Abstract: A cell management module for a power supply module including a plurality of power cells includes at least one cell-sensing circuit and a current measurement circuit connected to the at least one cell-sensing circuit. The at least one cell-sensing circuit includes a transformer having a first winding and a second winding inductively coupled to the first winding. A first sub-circuit of the cell-sensing circuit includes the first winding of the transformer and is operable to selectively pulse a first signal through the first winding. A second sub-circuit of the cell-sensing circuit includes the second winding of the transformer and one of the power cells of the power supply module. The current measurement circuit is connected to the first sub-circuit of the at least one cell-sensing circuit and infers a voltage of the power cell based on a measured current of the first signal.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a plurality of members, a tray, at least one insulation member, and at least one battery. The plurality of members define a first void. The tray is coupled to at least one member of the plurality of members. The tray defines a second void. The at least one insulation member is disposed within the first void or the second void. The at least one battery is disposed within the first void and the second void.

Abstract: An opposed-piston engine includes an engine block, at least two intake valves, and at least two exhaust valves. The engine block includes a first center section and a second center section. The first center section defines a first cylinder half bore having a first longitudinal axis and a first open end. The second center section defines a second cylinder half bore having a second longitudinal axis and a second open end. The second longitudinal axis is offset from the first longitudinal axis. The first and second open ends overlap to form and opening therebetween that places the first and second cylinder half bores in fluid communication with one another to form a single cylinder. The intake valves are arranged at the first open end of the first cylinder half bore. The exhaust valves are arranged at the second open end of the second cylinder half bore.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for an electric vehicle includes a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the at least one sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the at least one pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the at least one pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple the at least sun gear, the at least one pinion, the at least one ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another and/or a ground. Examples of such elements include clutches, brakes, and mechanical diodes.

Abstract: An engine block for an opposed-piston engine includes a first center section and a second center section. The first center section defines a first cylinder half bore having a first longitudinal axis and a first plurality of fastener bores. The second center section defines a second cylinder half bore having a second longitudinal axis and a second plurality of fastener bores that extend from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. The second center section is configured to abut the first center section such that: the first and second cylinder half bores are in fluid communication with one another to collectively form a single cylinder; the first and second longitudinal axes are offset from one another; and the first and second pluralities of fastener bores are aligned with one another for receiving a first plurality of fasteners to join the first and second center sections to one another.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, and dog clutches.

Abstract: A powertrain system is provided and may include a combustion engine, a crankshaft, and a turbo-compounding system. The combustion engine may include an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. The crankshaft may be driven by the engine. The turbo-compounding system may be configured to drive the crankshaft and may include a first turbine and a drive system. The first turbine may include an inlet fluidly communicating with the exhaust manifold. The drive system may include an input shaft driven by the first turbine, and an output shaft engaged with the crankshaft. The drive system may be configured to drive the output shaft at more than one drive ratio relative to the input shaft.

Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission assembly and method for controlling the same is provided where the torque generated by an engine is split between first and second shafts. Torque is supplied to the first shaft by a first clutch and torque is supplied to the second shaft by a second clutch. A first gearset is carried on the first shaft and a second gearset is carried on the second shaft. The first gearset includes a primary first gear and the second gearset includes a duplicate first gear. The first and second shafts receive torque from a transmission input shaft in response to contemporaneous engagement of the primary first gear, the duplicate first gear, and the first and second clutches, which can be used during vehicle launch to split the torque applied to the first and second clutches.

Abstract: A method for reducing overheating in a clutch assembly having a clutch housing, a shaft, and a clutch pack. The clutch pack includes a backing plate, an applied plate, a plurality of friction plates, and a plurality of reaction plates. A primary actuator applies pressure to the applied plate to longitudinally compress the entire clutch pack and couple rotation of the clutch housing and the shaft. A secondary actuator applies pressure to at least one plate in the plurality of friction plates and the plurality of reaction plates to longitudinally move the at least one plates independently of the applied plate. This relieves some of the torque transmitted across the clutch pack adjacent the applied plate and reduces localized temperature spikes in the clutch pack adjacent to the applied plate.

Abstract: An oil cooled cylinder liner, a method for cooling the same, and an opposed piston engine using the oil cooled cylinder liner are described. The cylinder liner includes a liner wall that has an inner face adjacent a piston bore and an outer face including an oil gallery surface. A plurality of grooves are disposed along the oil gallery surface. The grooves run parallel to each other and are spaced apart by bridging portions of the liner wall. At least some of the grooves have at least one fin disposed therein that runs parallel with the grooves. The grooves in combination with the fins increase surface area of the oil gallery to improve heat transfer from the liner wall to oil disposed along the oil gallery surface.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a battery pack having at least one battery cell is provided. The thermal management system may include a cooling plate disposed adjacent to the at least one battery cell. The cooling plate may include thermal pyrolytic graphite (TPG) to dissipate heat away from the at least one battery cell.

Abstract: A clutch assembly that is less prone to overheating is disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a clutch housing, a shaft, and a clutch pack. The clutch pack includes a backing plate, an applied plate, a plurality of friction plates, and a plurality of reaction plates. A primary actuator applies pressure to the applied plate to longitudinally compress the entire clutch pack and couple rotation of the clutch housing and the shaft. A secondary actuator applies pressure to at least one plate in the plurality of friction plates and the plurality of reaction plates to longitudinally move the at least one plates independently of the applied plate. This relieves some of the torque transmitted across the clutch pack adjacent the applied plate and reduces localized temperature spikes in the clutch pack adjacent to the applied plate.

Abstract: A system and method for injecting fuel into an engine is provided where a low-pressure fuel pump is connected in fluid communication with at least one port fuel injector and a high-pressure fuel pump is connected in fluid communication with at least one direct fuel injector. The port fuel injector is disposed along an intake path of the engine and the direct fuel injector is disposed adjacent a cylinder of the engine. A lost motion lifter selectively couples the high-pressure fuel pump and the engine. A pump deactivation module switches the lost motion lifter to selectively deactivate the high-pressure fuel pump from the engine in response to partial load operation of the engine. The pump deactivation module may additionally switch the port fuel injector to an activated state and the direct fuel injector to a deactivated state.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the quality of natural gas is provided. The system includes a fuel line for communicating natural gas to an engine. An infrared light source is disposed along the fuel line and is configured to emit a beam of infrared light into the fuel line having a wavelength of 6 to 10 micrometers. An infrared light detector detects a transmission value of the natural gas as the beam of infrared light passes through the fuel line. A natural gas quality module receives the transmission value from the infrared light detector and determines a quality value of the natural gas based on an amount of infrared light absorbed by methane in the natural gas. An engine control module, including a feed-forward control loop, receives the quality value from the natural gas quality module and alters an operating parameter of the engine in response thereto.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is disclosed having a clutch housing and a shaft. A clutch pack selectively couples rotation of the clutch housing and the shaft. The clutch pack includes a primary backing plate, a reaction plate, first and second friction plates disposed between the backing plate and the reaction plate, and a secondary backing plate disposed between the first and second friction plates. A first actuator selectively applies pressure to the reaction plate to move the reaction plate toward the primary backing plate. A second actuator controls movement of the secondary backing plate to switch the clutch pack between a low torque state and a high torque state. In the low torque state, the secondary backing plate cannot move longitudinally toward the primary backing plate beyond a locked position. In the high torque state, the secondary backing plate can move beyond the locked position.

Abstract: A fuel injector is provided and may include an injector body and an injector valve. The injector body may define a longitudinally extending chamber and may include a first intake port, a second intake port and a fuel injection port. The injector valve may be disposed within the chamber and may include a longitudinally extending aperture in fluid communication with the longitudinally extending chamber. The injector valve may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the first intake port and the second intake port, and may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the fuel injection port and the second intake port.

Abstract: A piston may include an outer peripheral surface and a crown. The outer peripheral surface may include first and second openings spaced about and extending through the outer peripheral surface. The crown may include a recess at least partially defined by a first lobe in fluid communication with the first opening and a second lobe in fluid communication with the second opening. Each of the first and second lobes may be recessed relative to an adjacent portion of the recess of the crown.

Abstract: A power plant is provided and may include an exhaust gas recirculation passage and a turbo machine having a first turbine rotationally coupled to a pump. The first turbine may include an expanded air passage. The pump may be arranged in the exhaust gas recirculation passage. A pre-cooler may be arranged in the expanded air passage and in the exhaust gas recirculation passage upstream from the pump.

Abstract: A radial-mixing exhaust gas recirculation mixer is disclosed having an air supply passage having a convergent portion. An exhaust gas recirculation passage within the convergent portion includes a nozzle having a terminal end. A mixing tube is arranged downstream from the air supply passage and at least a portion of the exhaust gas recirculation passage. A mixing element is disposed in the mixing tube. In one example, a divergent portion is arranged downstream adjoining the mixing tube to increase the pressure of the mixture after the mixing tube. In one example, the exhaust gas recirculation mixer is arranged within an engine such that the air supply passage is in fluid communication with an intake manifold. The exhaust gas recirculation passage is in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold to recirculate a portion of exhaust gas to the intake manifold.

Abstract: A transmission includes a housing, a first shaft rotatably supported relative to the housing, and a second shaft rotatably coupled to the first shaft. A switch-type clutch assembly is movable between an engaged state having a first clutch member coupled to a second clutch member and a disengaged state having the first clutch member separated from the second clutch member. The housing rotates with the first shaft when the switch-type clutch assembly is in the engaged state. A friction clutch is movable between an engaged state having a first friction plate coupled to a second friction plate and a disengaged state having the first frication plate separated from the second frication plate. The second shaft is fixed for rotation with the first shaft via the housing when the switch-type clutch assembly and the friction clutch assembly are both in the engaged state.