Abstract: An occupant weight-based airbag suppression method utilizes adjustable time constant filtering and dynamic threshold adjustment to reliably determine and indicate airbag suppression status. The filter time constant is ordinarily set to a first value that provides relatively fast tracking of the raw occupant weight, but is set to a second value that provides relatively slow tracking of the raw occupant weight when both the raw and filtered occupant weights are within a specified band about the threshold value. The threshold value and band are dynamically adjusted after the suppression status is initially determined so as to effectively increase the separation between the filtered weight and the threshold.

Abstract: A multicylinder homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine with a control system designed to maintain stable HCCI combustion during engine speed/load transitions by: (1) determining “combustion parameter” values such as the maximum rate of pressure rise for each cycle of each cylinder, (2) adjusting engine operating parameters (such as charge-air intake temperature, intake pressure (boost), or charge-air oxygen concentration) to effect a change in the combustion parameter value, (3) thereafter adjusting an engine “control parameter” (e.g., commanded fuel quantity) to each cylinder to maintain a desired target for the combustion parameter value (such as 10 bar/crank angle degree, or a smaller value, such as 6 bar/crank angle degree), and (4) individually adjusting cooling, heating and/or fuel command to deviating cylinders to achieve uniform combustion.

Abstract: The usage condition of a vehicle seat lap/shoulder belt is determined by detecting the proximity of the belt to at least one of the seat bight and back cushion. A passive component is embedded or otherwise attached to at least one of the lap and shoulder portions of the belt, and at least one active component is disposed behind the trim fabric of the seat to detect the proximity of the passive component to the seat. The proximity measurements are used in conjunction with other sensor data such as belt tension and/or state to reliably detect the presence of a rear facing infant seat and to discriminate between proper and improper lap/shoulder belt usage.

Abstract: A multiple sensor, vehicle seat occupant status determination system uses dynamic variations in occupant responsive sensor output due to accelerations of the vehicle seat to discriminate via a statistical method between sensors that are failed and those that are operating correctly and eliminates the contribution of signals detected as not valid from the status determination. If and only if the maximum and minimum sampled signal values of at least one of the received signals span upper and lower control reference values derived from the sampled signal values, a variance value for each of the signals is derived; and one or both of the greatest two or the smallest two variance values are checked against a relative size factor to detect an outlier signal value. If an outlier signal value is detected more than a predetermined number of consecutive times, the status classification is performed without signal values from the outlier sensor.

Abstract: A variable displacement hydraulic/pump motor has a yoke with a pair of shafts aligned to define a yoke pivot axis and connected to a valve plate therebetween having intake and discharge apertures. A rotatable cylinder barrel has piston cylinders open at one end to receive a piston head and opening through fluid ports at another end, flush against the valve plate surface. A drive block is mounted on an input/output shaft for rotation about a central axis of rotation inclined at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder barrel which may be changed by a drive engaging the yoke at a point near its pivot axis. Loads on bushings supporting the yoke shafts are reduced by providing radially extending fluid ports in the shafts and in communication with the intake and discharge apertures of the valve plate.

Abstract: A turbocharger system includes first and second turbines arranged such that exhaust gas passes through the first turbine then the second turbine. A bypass channel is configured such that exhaust gas entering the channel passes only through the second turbine. A valve positioned in the bypass channel regulates the flow of gas therethrough. The valve accelerates a stream of gas and focuses the stream toward the second turbine such that a large part of the added velocity of the stream is preserved as it enters the second turbine. Operation of the valve may be controlled so as to maintain the valve in a closed position while exhaust gas pressure above the first turbine pressure is below a first threshold, to progressively open the valve as the pressure increases above the first threshold, and to maintain the valve in a full-open position while the pressure is above a second threshold.

Abstract: A hydraulic machine includes first and second opposing motors. Displacement of the first and second motors is controlled such that while the sum of the displacements of the first and second motors is below a threshold, the displacement of the first motor is substantially equal to the sum, and the displacement of the second motor is substantially equal to zero. While the sum of the displacements is above the threshold, the displacement of the first motor may be substantially equal to the displacement of the second motor, either as a displacement percentage or as a displacement volume. The first motor may be equal in capacity, or smaller than the second motor.

Abstract: The presence of a rear-facing infant seat on a motor vehicle seat is reliably and cost-effectively detected based on the buckle state and tension of the seat belt, and the position of the seat belt relative to the seat bight region where the seat bottom and back cushions meet. These seat belt parameters are measured and applied to a predefined decision matrix to detect the presence of a rear-facing infant seat.

Abstract: A vehicle drive-train includes a drive-motor having an output shaft and a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, a plurality of discrete forward gear ratios and a corresponding plurality of synchronizers. Each of the synchronizers is configured to mechanically synchronize rotation of the drive-motor output shaft with the transmission output shaft according to a value of a selected gear ratio, during shifting of the transmission to the selected gear ratio. The output shaft of the drive-motor and the input shaft of the transmission are coupled together such that, during normal operation of the drive-train, rotation of the output shaft of the drive-motor results in a proportionate and uninterrupted rotation of the input shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: A pump/motor includes a back plate having first and second fluid ports configured to be differentially pressurized, first and second reaction plates rigidly coupled to the back plate, and a valve plate slideably coupled to the back plate and having first and second fluid feed channels configured to receive fluid from the first and second fluid ports. A plurality of hold-down pistons is positioned in respective hold-down cylinders formed in the valve plate. Each of the hold-down pistons is configured to be biased, by pressurized fluid in the respective hold-down cylinder, against a surface of one of the reaction plates. A barrel, having a plurality of drive cylinders, is rotatably coupled to the valve plate. Drive pistons positioned in the drive cylinders are biased against a thrust plate by pressurized fluid in the drive cylinders. The thrust plate is coupled to an output shaft of the pump/motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic machine includes a valve plate, with first and second fluid ports in a surface thereof. A cylinder barrel is rotatably coupled to the valve plate. A plurality of cylinders is formed in the cylinder barrel, such that, as the barrel rotates, each cylinder is coupled to the first and second fluid ports, sequentially. First and second pressure relief ports are formed in the surface of the valve plate between the first and second fluid ports at top- and bottom-dead-center, respectively. A cross-port bore is formed in the valve plate, placing the first and second pressure relief ports in fluid communication with each other. As each cylinder rotates to top-dead-center, an opposite cylinder rotates to bottom-dead-center. The respective cylinders are coupled to the first and second pressure relief ports, such that differential pressure in the cylinders is equalized.

Abstract: Two motors are arranged on opposing sides of a common shaft, drive plates of the pump/motors being rigidly coupled to each other, for example by being in hard contact with opposing sides of the shaft. By providing hard contact between the pump/motor drive plates and a common shaft, the drive plates and shaft act as a substantially solid element under compression, thereby substantially canceling axial loads generated by the pump/motors directly through the shaft. Residual axial loads are handled via bearings positioned on the shaft adjacent the drive plates in such a manner that the drive plates are in light contact only with the bearings. As a result, friction experienced by the bearings is substantially reduced as compared to conventional systems, thereby improving the efficiency of the system.

Abstract: An occupant weight-based airbag suppression method utilizes adjustable time constant filtering and dynamic threshold adjustment to reliably determine and indicate airbag suppression status. The filter time constant is ordinarily set to a first value that provides relatively fast tracking of the raw occupant weight, but is set to a second value that provides relatively slow tracking of the raw occupant weight when both the raw and filtered occupant weights are within a specified band about the threshold value. The threshold value and band are dynamically adjusted after the suppression status is initially determined so as to effectively increase the separation between the filtered weight and the threshold.

Abstract: A bent axis pump/motor includes a back plate positioned within a casing, and a check valve positioned in the back-plate, the check valve configured to control passage of fluid from within the casing to an interior of the back plate. A yoke, coupled to the back plate, includes trunnions, positioned within respective apertures in the casing, upon which the yoke rotates. Bearings, occupying less than the complete circumference of the respective trunnion, are positioned between each of the trunnions and respective inner walls of the apertures. Trunnion apertures, for passage of fluid, are positioned in a portion of the circumference not occupied by the respective bearing. A valve positioned within the casing selectively couples high- and low-pressure fluid to the trunnions. Fluid supply channels, formed integrally with the casing, transmit fluid from the valve to the trunnions via fluid apertures provided within the apertures in the casing.

Abstract: A lightweight, low permeation, piston-in-sleeve high pressure accumulator is provided. The accumulator includes a cylindrical composite pressure vessel with two integral rounded ends. A piston slidably disposed in a thin nonpermeable internal sleeve in the accumulator separates two chambers, one adapted for containing a working fluid and the other adapted for containing gas under pressure. Working fluid is provided in a volume between the nonpermeable internal sleeve and the composite pressure vessel wall. Further means are provided for withstanding harmful effects of radial flexing of the composite vessel wall under high pressures, and from stresses present in use in mobile applications such as with a hydraulic power system for a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle. A method for pre-charging the device is also presented.

Abstract: A mounting anchor for a motor vehicle includes a locking bar, a first switch, a first movable plate, a second switch and a second movable plate. The first switch is positioned adjacent a first side of the locking bar and the first movable plate is positioned to slidably engage a groove on the first side of the locking bar. The first movable plate includes a first activation area for receiving a portion of the first switch and a first aperture for receiving a first rotatable arm. The second switch is positioned adjacent a second side of the locking bar, which is opposite the first side of the locking bar. The second movable plate is positioned to slidably engage a groove on the second side of the locking bar and includes a second activation area for receiving a portion of the second switch and a second aperture for receiving a second rotatable arm.

Abstract: A mounting anchor for a motor vehicle includes a locking bar, a first switch, a first movable plate, a second switch and a second movable plate. The first switch is positioned adjacent a first side of the locking bar and the first movable plate is positioned to slidably engage a groove on the first side of the locking bar. The first movable plate includes a first activation area for receiving a portion of the first switch and a first aperture for receiving a first rotatable arm. The second switch is positioned adjacent a second side of the locking bar, which is opposite the first side of the locking bar. The second movable plate is positioned to slidably engage a groove on the second side of the locking bar and includes a second activation area for receiving a portion of the second switch and a second aperture for receiving a second rotatable arm.

Abstract: A Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine is used in conjunction with a hybrid powertrain. Power production from the HCCI engine in operation may be decoupled from, or assisted in, responding to driver power demand. In this manner, the HCCI engine: (i) is relieved from the need to quickly adapt to changes in driver power demand, and/or (ii) is allowed to more slowly transition between power levels reflective of the vehicle power demands, with a secondary power source providing the more immediate power response to driver demands. In addition, driver power demand greater than what can be provided by the HCCI engine may preferably be met through the addition of power from the powertrain's reversible secondary power source (e.g. one or more reversible electric motor/generator(s) or reversible hydraulic pump/motor(s)), thereby avoiding the need for full load operation by the HCCI engine.

Abstract: An actuator includes a piston within a cylinder, the cylinder having a first fluid port in communication with an open side of the piston, and a second fluid port in communication with a shaft side of the piston. The piston travels in a first direction, toward the shaft side of the piston and in a second direction, toward the open side of the piston. The actuator includes a valve circuit configured to selectively couple the first fluid port with a high-pressure fluid source when piston travel in the first direction is desired, and with a low-pressure fluid source when piston travel in the second direction is desired. The valve circuit is further configured to couple the second fluid port to the high-pressure fluid source when piston travel is desired in the first or second direction, and to close the first and second fluid ports when no piston travel is desired.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle provides variable displacement by selectively driving one or more engine crankshafts mounted within a single unitary engine block. In several embodiments the crankshafts are connected to a common output shaft with a one-way clutch between the common output shaft and at least one of the crankshafts. In one aspect starter gearing is independently associated with each of the first and second crankshafts and a starter is provided for selective engagement with the starter gearing of either of the crankshafts. In another aspect, an accessory drive for driving accessory systems of the vehicle receives power from any crankshaft which is operating, yet is isolated from any crankshaft that is not operating by a one-way clutch.