Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic flow within a powertrain comprising an electromechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an engine adapted to selectively transmit power to an output, wherein the transmission utilizes a hydraulic control system serving a number of hydraulic oil consuming functions includes monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements for each of the functions, determining a requested hydraulic pressure based upon the monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements and physical limits of the hydraulic control system including a maximum pressure, determining a desired flow utilizing a hydraulic control system flow model based upon the requested hydraulic pressure, and utilizing the desired flow to control an auxiliary hydraulic pump.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 13, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 1, 2012
Assignees:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Inventors:
Michael D. Foster, Eric S. Tryon, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Ali K Naqvi
Abstract: In a motor vehicle transmission with a power take-off drive, an auxiliary drive clutch in the form of a jaw clutch is arranged in the torque flow downstream of the transmission input clutch for coupling the power take-off drive to the transmission input shaft under the control of the drive motor clutch while the transmission is disconnected.
Abstract: A method for starting operation of a solid polymer fuel cell from a temperature below 0° C. is disclosed that prevents certain problems with ice formation as the fuel cell thaws. During startup, the method involves providing the oxidant flow at a rate less than half of its maximum when the coolant temperature is near 0° C.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 15, 2010
Publication date:
April 19, 2012
Applicants:
Ford Motor Company, Daimler AG
Inventors:
Elisabeth Funk WOOLLIAMS, Richard FELLOWS, Adrian Kent ROETT, Laura IWAN, Matthew Blair GUENTHER
Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system based upon a predicted speed of an output member, a predicted operator torque request, and a predicted accelerator pedal position is disclosed. The method comprises predicting the accelerator pedal position based upon a monitored accelerator pedal position and a filtered accelerator pedal position, predicting the speed of an output member based upon a monitored speed of the output member, and predicting the operator torque request based upon the predicted speed of the output member and the predicted accelerator position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 24, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 17, 2012
Assignees:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell stack, which comprises at least a an anode-side sub-plate. An interior of the bipolar plate is enclosed by the sub-plates, with a fluid port area arranged having at least one fluid port, over which a fluid can be conveyed to the fluid channels. The fluid channels are arranged on at least one of the flat sides, as well as a manifold zone, over which the fluid can be distributed to its assigned fluid channels and an accumulation zone, over which the fluid can be carried away from the fluid channels to another fluid port area. At least one of the sub-plates has a uniform arrangement of raised support points in the manifold zone and/or accumulation zone. Apart from the peripherally situated support points, a negative support point of the same type is designed adjacent to each raised support point inside the manifold zone and/or the accumulation zone.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 28, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 17, 2012
Assignee:
Daimler AG
Inventors:
Felix Blank, Thomas Kunick, Markus Schudy
Abstract: A brake disk for a motor vehicle is provided. The brake disk includes a brake disk chamber and a friction ring arranged coaxially thereto, an outer casing surface of the brake disk chamber having a profile, which for torque transmission, engages in a complementary profile of an inner casing surface of the friction ring, and the friction ring being arranged axially secured to the brake disk chamber. At least one tab for axial securing is formed on the outer casing surface of the brake disk chamber.
Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain system and a friction braking system, the powertrain system including a hybrid transmission operative in one of a fixed gear operating range state and a continuously variable operating range state to transmit torque between an input member and a torque machine and an output member coupled to a driveline.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 24, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2012
Assignees:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesekkschaft
Inventors:
Goro Tamai, Thomas S. Miller, Scott J Thompson, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Anthony H. Heap
Abstract: A side wall for a motor vehicle has an inside shell made of steel plate and an outside covering connected with (particularly welded to) the inside shell. The outside covering comprises an inside panel made of a steel alloy and an outside panel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 8, 2010
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2012
Assignee:
Daimler AG
Inventors:
Markus Beck, Steffen Dingfelder, Karl-Heinz Fueller, Berthold Hopf, Oliver Quirin, Oliver Roecker
Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power split transmission with two Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) modes and four fixed gears for use in hybrid electrical vehicles (HEV). The present disclosure utilizes two electric motors (“E-motors”), an engine, three planetary gear sets, and four selectively engageable clutches. The clutches are engaged in different combinations to engage the different gears and EVT modes. In the four fixed gears, power is transmitted only on the mechanical path for the highest transmission efficiency. In the two EVT modes, a part of the power is transmitted electrically. Alternatively, the E-motors can be located in the middle integrated with the transmission design. Advantageously, the present invention works with lower component speeds than existing two-mode hybrid transmissions. This can be achieved with a front E-motor design enabling modularity and also with a center E-motor design.
Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a motor torque command for a transmission in a hybrid powertrain system includes calculating motor torque commands for the torque generating machines. Torque corrections for the motor torque commands are determined. The motor torque commands are adjusted based upon the torque corrections. The adjusted motor torque commands are verified based upon an estimated output torque.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 6, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2012
Assignees:
GM Global Technology Operation LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Inventors:
William R. Cawthorne, Hanne Buur, Paul A Stanowski