friction brake initially contacts the rotor (10) such that braking force from the brake pedal P begins at zero pedal force or a friction brake force versus pedal brake force curve that is displaced relative thereto where the friction brake initially is positioned out of contact with the rotor (10) such that braking force from the brake pedal begins at a finite preselected pedal force greater than zero.

Abstract: Several control methods are presented for application in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain including in various embodiments an engine, a motor/generator, a transmission coupled at an input thereof to receive torque from the engine and the motor generator coupled to augment torque provided by the engine, an energy storage device coupled to receive energy from and provide energy to the motor/generator, an engine controller (EEC) coupled to control the engine, a transmission controller (TCM) coupled to control the transmission and a vehicle system controller (VSC) adapted to control the powertrain.

Abstract: A motor vehicle propulsion system includes an electrical energy source and a traction motor coupled to receive electrical energy from the electrical energy source. The system also has a first bus provided electrical energy by the electrical energy source and a second bus of relatively lower voltage than the first bus. In addition, the system includes an electrically-driven source of reaction gas for the electrical energy source, the source of reaction gas coupled to receive electrical energy from the first bus. Also, the system has an electrical storage device coupled to the second bus for storing electrical energy at the lower voltage. The system also includes a bidirectional energy converter coupled to convert electrical energy from the first bus to the second bus and from the second bus to the first bus.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical system for a motor vehicle comprises a capacitor, an engine cranking motor coupled to receive motive power from the capacitor, a storage battery and an electrical generator having an electrical power output, the output coupled to provide electrical energy to the capacitor and to the storage battery. The electrical system also includes a resistor which limits current flow from the battery to the engine cranking motor. The electrical system further includes a diode which allows current flow through the diode from the generator to the battery but which blocks current flow through the diode from the battery to the cranking motor.

Abstract: A method for providing a diamond film on a scribing wheel useful for scribing glassy materials in order to increase its wear resistance. The method comprises sequential steps which include pre-treating the surface of the scribing wheel and thereafter depositing the diamond film on the pretreated scribing wheel by a chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: An operating strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) manages the flow of energy to both supply the motive demand power of the HEV and maintain the charge of the energy storage system (ESS). A controller operates the main power unit (HPU) and ESS and, using an optimal fuel cost strategy, scans all possible combinations of power from the HPU and ESS that satisfy the motive demand power. The combination with the lowest fuel cost is selected and the ESS is charged, when possible, using marginal charging; but, if the state of charge of the ESS falls below a certain level, fast charging is invoked. A minimum power threshold strategy can be used rather than the fuel cost strategy. The minimum power threshold strategy determines the optimal compromise of HPU operation and ESS operation to maximize fuel economy by using a motive power threshold below which the HPU is not operated except to recharge the ESS.