Abstract: A powertrain includes a planetary gear arrangement, an engine, an input clutch, an input shaft, and an output shaft. The planetary gear arrangement includes a simple planetary gearset and a compound planetary gearset, each of which has connected therewith three synchronizer mechanisms. The synchronizer mechanisms are manipulated in various combinations to establish ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: A method of controlling torque output of an engine includes calculating a desired air-per-cylinder (APC) based on a torque command and determining an effective throttle area corresponding to the desired APC based on a non-dimensionalized model. A throttle is regulated based on the effective throttle area.

Abstract: A condition of impaired speed and torque control of a parallel electrically variable transmission due to factors beyond nominal modeling and estimation errors is diagnosed under low speed operation. The transmission includes at least one electric machine and a motor torque controller for regulating the transmission input speed and output torque. The motor torque controller includes an open-loop control path based on predetermined torques and accelerations and a closed loop control path based on input speed error. The presence of a larger than expected closed-loop correction magnitude, combined with low output speed and one or more other conditions is used to diagnose a condition of potential torque error, in which case the transmission control is altered to prevent unwanted operation.

Abstract: The fluid life monitoring system of the present invention includes a pressure monitor coupled to an engine. The pressure monitor is configured to detect a change in the amount of time it takes the engine's lubricating fluid to reach a pre-determined fluid pressure and, based on a detected change, reset the fluid life monitoring system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for testing functionality of an engine cylinder deactivation control and system having a plurality of solenoid-operated valves for controlling hydraulic actuation of switching valve lifters. The apparatus includes a portable test box enclosing an electrical circuit connectable to the deactivation control. Also included are a ground lead for connection to the control ground, a solenoid lead for each cylinder and connectable to the solenoids of their respective cylinders, and external taps on the exterior of the box and connected one with each of the ground lead and the solenoid leads. Exemplary methods are disclosed for using the box to test for grounds and circuit resistance as well as proper operation of the system in a running engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for predicting ambient air temperature (PAT) around a vehicle (and partly controlling vehicle operation) based on Mass Air Flow (MAF), Vehicle Speed (VSS), Inlet Air Temperature (IAT), Engine Run Time (ERT) and the last PAT value (LPAT). If MAF,VSS are below thresholds C1, C2 and ERT is below threshold C4, then PAT is set equal to the smaller of IAT or LPAT. If MAF,VSS,ERT exceed C1, C2, C4, as for example, in steady run operation, then after an interval PAT approaches IAT?C5+/?C6 where C5 and C6 are stored parameters. An idle counter increments when MAF<C1, VSS<C2 is TRUE and decrements by parameter C3 when FALSE and must reach zero before the PAT steady run value is set. This improves prediction accuracy during transition from idle to steady state running. The PAT estimation process is repeated about every 10 seconds.

Abstract: A control system for an electric machine having a rotor position sensor that generates a rotor position signal, a velocity module that generates an electric angular velocity value based on the rotor position signal, a random pulse width modulation module that generates a switching period and a delay for a current cycle, and a phase angle compensation module that sums a sample rate, one half of the switching period, and the delay of a previous cycle and that outputs a delay time. The phase angle compensation module further multiplies the delay time and the electric angular velocity value and generates a compensating angle.

Abstract: A torque control system for an engine includes a throttle plate having an adjustable throttle position to regulate a first mass air flow into the engine. A control module estimates a previous volumetric efficiency of the engine based on a previous manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and determines a current MAP based on the previous volumetric efficiency. The control module calculates a difference between the current MAP and the previous MAP and sets a desired MAP equal to the present MAP when the difference is less than a threshold difference. The control module commands the throttle position based on the desired MAP.

Abstract: A torque control system for regulating operation of a displacement on demand engine that is operable in an activated mode and a deactivated mode includes a throttle that regulates air flow into the engine and a cam phaser that regulates a torque output of the engine. A first module determines a throttle area based on a desired deactivated manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and a desired mass air flow (MAF) and a second module determines a desired cam phaser position based on an engine speed and a transitional air per cylinder (APC) that is determined based on one of a desired deactivated APC and desired activated APC. A third module generates a throttle control signal to control the throttle based on the throttle area and a fourth module generates a cam phaser control signal to control the cam phaser based on the desired cam phaser position.

Abstract: A method is provided for starting an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder having at least one inlet valve and one exhaust valve. In accordance with one embodiment the method includes the steps of opening an inlet valve of any cylinder that would otherwise undergo a wasted power stroke and opening an exhaust valve of any cylinder that would otherwise undergo a wasted compression stroke.

Abstract: A rocker arm shaft retainer includes an elongated contoured sheet-like body having two opposite ends, two opposite sides longer in length than the ends, and a central portion between the sides. A plurality of fingers extend from the central portion towards the sides and each finger has a contoured recess for engaging a rocker shaft. The fingers define slots for receiving rocker arms. The retainer further includes a plurality of thrust faces along edges of the fingers for axial positioning of rocker arms on a rocker shaft. A plurality of bosses are also disposed on the fingers, each of the bosses having a generally flat surface.

Abstract: An engine control system controls transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine. The engine control system includes an engine speed sensor that generates an engine speed signal and a controller that calculates a torque reserve of the engine based on the engine speed signal. The controller transitions the engine from the activated mode to the deactivated mode when the torque reserve is greater than a threshold torque. The controller transitions the engine from the deactivated mode to the activated mode when the torque reserve is lower than the threshold torque.

Abstract: A chain-driven engine balancer has an elastomeric or compliant isolator ring in a balancer drive sprocket to decouple chain whine vibration from an associated balance shaft. The isolator substantially reduces the transmission of chain whine noise to the engine structure. A splined isolator ring is placed between internal and external splines formed on a toothed outer ring and hub respectively of the associated sprocket. The splines are configured to be in loose engagement so that, upon failure of the elastomeric isolator ring, direct engagement of the hub and ring splines with one another will maintain the timing of the balance shafts with respect to the engine crankshaft. In a specific embodiment, application of an isolator ring in only the most heavily loaded sprocket of dual balance shaft sprockets driven in series by the chain eliminates most of the vibration transmission. However, isolation of multiple chain sprockets could be desirable.

Abstract: An engine exhaust sensor diagnostic system includes an oxygen sensor and a controller. The controller monitors a signal generated by the oxygen sensor, determines a rate of change of the signal, and computes diagnostic parameters. The controller indicates malfunction of the oxygen sensor if the diagnostic parameters are smaller in magnitude than corresponding thresholds.

Abstract: A control system that generates one of a normal mode and a hot mode signal to control operation of a transmission includes a calculator that calculates a predicted temperature of a torque converter and a comparator that compares the predicted temperature to a threshold temperature. A timer generates one of the normal mode and the hot mode signals based on the predicted temperature and the threshold temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oil squirter system for lubricating and cooling engine pistons and cylinders during various engine operating conditions. The oil squirter system includes a generally tubular oil supply manifold having an inlet connected to a pressurized engine oil source and at least one outlet connected to at least one oil supply rail. The oil supply rail includes a longitudinal manifold tube with integral oil squirter nozzles and attachment brackets. An oil flow control valve placed before the oil supply manifold controls oil flow to the oil rails and nozzles. The oil flow control valve responds to engine requirements and performance objectives to maintain adequate oil flow through the oil squirter system to the pistons and cylinders bores as needed to maintain optimal engine operation, preferably during startup and at higher engine speed operation.

Abstract: A method of evaluating output of a mass air flow sensor. The method includes integrating, over time intervals, mass air flow values corresponding to the time intervals to obtain a running sum of mass of air. The running sum is divided by a total of the time intervals to determine a net mass air flow.

Abstract: A throttle control system for a vehicle includes a driver input that generates a control signal and a control module that generates a throttle control signal based on the control signal. The control module determines whether the throttle control signal is within one of a first and a second region, determines a compensation factor from a first look-up table when the throttle control signal is within the first region and determines the compensation factor from a second look-up table when the throttle control signal is within the second region. The control module calculates a compensated throttle control signal based on the compensation factor.

Abstract: A simplified variable intake manifold is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The manifold utilizes a single valve actuator to vary the resonant frequency of a pair of plenums. The two plenums are joined by first and second communication passages of differing lengths connected to provide cross flow between two plenums. Each plenum has an inlet for receiving intake air from a throttle body and a group of runners adapted for connection with a like group of engine cylinders to direct inlet air from the plenums to combustion chambers of the cylinders. A control valve having an elongated shaft extends through the first and second communication passages and includes separate blades rotatable with the shaft to open or close the passages to provide at least three modes of tuning of the plenums. A stepper motor or other suitable device acts upon the shaft to rotate the blades within the communication passages.

Abstract: Preferred operating points for a vehicle powertrain including an engine and a transmission are determined in accordance with a comprehensive operational mapping of input and output conditions and corresponding aggregate system losses corresponding to engine and transmission losses. In a hybrid transmission application, additional losses from motors and batteries are aggregated into the system losses and battery constraints are considered in determining preferred operating points. Preferred operating points are provided in one or more sets of minimized data for on-vehicle implementation.