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: 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 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: A method of sensing an internal temperature of a differential carrier includes providing a differential carrier temperature sensing package with an electronic circuit board having a first temperature sensor that is in thermally conductive contact with a thermal conductor, where the thermal resistance of the package and thermal conductor is given and known as RENC. The package is extended through an opening in a differential carrier that has a fluid in it. The first temperature sensor senses a differential fluid temperature TSNS. The electronic circuit board further has a second temperature sensor, whereby the thermal resistance of the circuit board is a given known resistance RPCB. The second temperature sensor senses an internal package temperature TPCB within the package. Consequently, an internal temperature of the differential is calculated from the equation: TINT=TSNS(1+RENC/RPCB)?TPCB(RENC/RPCB).

Abstract: A modular electronic control system for a differential is described. Such a control system can contain an actuator and sensor in the differential casing and a connection between these elements in the differential casing and a controller outside the differential. The controller can be in the form of a printed circuit board residing in a control housing attached to the differential casing. In alternative embodiments, the controller may also be more distally located in the vehicle, where the controller housing contains means for conducting electrical signals from the interior of the differential casing to the vehicle without containing a printed circuit board. The controller may also contain a thermally conductive portion for dissipating heat generated by the controller.

Abstract: A method of sensing an internal temperature of a differential carrier includes providing a differential carrier temperature sensing package with an electronic circuit board having a first temperature sensor that is in thermally conductive contact with a thermal conductor, where the thermal resistance of the package and thermal conductor is given and known as RENC. The package is extended through an opening in a differential carrier that has a fluid in it. The first temperature sensor senses a differential fluid temperature TSNS. The electronic circuit board further has a second temperature sensor, whereby the thermal resistance of the circuit board is a given known resistance RPCB. The second temperature sensor senses an internal package temperature TPCB within the package. Consequently, an internal temperature of the differential is calculated from the equation: TINT=TSNS(1+RENC/RPCB)?TPCB(RENC/RPCB).

Abstract: A method of sensing an internal temperature of a differential carrier includes providing a differential carrier temperature sensing package with an electronic circuit board having a first temperature sensor that is in thermally conductive contact with a thermal conductor, where the thermal resistance of the package and thermal conductor is given and known as RENC. The package is extended through an opening in a differential carrier that has a fluid in it. The first temperature sensor senses a differential fluid temperature TSNS. The electronic circuit board further has a second temperature sensor, whereby the thermal resistance of the circuit board is a given known resistance RPCB. The second temperature sensor senses an internal package temperature TPCB within the package. Consequently, an internal temperature of the differential is calculated from the equation: TINT=TSNS(1+RENC/RPCB)?TPCB(RENC/RPCB).

Abstract: A modular electronic control system for a differential is described. Such a control system can contain an actuator and sensor in the differential casing and a connection between these elements in the differential casing and a controller outside the differential. The controller can be in the form of a printed circuit board residing in a control housing attached to the differential casing. In alternative embodiments, the controller may also be more distally located in the vehicle, where the controller housing contains means for conducting electrical signals from the interior of the differential casing to the vehicle without containing a printed circuit board. The controller may also contain a thermally conductive portion for dissipating heat generated by the controller.

Abstract: A lubricant management system for a vehicle is provided. The lubricant management system includes a housing, a power transmitting component, and a valve. The housing defines a lubricant passage therethrough. The power transmitting component is rotatingly disposed in the housing. The valve is at least partially disposed in the lubricant passage and has a first position and a second position. The valve in the first position militates against a flow of lubricant from a first portion of the housing to a second portion of the housing and the valve in the second position facilitates the flow of lubricant from the first portion of the housing to the second portion of the housing. The lubricant management system varies an amount of lubricant used in a sump of the housing in a simple and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A vehicle driveline torque managing process provides a motor driven actuator that manages clamping forces exerted on a clutch pack and regulates a coupling of power between a driveshaft and one of the axles of a vehicle, based on clutch positions. The process derives coupling torque values by stepping a motor from a maximum clutch separation position through a series of clutch positions while recording a motor driven commanded torque value at each step, up to a maximum clutch compression position having a maximum commanded motor torque value. Then, each motor driven commanded torque value is converted into respective clutch force values as a function of clutch position, thereby relating each clutch torque to a clutch position based on conversion tables stored in a controller that are associated with physical factors that influence clutch torque for each of the respective clutch actuator positions.

Abstract: A differential carrier electronic package has a package housing that is made of upper and lower portions that are sealed together, where the upper portion has high thermal conductive properties and the lower portion has low thermal conductive properties. The upper and lower portions are in thermal contact with an environment that is external to a differential carrier housing. The lower portion extends through an opening in the differential housing, thereby further being in thermal contact with a fluid within the differential housing. The package housing further has an electronic circuit that is attached to and in thermal conduction with the upper portion, within the package housing. The lower portion may have a connector portion formed in it for electrically connecting between external electrical devices and sources, the electronic circuit, and control devices within the differential housing.

Abstract: A vehicle driveline torque managing process provides a motor driven actuator that manages clamping forces exerted on a clutch pack and regulates a coupling of power between a driveshaft and one of the axles of a vehicle, based on clutch positions. The process derives coupling torque values by stepping a motor from a maximum clutch separation position through a series of clutch positions while recording a motor driven commanded torque value at each step, up to a maximum clutch compression position having a maximum commanded motor torque value. Then, each motor driven commanded torque value is converted into respective clutch force values as a function of clutch position, thereby relating each clutch torque to a clutch position based on conversion tables stored in a controller that are associated with physical factors that influence clutch torque for each of the respective clutch actuator positions.

Abstract: A differential carrier electronic package has a package housing that is made of upper and lower portions that are sealed together, where the upper portion has high thermal conductive properties and the lower portion has low thermal conductive properties. The upper and lower portions are in thermal contact with an environment that is external to a differential carrier housing. The lower portion extends through an opening in the differential housing, thereby further being in thermal contact with a fluid within the differential housing. The package housing further has an electronic circuit that is attached to and in thermal conduction with the upper portion, within the package housing. The lower portion may have a connector portion formed in it for electrically connecting between external electrical devices and sources, the electronic circuit, and control devices within the differential housing.

Abstract: A method of sensing an internal temperature of a differential carrier includes providing a differential carrier temperature sensing package with an electronic circuit board having a first temperature sensor that is in thermally conductive contact with a thermal conductor, where the thermal resistance of the package and thermal conductor is given and known as RENC. The package is extended through an opening in a differential carrier that has a fluid in it. The first temperature sensor senses a differential fluid temperature TSNS. The electronic circuit board further has a second temperature sensor, whereby the thermal resistance of the circuit board is a given known resistance RPCB. The second temperature sensor senses an internal package temperature TPCB within the package. Consequently, an internal temperature of the differential is calculated from the equation: TINT=TSNS(1+RENC/RPCB)?TPCB(RENC/RPCB).

Abstract: A lubricant management system for a vehicle is provided. The lubricant management system includes a housing, a power transmitting component, and a valve. The housing defines a lubricant passage therethrough. The power transmitting component is rotatingly disposed in the housing. The valve is at least partially disposed in the lubricant passage and has a first position and a second position. The valve in the first position militates against a flow of lubricant from a first portion of the housing to a second portion of the housing and the valve in the second position facilitates the flow of lubricant from the first portion of the housing to the second portion of the housing. The lubricant management system varies an amount of lubricant used in a sump of the housing in a simple and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A node for communications in a transportation network comprises a processor, a memory, a communication device, and a set of instructions executable by the processor for: extracting information from a first message, making a first determination based at least in part on the information; and making a second determination as to whether a second message should be sent based on the first determination.

Abstract: A brake wear sensor in which a body of electrical insulating material mounts a pair of electrically conductive plates such that edges of the plates are spaced from each other at a surface of the body. The body has an external thread adapted to be received within an internally threaded opening in a brake pad to position the surface of the body and the edges of the plates adjacent to a braking surface of the brake pad. Electrical circuitry is connected to the plates for monitoring wear at the surface of the body as a function of changes in capacitance between the plates, and a gauge is coupled to the circuitry for indicating brake wear as a function of such changes in capacitance.

Abstract: A fuel control system for delivering gaseous fuel from a source through an air/fuel mixture to a gas-operated engine that includes at least one sensor for operative coupling to the engine to provide at least one electronic sensor signal responsive to engine operating conditions. An electronic control unit is responsive to the sensor signal(s) for providing a fuel control signal indicative of a desired quantity of fuel to be delivered to the engine. A pressure regulator, for disposition between the fuel source and the fuel/air mixture, is responsive to the fuel control signal for controlling delivery of gaseous fuel to the mixer. The pressure regulator includes a housing having an inlet for connection to the fuel source and an outlet for connection to the mixer. A valve is disposed within the housing and biased toward closure by a primary pressure regulating spring for controlling flow of fuel from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of engine fuel injectors that includes a feed-forward control unit responsive to signals from sensors on the engine for supplying a basic electronic control signal for the injectors. A neural network is connected in parallel with the feed-forward control unit for receiving the sensor signals and multiplying the sensor signals by associated weighting factors. The sensor signals multiplied by the weighting factors are combined to produce a network output signal, which in turn is combined with the basic control signal from the feed-forward control unit to control operation of the fuel injectors. The weighting factors in the neural network are modified as a function of inputs from the engine sensors so as to reduce any errors in the sensor output signals as compared with desired values.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system that is selectively powered by an enhanced air/fuel mixture. The supply of fuel to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine is increased in response to the addition of a supplemental oxidizing agent into an air/fuel mixture. The additional fuel may be added by increasing the duty cycle of fuel injectors mounted proximate the individual cylinders. In addition, the ignition timing is adjusted in accordance with the change in the density of the air/fuel mixture. The amount of supplemental oxidizing agent provided to the cylinders may be regulated by increasing in a controlled manner the rate at which the supplemental oxidizing agent is supplied over a period of time. Furthermore, the control unit for the engine receives and responds to a number of external operating parameters including the oxygen content of the engine exhaust and the traction of the tires.