Abstract: A powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, such as a diesel engine, and an electric machine, which operates as both, an electric motor and an alternator, to power the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also includes a manual-style transmission configured to operate as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver. The engine and the electric machine drive an input shaft which in turn drives an output shaft of the transmission. In addition to driving the transmission, the electric machine regulates the speed of the input shaft in order to synchronize the input shaft during either an upshift or downshift of the transmission by either decreasing or increasing the speed of the input shaft. When decreasing the speed of the input shaft, the electric motor functions as an alternator to produce electrical energy which may be stored by a storage device.

Abstract: A dual clutch system is provided for a transmission having dual input shafts. The dual clutch system includes first and second flywheels as well as first and second friction disk assemblies and first and second pressure plates for pressing against said first and second friction disk assemblies, respectively. The pressure plates are each operatively engaged by an electromechanical clutch actuator.

Abstract: A powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, such as a diesel engine, and an electric machine, which operates as both an electric motor and an alternator, to power the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also includes a manual-style transmission configured to operate as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver. The engine and the electric machine drive an input shaft which in turn drives an output shaft of the transmission. In addition to driving the transmission, the electric machine regulates the speed of the input shaft in order to synchronize the input shaft during either an upshift or downshift of the transmission by either decreasing or increasing the speed of the input shaft. When decreasing the speed of the input shaft, the electric motor functions as an alternator to produce electrical energy which may be stored by a storage device.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical clutch actuator is provided for disengaging a clutch of a transmission. The clutch actuator includes an assist spring for reducing the amount of motor torque required for operating the clutch actuator. The clutch actuator also includes a self adjustment feature which accommodates for clutch disk wear.

Abstract: A powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, such as a diesel engine, and an electric machine, which operates as both an electric motor and an alternator, to power the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also includes a manual-style transmission configured to operate as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver. The engine and the electric machine drive an input shaft which in turn drives an output shaft of the transmission. In addition to driving the transmission, the electric machine regulates the speed of the input shaft in order to synchronize the input shaft during either an upshift or downshift of the transmission by either decreasing or increasing the speed of the input shaft. When decreasing the speed of the input shaft, the electric motor functions as an alternator to produce electrical energy which may be stored by a storage device.

Abstract: A bearing removal tool and method of removing a bearing assembly for the wheel hub is provided. The bearing removal tool includes an elongated bar having a fixed end portion and a free end portion which is offset from the fixed end portion, and a cup which is adapted to engage the outer race of a bearing assembly without interfering with other components, such as a tone wheel, associated with the bearing assembly. A driving member is operably coupled between the elongated bar and the cup to urge the cup away from the elongated bar, thereby removing the bearing assembly from the wheel hub.

Abstract: A circuit for heating energy storage devices such as batteries is provided. The circuit includes a pair of switches connected in a half-bridge configuration. Unidirectional current conduction devices are connected in parallel with each switch. A series resonant element for storing energy is connected from the energy storage device to the pair of switches. An energy storage device for intermediate storage of energy is connected in a loop with the series resonant element and one of the switches. The energy storage device which is being heated is connected in a loop with the series resonant element and the other switch. Energy from the heated energy storage device is transferred to the switched network and then recirculated back to the battery. The flow of energy through the battery causes internal power dissipation due to electrical to chemical conversion inefficiencies. The dissipated power causes the internal temperature of the battery to increase.

Abstract: A combination catalytic converter and heat exchanger unit that controls the temperature of one or more catalytic converters within their efficient conversion operating temperature ranges. The unit includes a plurality of spaced apart tubes through which the exhaust emissions flow through the unit. Each of the plurality of tubes includes a substrate on which is formed a catalyst that reduces or eliminates harmful by-products in the exhaust emissions. A cooling system, such as a fan, forces a cooling fluid, such as air, around the tubes to cool the catalyst to be within its efficient operating temperature range. The tubes have a suitable diameter that allows the center of the tubes to be effectively cooled. The speed of the fan is controlled to variably adjust the temperature of the exhaust emissions in response to various input data, such as the temperature of the exhaust emissions at different locations in the exhaust path, engine speed and load, and the type of catalyst being used.

Abstract: In providing automated shifting of a manual transmission, the electro-mechanical clutch actuator of the present invention is provided for disengaging and engaging the clutch of a manual-type transmission. The electromechanical clutch actuator is provided with an assist spring/cam assembly which is designed to reduce the load on the electric motor. The assist spring/cam assembly allows the shift (including clutch release and engagement) to be made faster and with a reduced-size motor. The clutch actuator also includes a mechanical wear adjuster which automatically adjusts the position of the release linkage as a clutch disk wears over its useful life.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the temperature of the exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine so that it is at a temperature that maintains one or more catalysts at their effective operating temperature. This has particular application for NOx control from any lean-burn engine. The system includes a heat exchanger that cools the exhaust emissions by forced air from a variable speed fan. The cooled exhaust emissions are directed from the heat exchanger to the catalyst for conversion. The fan speed is controlled to adjust the amount of cooling of the exhaust emissions in response to various input data, such as the temperature of the exhaust emissions at different locations in the exhaust pipe, engine speed, engine load and the catalyst being used. Two or more catalysts can be incorporated at different locations along the exhaust path and have different operating temperatures so as to control the effectiveness of exhaust emissions conversions for increased efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

Abstract: A powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, such as a diesel engine, and an electric machine, which operates as both an electric motor and an alternator, to power the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also includes a manual-style transmission configured to operate as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver. The engine and the electric machine drive an input shaft which in turn drives an output shaft of the transmission. In addition to driving the transmission, the electric machine regulates the speed of the input shaft in order to synchronize the input shaft during either an upshift or downshift of the transmission by either decreasing or increasing the speed of the input shaft. When decreasing the speed of the input shaft, the electric motor functions as an alternator to produce electrical energy which may be stored by a storage device.

Abstract: An instrument panel having a light source and a transparent cover in front of the light source. The transparent cover has a first surface at the front side of the cover and a second surface at the back side of the cover, and is formed of a polymeric wall and a polymeric film. The polymeric film has a reflection-reduction layer thereon and is bonded by intermolecular forces to the wall so that the polymeric film is on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the cover and the reflection-reduction layer is sandwiched between the film and the wall. The reflection-reduction layer is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of (a) oxides of magnesium, zinc, or aluminum, or alloys thereof, (b) hydroxides of magnesium, zinc, or aluminum, or alloys thereof, and (c) semi-metals and metals which are non-alkali metals and non-alkaline earth metals, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical shift actuator system is provided for a transmission having dual input shafts and with a plurality of drive gears rotatably mounted to each input shaft and having synchronizer mechanisms for engaging each drive gear to one of the input shafts. The shift actuators include an electric motor and a reduction gear assembly for driving a barrel shaped shifter cam having a pair of cam grooves therein. The cam grooves are engaged by shift lugs mounted to a shift rail. The shift rails include shift forks for actuating synchronizers mounted on the input shafts for engaging selected drive gears.

Abstract: A programmable, electronic switch system in which the upper and lower limits of travel of a moving device can be stored in the memory of a circuit. Once the upper and lower limits of travel have been programmed into the circuit, movement of the device causes a variable voltage to be output to the circuit. The variable voltage is compared against the upper and lower limits to determine if the voltage is within the range between the upper and lower limits or outside of one or either of the upper and lower limits.

Abstract: An illuminating instrument panel gauge has a movable indicator, a front side for positioning toward a viewer and a back side for positioning away from the viewer. The gauge includes a light source, a subdial surface in front of the light source, a transparent gauge cover in front of and spaced apart from the subdial surface, and graphics corresponding to the movable indicator. The gauge cover has a first surface at the front side of the gauge cover and a second surface at the back side of the gauge cover. Either or both of the first and second surfaces of the gauge cover may be randomly textured. The movable indicator is positioned between the subdial surface and the gauge cover and is preferably closer to the gauge cover than it is to the subdial surface. The graphics are on either the first or second surface of the gauge cover.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a power train system for a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes a torque distribution strategy for controlling the engine and the electric motor. The engine and motor commands are determined based upon the accelerator position, the battery state of charge and the amount of engine and motor torque available. The amount of torque requested for the engine is restricted by a limited rate of rise in order to reduce the emissions from the engine. The limited engine torque is supplemented by motor torque in order to meet a torque request determined based upon the accelerator position.

Abstract: A headlamp mounting system for an automobile includes respective headlamp housings for holding monofilament headlamps. Also, respective bases are attached to the automobile and each base is pivotably engaged with a respective one of the headlamp housings. An activating shaft extends between the headlamp housings and is connected to each, and an activating rod is connected to a radially protruding ear of the activating shaft. The activating rod is coupled to an operating knob in the passenger compartment, and the knob can be pushed and pulled as desired by an occupant to cause the activating rod to reciprocate and, thus, to rotate the activating shaft and hence pivot the headlamp housings. Thereby, the elevation angle of the headlamp beams is selectively established, with a high angle establishing a high beam orientation and a low angle establishing a low beam orientation.

Abstract: A mechanism for assisting the movement of a deck lid of a vehicle includes a transverse torsion bar centrally formed with a central segment oriented perpendicularly to the transverse dimension. A connecting link is pivotably engaged with the central segment and with the deck lid, to establish, along with the central segment, an articulating link interconnecting the torsion and the deck lid. The torsion bar includes left and right torsion elements that are mirror images of each other, with each torsion element including a respective outboard segment that is affixed to the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: An extracting assembly is used to extract a spare tire from a wheel well disposed below a load platform of a motor vehicle. The extracting assembly includes a base with a pivoting member extending out therefrom. A tire platform pivots from the pivoting member. The spare tire rests on the tire platform. When a handle which is secured to the tire platform is pulled, the tire platform pivots up and out of the wheel well. The spare tire which rests on the tire platform is pulled out of the wheel well also. The pivoting member provides mechanical advantage and supports the back half of the tire platform as it rests on the load platform while the spare tire is being removed therefrom.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a climate control system having an automatic climate control system and a manual climate control system for an automobile having a convertible top. The method includes the step of detecting whether the convertible top is retracted. A signal indicating whether the convertible top is open is delivered to a climate control unit which includes an algorithm which assists in controlling the mode selection logic based on the results of the detection. The climate control unit creates a mode selection signal based on the results of the algorithm, and sends the mode selection signal to the mode selection logic, the mode selection signal being such that the mode selection actuator actuates the automatic climate control mode when the convertible top is up and the mode selection actuator actuates the manual climate control system when the convertible top is retracted.