Abstract: A shaft of a planetary gear mechanism is connected via a lock mechanism to an air-conditioner compressor. A shaft is connected to an engine, and a shaft is connected to a motor-generator. The shaft or the shaft of the motor-generator is linked to the shaft through a clutch mechanism. A control unit reduces shock by changing the rotation speed of the motor-generator on the basis of the engine speed and reducing a speed difference between the input shafts of the clutch mechanism and a speed difference between the input shafts of the lock mechanism before engaging of the clutch mechanism and releasing of the lock mechanism.

Abstract: A power distributing mechanism distributes a power at a first axis from the engine to a second axis coupled to a motor generator, and a third axis coupled to a compressor for air conditioning. A clutch mechanism provides the connection/ disconnection of the second axis to/from the third axis, and a lock mechanism provides the locking and unlocking of rotation of the third axis. The control unit inhibits switching operations of the clutch mechanism and lock mechanism for a startup transition period of the engine and a to-stop transition period of the engine and controls the inverter to suppress the operation of the motor generator in the generator mode for a startup transition period of the compressor and a to-stop transition period of the compressor, while the engine is running.

Abstract: Three shafts of a planetary gear mechanism, which is a torque distribution mechanism, are connectable to an engine, a motor-generator and a compressor, respectively. An engine connecting shaft, a motor-generator connecting shaft and an accessory equipment connecting shaft are connected to a ring gear, a carrier and a sun gear, respectively. A single motor-generator can perform four different operations: a compressor driving operation when an idle stop function is performed, an engine starting operation by the motor-generator, a motor-generator driving operation by the engine, motor-generator driving and compressor driving operations by the engine.

Abstract: If there is an error in the feeding system and the error condition allows the motor vehicle to run, the power to electric load systems having a low priority is cut off. If the error condition does not allow the motor vehicle to run, the power to all electric loads is cut off. If there is an error in an electric load system having a high priority, the power to all electric loads is cut off. If there is an error in an electric load system having a low priority, the power to this electric load is cut off.

Abstract: An electric power equipment for a hybrid electric vehicle includes a main battery, an auxiliary battery, an inverter for supplying a prescribed lower-frequency AC power from the main battery to a motor-generator and DC power to the main battery from the rotary electric machine and an auxiliary battery charging circuit. The auxiliary battery charging circuit includes a frequency filter for passing only AC power of a prescribed higher frequency that is too high for the motor-generator to be operated, a rectifier and a controller for controlling the inverter.

Abstract: An electric power equipment for a hybrid electric vehicle includes a main battery, an auxiliary battery, an inverter for supplying a prescribed lower-frequency AC power from the main battery to a motor-generator and DC power to the main battery from the rotary electric machine and an auxiliary battery charging circuit. The auxiliary battery charging circuit includes a frequency filter for passing only AC power of a prescribed higher frequency that is too high for the motor-generator to be operated, a rectifier and a controller for controlling the inverter.

Abstract: In an engine-motor hybrid vehicle, vehicle drive regions are divided into a plurality of groups specified by a plurality of operation state variables. A learning variable set for each drive region is updated according to an amount of a power state of an engine, when the vehicle is in a steady state running. The learning variable indicates a change in the power state amount with age. When an engine power demand value is determined, it is corrected by using the learning variable of a selected drive region to calculate a corrected engine power demand value compensating a change in the engine with age. In this manner, the engine power is controlled.

Abstract: An engine-motor hybrid vehicle has a power transmission device including a first rotary electric machine and a second rotary electric machine. The first rotary electric machine has a first rotor connected to an engine and a second rotor connected to vehicle wheels. When the engine is in the idling condition, an electronic control apparatus controls the power transmission device to restrict engine vibrations from being transmitted to the vehicle. The electronic control apparatus controls the power transmission device based on a difference in timings of detecting a first rotor position and a second rotor position in the first rotary electric machine. The electronic control apparatus controls the power transmission device to reduce mechanical shocks which occurs immediately after engine operation starting.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle that minimizes vehicle fuel-consumption. A fuel consumption coefficient relating to overall efficiency of a hybrid engine is calculated. An engine operating point whereat this fuel-consumption coefficient is optimized is then determined, and the engine is controlled to operate at the determined engine operating point. When such control is performed, overall engine efficiency in all operating regions can be optimized, and further improvements in fuel consumption can be realized.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus for an electric synchronous machine is composed of armature current control means and transient operation detection means. When the synchronous machine is intended to increase power in a transient operation, the current control means supplies the armature winding with compensation current to cancel counter-electromotive force formed when field current is supplied to the field winding through a mutual inductance of the field winding and the armature winding.

Abstract: A gas-sparing vehicle is achieved by a control system for a hybrid vehicle equipped at least with: a hybrid engine which includes at least a first rotary electric unit for deciding the rpm of the engine and a second rotary electric unit for deciding the driving force of the vehicle and which has power converting means connected to the output shaft of the engine; and electricity storing means. In one embodiment, a hybrid controller 16 controls the drive of a first rotary electric unit 2000 according to a startup torque command value which is decided based on the rpm of an engine at the time of engine startup and which decreases as the rpm increases; it also determines that the complete explosion in an engine 1 has occurred when the startup torque command value falls below a predetermined complete explosion judgment value.

Abstract: One central processing unit 63 is connected to the other central processing unit 64 via a communication line 200. Various data, such as driving operational information, actuation commands, and driving conditional information, are exchanged and compared between two central processing units 63 and 64 through a communication line 200. If any disagreement is found in the comparison result, a current supply circuit 65 stops supplying current to a driving motor 1.

Abstract: A power source control apparatus for parallel and series hybrid vehicles is provided. The power source control apparatus determines a required torque of a power source consisting of a generator-motor and an internal combustion engine based on a parameter indicating an operational mode of the vehicle and interrupts fuel supply to the internal combustion engine in a cycle based on the required torque of the power source so as to minimize a fuel consumption. The power source control apparatus further determines a required torque of the generator-motor based on the required torque of the power source and an output torque of the internal combustion engine to switch an operation mode of the generator-motor between a generator mode and a motor mode so as to compensate for a variation in output of the internal combustion engine during the cyclic fuel cut control.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a device for detecting a degree of depression of an accelerator pedal in the electric vehicle, and for outputting an accelerator depression degree signal representing the detected degree of depression of the accelerator pedal. A polyphase ac motor is operative for driving the electric vehicle. A rotational speed of the polyphase ac motor is detected, and a motor rotational speed signal is generated which represents the detected rotational speed of the polyphase ac motor. A battery in the vehicle generates dc power. An inverter changes the dc power into ac power through pulse width modulation responsive to a PWM modulation signal, and outputs the ac power to the polyphase ac motor to drive the latter. A steady torque command value is calculated on the basis of the motor rotational speed signal and the accelerator depression degree signal.

Abstract: An inverter control apparatus for driving a polyphase AC motor for preventing abrupt changes in motor drive currents when switching of one phase is stopped. The apparatus includes a signal generator for generating duty signals of drive signals of respective phases on the basis of a generated reference waveform and a signal modifier for selecting one of the duty signals of one phase, holding it at a predetermined level, and modifying the duty signals of other phases according to the value required to hold the selected duty signal. On the basis of three-phase signal voltage levels, a decision is made on voltage fixing phase intervals by a phase decision circuit, and shift values are determined by an adder at every voltage fixing phase interval. Shift values are selected by a multiplexer according to the outputs of the phase decision circuit and added to triangular wave voltage. Resultant sum values are compared with the three-phase signal voltages to form a three-phase PWM signal.

Abstract: In order to reduce distortion of a real-current wave form and to suppress substantial transient fluctuation of the current and torque during changeover from a regeneration running condition to the power running condition of a three-phase induction motor, changeover from the three-phase-modulation control to the two-phase-modulation control is carried at the same time the power running condition of the motor is changed to the regeneration running condition according to the motor-state-quantum such as a detected slip ratio, detected torque, detected current or the like. Thus, distortion of the motor-current wave form is reduced and significant fluctuation of the motor-current and torque during the changeover is reduced.

Abstract: A coating quality measuring device and a pattern plate including one reference pattern portion having a large pattern width and a plurality of strip pattern portions each having a smaller pattern width. The pattern plate is disposed opposite the coated surface. The pattern plate is reflected off the coated surface and a reflected image is formed on an image sensor. The image sensor successively outputs signals each corresponding to the light level of each strip pattern portion on a line extending in a width direction of each strip pattern portion of the reflected image. A computing device calculates an average signal level of the signals outputted by the image sensor, divides the difference between the average signal level and the signal level of each signal by the signal level of the reference pattern portion and calculates a square average value of the obtained division value to obtain a measure of the coating quality of the coated surface.

Abstract: A position detector for detecting the piston TDC position in a piston engine has a cylindrical casing penetrating the top wall defining a combustion chamber of the engine and fixed thereto, a light emission element, a light reception element each being accommodated within the upper half of the casing, an inlet optical fiber connected to the light emission element and an outlet optical fiber connected to the light reception element. These optical fibers are inserted into the lower half of the casing. The lower end of each optical fiber is opposed to the upper surface of the piston at a predetermined distance therefrom when the piston is located in the vicinity of the TDC position. The light emitted by the light emission element is applied to the upper surface of the piston, after passing the inlet optical fiber. The reflected light from the upper surface of the piston is received and sent to the light reception element by the outlet optical fiber.

Abstract: A control signal is generated to actuate a solenoid-operated valve at an angle phase of rotation of an engine for cutting off a fuel supply to an engine cylinder. The control signal is determined by a reference angle signal produced at a reference angle of rotation of the engine, and a rotational angle signal produced for each crank angle. Rotational angle signals are counted which are produced after each reference angle signal before the angle phase is reached with any remainder angle smaller than the crank angle. The remainder angle is converted into a time based on an average number of r.p.m. of the engine at the time the conversion is effected. The control signal is issued upon elapse of the counted rotational angle signals and the converted time. A ratio of an instantaneous number of r.p.m. of the engine in the vicinity of the angle phase to an average number of r.p.m. of the engine is issued and used for correcting the time converted from the remainder angle with the ratio.

Abstract: A coating quality measuring device has a pattern plate including one reference pattern portion having a larger pattern width and a plurality of strip pattern portions having different pattern widths which are smaller than that of the reference pattern portion and are decreased in order. The pattern plate is disposed opposite the coated surface. The pattern plate is reflected on the coated surface and a reflected image is formed on an image sensor. The image sensor successively outputs signals each corresponding to the lightness of each pattern portion on a line extending in a width direction of each pattern portion of the reflected image.