Abstract: A transmission system includes a first clutch, a second clutch, and a controller. The controller communicates with the first and second clutches and commands a gear shift. The controller calculates a torque phase time for the gear shift and determines a desired torque trajectory within said torque phase time. The controller determines on-coming torque values for the second clutch and off-going torque values for the first clutch to achieve the desired torque trajectory within the torque phase time. The controller calculates an on-coming clutch pressure based on the on-coming torque value, and an off-going clutch pressure based on the off-going torque value. The controller delays actuation of the first and second clutches to compensate for hydraulic delays.

Abstract: A hybrid/electric vehicle including a battery system connected to a DC charger, an inverter coupled to the battery system, and an electric AC motor coupled to the inverter. The motor has first, second and third stator windings corresponding to first, second and third phases of the motor. Each stator winding has first and second leads, and the inverter has a plurality of switches that are connected to provide current to the stator windings at the first and second leads.

Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine (ICE) includes a lower cooling jacket, an upper cooling jacket and an exhaust manifold disposed therebetween. The exhaust manifold enables exhaust of combustion gas from cylinders of the ICE. The lower cooling jacket has coolant flow paths in fluid communication with coolant flow paths of a cylinder block of the ICE. Coolant flow paths of the upper cooling jacket are in fluid communication with those of the lower cooling jacket through one of a plurality of passages. The passages can be selectively plugged to define coolant flow direction through the cylinder head. The upper and lower cooling jackets are in heat exchange relationship with surfaces of the exhaust manifold to cool exhaust gas flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a power transmission having an input shaft continuously connected directly between an engine and a planetary gear member of a first planetary gearset. Another member of the planetary gearset is selectively grounded by a torque transmitting mechanism to establish a reaction member during the launch of a vehicle incorporating the powertrain. The reaction member is established during both the lowest forward drive ratio and the reverse drive ratio. A third member of the planetary gearset transmits the torque from the input shaft, as modified by the planetary gearset, to other planetary gearsets in down stream power flow arrangement with the first planetary gearset.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying and releasing a clutch piston in a clutch cylinder against a return spring includes a fill oil chamber having first and second portions separated by a fill piston. The first portion is in fluid communication with the clutch cylinder through a first passage, and the second portion is in fluid communication with a second passage. A third passage is in fluid communication with the first passage. A fill control valve is operative to alternately communicate the second passage to a transmission line pressure passage or an exhaust passage. The fill control valve is further operative to alternately communicate the third passage to a controllable source of pressurized oil having a signal pressure, or to close the third passage.

Abstract: An electric traction motor for a vehicle including a housing, a wound stator field located in the housing, a rotor magnetically interacting with the wound stator field, high energy magnets configured in the rotor, and low energy magnets configured in the rotor.

Abstract: The hill-holding mechanism of the present invention comprises an apparatus and methodology for actuating a transmission control element to prevent the output shaft of an automatic transmission in a hybrid vehicle from rotating under certain predetermined circumstances.

Abstract: A controller estimates a temperature of a catalytic converter in a vehicle and determines an engine speed. The controller shuts off fuel to the engine if the estimated temperature is greater than a maximum temperature of the catalytic converter and the engine speed is greater than a maximum engine speed. If the estimated catalytic converter temperature is greater than the maximum temperature, the controller delays a spark retard request to the engine. The controller updates vehicle torque with an integral torque if an RPM error is within an RPM error range and vehicle speed is less than a maximum vehicle speed for a first period. The controller increases torque to the engine by a proportional torque if an RPM error is within an RPM error range to prevent engine stall. The controller updates the integral torque when the RPM error is within an RPM error range for a first period.

Abstract: A friction member for engagement in a torque-transmitting mechanism includes an outer layer comprising a first material. The outer layer has a friction surface for sliding contact with an opposing reaction member in the torque-transmitting mechanism. An inner layer is connected to the outer layer opposite the friction surface and comprises a second material. The inner layer is characterized by a first modulus of elasticity and the outer layer is characterized by a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first modulus of elasticity.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described that provide a three-state control signal across a single electrical conductor. A three-position switch provides an output signal that selects between the first reference voltage, a second reference voltage and an intermediate voltage. The output from the switch is transmitted to a voltage divider circuit that produces a predetermined result when the switch output corresponds to the intermediate state. The output of the voltage divider is then provided to an analog-to-digital converter to decode the state of the switch. The three-state control signal may be used, for example, to place a vehicle component such as a windshield temperature controller or rear-window defogger into a desired one of three operating states. Similarly, the three-state concepts may be widely applied in many automotive, industrial, consumer electronics and other settings.

Abstract: A sealed cover assembly for a fluid-containing cavity of an engine includes a cover including a fluid-containing wall with a peripheral edge having a sealing surface adapted to oppose a corresponding sealing surface of the engine, and a plurality of mounting openings in the peripheral edge; a reaction pad adjacent each of the openings and disposed at the peripheral edge on an opposite surface of the sealing surface around a perimeter defining the cover; a brace disposed against the reaction pad around the perimeter defining the cover; and mechanical fasteners extending through the reaction pad and the brace for securing the cover to a mating edge of the engine cavity, the fasteners when engaged providing substantially equal compression forces on the reaction pad via the brace and supporting the cover sealing surface with a predetermined gap from the cavity mating edge for engagement with a compliant sealing material disposed between the surfaces.

Abstract: A friction member for engagement in a torque-transmitting mechanism includes a friction surface for sliding contact with an opposing reaction member in a torque-transmitting mechanism. The sliding contact is characterized by a coefficient of friction and acts to engage the friction member with the reaction member in the torque-transmitting mechanism. The friction member is characterized by a first modulus of elasticity in a first direction, preferably substantially normal to the sliding contact, and a second modulus of elasticity in a second direction, preferably substantially parallel to the sliding contact. The second modulus of elasticity is greater than the first modulus of elasticity and the moduli of elasticity cooperate to at least partially establish the coefficient of friction and control vibrational shudder.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a diesel engine in the vehicle, a diesel fuel tank for supplying fuel to the diesel engine, a gasoline tank in the vehicle, a reformer for providing partial oxidation products from gasoline contained in the gasoline tank, a NOx trap coupled to the exhaust of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A method for decoupling a harmonic signal from an input signal wherein the harmonic signal is harmonic relative to a signal other than the input signal. An angular position of the other signal is multiplied by a value representing the harmonic to obtain an angular position multiple. A harmonic decoupling block uses the angular position multiple to obtain correction signals representing the harmonic signal, and subtracts the correction signals from the input current to decouple the harmonic signal from the input signal. This method is useful for decoupling unwanted harmonics from currents into which high-frequency signals have been injected for control of electric motors.

Abstract: An engine system includes an engine, an alternator, a load, and a controller that communicates with the engine, the alternator, and the load. The controller signals the engine to drive the alternator when the engine idles. When a load increase on the engine is detected, the controller reduces an alternator load on the engine in response to the load increase. Air flow into the engine is adjusted to compensate for the load increase, and concurrently the alternator load is increased. When a load decrease is detected, the alternator load is increased, and the air flow is subsequently adjusted while decreasing the alternator load. In another embodiment, spark timing of the engine is adjusted to compensate for the load decrease.

Abstract: A test rig is provided for dynamic or static testing of a vehicle powertrain apparatus during operation in varying attitudes. A specific embodiment includes inner and outer frames carried one inside the other on gimbal bearings and pivotable on longitudinal and transverse axes. The inner frame carries a cradle for mounting a dynometer connected to an engine, transmission or other apparatus to be tested by tilting the apparatus to simulate the effects of vehicle acceleration in various directions. The rig may be supported on individual stanchions mounted to a test bed floor plate in an engine test cell and supporting the bearings for the outer frame. The pivotable frames are powered by electric motors through reduction gear boxes sized and mounted to minimize mass and inertia of the rig and allow mounting in an engine test cell. Programmable controls permit dynamic rocking of an engine operating under power.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting mechanism having a latching apparatus includes a frictional drive connection between two components of a transmission mechanism. The torque-transmitting mechanism is controlled in engagement and disengagement through an apply piston to which an apply component is presented. The latching mechanism will prevent disengagement of the torque-transmitting mechanism even when the apply force is disestablished. The latching mechanism is provided with a controlled release to permit the apply force to be reestablished and thereafter control disengagement of the torque-transmitting mechanism.

Abstract: A rotatable torque-transmitting apparatus includes a stationary piston and a rotatable apply plate. The rotatable apply plate is disposed adjacent a rotatable housing and separated therefrom by a return spring assembly which in a preload condition is trapped between the apply plate and the rotatable housing to limit the disengaged force which is transmitted between the rotatable housing and the stationary piston.

Abstract: A method of generating a metric data set for determining a performance of a catalytic converter includes sampling data from a post catalytic converter oxygen sensor to provide a raw data set and generating a revised data set based on the raw data set. Data within the revised data set is eliminated based on characteristics of data points of the revised data set and the revised data set is filtered to provide the metric data set.

Abstract: A valve lift sensor detects the position of an engine valve. The valve lift sensor includes a movable target carried on an engine valve and a stationary coil carried within an engine valve assembly. A signal generator energizes the coil with an oscillating voltage to create an oscillating magnetic field, which is concentric to the coil for inductive transfer with the target. A comparator compares the voltage from the signal generator with the voltage at the resistor to determine the phase lag of resistor voltage relative to signal generator voltage and indicate the engine valve position. Using the phase lag, the comparator provides a pulse-width-modulated signal with a duty cycle proportional to the valve lift to an engine valve control operable to control the operation of the engine valve.