Abstract: Described is a reconfigurable energy storage system that is capable of switching an arrangement of energy storage cells from a series configuration to a parallel configuration, from a parallel configuration to a series configuration, or both.

Abstract: Described is a distributed battery management system that utilizes circuit boards as direct current busses for primary power in large-scale battery energy storage systems.

Abstract: A generator and/or motor device that includes an inner stator having one or more inner coils, an outer stator shell having one or more outer coils, and a rotor assembly arranged radially between, and configured to rotate relative to, the inner stator and the outer stator shell. The rotor assembly has one or more outer magnetic elements adjacent to the outer coils and has one or more inner magnetic elements adjacent to the inner coils. An electromotive force may be generated in at least one of the inner and outer coils upon relative rotation of the rotor assembly. Alternatively, relative rotation of the rotor assembly may be caused upon an electromotive force being applied in at least one of the inner and outer coils. The rotor assembly may be attached to an input shaft. The rotor assembly includes a rotor spool to which the inner and outer magnetic elements are secured.

Abstract: A safety monitoring system employs a method of preventing unwanted drive-off of the vehicle. The method includes determining whether the vehicle is requesting traction drive torque via the powertrain supervisory control. Further, it is determined whether the driver has left the vehicle. Finally, the monitoring system interrupts the request for traction drive torque and sends an override request for zero torque when the vehicle is requesting traction drive torque and the driver has left the vehicle. Several timers are utilized to determine when traction drive torque should be removed and when the vehicle should be shut down.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor and a circuit for implementing the method are provided. The method includes the steps of providing current to a first phase coil of a motor and measuring the time for the current to rise between two predetermined levels. Because current rise time is proportional to phase inductance, and therefore, rotor position, the measured current rise time can be compared to a desired current rise time to determine whether conduction intervals in the motor phases are in-phase with the position of the rotor or are lagging or leading the position of the rotor. The method finally includes the step of supplying current to one of the first phase coil and a second phase coil responsive to the measured rise time in order to bring subsequent conduction intervals into phase with the position of the rotor.

Abstract: A clutch actuating device for use in a vehicle drivetrain subassembly having a clutch and a rotatable drive member, comprising a first rotating member which is coupled to the drive member and a second rotating member which is free to rotate relative to the drive member. The first and second rotating members are differentially driven by a gear device and may include first and second ramp surfaces which engage one another so as to permit axial translation of the members relative to one another or alternatively, may comprise threaded screw members which engage one another so as to permit axial translation relative to one another. First and second pilot clutches comprising at least one rotatable plate are provided, with at least one of the pilot clutches being connected to the gear device.

Abstract: A limited slip differential includes a friction clutch mechanism, a viscous coupling, and a camming mechanism disposed between the friction clutch mechanism and the viscous coupling. The camming mechanism converts shearing forces within the viscous coupling to an axial force applied to engage the clutch mechanism. The camming mechanism includes annular discs having axially inclined ramps, and a roller bearing for movement along the ramps to provide for variable spacing between the annular discs, wherein increased spacing is used to apply the axial force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle four wheel drive torque transfer case having a friction clutch which is selectively engaged when it is desired to place the transfer case in a four wheel drive operating mode. The transfer case includes an input shaft which is connected to supply torque to a rear output shaft. A multi-disc friction clutch is connected between the input shaft and a front output shaft for supplying torque to the front output shaft. A planetary gear assembly includes a sun gear, a carrier a planet carrier connected to the input shaft, and a ring gear coupled to drive the front output shaft. The multi-disc clutch is interposed between the sun gear and the ring gear and is engaged to inhibit any rotation of the planet carrier relative to the ring gear and thereby transfer torque to the front output shaft. The planetary gear assembly functions as a .sctn.'torque multipler" and this reduces the torque capacity requirements for the clutch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electronic actuator for use in a vehicle transmission such as a four wheel drive transfer case. In one preferred embodiment, the transfer case includes two separate electronic actuators, a range shift actuator which is utilized to effect shifting of the transfer case between high range, neutral, and low range drive positions, and a clutch actuator which is utilized to control engagement of a clutch between two wheel drive, automatic ("on demand" four wheel drive), and "part time" four wheel drive operating modes. The range shift actuator includes a rotary electric motor coaxially mounted relative to a rear output shaft of the transfer case, and a linear screw for translating the rotational movement of the motor shaft to selective axial movement of a range shift sleeve.

Abstract: A torque transfer case includes an output shaft angled relative to an input shaft by the use of a constant velocity (CV) universal joint. The CV joint is contained within a hollow drive sprocket rotatably supported within a housing by a pair of spaced apart, different sized bearing assemblies, and is coupled to input shaft via a drive chain. The drive sprocket is provided with a cylindrical opening at one end thereof and a smaller cylindrical opening at an opposite end thereof. The different sized openings produce a differential pressure across the openings when the sprocket is rotated, thus causing oil contained in the housing to flow through the sprocket and lubricate the CV joint. The output shaft has one end which extends into the one cylindrical opening of the drive sprocket and is coupled to the CV joint, and an opposite end which is rotatably supported within the housing by a single bearing unit.

Abstract: An electromagnetic speed change apparatus is effective to shift a sleeve from a first speed position to a second against the bias of a spring. In a preferred form, the apparatus includes an armature fixed to a shifting sleeve for rotation and axial movement therewith, one end of the shifting sleeve splined to an output shaft, the opposite end of the shifting sleeve selectively engagable with an internally splined aperture positioned in one end of an input shaft or with an internally splined carrier aperture axially spaced from the input shaft end. The shifting sleeve has a minor diameter portion and a major portion larger than the minor portion. The major portion is piloted by a support member disposed in the end of the input shaft. In a preferred form, a neck bridges the major and minor diameter portions of the sleeve, and provides a limit to axial movement of the shifting sleeve whenever the neck comes into contact with the support member.

Abstract: A four wheel drive transfer case transmits power from the output of a vehicle transmission to front and rear differential assemblies. The transfer case includes an input shaft coupled to the output shaft of the vehicle transmission, and an interaxle planetary gear differential for dividing power between a rear output shaft connected to the vehicle rear differential and a front output shaft connected to the vehicle front differential. An electromagnetic friction clutch is located in the transfer case and is adapted to selectively lock the planetary gear differential to prevent slip between the front and rear output shafts. An electronic control is operative to selectively engage the electromagnetic clutch to lock the differential for a predetermined time period when a predetermined amount of slip is detected between the front and rear output shafts.