Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission comprising: four epicylic gearing assemblies each having first, second, and third rotating elements with specified interconnections, an input shaft, an output shaft, three clutches, and two brakes. Clutches and brakes are applied in combinations of three to produce eight forward ratios and one reverse ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a stop/start device, and to a method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine in such a motor vehicle, wherein the stop/start device is designed to switch off the internal combustion automatically when at least one stop condition is met, wherein the switching off of the internal combustion engine when the stop condition is present does not take place until after a switch off delay time has passed. The control device is designed to prevent, in reaction to a first voice command, the automatic switching off of the internal combustion engine for a predefined time period and/or until a predefined vehicle operating state criterion has been fulfilled irrespective of whether or not the stop condition was already met at the time when the voice command was issued.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission (100) comprising a single-stage planetary gear train (110) in combination with a two-stage planetary gear train (120), and provision being made for a brake band (B1) assigned to the large sun gear of the two-stage planetary gear train (110) and a brake coupling (B2) assigned to the planet carrier of the two-stage planetary gear train (120). In order to reduce idling vibrations, the brake band (B1) and the brake coupling (B2) are actuated simultaneously for at least some of the time during an operating state in which the internal combustion engine is idling.

Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission comprising: four epicyclic gearing assemblies each having first, second, and third rotating elements with specified interconnections, an input shaft connected to one of the rotating elements, an output shaft, two rotating clutches releasably connecting the input shaft to rotating elements, and four brakes selectively holding rotating elements against rotation. Clutches and brakes are applied in combinations of two to produce eight forward ratios and one reverse ratio.

Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission comprises: an input; an output; first and second input shafts releasably coupled to the input by first and second friction clutches, respectively; a countershaft disposed parallel to the first and second input shafts; an output pinion fixed to the countershaft; an output ring gear fixed to the output and meshing with the output pinion; an intermediate shaft disposed coaxially with the countershaft; a first input pinion fixed to the first input shaft and meshing with a first gear fixed to the intermediate shaft; a second input pinion fixed to the second input shaft; a second gear disposed coaxially with the intermediate shaft; an idler gear meshing with the second input pinion and the second gear; a first coupler for releasably coupling the first countershaft to the intermediate shaft; and a second coupler for releasably coupling the intermediate shaft to the second gear.

Abstract: A clutch peak torque limiter for regulating the flow rate of fluid between a clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder in a vehicle transmission, the valve having a non-return valve for allowing free flow of fluid from the clutch master cylinder to the clutch slave cylinder, a return orifice for allowing return flow of fluid from the slave cylinder to the master cylinder, and a pressure controlled valve in parallel with the non-return valve and return orifice for allowing flow of fluid between the slave cylinder and the master cylinder, the valve opening when the pressure on either side of the pressure controlled valve exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A hybrid motor vehicle (10) has a four wheel drive arrangement in which the front wheels (12 and 13) are driven by the engine (11) in two wheel drive mode and all four wheels (12-15) in four wheel drive mode. The engine is connected to the rear wheels (14 and 15) through an auxiliary driveline which includes a first clutch (22) to connect to the engine (11), a propshaft (23) and a differential (25). An electric motor (28) is connected to the propshaft (23) for the purpose of driving the vehicle either with or without the assistance of the engine (11). A second clutch (27) is located between the propshaft (23) and the differential (25). When the vehicle is in two wheel drive mode, the propshaft (23) is disconnected from both the engine (11) and the rear wheels (14 and 15) and on switching to four wheel drive mode when the vehicle is moving the propshaft (23) is firstly spun up to a speed matching that of the engine (11) and rear wheels (14, 15) by the action of the electric motor (28).

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling engagement and disengagement of two dry plate friction clutches (5,8) in a transmission having two concentric input shafts (3,6) comprising one release bearing (22,23) for each clutch on the transmission side of the clutches and one release bearing (36,37) for each clutch on the engine side of the clutches. The release bearing on the transmission side controls the operation of the release bearings on the engine side for disengagement of the clutches by means of intermediate push rods (28,29) extending through openings in a rotating element (7) connected to one of the clutches.

Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission is disclosed having an input, first and second input shafts, first and second clutches releasably coupling the input to the first and second input shafts, respectively, and a set of selectable power paths connecting the first and second input shafts to the output, the set of selectable power paths having at least one power path that includes both the first and second input shafts.

Abstract: Motor vehicle transmission, comprising an input shaft (27) adapted to be drivingly connected to an output shaft of an internal combustion engine, a variator in the form of two electric machines (22, 40) having a first and a second input/output shaft (21, 41), a planetary gear train (1) for splitting power between the input shaft (27) and one of the input/output shafts (21, 41) when transmitting torque to an output gear wheel (35) of the transmission and first clutch means (13) having an engaged position establishing torque transmission between one of the input/output shafts and the output gear wheel via the the planetary gear train and a disengaged position disrupting this torque transmission. A gear train (42, 34, 31) is arranged to enable torque transmission from one of the input/output shafts to the output gear wheel, thereby by-passing the planetary gear train. Second clutch means (39) has an engaged position to establish and a disengaged position to disrupt said last mentioned torque transmission.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle driveline having an automatic transmission driveably connected to a transfer case whose output is continually connected to a first output, a clutch, selectively engaged in response to a control signal, driveably connects a second output to the first output. A digital computer continually monitors the occurrence of a change of clutch slip, input torque and a torque rate change to control the torque transmitted by the clutch to the second output. The control causes the clutch to transmit torque to the second output having a constant fraction of the input clutch torque and another portion that is proportional to the clutch slip. This result simulates the torque slip characteristics produced by transfer case having both a center differential mechanism and a viscous clutch.

Abstract: A system and method of interactive evaluation of a geometric model is provided. The method includes the steps of acquiring a haptic device position and orientation with respect to a surface of the geometric model and mapping the haptic device position and orientation into a geometric model coordinate reference system. The method also includes the steps of determining a closest point position and orientation on the surface of the geometric model to the haptic device position and extracting a surface property at the closest point position and orientation. The method further includes the steps of determining a stick-to-surface force and a property feedback force using the surface property at the closet point position and orientation and applying the stick-to-surface force and property feedback force to control a location and force output of the haptic device.

Abstract: A method of parametric design of an instrument panel support structure for an instrument panel on a vehicle includes the step of determining an input parameter, such that the input parameter is a three dimensional coordinate defining the instrument panel support structure relative to the vehicle. The method also includes the step of generating a design of the instrument panel support structure using the input parameter and determining if the design of the instrument panel support structure meets a predetermined criteria. The method further includes the step of modifying the input parameter if the design of the instrument panel support structure does not meet the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input, a first layshaft, a second layshaft, a first power path for transmitting power between the input and first layshaft and producing a first ratio of a speed of the first layshaft and a corresponding speed of the input, a second power path for transmitting power between the input and second layshaft and producing a second ratio of the speed of the second layshaft and corresponding speed of the input; and a clutch for releasably connecting the input and the output.

Abstract: A geared, power transmission mechanism for a hybrid electric vehicle wherein multiple power flow paths are established between an engine and vehicle traction wheels and between an electric motor and the vehicle traction wheels. At least one of the power flow paths is characterized by at least two ratios.

Abstract: A system and method for design of experiments (DOE) using direct surface manipulation of a mesh model. The method includes the steps of selecting a geometric model in a computer-aided design (CAD) format, converting the geometric model into a mesh model and evaluating the mesh model using a computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis. The method also includes the steps of determining whether to continue generating the design of experiments response, and modifying a surface of the mesh model by varying a predetermined parameter, wherein the surface is modified using direct surface manipulation (DSM), the mesh model is updated and the updated mesh model is used in continuing generating the design of experiments response, if determined to continue the design of experiments. The method further includes the steps of using the results of the CAE analysis for the design of experiments.

Abstract: A system and method for virtual interactive design and evaluation and manipulation of a vehicle mechanism using a haptic-user interface is provided. The system includes a computer system and a haptic interface operatively in communication with the computer system, whereby the haptic interface includes a haptic end effector device for transmitting information between a user and a digital model as the user interactively creates, modifies, and evaluates kinematic and dynamic properties of the vehicle mechanism using the haptic end effector device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regulation system for voltage regulation in the electrical power supply system for a motor vehicle, which contains a supercapacitor. In a short-term standby mode (ST), the voltage (U) of the supercapacitor is regulated such that a voltage window (?U) is maintained, thus ensuring a minimum energy content in the supercapacitor (4). During a long-term standby mode (LT), the supercapacitor (4) is charged to a voltage (Uh) only when an activation signal (tA) occurs. The energy for charging is drawn from a second energy store, in particular a battery.

Abstract: A system and method of analyzing paint spray particle trajectory on a vehicle with a computer aided design (CAD) model representative of the vehicle. The method includes the steps of preparing a CAD model of a desired portion of the vehicle and placing a paint spray gun at a desired location with respect to the desired portion of the vehicle. The method also includes the steps of specifying a set of particle information describing particles to be sprayed from the paint spray gun and computing a trajectory for a particle stream emanating from the paint spray gun. The method further includes the steps of displaying the trajectory relative to the desired portion of the vehicle on a display to permit visual observation thereof and relocating the paint spray gun if necessary to achieve a desired trajectory.