Abstract: An actuator includes a thermally activated active material element, such as at least one shape memory alloy wire, and a heat sink configured to operatively engage the element and accelerate cooling after activation, so as to improve bandwidth.

Abstract: A servo system includes pressurized fluid, and one or more fluid control devices (FCD) such as a valve or actuator, with at least one FCD having an element with a variable property that varies in response to a stimulus. The FCD controls a flow rate or pressure transmission of the fluid within the servo system. The element may include an active return spring having a variable stiffness. The servo system may operate as an interlock system for a transmission. A method for moving an output load using a servo system includes providing a first FCD with an active element, connecting an output load to a second FCD, activating the active element with a stimulus to vary a property of the active element, transmitting a force from the pressurized fluid to the second FCD, and moving the output load from a first position to a second position in response to the force.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle presenter adapted for use with a translatable buckle includes an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to an activation signal, wherein the element is drivenly coupled to the buckle, and configured to cause the buckle to translate between deployed and stowed positions as a result of the change.

Abstract: A power distribution system for a hybrid vehicle having an engine is disclosed. The power distribution system includes an electric motor/generator, a vehicle accessory drive system comprising a first accessory, and a power distribution apparatus. The power distribution apparatus includes a first power transfer member comprising a first shaft, the first shaft being configured to transfer power to the engine and from the engine. The power distribution apparatus further includes a second power transfer member comprising a second shaft, the second shaft being configured to transfer power to the motor/generator and from the motor/generator. The power distribution apparatus further includes a third power transfer member comprising a third shaft, the third shaft being configured to transfer power to the accessory drive system to drive the first accessory. The power distribution apparatus further includes a first clutch and a second clutch.

Abstract: The present invention provides an accessory drive system for a parallel electric hybrid vehicle. The apparatus includes an engine and a motor/generator independently connectable to a transmission. At least one torque-transmitting device selectably connects an engine and a motor/generator with a transmission. A drive pulley is connected to an output shaft of the engine. A plurality of driven pulleys are each connected to an accessory. A drive belt connectively couples the drive pulley and the plurality of driven pulleys, and is operable to transfer drive forces between the drive pulley and the plurality of driven pulleys. A controller is operatively connected to the torque-transmitting device, the engine and the motor/generator, and is configured to control the torque-transmitting device, the engine and the motor/generator to ensure the plurality of accessories are adequately powered.

Abstract: A safety belt webbing presenter including an active material actuator configured to selectively cause a webbing engaging mechanism to translate between deployed and stowed conditions, wherein the deployed condition, the mechanism engages a safety belt webbing causing it to translate to a more readily fastened position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an accessory drive system for a vehicle. The accessory drive system includes a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member. A torque transfer device operatively connects an engine with the first planetary member. A motor/generator is operatively connected to the second planetary member, and a plurality of accessories are operatively connected to the third planetary member. Engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories, and the speed at which the accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the speed of the motor/generator.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission family providing low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first and second differential gear sets, a battery and three electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators. The three motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse).

Abstract: An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent activation of the actuator element, when the actuator element is actually or predicted to be experiencing overheating; and a circuit comprising the system, wherein the switching element and/or a circuit implement functions to modify activation of the actuator element.

Abstract: An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor utilizing active material actuation for selectively modifying the tension in a seat belt.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, a multi-speed transmission connected to a final drive, and a selectively engageable magnetorheological fluid clutch drivingly connected between the engine and multi-speed transmission. A motor/generator is operatively connected to the engine and the magnetorheological fluid clutch for selectively exchanging power with the engine and/or the magnetorheological fluid clutch such that the motor/generator may be used to start the engine, to drive the multi-speed transmission, and to receive energy from the magnetorheological fluid clutch for regenerative braking.

Abstract: The present invention provides an accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle. The accessory drive system includes a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member. A torque transfer device operatively connects an engine with the first planetary member. A motor/generator is operatively connected to the second planetary member, and a plurality of accessories are operatively connected to the third planetary member. A one-way clutch is preferably operatively connected to either the first planetary member or the torque transfer device such that the accessories can be effectively driven by the motor/generator when the engine is off. Engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories, and the speed at which the accessories are driven is selectable by controlling the speed of the motor/generator.

Abstract: A servo system includes pressurized fluid, and one or more fluid control devices (FCD) such as a valve or actuator, with at least one FCD having an element with a variable property that varies in response to a stimulus. The FCD controls a flow rate or pressure transmission of the fluid within the servo system. The element may include an active return spring having a variable stiffness. The servo system may operate as an interlock system for a transmission. A method for moving an output load using a servo system includes providing a first FCD with an active element, connecting an output load to a second FCD, activating the active element with a stimulus to vary a property of the active element, transmitting a force from the pressurized fluid to the second FCD, and moving the output load from a first position to a second position in response to the force.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alternator starter accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle. The starter alternator accessory drive system includes a planetary gear set having a first, second, and third planetary member. An engine is operatively connected to the first planetary member, and a first motor/generator is operatively connected to the second planetary member. A torque transfer device operatively connects a plurality of accessories to the third planetary member. A second motor/generator is operatively connected to either the third planetary member or the torque transfer device. Engine output is transferable through the planetary gear set to drive the accessories at a selectable rate, and the first and second motor/generators are controllable to run the accessories while the engine is off and to re-start the engine.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain having an engine, multi-speed transmission connected to a final drive and not continuously connected to the engine, a single motor/generator connected to an energy storage device and a controller and not continuously connected to the engine or transmission, and three clutches. The first clutch is connected to the engine, the second clutch is connected to the transmission and first clutch, and the third clutch is connected to the motor/generator and first and second clutches. The first and second clutches are operable for selectively interconnecting the engine and transmission; the first and third clutches are operable for selectively interconnecting the engine and motor/generator; the second and third clutches are operable for selectively interconnecting the transmission and motor/generator; and the three clutches are operable for selectively interconnecting the engine, transmission and motor/generator to transmit power therebetween.

Abstract: An accessory drive system for a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric variable transmission. The apparatus includes an engine operatively connected to the electric variable transmission. The electric variable transmission includes a gear arrangement configured to selectively produce a plurality of speed ratios. The electric variable transmission also includes at least two motor/generators connected to the gear arrangement, and to a storage device. A drive pulley is connected to an output shaft of the engine. A plurality of driven pulleys are each connected to an accessory. A drive belt connectively couples the drive pulley and the plurality of driven pulleys. A controller is operatively connected to the engine and the motor/generators, and is configured to control the engine and the motor/generators to ensure the accessories are adequately powered.

Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery and three electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators. The three motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse).

Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, three electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators and at least one brake operable to enable series hybrid reverse operation. The three motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse).

Abstract: The electrically variable transmission (EVT) family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, three electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators and at least one brake. The three motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse). One of the brakes enables series hybrid operation.