Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine and a method of assembling the powertrain includes providing the engine. A starter mechanism is selectively operable to start the engine. A motor-generator includes an adapter to dispose the motor-generator and the starter mechanism in alternative assembly configurations being a first assembly configuration and a second assembly configuration. The first assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is coupleable to the adapter to selectively transfer torque from the motor-generator through the adapter and the starter mechanism to start the engine. The second assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is spaced from the adapter to operate independently of the motor-generator such that the starter mechanism selectively transfers torque to start the engine.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine with a crankshaft rotating on a first axis, motor/generator unit (MGU), belted drive system, transmission, actuator assembly, and controller. An MGU rotor shaft rotates about a second axis. The belted drive assembly has a first pulley connected to the crankshaft, a second pulley selectively connected to the rotor shaft, and an endless rotatable drive element that connects the pulleys. The transmission is connected to the flywheel via an input clutch. The actuator assembly has a third axis parallel to the first and second axes, a linear actuator(s), pinion gears translatable along the third axis to selectively engage the first and second gear elements, and overrunning clutches to passively disengage the pinion gears from the first or second gear element. The controller transmits control signals to the MGU and linear actuators to command a control state via translation of the pinion gears.

Abstract: A powertrain is disclosed. A ring gear is attached to a first distal end of a crankshaft such that the ring gear and the crankshaft are rotatable in unison about a longitudinal axis. A motor-generator includes a motor/generator shaft rotatable about a first axis spaced from the longitudinal axis. A starter mechanism includes a first starter gear coupleable to the motor/generator shaft and rotatable about a second axis spaced from the longitudinal axis. The first and second axes are spaced and substantially parallel to each other. The first starter gear is movable along the second axis between a first position engaging the ring gear such that torque is transferred from the motor/generator shaft through the first starter gear and the ring gear to the crankshaft to start the engine, and a second position disengaged from the ring gear to rotatably disconnect the starter mechanism from the ring gear.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine with a crankshaft rotating on a first axis, motor/generator unit (MGU), belted drive system, transmission, actuator assembly, and controller. An MGU rotor shaft rotates about a second axis. The belted drive assembly has a first pulley connected to the crankshaft, a second pulley selectively connected to the rotor shaft, and an endless rotatable drive element that connects the pulleys. The transmission is connected to the flywheel via an input clutch. The actuator assembly has a third axis parallel to the first and second axes, a linear actuator(s), pinion gears translatable along the third axis to selectively engage the first and second gear elements, and overrunning clutches to passively disengage the pinion gears from the first or second gear element. The controller transmits control signals to the MGU and linear actuators to command a control state via translation of the pinion gears.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine and a method of assembling the powertrain includes providing the engine. A starter mechanism is selectively operable to start the engine. A motor-generator includes an adapter to dispose the motor-generator and the starter mechanism in alternative assembly configurations being a first assembly configuration and a second assembly configuration. The first assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is coupleable to the adapter to selectively transfer torque from the motor-generator through the adapter and the starter mechanism to start the engine. The second assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is spaced from the adapter to operate independently of the motor-generator such that the starter mechanism selectively transfers torque to start the engine.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle and a method of assembling the powertrain are disclosed. An engine includes a crankshaft being rotatable about a longitudinal axis. A ring gear is attached to a first distal end of the crankshaft such that the ring gear and the crankshaft are rotatable in unison about the longitudinal axis. A starter mechanism is selectively operable to rotate the ring gear and the crankshaft to start the engine. A motor-generator includes an adapter selectively cooperating with the starter mechanism to dispose the motor-generator and the starter mechanism in alternative assembly configurations being a first assembly configuration and a second assembly configuration. The first assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is coupleable to the adapter and the second assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is spaced from the adapter to operate independently of the motor-generator.

Abstract: A rotor for a permanent magnet synchronous machine that includes a rotor core structure. A first set of permanent magnets forms poles within the rotor core structure. Each pole includes a pair of permanent magnets from the first set of permanent magnets. A first set of apertures is formed in a first radial layer of the rotor core structure. Each pole includes a pair of apertures from the first set of apertures. The first set of permanent magnets is inserted within the first set of apertures. Each pair of permanent magnets within a pole cooperatively generates a magnetic field in a same direction within the pole. The magnetic field generated by a respective pair of magnets in a respective pole is opposite to a magnetic field generated by a pair of permanent magnets in an adjacent pole.

Abstract: A powertrain and an electromechanical apparatus are disclosed. A ring gear is attached to a first distal end of a crankshaft such that the ring gear and the crankshaft are rotatable in unison about a longitudinal axis. A motor-generator includes a motor/generator shaft being rotatable about a first axis spaced from the longitudinal axis. A starter mechanism includes a first starter gear coupleable to the motor/generator shaft and rotatable about a second axis spaced from the longitudinal axis. The first starter gear is movable along the second axis between a first position engaging the ring gear such that torque is transferred from the motor/generator shaft through the first starter gear and the ring gear to the crankshaft to start the engine, and a second position disengaged from the ring gear to rotatably disconnect the starter mechanism from the ring gear.

Abstract: A powertrain is disclosed. A ring gear is attached to a first distal end of a crankshaft such that the ring gear and the crankshaft are rotatable in unison about a longitudinal axis. A motor-generator includes a motor/generator shaft rotatable about a first axis spaced from the longitudinal axis. A starter mechanism includes a first starter gear coupleable to the motor/generator shaft and rotatable about a second axis spaced from the longitudinal axis. The first and second axes are spaced and substantially parallel to each other. The first starter gear is movable along the second axis between a first position engaging the ring gear such that torque is transferred from the motor/generator shaft through the first starter gear and the ring gear to the crankshaft to start the engine, and a second position disengaged from the ring gear to rotatably disconnect the starter mechanism from the ring gear.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle and a method of assembling the powertrain are disclosed. An engine includes a crankshaft being rotatable about a longitudinal axis. A ring gear is attached to a first distal end of the crankshaft such that the ring gear and the crankshaft are rotatable in unison about the longitudinal axis. A starter mechanism is selectively operable to rotate the ring gear and the crankshaft to start the engine. A motor-generator includes an adapter selectively cooperating with the starter mechanism to dispose the motor-generator and the starter mechanism in alternative assembly configurations being a first assembly configuration and a second assembly configuration. The first assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is coupleable to the adapter and the second assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is spaced from the adapter to operate independently of the motor-generator.

Abstract: A rotor for a permanent synchronous machine includes a rotor having a plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities formed within a rotor core structure. The plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities substantially concentrically layered with respect to an outer cylindrical wall of the rotor core structure. A plurality of permanent magnets is inserted within the plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities. Each cavity layer retains a permanent magnet of a first magnetic field strength disposed in end sections and a permanent magnet of a second magnetic field strength in a center section of each cavity layer. Each respective cavity includes an air barrier formed between the magnets having different magnetic field strengths. The air barrier generates a reluctance within an air barrier gap for directing a flow of flux generated by each third permanent magnet in a preceding layer in a direction toward each third permanent magnet in a succeeding layer.

Abstract: A rotor for an interior permanent synchronous machine. A rotor core structure includes an outer cylindrical wall juxtaposed to an air gap. A plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities is formed within the rotor core structure. The plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities is substantially concentrically layered with respect to an outer cylindrical wall of the rotor core structure. Each arcuately-shaped cavity extending between first and second end sections is juxtaposed to the outer cylindrical surface wall of the rotor structure and includes an intervening center section. A plurality of permanent magnets is inserted within the plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities. Each first end section retains a respective first permanent magnet having a first magnet field strength. Each second end section retains a respective second permanent magnet having the first magnetic field strength.

Abstract: A rotor for an interior permanent synchronous machine. A rotor core structure includes an outer cylindrical wall juxtaposed to an air gap. A plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities is formed within the rotor core structure. The plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities is substantially concentrically layered with respect to an outer cylindrical wall of the rotor core structure. Each arcuately-shaped cavity extending between first and second end sections is juxtaposed to the outer cylindrical surface wall of the rotor structure and includes an intervening center section. A plurality of permanent magnets is inserted within the plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities. Each first end section retains a respective first permanent magnet having a first magnet field strength. Each second end section retains a respective second permanent magnet having the first magnetic field strength.

Abstract: A rotor for a permanent synchronous machine includes a rotor having a plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities formed within a rotor core structure. The plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities substantially concentrically layered with respect to an outer cylindrical wall of the rotor core structure. A plurality of permanent magnets is inserted within the plurality of arcuately-shaped cavities. Each cavity layer retains a permanent magnet of a first magnetic field strength disposed in end sections and a permanent magnet of a second magnetic field strength in a center section of each cavity layer. Each respective cavity includes an air barrier formed between the magnets having different magnetic field strengths. The air barrier generates a reluctance within an air barrier gap for directing a flow of flux generated by each third permanent magnet in a preceding layer in a direction toward each third permanent magnet in a succeeding layer.