Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling pressure to a torque converter clutch (TCC) of a torque converter coupled to a transmission is provided. The method includes: monitoring throttle position; monitoring engine speed; controlling pressure to the torque converter clutch to increase slip after the throttle position indicates a tip-in has occurred and when engine speed is low; regulating at least one of a transmission steady state pressure to the transmission and pressure to the torque converter to maintain the increased slip; and controlling pressure to the torque converter to reduce slip by engaging the torque converter clutch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an electric vehicle embodying an axial flux traction motor directly coupled to a wheel thereof. The fraction motor includes a stator having coils for producing a magnetic field, an annular rotor magnetically coupled to the stator and mechanically to an output shaft Permanent magnets of alternating polarity are mounted on the annular rotor. Magnetic shunts bridge a portion of the stator slots above the coils. The magnets are arranged in groups with group-to-group spacing exceeding magnet-to-magnet spacing. Adjacent edges of the magnets diverge. The method comprises, looking up d- and q-axis currents to provide the requested torque and motor speed for the available DC voltage, combining at least one of the d- and q-axis currents with a field weakening correction term, converting the result from synchronous to stationary frame and operating an inverter therewith to provide current to the coils of the motor.

Abstract: A system for measuring speed of a high-speed motor using a moving average filter. A position sensor generates a rotor position signal. A signal processing module determines a rotor angle from the rotor position signal. A speed observer module calculates a raw speed of the motor from the rotor angle. A filter module selectively generates a filtered speed of the motor from the raw speed of the motor. A frequency-to-period converter module calculates a rotor period from one of the raw speed of the motor and the filtered speed of the motor. A divider module calculates number of points in a moving average from the rotor period. A moving average filter module adjusts a window size of the moving average to the rotor period. A moving average filter removes ripple and harmonics of the ripple from the raw speed of the motor.

Abstract: An automated method for controlling a vehicle having an engine and a transmission includes sensing knock activity in the engine. A transmission ratio applicable to the transmission is selected based on the sensed knock activity. This method allows a vehicle to be operated in a fuel-efficient manner while knock-sensitive operating conditions are avoided.

Abstract: A device and method for fluid delivery in a continuously variable transmission that includes a valve assembly, configured to distribute a fluid, having a first position and a second position. A forward clutch, a reverse clutch, and a torque converter are connected to the valve assembly. The valve assembly in the first position regulates either the forward clutch or the reverse clutch and opens the torque converter. In the second position, the valve assembly closes the forward clutch or the reverse clutch and regulates the torque converter. A controller commands the valve assembly to the first position and detects if the valve assembly is stuck in the second position. The controller is able to detect the valve assembly stuck in the second position and attempt to unstuck it while the continuously variable transmission is in drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently cooling and lubricating rotating components in a hybrid transmission is provided. By efficiently managing cooling flow to and between the rotating elements, flow requirements and associated pumping requirements within the drive unit are minimized. In addition, by providing a method for placing the fluid directly on the required components, spin losses associated with component contact with stray oil are reduced. Combined, the reduction in pumping and spin losses create a more efficient drive unit and an overall more efficient hybrid drive system which directly leads to higher fuel economy.

Abstract: A piston, having a first side subject to major thrust loading and a second side subject to minor thrust loading, is provided. The piston has a crown portion and a first and second pin boss portion depending therefrom. An axially extending pin bore is provided within the first and second pin boss portions. A first axially extending slot is provided within the piston pin bore on the first side. Additionally, a second axially extending slot is provided within the piston pin bore on the second side of the piston. The second axially extending slot is positioned closer to the crown portion than the first axially extending slot. The first and second axially extending slots are generally concave in shape.

Abstract: A fuel control system delivers fuel to an engine cylinder and compensates for lost fuel. The fuel control system comprises a fuel dynamics module that determines a fuel dynamics model that is indicative of fuel behavior. The fuel dynamic module determines an inverse of the fuel dynamics model, receives a fuel command, and generates an adjusted fuel command based on the fuel command and the inverse of the fuel dynamics model. A lost fuel compensation module receives the adjusted fuel command and generates a final fuel command based on the adjusted fuel command and a lost fuel factor. A control module controls fuel delivery according to the final fuel command.

Abstract: An engine control system for controlling engine operation in high-output (HO) and fuel-economy (FE) modes in a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine includes an alternator that is driven by the engine and that is regulated by a load control signal. An alternator load control module generates the load control signal based on an engine torque to regulate a load of the alternator on the engine to maintain the engine torque below a threshold level and maintain engine operation in the FE mode.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve positioning system that positions an EGR valve pintle includes a predicted temperature fuzzy logic module, an under heat fuzzy logic module, an over heat fuzzy logic module, and a multiplication module. The predicted temperature fuzzy logic module determines a predicted temperature of the pintle and generates a predicted temperature modifier based thereon. The under heat fuzzy logic module generates an under heat modifier representing the temperature of the pintle during warmup of an engine. The over heat fuzzy logic module generates an over heat modifier representing the temperature of the pintle after warmup of the engine. The multiplication module communicates with the predicted temperature fuzzy logic module, the under heat fuzzy logic module, and the over heat fuzzy logic module and generates a modifier signal based on the product of the predicted temperature modifier, the under heat modifier, and the over heat modifier.

Abstract: A rough road detection system includes a collection module, a statistical module, and a comparison module. The collection module collects samples from a vibration sensitive signal. The statistical module removes a periodic anomaly from the samples and removes a random anomaly from the samples with a filter having a filter coefficient based on an engine speed signal. In addition, the statistical module calculates a statistical signal based on the samples. The rough road detection system also includes a derivative module that calculates a first and second derivative based on a rate or time. The derivative module removes negative derivatives when the derivatives are calculated with respect to the rate and positive derivatives when the derivatives are calculated with respect to time. The comparison module determines whether a rough road condition exists based on the statistical signal or the first and second derivatives.

Abstract: A control system and method for communicating with a transmission includes a transmission input speed sensor that generates an input speed signal. A transmission output speed sensor generates an output speed signal. A power supply supplies a total current to the transmission input and output speed sensors via a first conductor. A sensor senses the total current supplied to the transmission input and output speed sensors on the first conductor. A calculating module calculates a transmission input speed and a transmission output speed based on the total current.

Abstract: A launch system for a hybrid vehicle includes a pump, an electronic throttle, a sensor, and a hybrid control module. The pump is driven by an internal combustion engine and provides pressurized fluid to a transmission. The electronic throttle selectively adjusts airflow to the internal combustion engine and current to an electric motor. The sensor detects when a brake pedal has been released. The hybrid control module increases pressure of the pressurized fluid and limits torque transfer from at least one of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor when the sensor detects that the brake pedal has been released until a predetermined condition has been met. The hybrid control module increases pressure of the pressurized fluid with the pump by increasing the revolutions of the internal combustion engine and limits torque to the transmission by retarding the responsiveness of the electronic throttle.

Abstract: A control system for an engine that drives an alternator includes a first module that reduces an alternator load when the engine is cranked. A second module determines a desired exhaust energy rate (EER) of the engine. The first module regulates the alternator load based on the EER during an idle period to reduce engine emissions during a cold start period.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission having a starting mechanism, a continuously variable unit (CVU), and a pair of planetary gear arrangements. The continuously variable transmission also includes a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms which are selectively engageable in combinations of two to establish a reverse mode of operation between the starting mechanism and a transmission output shaft, a low direct mode of operation, an intermediate split mode of operation, and a high split mode of operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a structural member for a vehicle transmission formed with an annular recess in fluid communication with a fluid source and at least partially enclosing and defining an interior space of the transmission. An interior component, such as a motor/generator, is located in the interior space. The annular recess directs cooling fluid provided from the fluid source onto the interior component. The end cover includes structure defining a flow passage in fluid communication with a fluid source and also defining an annular recess in fluid communication with the flow passage. The flow passage and the annular recess are cooperatively configured for directing fluid provided from the fluid source onto an interior component in the interior space for cooling the interior component. Preferably, the interior component is an electric motor/generator that includes a stator having electric windings. The fluid is directed from the annulus onto the electric windings.

Abstract: A torque prediction module for an automatic transmission system includes a throttle-based torque prediction module. The throttle-based torque prediction module determines a first predicted torque of an engine in a vehicle that is based on a position of a throttle, an ambient air pressure, an intake temperature, and an engine speed. A torque offset module determines a torque offset that is based on the first predicted torque and a second predicted torque of the engine that is based on a mass airflow in an intake manifold of the engine. A blended torque module determines a third predicted torque of the engine that is based on the torque offset and the second predicted torque. A line pressure control module adjusts a line pressure of the automatic transmission based on the third predicted torque. An ECCC control module adjusts an amount of slip in an ECCC based on the third predicted torque.

Abstract: A method for controlling the speed in a vehicle includes adjusting at least one gain parameter based on a vehicle speed error and the displacement on demand mode of the engine. A new cruise throttle area is calculated from the adjusted gain parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsional damper for an electrically-variable transmission. The torsional damper is equipped with a hydraulically actuable lock-out clutch to directly couple the engine to the input shaft of the transmission. The electric motors provided with the electrically-variable transmission can serve to effectively cancel out engine compression pulses when the springs of the torsional damper are locked out. When the engine is off and the torsional damper assembly is in use, an auxiliary pump is provided to pump oil to the torsional damper assembly. The lock-out clutch is hydraulically balanced by the oil supplied by the auxiliary pump. The pump is strategically mounted to the transmission housing in a manner to minimize the distance between the auxiliary pump and the transmission without affecting any vehicle ground clearance requirements.

Abstract: A method for managing torque in a hybrid electric vehicle uses a displacement on demand (DOD) internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric machine and a battery. The method includes smoothing disturbances in ICE torque during a DOD transition using the electric machine.