Abstract: A post-transmission, parallel hybrid electric vehicle and method of control thereof is provided having an engine 200 joined to a differential 206 by an automated layshaft transmission 212. A motor 202 is provided which additionally provides torque to the differential 206 during gear changes of the transmission 212 to minimize the affects of clutch shudder from an engine clutch 210.

Abstract: A method of operating an alternator of a motor vehicle includes the steps of monitoring an amount of stored electrical energy available to operate the vehicle, estimating a vehicle electrical load, and regulating an output of the alternator based at least in part on the amount of electrical energy available to the vehicle and the estimated vehicle electrical load.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus 10 for reducing the amount of vehicular emissions during and shortly after a vehicle 12 has been started. The assembly includes at least one heater 80, 82 which is coupled to a catalytic converter assembly 22 and which heats the catalytic assembly 22 during and/or for a period occurring shortly after the vehicle 12 has been started. The assembly 10 also includes a load, such as motor/generator 16, which is selectively applied to the internal combustion engine of the vehicle 12 during and/or for a period occurring shortly after the vehicle 12 has been started in order to increase the temperature and the amount of exhaust gasses which are communicated to the catalytic converter assembly 22 from the internal combustion engine 14.

Abstract: The invention relates to an indicator system for fluid levels, including two or more optically and/or thermally conducting fibers, preferably suitable for indicating the fluid level of a lubricant in the case of piston internal combustion engines. In this case, the fibers are either provided at the end with a substance varying in optical properties under the action of heat, or contain chambers which are filled with an appropriate substance.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine operable in a plurality of compression ratio operating states includes the steps of determining a change in spark adjustment required to avoid knock as the engine is operated in selected ones of the compression ratio operating states, and evaluating operation of the internal combustion engine based at least in part on the change in spark adjustment.

Abstract: A passive turbulent control assembly 10 having a generally flat plate member 30 which is movably disposed within an intake port member 12 by the use of a pin 36 and a pair of selectively compressible or tuning assemblies 48, 50. The member 30 always allows air 17 to flow through the member 12 and occupies a position, within the member 12, which is determined by the amount of air 17 entering the member 12, effective to increasingly constrict the interior cavity 52 as the amount of air 17 entering the member 12 decreases.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid electric vehicle component coolant control system and method. The coolant system has an electric pump to move coolant through a closed system including engine and motor components. Such components to be cooled can include any electric motors, power electronics, engine, and transmission. The preferred embodiment controls coolant flow to the vehicle engine and motor in a single closed loop. Vehicle components have temperature sensors that send temperature signals to an electric coolant pump duty cycle control strategy. The control strategy makes a determination of a duty cycle of the electric coolant pump as a function of the temperatures of vehicle components and orders the duty cycle of the electric pump. In the preferred configuration, engine temperature sensors can acquire either engine coolant temperature or engine cylinder head temperature.

Abstract: An online communication schema for communicating online vehicle orders is provided. The communication schema includes a customer request message, which includes an order message having order information, contact information and vehicle configuration. The order message includes a fleet order message, a retail order message, and a tagged order message. The communication schema further includes a lead message having lead information, contact information, vehicle configuration, and dealer information. The communication schema further includes an order confirmation message.

Abstract: A replacement battery formation method includes the steps of; providing a bank of batteries made up of a plurality of individual batteries having substantially the same state of formation; cycling a replacement battery by forcing repeated charging and discharging; monitoring a formation state of the replacement battery; ending the cycling when the replacement battery has approximately the same formation state as the plurality of individual batteries; and replacing one of the plurality of batteries with the replacement battery.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator includes a thermal generator to which thermal energy is provided from a heat source. In order to keep the output voltage of the thermal generator in a range suitable for charging a battery or for directly feeding into the vehicle's electrical system, the rate of heat production of the heat source and/or the cooling power of a cooling device for the thermal generator is controlled by a regulator. For this purpose, the regulator is connected to a temperature sensor which is mounted on the thermal generator. The regulator can be more cost-effectively configured than a D.C. converter between the output side of the thermal generator and the battery so that this converter can be dispensed with.

Abstract: A method for reverse drive mode operation of a hybrid electric vehicle includes determining an output power of the internal combustion engine, determining a power circulation loss between a generator and a motor, determining a benefit power based on the difference between the output power of the internal combustion engine and the power circulation loss, and stopping operation of the internal combustion engine during the reverse drive mode operation of the vehicle if the benefit power is less than a predetermined threshold power value.

Abstract: A diesel engine equipped with an exhaust gas particulate filter includes a control system that reduces exhaust gas smoke emissions normally resulting from an extended period of engine idling. The control method periodically raises the exhaust gas temperature in order to purge the particulate filter of water and hydrocarbons that build up during extended engine idling and cause exhaust smoke. A timer records the elapsed period during which the engine remains at idle and the exhaust temperature is below a threshold level. When the recorded time period exceeds a preselected value, the filter is purged by elevating the exhaust gas temperature to a level sufficient to oxidize the gaseous hydrocarbons and evaporate any water that may have accumulated in the filter.

Abstract: This invention provides a strategy and system for an hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that is not equipped with a hydraulic torque converter wherein a generator motor is utilized to maintain engine rotational velocity during up-shifting of the vehicle transmission in situations where the throttle of the engine is released. This invention can reduce undesirable torque reversals during up-shifting of the vehicle transmission in such situations where the throttle of the engine is released. A controller is adapted to control the generator is supplied with data output by detectors that monitor the rotational velocity of said engine and the gear ratio of the transmission. The controller is programmed to command the generator to maintain the rotational velocity of said engine above a preselected threshold during up-shifting of the transmission.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an energy conversion unit or assembly 18, a compressor unit or assembly 20, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, an electrical charge storage device or battery 28, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and electrical switches or switching module 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through energy conversion unit 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas and generates electricity. Controller 30 causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to compressor 20, electrical accessories 72, and/or to battery 28 by use of switching module 34, based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors 32.

Abstract: A system for detecting the loading of a vehicle including at least one accelerometer in a first position and arranged in gravitational acceleration in the preferred direction may be used as a reference value for the accelerometer. The accelerometer related to detect the deviation of acceleration relative to said reference value, and said deviation is related to the loading of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of monitoring evaporative emissions of a vehicle includes the steps of establishing a baseline pressure within a vehicle evaporative emission system during the occurrence of a vehicle-off condition, detecting a change in the baseline pressure during the vehicle-off condition, and indicating whether the change in the baseline pressure is within a desirable limit.

Abstract: In an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, a voltage monitor (102) is directly coupled to a traction motor (38) and/or generator motor (30) to detect a permanent magnet induced voltage within the motor at a predetermined speed and no load condition (300). A controller (100) compares the detected permanent magnet induced voltage with an expected reference voltage that represents an expected permanent magnet induced voltage at full magnetization and the predetermined speed (302). The controller produces an indication of magnetization based on the reference voltage, the detected permanent magnet induced voltage, and the predetermined speed. If the indication of magnetism reaches a predetermined threshold, the motor is made inoperable and/or a current to the motor is limited to prevent damage to components (306, 308, 310, 312, 314). Preferably, a user of the vehicle is made aware of these actions by an audible and/or visual indicator (308, 314).

Abstract: The amount of regenerative braking that is applied to the wheels (105) of a vehicle (100) is based on ambient temperature and a lift-throttle event. An ambient temperature sensor (108) monitors the temperature around the vehicle. Based on the temperature, a map is selected (204, 212, 214). If a lift-throttle event occurs, then the map is applied (206, 208). Compression regenerative braking is reduced to zero if an anti-lock braking system event occurs or if the throttle is re-applied, or both (216, 218, 220, 222).

Abstract: The invention provides a strategy to start a parallel HEV powertrain engine while maintaining a smooth vehicle response to driver demand using the motor while simultaneously closing an engine disconnect clutch. In the preferred embodiment, the strategy starts an engine (based on, for example, driver demand), closes the disconnect clutch, commands a desired motor/generator speed, fuels the engine, calculates a desired engine torque and gradually reduces actual motor/generator torque while proportionally increasing actual engine torque until motor/generator torque is zero while maintaining vehicle velocity using, for example, a proportional plus integral controller. The prediction of a desired motor/generator speed can be: a trajectory comparison based on present and past vehicle velocity and acceleration or on vehicle accelerator position, or a determination of whether the vehicle is in speed control mode.

Abstract: A vapor evacuation system that is used to intermittently remove hydrocarbon vapors from vehicle components to an available vapor storage canister using an electrically controlled small flow rate vapor-handling pump. The vapor-handling pump is intermittently turned on and off as a function of ambient temperature or inlet manifold temperature and as a function of time since last engine-on operation.