Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for active cooling of a rechargeable energy storage system. A thermal conditioning system includes a cooling system configured to circulate a coolant to cool the RESS. A controller computes a generated heat amount of the RESS; computes a target temperature of the coolant based on the generated heat amount; and operates actuators of the thermal conditioning system to cool the coolant to the target temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for active cooling of a rechargeable energy storage system. A thermal conditioning system includes a cooling system configured to circulate a coolant to cool the RESS. A controller computes a generated heat amount of the RESS; computes a target temperature of the coolant based on the generated heat amount; and operates actuators of the thermal conditioning system to cool the coolant to the target temperature.

Abstract: An assembly includes a steering column, a steering wheel coupled to the steering column, and a shifter coupled between the steering column and the steering wheel. The shifter includes a shifter body and a shift actuator movably coupled to the shifter body. The assembly further includes a coupler movable through the shifter body between a first coupler position and a second coupler position. The coupler is configured to couple the shifter body to the steering wheel when the coupler is in the first coupler position to permit the shift actuators to rotate along with the steering wheel. The coupler is configured to couple the shifter to the steering column when the coupler is in the second coupler position to maintain the shifter body stationary relative to the steering wheel.

Abstract: An assembly includes a steering column, a steering wheel coupled to the steering column, and a shifter coupled between the steering column and the steering wheel. The shifter includes a shifter body and a shift actuator movably coupled to the shifter body. The assembly further includes a coupler movable through the shifter body between a first coupler position and a second coupler position. The coupler is configured to couple the shifter body to the steering wheel when the coupler is in the first coupler position to permit the shift actuators to rotate along with the steering wheel. The coupler is configured to couple the shifter to the steering column when the coupler is in the second coupler position to maintain the shifter body stationary relative to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting brake knockback in a vehicle disk brake system. Brake knockback can occur when a vehicle is driven through an aggressive turn or in other environments that exert a significant amount of lateral force on the vehicle's wheels. This can cause the rotors to deflect and push brake pistons into retracted positions, where they remain even after the vehicle exits the turn. According to one embodiment, the present method first estimates or predicts brake knockback by using lateral acceleration readings from the vehicle and a brake knockback model, and then corrects brake knockback by generating command signals for a hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A method for active traction control of a vehicle can be performed to optimize corner exiting performance of a vehicle that is operating in a high performance or racing environment. The method estimates a real-time tire traction value during operation of the vehicle, computes a remaining tire traction value based upon a comparison of the estimated real-time tire traction value to a total available tire traction value, and calculates a traction system torque limit from the remaining tire traction value. The calculated torque limit can then be used to limit the actual traction system torque of the vehicle as needed in a real-time manner.

Abstract: A method for active traction control of a vehicle can be performed to optimize corner exiting performance of a vehicle that is operating in a high performance or racing environment. The method estimates a real-time tire traction value during operation of the vehicle, computes a remaining tire traction value based upon a comparison of the estimated real-time tire traction value to a total available tire traction value, and calculates a traction system torque limit from the remaining tire traction value. The calculated torque limit can then be used to limit the actual traction system torque of the vehicle as needed in a real-time manner.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting brake knockback in a vehicle disk brake system. Brake knockback can occur when a vehicle is driven through an aggressive turn or in other environments that exert a significant amount of lateral force on the vehicle's wheels. This can cause the rotors to deflect and push brake pistons into retracted positions, where they remain even after the vehicle exits the turn. According to one embodiment, the present method first estimates or predicts brake knockback by using lateral acceleration readings from the vehicle and a brake knockback model, and then corrects brake knockback by generating command signals for a hydraulic pump.

Abstract: Self-adjusting clutches for automotive vehicles include a hydraulic cylinder as part of a clutch linkage connecting a clutch foot pedal to a clutch plate biased by a clutch spring to urge a friction disk into engagement with a flywheel of an engine. The hydraulic cylinder has a housing with a stop thereon that engages a bracket fixed to the vehicle when the clutch is engaged under the bias of the clutch spring. A piston within the housing is connected through a linkage in the form of a cable or rod assembly to the clutch. As the clutch wears, the piston is pulled toward the clutch for elongating the hydraulic cylinder to compensate for clutch wear by adjusting the length of the clutch linkage. A valve within the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the clutch pedal and is closed upon pressing the clutch pedal to retain the elongated length of the hydraulic cylinder and thus the adjusted length of the clutch linkage while the clutch is disengaged.