Abstract: A starter/generator assembly 10 which is adapted for use within a vehicle of the type having a crankshaft 12 and a torque converter 14. The assembly 10 includes a stator 18 and a rotor 20 which is isolated from the torque converter 14.

Abstract: A two speed supercharger system (20) for an internal combustion engine. The supercharger system includes a supercharger pump (40) that is driven by the engine via a gear box (34). The gear box includes two planetary gear sets (54, 70) and a controllable clutch (66). A controller (35) selectively activates the clutch to control the transition between the two speeds to assure a smooth transition without sudden changes in torque output.

Abstract: A method 10 for displaying warranty information by use of a display of indicators 72, 74 having one of a variety of colors. Various item function groups 68, 70 are created and each function group has a certain indicator 72, 74. The color of each indicator 72, 74 is based upon the number of warranty claims received for the unique function group 68, 70 to which each indicator 72, 74 respectively pertains. These selectively colored indicators 72, 74 allow a user of the methodology 10 to be quickly and efficiently warned of the existence of an undesirably high amount of warranty claims.

Abstract: A hybrid driveline for an automotive vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and a power transmission mechanism for transferring torque to the traction wheels of the vehicle. An electric starter motor/alternator unit is situated between the torque input element of the automatic transmission and the crankshaft of the engine. A wet clutch disc assembly receives torque from the engine through a damper assembly. The torque output side of the clutch is connected to the rotor of the motor/alternator unit, which in turn is connected driveably to the torque input shaft of the transmission. The damper attenuates peak torque fluctuations of the internal combustion engine, thereby reducing the maximum torque transmitting requirements of the clutch. The damper and the clutch are arranged in a compact assembly within the stator and rotor of the motor/alternator unit.

Abstract: A modular electronic control system for a geared multiple-ratio transmission wherein pressure profiles for each ratio shift actuator are used to provide seamless transitions during both positive and negative engine torque conditions to improve shift feel and responsiveness to ratio change commands. The system provides shift staging for sequenced shifts between ratios as well as for so-called “change-of-mind” shifts in which a sequence shift is interrupted as a new destination gear is introduced. A constant ratio change occurs during sequenced shifts. A change-of-mind shift can be performed directly where the new destination gear is commanded immediately. Independent pressure profiles for each clutch involved in a commanded shift are used to accommodate various types of shifts.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of reducing allocated vehicle warranty costs from a stored historical repair database of repairs wherein the database contains information related to repair areas, repair costs, and repair descriptions. The method includes inputting the information into the database for subsequent downloading. The method further includes downloading the information into a file of a computer-based program from the database, ranking the information by repair cost, and sorting the ranked information by repair area to define groups of repair areas having repairs ranked by cost. The method further includes identifying within each group of repair areas those repair descriptions having a relatively high cost within each respective group so that work to be performed on the repairs may be prioritized in accordance with the ranking in order to reduce the warranty costs.

Abstract: An infinitely variable traction drive variator comprising at least one pair of toroidal discs with torque-transmitting traction rollers situated between the discs. As one disc drives the other, the effective radius of the point of contact of the rollers on one disc is decreased and the effective radius of the point of contact of the rollers with the other disc increases. The rollers are rotatably mounted in a trunnion which is pivotally mounted on a gimbal frame, which in turn is pivotally mounted on a relatively stationary gimbal support. Provision is made for adjusting the angularity of the frame about the axis of the discs, thereby creating an angular offset for the rollers, which results in a change of the effective radius of the contact at each disc.

Abstract: A method and system 10 for controlling a transfer case 32 of a four-wheel drive vehicle 12. The vehicle 12 includes a front driveshaft 22 and a rear driveshaft 26. Transfer case control system 10 includes a conventional microcontroller or controller 40 having a memory unit 42 and operating under stored program control. Controller 40 is communicatively coupled to sensors 44, 46, 47, to a driver-operated control 48, and to a transfer case clutch 38. Controller 40 operates transfer case 32 in several modes including an automatic four-wheel drive mode and a “locked” four-wheel drive high mode. Controller 40 estimates the amount of heat generated by clutch 38 by monitoring the difference in the speed between driveshafts 22 and 26 and by monitoring the position of the vehicle's throttle. Controller 40 automatically shifts from the automatic four-wheel drive mode to the locked four-wheel drive high mode when the estimated amount of heat exceeds a certain threshold level.

Abstract: A method 10 for analyzing the attribute of a product by probabilistically modeling certain variables associated with the product.

Abstract: A control system or apparatus (10) is provided which is deployed within a four-wheel drive vehicle (12) and which is adapted to automatically control the activation and deactivation (i.e., locking and unlocking) of hub locks (44) according to a certain control strategy. Hub locks (44) are effective to operatively connect and disconnect the front wheels (14) of vehicle (12) to the front axle assembly (16), thereby allowing torque from the front driveshaft (22) of the vehicle to be transferred to the front wheels (14) when the vehicle (12) operates in a four-wheel drive mode. Control system (10) is effective to detect system faults and malfunctions and to selectively alter the hub locks control strategy in response to such a detection, thereby substantially preventing the undesired locking/unlocking of the hub locks (44) resulting in possible ratcheting, binding or damage to the hub locks (44).

Abstract: A control strategy and method for controlling friction element engagement and disengagement time for an automatic transmission when the transmission is operating at cold ambient temperatures. During drive-to-reverse or reverse-to-drive friction element engagements with power on, the strategy compensates for a tendency of an oncoming friction element to gain capacity before an off-going clutch loses capacity, thereby avoiding a potential friction element tie-up condition when the transmission is operated with intermediate or high levels of engine torque as the friction elements are sequentially engaged and disengaged during cold rock cycling.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus 10 for discerning the torsional mode response of a portion of a vehicle 12, such as but not limited to a drivetrain assembly, comprising a driveshaft 52, transmission assembly 50, and shaft 14, by the use of signals generated from a dynamometer 72 and pseudo-randomly varying signals which are specified by a pseudorandom waveform generator 94 and which are modified by a previously calculated error signal.

Abstract: A transfer case control system or apparatus 10 is provided for use on a four-wheel drive vehicle of the type having a transfer case 32, a front driveshaft 22 and a rear driveshaft 26. Transfer case control system 10 includes a conventional microcontroller or controller 40 having a memory unit 42 and operating under stored program control. Controller 40 is communicatively coupled to sensors 44, 46, 48, and to transfer case 32. Controller 40 selectively transmits a torque control or “boost torque” signal to transfer case 32, based upon the rate of change of the vehicle's throttle position and the speed of driveshafts 22, 26.

Abstract: A four wheel drive vehicle, which has an automatic four wheel drive mode, includes a trailer tow detection strategy. If a trailer tow situation is encountered while in automatic four wheel drive mode, then the duty cycle of a clutch in a transfer case can be adjusted to account for the trailer towed behind the vehicle.

Abstract: A clutch assembly having multiple separator plates and friction plates. The separator plates include springs for causing sequential engagement of the friction plates and/or a gradual engagement of friction plates by tipping one of the separator plates during the initial clutch engagement. This allows for a controlled gradual engagement of the clutch in a relatively short time.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly 10 includes a clutch assembly 36 having a sealed chamber 39 into which oil is selectively communicated, effective to cause a piston 40 to selectively engage a plate assembly 30.

Abstract: A transmission control circuit 10 which is adapted for use with an electronically controlled transmission having several transmission control solenoids 12, 14 and 16 and a selectively positionable gear selector 18. Circuit 10 includes a conventional controller 20, electrical switches 22, 24 and 26, a transmission range sensor 28, and vehicle sensors 32. Transmission range sensor 28 is ganged with switches 22, 24 and 26 and is further communicatively coupled to controller 20. Switches 22, 24 and 26 are operatively coupled to gear selector 18 and are respectively and operatively disposed between a battery 30 and solenoids 12, 14 and 16. Switches 22, 24 and 26 are effective to selectively connect and disconnect solenoids 12, 14 and 16 to/from battery 30, thereby selectively enabling and disabling solenoids 12, 14 and 16.

Abstract: A method for controlling the capacity of friction clutches and brakes in a multiple-ratio vehicle transmission and for simultaneously establishing ratio shift point scheduling to effect a desired vehicle speed at which ratio changes occur while the vehicle is in a traction control mode. The method includes calculating a synthetic throttle setting that is used to establish clutch and brake capacity control and wherein separate ratio shift schedules are used for normal operation and for traction control operation, the engine torque required during operation in the traction control mode determining the vehicle speed at which shifts occur for each gear ratio whereby the shift schedule during operation in the traction control mode can be calibrated independently of the throttle position required for optimum clutch and brake capacity control.

Abstract: A transfer case control system or apparatus 10 is provided for use on a four-wheel drive vehicle of the type having a transfer case 32, a front driveshaft 22 and a rear driveshaft 26. Transfer case control system 10 includes a conventional microcontroller or controller 40 having a memory unit 42 and operating under stored program control. Controller 40 is communicatively coupled to sensors 44, 46, 48, and to transfer case 32. Controller 40 selectively transmits a torque control or minimum duty cycle signal to transfer case 32, which is at least partially based upon the angular position of the vehicle's steering wheel and the speed of driveshafts 22, 26.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a hydrokinetic torque converter driven from an electric motor that has an idle speed up to about half of its maximum speed. Three planetary gear sets, the first of these having two sets of planetary pinions mounted on a carrier for rotation, are located in the torque transmission path between the coupling and a differential. The transmission and motor are coaxial with the driveshaft of the vehicle. One-way brakes operate to fix elements of the gear sets against rotation to the transmission housing when torque is transmitted from the motor to the differential. Hydraulically actuated clutches and a brake band produce three forward speed ratios and a reverse drive ratio. The brake band and one clutch can be adapted to produce hill braking and regenerative braking during operation in the first two forward speed ratios.