Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, and a transmission having an input. A vibration absorption assembly includes a mechanical connection system providing a first connection node, a second connection node, and a third connection node. The crankshaft is connected to a first one of the connection nodes. The input of the transmission is connected to a second one of the connection nodes. A centrifugal pendulum absorber is connected to a third one of the connection nodes. One of the connection nodes is a mechanically advantaged node. The centrifugal pendulum absorber is connected to the mechanically advantaged node.

Abstract: A vehicle including a transmission and an electronic transmission range selector system in communication with the transmission to shift the transmission to one of a park operating position and an out-of-park operating position. A clutch is movable between an engaged position grounding a portion of a planetary gear set to a transmission casing to operate the gear set in a first gear and a disengaged position. A first pawl is movable between a first position to mechanically couple the first pawl to the portion of the planetary gear set when the clutch is in the disengaged position such that the first pawl operates the gear set in the first gear, and a second position to mechanically decouple the first pawl from the portion of the gear set when the clutch is in the engaged position such that the clutch operates the planetary gear set in the first gear.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for shifting a vehicle transmission having several members. Each member is a first, second, or third node of a planetary gear set (of multiple planetary gear sets), or an input, output, or stationary member. A first torque transmitting mechanism is applied to transfer torque between first and second members in a low gear state. In some versions, a second torque transmitting mechanism is applied in the low gear state without substantially transferring torque between third and fourth members, and then the second torque transmitting mechanism is disengaged. A third torque transmitting mechanism is then applied without substantially transferring torque between the third and fourth members in the low gear state. The transmission is upshifted by disengaging the first torque transmitting mechanism, keeping the third torque transmitting mechanism applied, and applying the second torque transmitting mechanism to transfer torque between the third and fourth members.

Abstract: A torque transfer assembly includes input and output members configured to transfer torque from a prime mover to an automotive transmission. A torque transfer component, such as a torque converter or a dual-mass fly wheel, and a clutch are coupled to the input member. A torsional vibration damper includes a planetary gear set having first, second, and third nodes. First and second spring engagement elements are connected to two of the first, second, and third nodes. One or more springs contacts both of the first and second spring engagement elements. An outgoing member of the torque multiplying device is coupled to the first node of the planetary gear set, a driven element of the clutch is connected to the second node of the planetary gear set, and the output member is coupled to the third node of the planetary gear set.

Abstract: A vehicle is described, and includes a drivetrain system including an internal combustion engine and a geartrain, an accessory device, and a route monitoring system. A controller includes an instruction set to monitor operation of the accessory device, and a request to operate the accessory device. When the request to operate the accessory device includes a request to activate the accessory device based upon not exceeding a limit for an operating parameter of the accessory device, the instruction set executes to determine a horizon for the vehicle based upon the projected path for the vehicle, determine a projected road load and a speed constraint based upon the horizon for the vehicle, and determine a projected axle torque command based upon the projected road load. A first routine determines a first command for operating the accessory device that minimizes fuel consumption and meets the projected axle torque command.

Abstract: A vehicle engine system includes a combustion engine configured to provide a propulsion torque to satisfy a propulsion demand in response to a driver input. The engine system also includes a controller programmed to receive data indicative of at least one upcoming driving event, and issue a command to impart a predetermined velocity profile based on the upcoming driving event. The predetermined velocity profile is arranged to optimize a performance attribute of the combustion engine and preempt the driver input.

Abstract: A solid-state polymer lithium battery pack and a preparation method therefor are provided. The lithium battery pack includes: single batteries (1), connecting sleeve members (2), electric cables (3), a battery box (4) and a pouring sealant, and has functions of power supply, power storage and multiple charging/discharging. The preparation method includes: connecting a plurality of single batteries in series by means of connecting sleeve members (2) to form combined batteries; connecting a plurality of combined batteries in series to form a lithium battery pack; and finally, assembling the lithium battery pack into a battery box (4), filling a pouring sealant inside the battery box by means of a sealant pouring process for fixing the single batteries (1) and internal electric cables (3), and discharging air in the battery box (4), so that a final solid-state polymer lithium battery pack is obtained.

Abstract: A system for absorbing vibration and transmitting torque from a rotating power source to a rotatable load includes a rotatable driving member configured as an input to be driven by the power source to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system has a cam plate with a cam surface. A spring is configured to extend lengthwise in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation. The spring is configured to be compressed due to the cam surface during relative rotation of the driving member and a driven member when the cam plate is operatively connected to rotate in unison with said one of the driving member and the driven member. The spring therefore has an effective spring rate dependent upon the cam surface, compression of the spring absorbs torsional vibration of the driving member, and the cam plate.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism includes an input member to receive from a propulsion source, an input torque about an axis of rotation and an output member coupled to the input member to transfer the input torque to a downstream driveline component. The torque transfer mechanism also includes at least one clockspring to restrict relative rotation between the input member and the output member. The torque transfer further includes a mass plate coupled to the output member and configured to rotate about the axis of rotation. The torque transfer mechanism further includes a plurality of pendulum masses movably coupled to the mass plate wherein the clockspring is arranged to attenuate a first range of input torque vibration and a the plurality of pendulum masses are arranged to attenuate a second range of input torque vibration.

Abstract: A damper system includes a turbine shaft rotatably connected to a torque converter having a clutch. A hydraulically actuated clutch is coupled to the turbine shaft. A first spring cage has a first cage portion connected to the hydraulically actuated clutch and a second cage portion connected to a friction plate. A first spring set is connected to the first and second cage portions. Springs of the first spring set are deflected by axial rotation between the first and second cage portions when the torque converter clutch is engaged. A second spring cage has a first cage section connected to the hydraulically actuated clutch and a second cage section connected to a torque converter turbine. A second spring set has second springs having a spring constant different than the first spring set. The second spring set springs are deflected by axial rotation between the first and second cage sections.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter, or torque converter assembly, operatively connects a primary mover and a transmission, and includes an input rotationally connected to the primary mover and an output rotationally connected to the transmission. The torque converter includes a fluid coupling having impeller blades and turbine blades. The fluid coupling transfers torque between the impeller blades and the turbine blades when the input and the output are rotating at different speeds. A mini damper is disposed in line with the fluid coupling between the input and the output. A torque converter clutch is configured to selectively slip or selectively lock, such that torque may be transferred directly between the input and the output. A primary damper is disposed between the input and the output.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a pump and a turbine fluidly connected to the pump. The torque converter assembly also includes a damper operable upstream from the turbine. The damper is configured to reduce oscillation from the pump toward the turbine. The torque converter assembly further includes a clutch operable between the pump and the turbine. The clutch is operable in a slip condition in which the clutch is adjustable to allow the pump and the turbine to slip relative to each other to control oscillation through the clutch to the turbine. The damper is operable upstream from the clutch such that oscillation from the pump is reduced by the damper before oscillation reaches the clutch. Additionally, a vehicle includes the torque converter assembly operable between an output shaft of an engine and an input member of a transmission.

Abstract: A powertrain system is described, and includes an internal combustion engine including a crankshaft and an electric machine including a rotatable shaft, wherein the rotatable shaft is coupled to a motor pulley. A torque converter includes an impeller and a pump, wherein the pump is coupled to an outer sheave. An off-axis mechanical drive system includes the outer sheave of the torque converter rotatably coupled to the motor pulley of the electric machine. The electric machine is coupled to the pump of the torque converter via the off-axis mechanical drive system, and the crankshaft is coupled to the pump of the torque converter via a clutch.

Abstract: A transmission includes a housing, and a transmission input member. A torque converter includes a pump and a turbine. The turbine of the torque converter is connected to the transmission input member. A lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the turbine. A cover is connected to and rotatable with the pump. The cover at least partially defines an interior of the torque converter. A torque converter input member passes through the cover. A one way clutch interconnects the torque converter input member and the cover. An engine brake friction clutch is disposed within the interior of the torque converter. The engine brake friction clutch selectively interconnects the torque converter input member and the cover in torque communication to transfer a braking torque therebetween.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes a planetary gear set having a ring gear connected to a transmission input shaft, a carrier rotatably supporting multiple planet gears individually meshed with a sun gear, and with the ring gear meshed with the planet gears. A spring cage includes a first spring support member having: a member first leg fixed to the ring gear; a member second leg rotatably connected to the transmission input shaft; and multiple first spring support member elements. A second spring support member connected to the carrier, the second spring support member having multiple second spring support member elements. Multiple springs each spring have at least one of the first spring support member elements and one of the second spring support member elements in contact with opposed ends of the spring. An inertial mass member is connected to the sun gear at a first end and has an inertial mass connected at a second end.

Abstract: A system for absorbing vibration and transmitting torque from a rotating power source to a rotatable load includes a rotatable driving member configured as an input to be driven by the power source to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system has a cam plate with a cam surface. A spring is configured to extend lengthwise in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation. The spring is configured to be compressed due to the cam surface during relative rotation of the driving member and a driven member when the cam plate is operatively connected to rotate in unison with said one of the driving member and the driven member. The spring therefore has an effective spring rate dependent upon the cam surface, compression of the spring absorbs torsional vibration of the driving member, and the cam plate.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission, a control system, and a method are provided. The control system and method are configured to learn a desired running pressure to be applied to a clutch that is lower than a pulley clamping pressure and higher than a pressure at which the clutch would slip (a clutch critical pressure), so that the clutch can act as a fuse to avoid pulley slip. A plurality of clutch slip tests are performed, each of which include decreasing pressure supplied to the clutch until a clutch slip occurs. Clutch slip data points are collected at the point of slip and used to determine a gain and an offset, where the gain is a clutch pressure versus clutch torque capacity gain, and the offset is a clutch pressure offset, which is used to determine the clutch critical pressure.

Abstract: A valve directs fluid flow received from a device to one of a heater and a cooler. The valve includes a spool movably disposed in the housing between a first, second, and third position. An actuator is in fluid communication with the fluid. The actuator includes a smart material that deactivates when the fluid temperature is no greater than a first temperature, partially activated when the fluid temperature is greater than the first temperature, and fully activated when the fluid temperature is at least equal to a second temperature. The spool moves to the first position when deactivated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the heater. The spool moves to the second position when partially activated to prevent fluid from flowing to each of the heater and the cooler. The spool moves to the third position when fully activated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the cooler.

Abstract: A vehicle including a transmission and an electronic transmission range selector system in communication with the transmission to shift the transmission to one of a park operating position and an out-of-park operating position. A clutch is movable between an engaged position grounding a portion of a planetary gear set to a transmission casing to operate the gear set in a first gear and a disengaged position. A first pawl is movable between a first position to mechanically couple the first pawl to the portion of the planetary gear set when the clutch is in the disengaged position such that the first pawl operates the gear set in the first gear, and a second position to mechanically decouple the first pawl from the portion of the gear set when the clutch is in the engaged position such that the clutch operates the planetary gear set in the first gear.

Abstract: A torque transfer assembly includes input and output members configured to transfer torque from a prime mover to an automotive transmission. A torque transfer component, such as a torque converter or a dual-mass fly wheel, and a clutch are coupled to the input member. A torsional vibration damper includes a planetary gear set having first, second, and third nodes. First and second spring engagement elements are connected to two of the first, second, and third nodes. One or more springs contacts both of the first and second spring engagement elements. An outgoing member of the torque multiplying device is coupled to the first node of the planetary gear set, a driven element of the clutch is connected to the second node of the planetary gear set, and the output member is coupled to the third node of the planetary gear set.