Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a multi-stage solenoid actuator. In one example, a system may include a solenoid actuator comprising a series of coils, the first coil enclosed by a first housing, the second and third coils enclosed by a second housing, and a plunger enclosed by the second housing. The method may include the first and second housing, and the plunger, moving in series, increasing the total displace of the actuator via single electric signal.

Abstract: A network including a sensory assembly having a first wire coil coupled to a stationary component, and a spaced apart second wire coil coupled to a movable component. An interstice is formed between the wire coils. The stationary first wire coil is employed in a primary electrical circuit and the movable second wire coil is employed in a second electrical circuit. A magnet flux field permits at least a portion of an electrical current varied as a function of a parameter of the movable component to be transmitted between the electrical circuits.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a dog clutch actuator are disclosed. In one example, the voltage that is supplied to a dog clutch actuator is gradually reduced when a dog clutch is returned to a base position via a return spring. The voltage may be reduced at a rate that is based on a temperature of a fluid in which a dog clutch may be submerged.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuity enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sensing a clutch position. In one example, a method may include generating a single output signal by combining at least an output of a first sensor and an output of a second sensor output, the first sensor and second sensor connected in parallel, and the first sensor and the second sensor sensing a common moving element of a clutch. In one example, the method may further include a first sensor output and a second sensor output provided on a common sensor bus. As another example, the first sensor output may be a master pulse width modulation output, and the second sensor output follows a modulation frequency of the first sensor output.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuity enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sensing a clutch position. In one example, a method may include generating a single output signal by combining at least an output of a first sensor and an output of a second sensor output, the first sensor and second sensor connected in parallel, and the first sensor and the second sensor sensing a common moving element of a clutch. In one example, the method may further include a first sensor output and a second sensor output provided on a common sensor bus. As another example, the first sensor output may be a master pulse width modulation output, and the second sensor output follows a modulation frequency of the first sensor output.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating an amount of torque that is transferred via a differential ring gear assembly are described. In one example, axial displacement of the differential ring gear assembly is determined and converted into a torque estimate. The torque estimate may be used to verify other powertrain torque estimates or for closed loop torque control.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a multi-stage solenoid actuator. In one example, a system may include a solenoid actuator comprising a series of coils, the first coil enclosed by a first housing, the second and third coils enclosed by a second housing, and a plunger enclosed by the second housing. The method may include the first and second housing, and the plunger, moving in series, increasing the total displace of the actuator via single electric signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a differential assembly are provided herein. In one example, a method is provided that includes operating a clutch motor coupled to a differential locking clutch to place the differential locking clutch in a locked configuration. The method further includes, after the differential locking clutch is placed in the locked configuration, reducing electric power delivered to the clutch motor at a first rate and increasing the electric power delivered to the clutch motor when it is determined that clutch disengagement is occurring based on outputs from a motor position sensor or outputs from shaft speed sensors coupled to a pair of shafts coupled to the differential locking clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuity enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuitry enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimation of a ride height of a vehicle axle via a linear displacement sensor. In one example, a method may include, during motion of vehicle wheels, estimating a change in ride height of an axle based on a distance of axial movement between a first axle constant velocity universal (CV) joint and a differential unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a differential assembly are provided herein. In one example, a diagnostic method includes generating a clutch fault according to a variance between an initial engagement position and a lock point position of a clutch motor that occur during engagement of an interaxle differential (IAD) locking clutch coupled to the clutch motor. In the IAD system, an actuation assembly is coupled to the clutch motor and the IAD locking clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a differential assembly are provided herein. In one example, a method is provided that includes operating a clutch motor coupled to a differential locking clutch to place the differential locking clutch in a locked configuration. The method further includes, after the differential locking clutch is placed in the locked configuration, reducing electric power delivered to the clutch motor at a first rate and increasing the electric power delivered to the clutch motor when it is determined that clutch disengagement is occurring based on outputs from a motor position sensor or outputs from shaft speed sensors coupled to a pair of shafts coupled to the differential locking clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a differential assembly are provided herein. In one example, a diagnostic method includes generating a clutch fault according to a variance between an initial engagement position and a lock point position of a clutch motor that occur during engagement of an interaxle differential (IAD) locking clutch coupled to the clutch motor. In the IAD system, an actuation assembly is coupled to the clutch motor and the IAD locking clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a differential assembly are provided herein. In one example, a method is provided that includes operating a clutch motor coupled to a differential locking clutch to place the differential locking clutch in a locked configuration. The method further includes, after the differential locking clutch is placed in the locked configuration, reducing electric power delivered to the clutch motor at a first rate and increasing the electric power delivered to the clutch motor when it is determined that clutch disengagement is occurring based on outputs from a motor position sensor or outputs from shaft speed sensors coupled to a pair of shafts coupled to the differential locking clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a sensor assembly for a differential apparatus. In one example, the sensor assembly includes a microcontroller and an eddy current sensor communicatively coupled to the microcontroller and configured to detect a distance between an axially slidable and an axially stationary component of a differential apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuitry enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimation of a ride height of a vehicle axle via a linear displacement sensor. In one example, a method may include, during motion of vehicle wheels, estimating a change in ride height of an axle based on a distance of axial movement between a first axle constant velocity universal (CV) joint and a differential unit.