Abstract: The invention concerns a drive system, especially for a motor vehicle, with a drive assembly, especially an internal combustion engine; an electric machine that is directly coupled or can be coupled to the drive shaft of the drive assembly, being designed such that it can start the drive assembly by merging in from standstill; and an automatic start-stop control of the drive assembly. The invention is also addressed to a method for operating such a drive system.

Abstract: Drive system, especially for a motor vehicle, with a drive assembly, especially an internal combustion engine (1), an electric machine (4) and an antislip control, in which the (one) electric machine (4) is designed such that it can produce a reduction of drive slip, in particular by braking action and/or—when the electric machine (4) is acting as a coupling—by clutch slip action.

Abstract: The invention concerns a starter/generator for an internal combustion engine (1), especially that of a motor vehicle, with an electric rotary-field machine (4), which exercises the starter and generator function; and at least one invertor (17) for generating the voltages and/or currents of variable frequency, amplitude and/or phase required for the magnetic fields of the electric machine (4); wherein the electric machine (4) starts the internal combustion engine (1) by merging in from standstill.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drive system, especially for a vehicle, with a drive unit, especially an internal combustion engine, a transmission with variable transmission ratio between drive unit and drive, and especially with a continuously variable transmission ratio or one variable in fine gradations, at least one additional unit driven by the drive unit, especially an electric generator, a control, which selects the transmission ratio within a range of possible transmission ratios, so that the highest possible efficiency is achieved with joint consideration of the individual efficiency functions of the vehicle drive and the additional unit(s) and their drive, in which the individual efficiency functions are incorporated in the total efficiency with a weight corresponding to the power fraction of the vehicle drive and additional unit(s). The invention is also geared toward a corresponding method.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for actively reducing rotational nonuniformity of oa shaft, in particular the drive shaft (10) of an internal combustion engine (1) or a shaft which is coupled, or can be coupled, to the drive shaft. The system includes at least one electrical machine (4), in particular an induction machine or traveling wave machine, which is coupled, or can be coupled, to the shaft; at least one invertor (17) which generates the voltage and/nor current of variable frequency, amplitude and/or phase necessary to produce the magnetic field of the electrical machine (4); and at least one control device (31) which controls the invertor (17) and hence the electrical machine (4) in such a way that the machine counteracts both positive and negative rotational nonuniformity of the shaft. The invention also concerns a method of actively reducing rotational nonuniformity using the system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drive system, especially for a motor vehicle, with a drive assembly, especially an internal combustion engine (1), and at least one electric machine (4) for active reduction of rotational nonuniformities, acting on the drive assembly, in particular, its drive shaft (10) or a shaft coupled or which can be coupled to it, wherein at least one sensor (16, 32) of the drive system and/or at least one quantity derived from sensor information serves both to control the drive assembly and also to control the electric machine (4), and/or wherein a control unit (31 and 33, respectively) responsible for the control of the electric machine (4) or of the drive assembly also partly or entirely controls the drive assembly or the electric machine (4), respectfully. The invention is also oriented to a method of operating such a drive system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drive system, especially for a motor vehicle, with a drive assembly, especially an internal combustion engine (1); and at least one electric machine (4), which acts as an electromagnetic coupling in the drive train (2) of the drive system and/or as an active transmission synchronization device. The invention is also oriented to a method of operating a drive system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for active reduction of radial vibrations of a rotating shaft (4), especially the drive shaft of an internal combustion engine (1), with at least one active electromagnetic device (7; 10; 15, 16), which is configured and controlled such that it applies radial forces to the shaft (4), which counteract the radial vibrations of the shaft (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an idling speed of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electric machine operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine for applying a braking torque to the internal combustion engine to reduce the idling speed and for applying a driving torque to the internal combustion engine to increase the idling speed. It also includes a controller for controlling the electric machine. The controller is responsive to a load change to control the electric machine to apply one of a braking torque and a driving torque to the internal combustion engine to substantially maintain the idling speed at a predefined level.

Abstract: An auxiliary starter unit is disclosed for facilitating starting of a diesel engine. The auxiliary starter unit includes a heater positioned in proximity to the diesel engine to improve a starting characteristic of the diesel engine. The auxiliary starter unit also includes an inverter having an intermediate circuit. The auxiliary starter unit is further provided with an energy storage device located to receive electrical energy from the intermediate circuit, and a controlled switch having a closed state and an open state. The controlled switch is positioned to couple the energy storage device in circuit with the heater to deliver electrical energy thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling the idling speed of an internal combustion engine by reducing torque fluctuations experienced by the engine. In the disclosed apparatus, an electric machine is coupled to the drive shaft of an internal combustion engine. The electric machine is controlled such that it applies a varying torque substantially in counterphase to the torque fluctuations to reduce such fluctuations. The amplitude of the torque variations applied by the electric machine in the cold state of the internal combustion engine are greater than in the warm state. An idle control system functions to maintain the reference idling speed of the internal combustion engine in the cold state below or at the same level set in the warm state. The reference idling speed can be reduced relative to the idling speeds set in prior art systems to achieve enhanced engine performance.

Abstract: A starter for a drive unit, such as an internal combustion engine, includes a stationary and a movable base element which form a linear motor. The movable base element is seated on a revolving shaft of the drive unit an inertia mass of a flywheel of the drive unit. The inertia mass of the flywheel is rigidly connected with the revolving shaft and is acted upon with sufficient torque required for the starting of the drive unit. Upon starting, the linear motor is switched over into a generator operation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine 2 which drives the vehicle via a drive shaft 4. The motor vehicle further includes a latent heat accumulator 18. In addition, the motor vehicle includes an electrical machine 8 which is at least at intervals of time coupled to the drive shaft 4 so that the rotational energy of the drive shaft 4 can be converted into electrical energy with the aid of the electrical machine 8. The electrical energy is supplied to the latent heat accumulator 18 and is there converted into heat energy to charge the latent heat accumulator 18.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cooling system for a electric machine. A reliable tightness with respect to the coolant to be used is ensured with respect to the machine to be cooled as well as with respect to the ambient. The cooling arrangement is convenient and does not constitute a hindrance in the event that repair or maintenance work must be conducted on the machine. The electric machine includes a stator and a cooling jacket defining a hollow interior and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for connecting the cooling jacket to an external cooling circulating system for facilitating a flow of coolant through the interior. The cooling jacket has a hose-like configuration and is made of a flexible, elastic material so as to cause the cooling jacket to lie in close intimate contact with the stator to facilitate a transfer of heat from the stator to the coolant. The cooling jacket is made of rubber or silicone.

Abstract: An active vibration damping system for a drive unit having at least one drive shaft is provided. The vibration damping system includes a flywheel which comprises a movable base element of a linear electric motor that acts on the rotation of the shaft. The linear electric motor consists of a linear machine which generates a traveling magnetic field. The turning direction of the traveling magnetic field chosen relative to the turning direction of the crankshaft such that when unacceptably low momentary turning rates are sensed, a thrust force is applied to the flywheel and when unacceptably high momentary turning rates are sensed, a retarding force is applied until an evening up of the crankshaft rotation or a rotary vibration damping is achieved.