Abstract: Methods and systems for assisting operation of a road vehicle with an aerial drone are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for assisting operation of a road vehicle with an aerial drone includes flying the aerial drone on a route ahead of the road vehicle and sensing an object at a location on the route ahead of the road vehicle with the aerial drone. Further, the method includes communicating data associated with the object and/or the location to the road vehicle. Also, the method includes utilizing the data to operate the road vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission includes monitoring powertrain operating conditions, and calculating, via an electronic controller, a commanded clamping force based on the powertrain operating conditions, wherein the commanded clamping force includes a commanded clamping force of an input pulley and a commanded clamping force of an output pulley on the endless rotatable device. The method also includes activating, via the electronic controller, at least one of the input actuator and the output actuator such that an axial component of the input wedge force and the axial force of the input actuator together provide the commanded clamping force of the input pulley, and an axial component of the output wedge force and the axial force of the output actuator together provide the commanded clamping force of the output pulley.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprises a shaft rotatable about an axis, and variator assembly, and an actuator mechanism. The variator assembly includes a pulley supported on the shaft and having a ramp surface, and an endless rotatable device frictionally engaged with the pulley. The ramp surface inclines in an axial direction along the axis toward the endless rotatable device. The CVT further comprises an actuator mechanism that includes a wedge component that has a wedge surface interfacing with the ramp surface, and a rotary piston operatively connected to the wedge component. The rotary piston defines a first fluid chamber pressurizable to apply a rotational force that provides relative motion between the ramp surface and the wedge surface resulting in a wedge force on the ramp surface and a clamping force of the endless rotatable device on the pulley.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power plant, continuously variable transmission (CVT), drive wheels, sensors, and controller. The CVT achieves a fixed gear/positive engagement and friction drive modes, and includes an input member that receives input torque from the power plant, an output member, and a variator assembly having drive and driven variator pulleys. The pulleys are connected to each other via an endless rotatable drive element, and to a respective one of the input and output members. Pulley actuators change a CVT speed ratio. The controller calculates a relative slip of the pulleys using measured speeds and displacements from the sensors, reduces the relative slip until the relative slip is below a calibrated speed limit or within a calibrated speed range via actuator control signal to the pulley actuators, and commands the fixed gear/positive engagement mode via positive engagement control signals to the CVT until the relative slip reaches zero.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided with elastic elements that have configurable characteristics of force and displacement for a variety of applications. An elastic element is configured to deflect from a base shape when a load is applied and to resume the base shape when the load is removed. The elastic element formed of a metallic glass material. The elastic element applies a force to a moveable element.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine including a rotor, a geartrain including a pump drive mechanism, a first clutch and a second clutch and a variator for a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The internal combustion engine is rotatably coupled to the rotor of the electric machine by activation of a second clutch. The internal combustion engine is rotatably coupled to the variator by activation of first and second clutches. The rotor of the electric machine is rotatably coupled to the variator by activation of the first clutch, and the electric machine is operative in either a forward direction or a reverse direction. The geartrain is disposed to operate the pump drive mechanism to drive a fluidic pump in a first direction when the electric machine is operating in the forward direction and when the electric machine is operating in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT comprises a shaft rotatable about an axis, and variator assembly, and an actuator mechanism. The variator assembly includes a pulley supported on the shaft and having a ramp surface, and an endless rotatable device frictionally engaged with the pulley. The ramp surface inclines in an axial direction along the axis toward the endless rotatable device. The CVT further comprises an actuator mechanism that includes a wedge component that has a wedge surface interfacing with the ramp surface, and a rotary piston operatively connected to the wedge component. The rotary piston defines a first fluid chamber pressurizable to apply a rotational force that provides relative motion between the ramp surface and the wedge surface resulting in a wedge force on the ramp surface and a clamping force of the endless rotatable device on the pulley.

Abstract: A transmission includes a continuously variable unit (CVU) (20) arranged in parallel with an expansion gearset (120). The CVU (20) includes a first pulley (22) that is rotatably coupled to a second pulley (24) and an input member (12). The expansion gearset (120) includes a planetary gearset (130) that is arranged in series with a coplanar second gearset (140), and the second gearset (140) includes a first gear (142) engaged with a layshaft gear (144). The second pulley (24) is rotatably couplable to the first gear (142) of the second gearset (140). The layshaft gear (144) is engaged with a ring gear (136) and a carrier member (134) which is rotatably couplable to an output member (14). The first pulley (22) is rotatably couplable to the sun gear (132) via a first clutch (115). The transmission operates in a continuously variable mode when the first clutch (115) is deactivated, and operates in a power split mode when the first clutch (115) is activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locking a cycle. A clutch system of the cycle includes a forward lock system configured to alternatively prevent or allow operation of the cycle in a forward direction. A shaft extends through the clutch system. An actuator is configured to move the forward lock system along the shaft between a lock position and a free position. A controller is configured to shift the actuator, via a signal from a processor, between the lock position and the free position. The cycle is configured to be locked against forward operation by the clutch system.

Abstract: A continuously-variable transmission (CVT) assembly is employed for transmitting a torque from an external power-source. The CVT includes a variable-diameter input pulley and a variable-diameter output pulley, each having a respective range of adjustment. The CVT also includes a continuous torque-transmitting element extending between the variable-diameter input pulley and the variable-diameter output pulley, and thereby operatively connecting the input pulley to the output pulley. The CVT additionally includes a first elastic element having a first zero stiffness over the range of adjustment of the variable-diameter input pulley and configured to apply a first constant spring clamping force via the input pulley to the continuous torque-transmitting element.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and an endless rotatable device operatively interconnecting the first and second pulleys. The endless rotatable device includes a device body and a plurality of device teeth protruding from the device body. Each of the first and second pulleys includes a first sheave, a second sheave, and a pulley axle operatively coupled between the first sheave and the second sheave. The pulley axle defines a pulley center. The first sheave is movable relative to the second sheave along the pulley axle. Each of the first and second sheaves includes a sheave body and a plurality of sheave teeth protruding from the sheave body. The sheave teeth are annularly arranged around the pulley center. The sheave teeth are shaped to mate with the device teeth.

Abstract: A transmission variator includes a first pulley rotatably attached to an intermediate member of a geartrain, and a second pulley rotatably attached to an output member that is rotatably coupled to the driveline. The geartrain includes an input member, a planetary gear set, a first clutch, a second clutch and an intermediate member. The second clutch is a low drag clutch. The input member rotatably couples to the prime mover. A controller includes an instruction set that is executable to activate only the first clutch in response to a request to operate the driveline in a forward direction, and activate only the second clutch in response to a request to operate the driveline in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A multiple-mode continuously-variable transmission (CVT) assembly for connecting to an external power-source is disclosed. The assembly includes a continuously-variable speed-ratio unit having an input member and a multiple fixed speed-ratio unit having another input member, wherein the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit is operatively connected to the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit. The assembly also includes a first torque-transmitting device operatively connected to each of the input members of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit. The first torque-transmitting device is configured to receive an input torque from the external power-source. The assembly also includes an output member operatively connected to each of the continuously-variable speed-ratio unit and the multiple fixed speed-ratio unit and configured to carry an output torque from the assembly. A motor vehicle having such a multiple-mode CVT assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, automobiles, and methods are provided for warning of a potential collision between an approaching object and an opened side door of a vehicle. A system for a vehicle includes an approach sensor, a side door sensor, an alarm, and a controller. The approach sensor is configured to attach to the vehicle and to generate approach sensor data indicating an approaching object that may collide with a side door of the vehicle. The side door sensor is configured to generate door sensor data indicating an impending opening of the side door by an occupant. The alarm is configured to communicate with the occupant. The controller includes an alert initiation module configured to alert the occupant that the approaching object may collide with the side door in response to detecting the impending opening of the side door and detecting the approaching object.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a linking member that may have links arranged in rows that have multiple pitch lengths. Each of the rows may have at least one link. Each of the multiple pitch lengths may be a discrete length that may be different from others of the multiple pitch lengths. The rows may be arranged along the linking member in a repeating sequence of the multiple pitch lengths.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine including a rotor, a geartrain including a pump drive mechanism, a first clutch and a second clutch and a variator for a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The internal combustion engine is rotatably coupled to the rotor of the electric machine by activation of a second clutch. The internal combustion engine is rotatably coupled to the variator by activation of first and second clutches. The rotor of the electric machine is rotatably coupled to the variator by activation of the first clutch, and the electric machine is operative in either a forward direction or a reverse direction. The geartrain is disposed to operate the pump drive mechanism to drive a fluidic pump in a first direction when the electric machine is operating in the forward direction and when the electric machine is operating in the reverse direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling vehicle braking using a steering wheel mounted brake activation mechanism are disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for braking a vehicle includes providing the vehicle with a steering system including a steering wheel having a brake activation mechanism, a braking system, and a controller in electronic communication with the braking system and the brake activation mechanism, receiving a user input from the brake activation mechanism, calculating an amount of vehicle braking to apply based on the user input, and automatically controlling the vehicle braking system based on the calculated amount of vehicle braking.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) (14) includes a drive pulley (18), a driven pulley (20), and an endless rotatable device (22) coupled between the drive and driven pulleys (18, 20). The drive pulley (18) and the driven pulley (20) each include pulley teeth (19T, 21T), and the endless rotatable device (22) includes device teeth (22T).

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) (14) includes a drive pulley (18), a driven pulley (20), and an endless rotatable device (22) coupled between the drive and driven pulleys (18, 20). The drive pulley (18) and the driven pulley (20) each include pulley teeth (19T, 21T), and the endless rotatable device (22) includes device teeth (22T).

Abstract: A powertrain has a continuously variable transmission including a shaft rotatable about an axis. The CVT further comprises a variator assembly that includes a pulley supported on the shaft. The pulley has a movable sheave with a ramp surface. The movable sheave is axially movable on the shaft. The variator assembly also includes an endless rotatable device frictionally engaged with the movable sheave. An actuator mechanism includes a wedge component supported on the shaft. The wedge component has a wedge surface that automatically engages the ramp surface when torque on the shaft is in a first direction. The wedge surface applies a wedge force on the ramp surface. The actuator mechanism further includes an actuator that is operatively connected to the movable sheave and is activatable to apply a force on the movable sheave.