Abstract: A torque sensor assembly is used to measure torque in a powertrain of a motor vehicle, the powertrain including a power source and a transmission. A sensor is coupled to an oil seal housing, which is coupled to the engine. Each of the sensor and the oil seal housing has a mounting hole formed therein. The sensor is coupled to the oil seal housing, and the oil seal housing to the engine, by inserting one fastener into both mounting holes. The sensor measures an amount of torque exerted on a drive plate of the transmission. The drive plate includes a central disk, made of a magnetizable material, and an outer ring coupled to the central disk. The sensor is a magnetic torque sensor, which determines an amount of torque exerted on the central disk of the drive plate by sensing a magnetic flux passing through the drive plate.

Abstract: A vehicle may include an electric machine that generates motive power for the vehicle, a plurality of cells that store energy for the electric machine, and at least one controller. The at least one controller may cause the cells to receive current for a period of time and, during the period of time, cause at least some of the cells to supply cell load current such that at the expiration of the period of time, the amount of energy stored by the cells is at least equal to a predetermined target energy level.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an engine and an electric machine (M/G) connected by an upstream clutch, and a gearbox connected to the M/G by a torque converter. A controller is configured to, in response to a Park or Neutral gear selection and an electrical power request from the M/G, operate the engine at an engine speed and an engine torque based on the request and M/G speed and torque for improved powertrain efficiency. A method is provided for controlling a vehicle. In response to a Park or Neutral gear selection and an electrical power request from the M/G, the engine is operated at an engine speed and an engine torque based on the request and M/G speed and torque for improved powertrain efficiency.

Abstract: A fuel cell may include a porous plate having an embedded flow field formed therein, a catalyst supported on and within the porous plate, and a proton exchange membrane in contact with the porous plate and catalyst. Such fuel cells may be arranged to form a fuel cell stack configured to provide power to move a vehicle.

Abstract: A system for securing and wirelessly charging a chargeable device on a charger, particularly in a vehicle, is provided. The system includes at least one transmitting coil in proximity to a charging surface and an adjustable retaining assembly configured to substantially engage at least a portion of a perimeter of the chargeable device to position the chargeable device on the charging surface.

Abstract: An internal heat exchanger for an air conditioning system, having: a high pressure side through which a coolant under high pressure flows in operation; and a low pressure side through which coolant under low pressure flows in operation. The heat exchanger is configured in such a way that pulsations of the coolant flowing therethrough dampen noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a driveline disconnect clutch is based on temperature conditions of a catalyst. The driveline disconnect clutch may not be opened if catalyst temperature is greater than a threshold temperature so that the catalyst may be cooled.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon a connector device and method that can more easily electrically connect a plurality of PV arrays and/or locate these arrays upon a building or structure. It also can optionally provide some additional components (e.g. a bypass diode and/or an indicator means) and can enhance the serviceability of the array.

Abstract: An intake assembly in an engine is provided. The intake assembly includes a compressor and a plenum in fluidic communication with the compressor, the plenum having an integrated charge air cooler including a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet in fluidic communication with a coolant passage and cooling plates extending into a plenum enclosure and coupled to the coolant passage. The intake assembly further includes a throttle body coupled to the plenum.

Abstract: A vehicular charging system is provided that includes a battery and a charger region. The system also includes a wireless charger for generating an electric charging signal in the charger region to charge the battery, and a plurality of sensors located to sense foreign objects and living beings in proximity to the charger region. The system further includes a controller for controlling the charger to at least reduce the charging signal when a foreign object or a living being is in proximity to the charger region. The controller may be configured to terminate the charging signal and/or activate an alarm element when a foreign object or a living being is in proximity to the charger region.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle regenerative braking event includes maintaining a converter clutch closed while braking, while an engine connected to the impeller is running, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a reference speed difference relative to engine idle speed, and while the engine is off, opening the converter clutch when impeller speed reaches a speed required for a transmission pump, connected to an impeller, to produce line pressure at a desired magnitude.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a pro-active condensate clean-out of a charge air cooler. In response to condensate in a charge air cooler and engine operating conditions, airflow is increased to the intake manifold, purging condensate from the cooler. Engine actuators may also be adjusted to maintain torque demand during the clean-out procedure.

Abstract: An electric vacuum pump backup control system includes a brake on/off switch, a primary electric vacuum pump control interfacing with the brake on/off switch, a secondary electric vacuum pump control interfacing with the brake on/off switch and the primary electric vacuum pump control and an electric vacuum pump interfacing with the primary electric vacuum pump control.

Abstract: A method for enacting DFSO in a motor vehicle having an engine and a transmission. The method includes, during a condition of normal engine-braking efficiency, disabling the DFSO below a higher gear of the transmission. During a condition of reduced engine-braking efficiency, by contrast, the DFSO is disabled below a lower gear of the transmission.

Abstract: A battery electrolyte solution contains from 0.001 to 20% by weight of certain phosphorus-sulfur compounds. The phosphorus-sulfur compound performs effectively as a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) forming material. The phosphorus-sulfur compound has little adverse impact on the electrical properties of the battery, and in some cases actually improves battery performance. Batteries containing the electrolyte solution form robust and stable SEIs even when charged at high rates during initial formation cycles.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to ten forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of various combinations of three or four shift elements. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six shift elements. Two of the shift elements can be brakes.

Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and the second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. Each wheel of the wheel pair is rotatably mounted on a wheel support. The wheel supports of the wheel pair are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a double lever which is mounted rotatably at a first pivot point on the vehicle body. The wheel supports of the wheel pair also are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a parallel trailing arm, which runs parallel to the double lever and is configured to transmit lateral tilting of one wheel support to the other wheel support.

Abstract: Data is collected related to motion of a vehicle. Based on the collected data, it may be determined that a threshold associated with motion sickness is exceeded. An adjustment for a component in the vehicle may be adjusted based at least in part on the collected data.

Abstract: Contactor switches between a multi-cell battery pack and an electric vehicle load are monitored. A main microcontroller having a chassis ground is digitally isolated from positive and negative busses of the battery pack. A battery monitoring IC having a plurality of auxiliary/thermistor A/D inputs measures respective voltages of battery cells. An evaluation switch is connected to a junction between a first contactor switch and the load. The evaluation switch is activated in response to a command received from the main microprocessor. A voltage divider is coupled between the output of the evaluation switch and the negative bus to provide a divided voltage output to one of the auxiliary/thermistor A/D inputs. The battery monitoring IC transmits a digital value representative of the divided voltage output to the main microprocessor via a serial data link, and the main microprocessor determines a state of the contactor in response to the digital value.

Abstract: Prepare a polymeric nanofoam using a continuous extrusion process by providing a polymer melt of a polymer composition in an extruder, introducing carbon dioxide to a concentration above the solubility in the polymer melt, cooling the polymer melt without increasing the pressure to achieve conditions where all of the carbon dioxide is soluble in the polymer composition and then extruding the polymer composition and carbon dioxide mixture through an extrusion die so as to experience a pressure drop of at least five MegaPascals at a rate of at least ten MegaPascals per second and allowing the polymer composition to expand into a polymeric nanofoam.