Abstract: A modular louvered shutter includes first and second stiles and a center section assembled using a tongue and groove joint. The center section is a solid piece having a plurality of rails and louvers cut into the center section.

Abstract: An adjustable housing assembly for mounting to a wall is disclosed. The assembly generally includes a back plate having a flange that defines an axis extending perpendicularly from the back plate and a front plate disposed in parallel relationship to the back plate. A connector connects the plates in the parallel relationship at various distances longitudinally along the axis. The connector includes co-acting male and female components extending circumferentially about the axis and at least one of the male and female components is spaced longitudinally along the axis for connecting the plates at any one of the various distances in response to relative rotation between the male and female components about the axis. The connector may also include a mounting ring separate from the back plate and the front plate that couples the front plate to the back plate. The mounting ring allows for additional distances to be obtained between the front plate and the back plate.

Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. An alignment mechanism on each base allows for rotational alignment of the support element relative to the pallet. An error proofing mechanism compares the selected location of the support element for each of the plurality of support assemblies and provides confirmation and correction information as required.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid drive unit includes a pressure regulator valve, a first variable bleed solenoid valve for controlling a stationary clutch and a second variable bleed solenoid valve for controlling a rotating clutch. The control system controls the stationary clutch and the rotating clutch to operate the hybrid drive unit in four different modes.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, and a hybrid transmission having an input member, an output member, and at least one motor/generator operable to provide or receive torque. A damper connects the crankshaft with the input member. A bi-directional rotational position sensing system operatively connects with either the crankshaft or an input side of the damper, and is configured to sense the rotational position and direction of the crankshaft, and provide a position signal indicative thereof. At least one controller is configured to receive the position signal and to provide a torque command to the motor/generator based at least in part on the position signal. The torque command is operable to cause the motor/generator to substantially cancel an expected engine torque pulse associated with the sensed rotational position during starting of the engine with the damper open. A method for controlling the hybrid powertrain is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric motor/generator unit (MGU), an internal combustion engine, a transmission having an input member rotatable by the engine or the MGU, and an electric torque converter assembly. The torque converter assembly has a pump in driving connection with the transmission, a braking clutch assembly for selectively connecting the engine to a stationary member, a lockup clutch, and a dual-pinion planetary gear set. The electric torque converter assembly allows inertia torque from the MGU to transfer through the gear set to assist engine cranking when the MGU is decelerating. The pump is driven by the faster of the engine and MGU via the gear set and selective engagement, alone or in combination, of the lockup clutch and braking clutch assembly. An electric torque converter configured as noted above is also provided, and may include an electrically-actuated band for grounding the engine during certain operating modes.

Abstract: A fuel efficiency display for a vehicle includes a scale extending vertically on a screen with a bar superimposed over the scale to represent the instantaneous fuel efficiency of the vehicle. A numerical representation of the instantaneous fuel efficiency of the vehicle is displayed above the scale and the bar. A first marker indicating and a numerical representation of the average fuel efficiency of the vehicle over a pre-selected range is displayed on a left side of the scale and the bar. A second marker indicating a numerical representation of the greatest fuel efficiency achieved by the vehicle over the pre-selected range is displayed on a right side of the scale and the bar.

Abstract: Various embodiments of electrically-variable transmissions are provided that have two motor-generators, two planetary gear sets, and two torque-transmitting mechanisms, including a rotating-type clutch and a stationary-type clutch. An input member is connected for common rotation with a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. Carriers of both of the planetary gear sets are connected for common rotation with one another, and with an output member. The first motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear of the first planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set. A drive transfer assembly transfers torque from components establishing the first axis of rotation to components establishing the second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle is provided. The powertrain includes an engine boosted by a turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a first motor-generator mounted with respect to the turbocharger, and arranged to selectively assist acceleration of the vehicle by driving the turbocharger, to provide regenerative charging of an energy storage device and to be idle, as its modes of operation. The powertrain additionally includes a second motor-generator mounted with respect to the powertrain, and arranged to selectively assist acceleration of the vehicle, to provide regenerative charging of the energy storage device and to be idle, as its modes of operation. A controller responsive to sensed vehicle operating parameters is arranged on the vehicle for controlling and coordinating the modes of operation of the first motor-generator and of the second motor-generator.

Abstract: An active material assembly is provided having a thermally-activated active material apparatus with an elongated, non-planar shape and a thermoelectric device in thermal contact therewith. The thermoelectric device is characterized by a thermal differential when current flows through the device to activate the thermally-activated active material apparatus, thereby altering at least one dimension thereof. Multiple discrete thermoelectric devices may be in thermal contact with the active material apparatus and electrically in parallel with one another. The active material apparatus, which may be multiple active material components, each with one of the thermoelectric devices thereon, may be encased within a flexible electronic-insulating material to form an articulated active material assembly that can achieve different geometric shapes by separately activating one or more of the different thermoelectric devices. A method of fabricating an articulated active material assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The hybrid transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The hybrid transmission includes a motor/generator, three planetary gear sets, five torque-transmitting devices, three external gear sets and a final drive gear set. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with one of the external gear sets. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various planetary and external gear members, the input shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an injection molded panel member having a first portion, a second portion, and an appearance surface portion. The method includes placing the appearance surface portion of the panel member into a mold cavity. The mold cavity preferably includes a first chamber adapted to form the first portion of the panel member, and a second chamber adapted to form the second portion of the panel member. After the appearance surface portion of the panel member is inserted into the mold, molten plastic material and pressurized gas are injected into the first chamber of the mold cavity. After the molten plastic material is injected into the first chamber of the mold, molten plastic material is injected into the second chamber of the mold cavity. The molten plastic is then cooled until it solidifies. After the molten plastic is sufficiently cooled, the pressurized gas is vented and the panel member is removed from the mold.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a first and a second cylinder bank. The first and second cylinder banks are arranged such that they have less than a 180 degree included angle with respect to one another, thereby forming an inboard region or generally V-shaped cavity. A respective first and second cylinder head is mounted with respect to the first and second cylinder bank. Integrated within the first and second cylinder head is a first and second integrated exhaust manifold, respectively. The first and second integrated exhaust manifolds are provided on the engine in an “inboard” orientation, i.e. disposed on a side of their respective cylinder heads such that they are substantially adjacent to the generally V-shaped cavity. The first and second integrated exhaust manifold may operate to convey exhaust gases from the engine to at least one turbocharger, which is mounted substantially within the generally V-shaped cavity.

Abstract: A charging regulator assembly for an energy storing device includes an active material actuator configured to move a contact from a connected position permitting current transfer between the contact and a power bus into a disconnected position preventing current transfer between the contact and the power bus. The active material actuator is engaged in response to a temperature of the active material actuator rising above a pre-determined value. Moving the contact into the disconnected position prevents further current transfer into or out of the energy storing device, thereby preventing further heating of the energy storing device and preventing potential damage to the energy storing device form overheating.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system to provide an oil or pressurized fluid supply to a variable cam phasing system in an engine is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a valve housing attachable to a front cover assembly of the engine; a first valve installed in the housing; and an inlet passage defined by the front cover assembly hydraulically communicating with the first valve in the housing to carry pressurized fluid from a fluid source to the first valve. A first and a second outlet passage defined by the housing hydraulically communicates with the first valve to allow the pressurized fluid to flow to the cam phasing system, thereby variably moving a camshaft assembly operatively connected to the cam phasing system.

Abstract: A vehicle has a multi-gap magnetorheological fluid (MRF) clutch connecting rotatable input and output members, and includes a drum connected to the output member and a rotor connected to the input member. The drum contains a magnetically-permeable stator and a magnetic core, while the rotor has a magnetically-permeable member extending axially into the drum to define an outer working gap in conjunction with the stator and an inner working gap in conjunction with the magnetic core. MR fluid fills the working gaps, and a magnetic field generator or electromagnet induces a magnetic field when electrical current is passed through a field coil therein to change an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid. The inner and outer working gaps have a predetermined inner to outer gap thickness ratio balancing the slip power dissipation per unit volume in each of the working gaps.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes signaling a transmission to shift into a first gear ratio and sensing a current gear ratio of the transmission after signaling the transmission to shift into the first gear ratio. The method further includes implementing a diagnostic transmission shift control strategy to override a normal transmission shift control strategy when the current sensed gear ratio is not equal to the requested first gear ratio to verify proper functionality of a mode control valve that is responsible for shifting the transmission into the first gear ratio.

Abstract: A normally-engaged clutch is provided having a friction-element with a first side and an opposing second side, a first plate configured for pressing against the friction-element on the first side, and a second plate configured for pressing against the friction-element on the second side. The clutch also includes a biasing device configured to apply a first force to the second plate for pressing the second plate against the friction-element to engage the clutch. Additionally, the clutch includes an apply piston for applying a second force to the first plate, and a release piston for applying a third force to the second plate. The clutch is disengaged when the second plate is pushed away from the friction-element by the third force in the absence of the second force, and is engaged when the first plate is pressed against the friction-element by the second force.

Abstract: A method reduces a time delay or lag between a commanded upshift and a resultant upshift event in vehicle. The method detects the commanded upshift, calculates a scheduled engine torque reduction torque value as a function of an unmanaged torque, and reduces an input torque value from the engine using the calculated scheduled torque. A powertain includes an engine, a transmission, a torque converter, clutches that are selectively engageable to provide at least six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio, and a neutral condition, and a controller. The controller has an algorithm controlling an operation of an off-going clutch and the on-coming clutch during a speed ratio change representing an upshift event. The algorithm calculates a scheduled torque value as a percentage of an unmanaged torque level of the engine, and controls the off-going and on-coming clutch through the speed ratio change using the calculated scheduled torque value.

Abstract: An energy absorber device is provided that includes a generally cylindrical member defining an axis and having an outer surface. One or more axially-spaced, substantially annular members are operatively connected to the generally cylindrical member at the outer surface to create areas of stress concentration in the generally cylindrical member, such that deformation of the generally cylindrical member due to a sufficient force applied to the generally cylindrical member is initiated at the areas of stress concentration, with the areas of stress concentration being reinforced by the substantially annular members. The areas of stress concentration act as crush initiation features and are formed by the connection of the substantially annular members to the generally cylindrical member. Thus, expensive tooling, such as preformed dies, to form the initiation features in the generally cylindrical member is not required.