Abstract: A current buffer for a gate driver having an input end and an output end. An independent path electrically couples the above input and output end. The current buffer further includes two switches controlling flows of electrical current via the switches to the output end from a positive and a negative power source respectively. A control circuit controls the switches between an ON and OFF state. When the buffer receives a suitable input signal at the input end, one of the switches is triggered to ON state, the current at the output end are the sum of current that flows from the switch, as well as the current that flows via the independent path. Upon reaching a threshold point, the switch is switched to OFF state. An equilibrium state is reached via the independent path.

Abstract: A propulsion system designed for hybrid vehicle's utilizing a first torque path from a coupled motor generator system and internal combustion engine through and automatically shifted manual transmission having a secondary torque path from a secondary torque source to the wheels. The system incorporates the high-efficiency of a manual transmission with the smoothness of the most advanced automatic transmissions by utilizing a second torque path to maintain driver requested torque during shifts. The system is also capable of performing shifts without opening the clutch by utilizing active synchronization of the input shaft RPM combined with the force control of the shifting actuator. This results in fast and smooth shifts that disengage and reengage without unpleasant torque pulsations.

Abstract: A fuel management control method for a hybrid electric vehicle drive having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor arranged in parallel such that both can propel the vehicle; the system including an electric motor driven fuel pump and a programmable microprocessor; and wherein the method further includes monitoring vehicle speed and sensing braking pressure and directing signals of both vehicle speed and braking to the microprocessor and processing such inputs in accordance with an aggressive fuel management program including shut-off of fuel flow to the gas engine in response to vehicle braking at vehicle speeds above a predetermined maximum hysteresis speed and maintaining the fuel shut off during vehicle coasting above a predetermined speed while controlling the electric motor to provide regenerative braking or vehicle start during such fuel shut off modes of operation.

Abstract: An idle control system for internal combustion engines providing load rejection and/or load compensation for a given engine. speed reference and barometric pressure wherein the present invention accommodates for varying engine speed references and for varying barometric pressures, such as at different altitudes. The control system incorporates a load compensator, and a control structure including a multitude of sub-control blocks. The load compensator generates the needed airflow to compensate for the torque of engine loads and works with a feed-forward controller to reject anticipated loads. The calibration procedure is fully automated.

Abstract: A control system for an interior permanent magnet motor which includes five regulators to provide efficient control of the motor. Deviation from a desired maximum torque per amp trajectory is minimized by making two of the five regulators field-weakening regulators. First and second regulators provide current control of the quadrature-axis current and direct-axis current, respectively. A limiter limits the direct-axis current from exceeding the maximum allowed stator current and any excess current is added to the quadrature-axis current. Fourth and fifth regulators are field-weakening regulators. The fourth regulator generates a first field-weakening signal that increases the direct-axis signal when the quadrature-axis voltage approaches a desired maximum voltage. The fifth regulator generates a second field-weakening signal that decreases the quadrature-axis current signal when the direct-axis voltage approaches a desired maximum voltage.

Abstract: A control system for maintaining powertrain responsiveness adjusts a throttle progression curve to compensate for different vehicle loads. The control system calculates an actual vehicle acceleration rate based on measured vehicle speed for evaluation of total mass being propelled by the vehicle. The calculated actual vehicle acceleration rate is compared to a target vehicle acceleration rate. A throttle progression curve is adjusted based on the results of the comparison so that a subsequent actual vehicle acceleration rate is closer to the target vehicle acceleration rate.

Abstract: A control system for adjusting a throttle progression curve to compensate for traction slip calculates a maximum vehicle acceleration value based on wheel torque and vehicle speed conditions, then compares the actual vehicle acceleration to determine if it is greater than the maximum acceleration to determine if slip is detected, and adjust a throttle progression curve based on the results of the comparing step to enable the vehicle to learn the current road conditions and reduce the throttle progression for a given pedal position during slippery conditions to reduce the amount of slip that occurs during future accelerations.

Abstract: A method for controlling regeneration fuel supplied to an internal combustion engine operating with a lean fuel-air mixture during sequential rich mixture regeneration events of a NOx adsorber in which NOx emissions collected by the adsorber are purged to provide optimum emissions control and minimum fuel consumption. The method monitors the exhaust gases flowing out of the adsorber during the regeneration event to detect when fuel-air mixture to the engine is within an excessively lean or rich range. When the sensed exhaust gases contain an excessively lean fuel-air mixture, fuel is increased to the engine. Fuel is decreased when the sensed exhaust gases contain an excessively rich fuel-air mixture. The fuel can be increased or decreased by adjusting the duration or fuel rate of the regeneration event.

Abstract: In a vehicle with a wheel housing, a tire and a wheel housing liner, a closure for the wheel housing liner comprising first and second brushes connected to the wheel housing liner, wherein the first brush is inside the wheel housing at a side away from a center of the vehicle near an outside periphery of a tire, and wherein the second brush is inside the wheel housing around a suspension opening contour, wherein the brushes reduce flow of outside air that enters the wheel housing and circulates in the housing, thereby reducing aerodynamic friction and increasing vehicle efficiency.

Abstract: An induction motor control system for use in a power steering system, comprising: a power steering induction motor coupled to a power supply and providing motive input to pressurize a hydraulic steering subsystem; a phase current sensor for sensing the phase current output by the power supply; and a power steering controller coupled to the power supply for processing a commanded frequency input, the sensed phase current, and data contained in a plurality of software lookup tables using a transfer function to adjust the motor voltage produced by the power supply to control the speed of the power steering motor.

Abstract: A torque box for use in a vehicle having a front rail and rocker is comprised of a single casting. The torque box includes a first projection shaped to connect to the front rail, a second projection shaped to connect to the rocker, and a connector connecting the first projection to the second projection.

Abstract: A method for determining the mechanical installation parameters of an oxygen sensor so that it will operate within a predetermined temperature range under all operating conditions of the vehicle by setting the desired exposed area of the sensor element tip (S), taking into account: the recommended maximum operational temperature of the oxygen sensor (Ts); the hottest expected temperature of the exhaust gas (Tg); the effective heat transfer rate from the exhaust gas to the sensor element tip, and ultimately to the surroundings, ie., the exhaust pipe sidewall which is in contact with the surrounding ambient air (Q/t); the thermal conductivity of the oxygen sensor (k); and an effective thickness, which depends on where the temperature is measured in the oxygen sensor (x), according to a relation: S=(Q*x)/((Tg−Ts)(t*c*k)). The exposed surface area is then mechanically set, which may include use of a collar concentrically placed around the sensor element tip.

Abstract: An electric power system for an electric vehicle includes an electric drive motor, a high voltage bus for supplying operating power to energize the drive motor, and an inverter including power switching devices and having an inverter output. The inverter is coupled between the high voltage bus and the electric drive motor and a controller is coupled to the inverter and provides motor control signals and high frequency injection signals to the inverter. An auxiliary power unit is coupled to the inverter output and has a DC output for supplying DC operating power. The auxiliary power unit supplies DC power in response to the high frequency injection signals. The electric drive motor operates in response to the motor control signals and is substantially unaffected by the high frequency injection signals.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter of the type having a lock-up clutch plate that is operated in response to drive line conditions to connect the torque converter turbine and the torque converter impeller so as to provide a direct drive from an engine to a drive line transmission is modified to include a one way clutch that is connected between the impeller and the turbine and operative to free wheel during torque transfer from an engine to a transmission connected to the output from the torque converter and operative to lock up in the coast or back direction of drive to prevent engine stall during vehicle coasting maneuvers.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention as applied to vehicles, such as electric automotive systems, battery equalization is optimized through performance simultaneously with other routine vehicle functions in the way of maintenance during periods when the temperature of the battery pack is in a lower temperature regime. An equalization current is chosen as a function of the ambient conditions and effectiveness of the thermal system detected by the battery pack control module, so that heat can be minimized as well as then more easily removed from the battery pack, thereby also reducing the length of the process. Opportunity equalization therefore is performed more frequently than is typical at more convenient times and in a manner to optimize the process in view of existing conditions.

Abstract: A control algorithm or method for use in controlling a voltage-fed induction machine. The control algorithm includes the following steps. The DC link voltage supplied to an inverter driving the induction machine is monitored. When the DC link voltage is high enough, the algorithm controls the amount of current supplied to the induction machine to provide current controlled operation of the induction machine. When the DC link voltage is not high enough to control the current under transient conditions, the induction machine is controlled by imposing the maximum possible phase voltage and optimal slip angle on the machine to provide maximal torque per ampere operation of the induction machine. The maximal torque per ampere operation is performed when either of the following conditions is met: a) the torque level required by the induction machine is such that efficiency optimization cannot be performed, or b) current regulators approach saturation.

Abstract: A power electronics chassis (10) and liquid-cooled heat sink mounting assembly for electric vehicles and other applications that use liquid coolant to cool power electronic devices (20) contained within an electrically conductive housing (12). The power electronics chassis (10) includes an inverter (18) containing power switching devices (20) that are heat sunk using the liquid-cooled mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a heat exchanger (22) and a plastic, electrically non-conductive coolant manifold (16) that has an inlet (26) and outlet (28) for passage of liquid coolant into and out of the electronics housing (12). The power switching devices (20) are attached to a mounting surface (40) of the heat exchanger (22) and are thermally coupled to the coolant within the heat exchanger (22) via the mounting surface (40).

Abstract: The present invention in one form provides for an improved battery charging apparatus and method comprising a controller and battery balancing system including an algorithm which monitors temperature of the battery pack and state of charge. These are factored for a charge efficiency through comparison to a pre-determined table of charge efficiency values, and then compared against a threshold charge efficiency below which charging is considered not optimal. The charging operation is discontinued in the event charge efficiency is below the threshold value.

Abstract: In a vehicle with an active brake control system a control method comprising to the steps of: determining individual wheel speeds of the vehicle wheels responsive to sensor output signals (1016, 1018); determining a vehicle reference velocity responsive to the individual wheel speeds (1002-1012); measuring vehicle yaw rate (1128); determining a delta velocity for each wheel responsive to the individual wheel speed for the wheel and the vehicle reference velocity (326); and when the active brake control system is in the active state for at least one of the wheels, (a) setting a base delta velocity for the one wheel equal to the delta velocity for the one wheel immediately prior to the active brake control obtaining the active state for the one wheel (200); (b) determining a control term responsive to the measured vehicle yaw rate (806), wherein the control term represents a desired delta velocity for the one wheel; (c) setting a first target change in delta velocity responsive to the base delta velocity and th

Abstract: The absolute position of a rotor of a permanent magnet motor is determined by detecting an angular position of a direct axis of the rotor; and detecting a polarity of the rotor to determine the absolute position of the rotor. The polarity of the rotor may be determined by applying a square wave voltage to phase windings of a stator of the motor to generate an mmf vector parallel to the direct axis, measuring phase currents of the phase windings, determining a direct axis current responsive to the measured phase currents and the angular position, determining that the rotor is aligned with the mmf vector if the direct axis current is shifted positive, and determining that the rotor is aligned 180 degrees out of phase with the mmf vector if the direct axis current is shifted negative.