Abstract: A seven-speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and three planetary gear sets. An interconnecting member continuously connects members of the second and third planetary gear sets. Six torque-transmitting mechanisms are provided between the planetary gear sets and a transmission housing. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two to establish seven forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: A control system and method for an electric machine includes a first calculation module that receives a modified torque command and a calculated stator flux command and that generates first and second current commands and first and second voltage commands. A voltage magnitude calculation module generates a voltage magnitude based the first and second voltage commands. A reference voltage calculator module generates a reference voltage based on a DC link voltage, an angular stator velocity and the first and second current commands. A flux weakening module generates the calculated flux command based on the angular stator velocity, the reference voltage and the voltage magnitude.

Abstract: A seven-speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a planetary gear arrangement having first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set having first, second and third members. First and second interconnecting members continuously interconnect members of the planetary gear sets. Seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of three to establish seven forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft. The transmission is alternatively operable through two different sets of six speeds by engaging the sixth or seventh torque-transmitting mechanism before cycling the transmission through different speed ratios. In this manner, the transmission is operable as a dual six-speed transmission.

Abstract: The invention provides a high-strength stamped aluminum brazed turbine for use in an automotive transmission torque converter, and a method therefor. The method includes stamping aluminum inner and outer shells each having a plurality of slots, and stamping a plurality of aluminum turbine blades having tabs. The tabs of the turbine blades are inserted into the slots of the inner and outer shell, and the tabs are bent to attach the turbine blades to the inner and outer shell. The turbine blades are brazed to the inner and outer shell with a silicon material, thereby forming a turbine of sufficient strength to operate in the powerflow path of an automotive transmission using transmission oil as its working fluid.

Abstract: A planetary transmission includes four planetary gearsets, two of which are simple planetary gearsets and two of which are compound planetary gearsets. A first of the planetary gearsets has members selectively connectible with a ground or stationary member through a synchronizer clutch. A second, third, and fourth of the planetary gearsets have at least one member continuously interconnected with a ground or stationary member. A plurality of synchronizer clutches are employed between the planetary gearsets, which are manipulatable to establish at least seventeen forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: A compound planetary gear arrangement for a transfer case includes a ring gear in driving engagement with an output shaft. A sun gear and carrier are selectively alternatively connectable with a transmission housing (ground) through a clutch or selectively connectable with an input through a clutch. This compound planetary gear arrangement provides one direct and two underdrive ratios between the input and the output of the transfer case.

Abstract: A six-speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a planetary gear arrangement having first, second and third planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set having first, second and third members. First and second interconnecting members continuously interconnect members of the planetary gear sets. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two to establish six forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft. The second and third sun gears hold the reaction torque in the first through fourth speeds, resulting in low planetary gear loading, which provides small gear sets, reduced clutch loading, reduced internal speeds, and low losses.

Abstract: An extended engine off passenger climate control system utilizes an advanced temperature control module in combination with modifications to the conventional heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system to provide occupants in the passenger cabin of a hybrid electric motor vehicle with adequate heat or air conditioning for up to two minutes after the gasoline engine is turned off. A two stage orifice between the condenser and the evaporator of the air conditioning system slows the equilibration of the pressures on the high pressure side and low pressure side of the air conditioning system when the air conditioner compressor is turned off, allowing the passenger cabin to continue receiving cooling air even when the gasoline engine, and thus the compressor, is off. An auxiliary engine coolant pump circulates heated engine coolant through the heater core when the gasoline engine is turned off, thus providing heat when conditions require passenger cabin heating.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a planetary gear arrangement having three planetary gear sets. The input shaft and output shaft are continuously connected with members of the planetary gear sets. Six torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively connect specific members of the planetary gear sets with other members of the planetary gear sets, or with the transmission housing. Fluid for applying two of the torque-transmitting mechanisms is carried through a shaft which is connected to a sun gear of the first planetary gear set. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of three to establish seven forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission has a pair of clutches and a first mode when the first clutch is applied and the second clutch released, a second mode when the second clutch is applied and the first clutch released, and a fixed-ratio mode when both clutches are applied. Upshifts and downshifts out of fixed-ratio are accomplished in accordance with a control based upon shift confidence factors determined in accordance with proportional and derivative input speed error quantities. Shift cycling is avoided by applying a variety of conditional tests intended to inhibit return to fixed-ratio operation.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a current throttle position signal (TPS), a MAF sensor that generates a current actual MAF signal, and a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor that generates a current actual MAP signal. A controller determines a current estimated cylinder air flow (CAF) signal, determines a MAF transient signal and determines a MAP transient signal. The controller determines a predicted CAF signal into the engine based on the current estimated CAF signal, the current actual MAF signal, the current MAP signal, a current TPS signal, the MAF transient signal and the MAP transient signal.

Abstract: A radial lip seal including an annular support with a radially extending portion having an inner periphery. An annular seal lip formed of elastomeric material such as polytetrafluoroethylene is connected to the inner periphery. The lip has an inner side adapted to seal a circumferential surface of a shaft and an outer side. The outer side of the lip has a plurality of grooves or protrusions to vary the diameter of the lip. The varied diameter creates a substantial leak between the outer side of the lip and the circumferential surface. The leak created is sufficient to be detected by a low-pressure air test.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, an intake manifold coupled to the internal combustion engine, a throttle coupled to the intake manifold, a controller for controlling the throttle and the engine, an accelerator pedal having an accelerator pedal accelerator sensor electronically coupled to the controller, and where the controller controls the position of the throttle to maintain a substantially consistent pedal position to generate substantially the same torque for different displacements of the engine, where changes in the displacement of the engine are transparent to the operation or operator of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine adapted for combustion of stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric air/fuel mixtures includes an intake system, a combustion chamber which is adapted for direct injection of a fuel and an exhaust system. The intake port flow output comprises an intake airflow output and an EGR airflow output. An intake port flow estimator determines an intake port gas flow output from the intake mass airflow input of the intake airflow into the intake manifold and the EGR mass airflow input of the EGR airflow of the EGR airflow into the intake manifold using a plurality of engine parameters and an air/fuel adjustment factor. The intake port gas flow output is determined as an effective intake airflow output and an effective EGR airflow output. The effective intake airflow output to the combustion chamber is used to determine an effective mass of intake air output per cylinder.

Abstract: A hanger connects an enclosed track rail to a beam such that the enclosed track rail is positioned laterally with respect to the beam. The hanger and the arrangement of the track rail with respect to the beam allows rapid conversion of a material handling system from “open roller” tracks to enclosed tracks without removal of existing tracks, without adding new structural support for the enclosed tracks, and without substantial reduction in overhead clearance. A method of retrofitting an enclosed track rail to a material handling system having an open-roller track is also provide.

Abstract: A dual input clutch transmission has two planetary gearsets that are selectively connectible between an input shaft and an output shaft through two selectively engageable input clutches. One of the planetary gearsets is controlled by a plurality of synchronizer mechanisms to provide a reverse speed ratio and two forward speed ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft, and the other of the planetary gearsets is controlled by one selectively engageable synchronizer clutch assembly to establish three forward speed ratios between said input shaft and said output shaft.

Abstract: A method for detecting a missing or improperly installed fuel cap on a vehicle includes a first leak test that detects a leak in an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle. A refueling test detects a refueling of the vehicle when the first leak test detects the leak. A fuel cap indicator in the vehicle is activated when the first leak test detects the leak and the refueling test detects the refueling. The fuel cap indicator is deactivated after a predetermined time period. The fuel cap indicator remains deactivated when a predetermined number of leak tests consecutively detect the leak. The fuel cap indicator is deactivated when an occupant of the vehicle indicates that a fuel cap of the vehicle is properly installed. The occupant activates an actuator on an instrument panel of the vehicle to indicate the fuel cap is properly installed.

Abstract: A rotary shaft pump for increasing supplied oil pressure to a pressure responsive device in an internal combustion engine. The pump includes a housing adapted to carry a plurality of axially spaced journals of a rotatable shaft. The shaft also includes at least one pumping element having a larger diameter than the other journals of the shaft. A cam phaser carried on one end of the shaft receives pressurized oil from the engine through oil passages extending through the housing and the shaft. As the oil is pumped through the oil passages of the shaft, the oil is centrifugally pumped through a radially extending pumping passage extending though the pumping element to boost oil pressure supplied to the cam phaser.

Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling torque output of a torque producing device includes determining a shaped torque command based on a torque command generated by an input device and calculating an actuator variable based on the shaped torque command and a gain. An actuator is regulated based on the actuator variable to adjust the torque output.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for relearning associations between tire pressure detectors and tire locations on an automobile. An apparatus comprises tire pressure detectors installed on each wheel having a tire, each configured to transmit a unique identification code in response to a tire pressure change greater than a predetermined magnitude in a predetermined time. The apparatus also includes a monitor having a receiver for receiving and a memory for storing the transmitted identification codes and a processor for associating the identification codes with predetermined locations. A method comprises exciting the tire pressure detectors in a predetermined sequence while monitoring transmitted identification codes. The method may further include storing the received unique identification codes in a predetermined order corresponding to the predetermined sequence.