Abstract: A current command module is configured to, based on a motor torque request for an electric motor of the vehicle, generate a d-axis current command for the electric motor and a q-axis current command for the electric motor. A voltage command module is configured to generate voltage commands based on the d-axis current command and the q-axis current command. A switching control module is configured to: based on the d-axis current command and the q-axis current command, determine a first duty cycle command for a phase of the electric motor; generate a second duty cycle command based on the first duty cycle command, a predetermined minimum period to transition switches of an inverter module from OFF to ON, a predetermined switching period, a predetermined deadtime period when both of the switches are OFF before one of the switches is turned ON, and whether a current of the phase is positive.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle systems and control logic for driver coaching and on-demand vehicle charging, methods for making/using such systems, and motor vehicles with real-time eco-routing and automated driving capabilities.

Abstract: A vehicle and an associated method for augmenting audible sound generated in a passenger compartment by operation of first and second torque machines are described. The passenger compartment includes an audio speaker that is operably controlled by a controller that is also is in communication with the first and second torque machines. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to determine first parameters associated with audible sound generated by operation of the first torque machine and determine second parameters associated with audible sound generated by operation of the second torque machine. A desired audible sound in the passenger compartment is determined. The audio speaker is controlled to generate a correction tone based upon the first parameters, the second parameters and the desired audible sound in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A method regulates operation of an induction motor by generating d-axis and q-axis current command references, and generating a current compensation value using a modulation index and an actual/feedback modulation index. An angle (?) is derived between constant torque direction and decreasing voltage ellipse unit vectors, with separate d-axis and q-axis components of the current compensation value also derived. A direction of compensation is determined using angle (?). The direction is that of the constant torque unit vector when cos ? exceeds a calibrated threshold, and in the direction of the decreasing voltage ellipse unit vector otherwise. The d-axis and q-axis components are added to the d-axis and q-axis current command references in the determined direction to derive final d-axis and q-axis current commands, which are used to control motor torque. An electric system and motor vehicle include the controller.

Abstract: A current command module is configured to, based on a motor torque request for an electric motor of the vehicle, generate a first d-axis current command for the electric motor and a first q-axis current command for the electric motor. An adjusting module is configured to: generate a second d-axis current command for the electric motor by adjusting the first d-axis current command based on a d-axis current adjustment; and generate a second q-axis current command for the electric motor by adjusting the first q-axis current command based on a q-axis current adjustment. An adjustment module is configured to, when a rotational speed of the electric motor is greater than a predetermined speed: determine a scalar value based on the second d-axis current command and the second q-axis current command; and determine the d and the q-axis current adjustments based on multiplying a flux error with the scalar value.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling network traffic for a network in a device that has a plurality of units, including one or more provider and recipient units. The recipient units are configured to send respective subscription requests for data originating from the provider units. A controller is programmed to enter an initial phase when at least one initial condition is met. A repeat phase is entered when a list of currently active subscription is received. In the repeat phase, the controller is configured to monitor the network for a respective timing checking request sent by the provider units. When the controller receives a timing checking request, the controller stores the request in the queue module as respective queue member. The controller is configured to perform a timing analysis test on a selected member of the queue module and control the device based partly on the timing analysis test.

Abstract: An exemplary energy delivery system includes a housing. The housing includes a linear motor including a translational member and an electromagnetic field generating member. Energization of the electromagnetic field generating member induces translation of the translational member along a longitudinal axis of the linear motor. The housing further includes a first cylinder including a first chamber and a movable first piston and a second cylinder including a second chamber and a movable second piston. The first and second cylinders are coupled in-line with the linear motor within the housing and translation of the translational member along the longitudinal axis translates the first piston within the first chamber in a first direction and translates the second piston within the second chamber in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An IPM electric machine includes a rotor, rotor shaft stator, and permanent magnets. The rotor includes rare earth permanent magnets disposed within pockets. The rotor, the pockets and the permanent magnets conform to a first set of geometric design parameters. The stator includes radially-inwardly projecting teeth that form slots between pairs of the teeth. Electrical windings are disposed within slots of the laminate stack. The teeth and slots conform to a second set of geometric design parameters. The quantity of slots is between 60 and 96, the quantity of electrical poles is between 6 and 12, the quantity of electrical phases is between 3 and 6 and the electrical windings include a quantity of turns per phase that is between 8 and 20. A ratio of an outer diameter of the stator to an active length of the rotor is between 2 and 3.5.

Abstract: A laser welder and associated method for joining battery cell foils to a battery tab is described. The joining method includes arranging the plurality of battery cell foils in a stack, wherein the first edges of the battery cell foils are disposed in parallel. The battery cell foils arranged in the stack are positioned such that the first edges of the battery cell foils underlap with the battery tab. A compressive load may be applied to the plurality of battery cell foils and the battery tab. The laser welder executes welding operation to form a weld joint that mechanically and electrically joins the battery cell foils and the battery tab. The welding operation includes the laser welder applying a laser beam to the second surface of the battery tab. The welding operation is executed near first edges of the battery cell foils.

Abstract: A communication module is configured to obtain, from a first computing device associated with an energy receiver, an energy request. The energy request includes a location of the energy receiver and an amount of energy requested. A selection module is configured to generate a list of energy sources available to satisfy the energy request. The communication module is further configured to: transmit the list of energy sources to the first computing device for display; receive, from the first computing device, a selection of one energy source from the list of energy sources; and transmit, to the first computing device and a second computing device associated with the selected one energy source, a location at which the energy request is to be fulfilled. An energy transfer module is configured to selectively enable an electrical energy transfer from the selected one energy source to the energy receiver.

Abstract: A powertrain optimization method is used to identify the optimal torque operating range. The method for controlling the vehicle includes: receiving, by a planning controller, a trip plan based on an input from a vehicle-operator, wherein the trip plan is indicative of a planned trip; determining, by the planning controller, a current location of the vehicle using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) of the vehicle; determining, by the planning controller, a geography of the planned trip using map data from a map database; determining, by the planning controller, a target speed profile for the vehicle as a function of the trip plan, the geography of the planned trip, and a predetermined, optimal acceleration range; determining, by an adaptive cruise controller, a torque request as a function of the target speed profile, a predetermined-optimal torque range, and a current speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a ball including a stud head and a shank, a socket including a cavity configured to receive the stud head, a retention surface, and a plurality of retention portions, and an interlocking member including a plate portion having an engagement surface that, in use, interfaces with the retention surface and the plurality of retention portions to achieve an interlocked position between the interlocking member and the socket.

Abstract: A method is used to control a fuel level gauge of a vehicle system and includes: monitoring, via an engine controller, a fuel economy of the vehicle system; comparing, via the engine controller, the fuel economy with a predetermined fuel economy threshold to determine whether the fuel economy is less than the predetermined fuel economy threshold; adjusting, via the engine controller, a sensitivity of a display filter in response to determining that the fuel economy is less than the predetermined fuel economy threshold for a predetermined amount of time in order to maximize an accuracy of the fuel level gauge, wherein the display filter smoothes an unfiltered fuel level signal received from a fuel level sensor of the vehicle system, thereby generating a filtered fuel level signal; and controlling, via an instrument panel controller, the fuel level gauge of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes an acceleration limit module and a torque command module. The acceleration limit module is configured to determine whether an acceleration of an electric motor in a vehicle is greater than an acceleration limit having a first nonzero value and generate a first torque reduction request when the motor acceleration is greater than the acceleration limit. The torque command module is configured to determine a torque command for the electric motor based on a driver input, and decrease the torque command in response to the first torque reduction request to reduce harshness associated with engaging a one-way clutch of the vehicle. The one-way clutch couples the electric motor to a wheel of the vehicle when the one-way clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine configured to be selectively activated to provide torque to propel the vehicle and a starter module coupled to the engine and configured to start the engine from an inactive state. The starter module includes a brushless electric machine to generate an output torque to crank start the engine. The starter motor also includes a pinion gear coupled to the electric machine, where the pinion gear is actuatable to selectively engage a cranking input of the engine. A controller assembly is programmed to cause actuation of the pinion gear to engage the cranking input of the engine and transfer a cranking torque to activate the engine.

Abstract: An LPV/MPC engine control system is disclosed that includes an engine control unit connected to multiple sensors. The engine control unit receives, from the sensors, signals indicative of desired engine torque and engine torque output, and determines, from these signals, optimal engine control commands using a piecewise LPV/MPC routine. This routine includes: determining a nonlinear and a linear system model for the engine assembly, minimizing a control cost function in a receding horizon for the linear system model, determining system responses for the nonlinear and linear system models, determining if a norm of an error function between the system responses is smaller than a calibrated threshold, and if the norm is smaller than the predetermined threshold, applying the linearized system model in a next sampling time for a next receding horizon to determine the optimal control command. Once determined, the optimal control command is output to the engine assembly.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a device having an electric motor configured to selectively provide a first torque contribution to propel the device. At least one sensor is configured to obtain a respective signal related to the electric motor. A controller is in communication with the sensors and configured to determine a magnet flux linkage (?m) based in part on the respective signal. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded for a method of determining a demagnetized torque capability (TD) for the electric motor in real-time. In the event of a threshold level of demagnetization of the electric motor, the method estimates the torque capability in real time of the electric motor, taking the demagnetization level into account. At least one operating parameter of the device is controlled based at least partially on the demagnetized torque capability (TD).

Abstract: A vehicle and an associated method for augmenting audible sound generated in a passenger compartment by operation of first and second torque machines are described. The passenger compartment includes an audio speaker that is operably controlled by a controller that is also is in communication with the first and second torque machines. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to determine first parameters associated with audible sound generated by operation of the first torque machine and determine second parameters associated with audible sound generated by operation of the second torque machine. A desired audible sound in the passenger compartment is determined. The audio speaker is controlled to generate a correction tone based upon the first parameters, the second parameters and the desired audible sound in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A strategy for controlling an electric pump and control valve in an internal combustion engine cooling system compensates for backpressure variations and maintains system operation within design parameters. The method comprises the steps of measuring the coolant temperature, measuring the electrical current and voltage to the pump motor, determining the pump speed and coolant flow, determining the desired coolant flow, determining a negative correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is less than present coolant flow and determining a positive correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is more than present coolant flow and undertaking this correction to coolant flow. Thus, based upon inferred back pressure in the engine coolant system from the data relating to the pump energy input, proper coolant flow, heat rejection and engine operating temperature can be maintained in spite of variations in system flow restrictions and backpressure.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a fuel nozzle for injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber, and a plasma igniter for generating one or more pluralities of free radicals within the chamber, and initiating a flame to ignite the fuel. The igniter protrudes into the chamber. A method of igniting a fuel within a combustion chamber and controlling combustion phasing includes injecting a first portion of the fuel into the combustion chamber, energizing the plasma igniter to generate one or more pluralities of free radicals, each plurality having a known voltage, subsequently injecting a second portion of the fuel into the combustion chamber, and closely coupling activation of the plasma igniter with the second injection to ignite the fuel. Combustion phasing of the ignition event is controlled by controlling the number and voltage of the pluralities of free radicals generated by the plasma igniter.