Abstract: A system for charging a high voltage battery includes a low DC voltage battery, a DC-to-AC converting circuit, a controller, an AC-to-DC converting circuit and a high DC voltage battery. The low voltage battery outputs a low DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converting circuit receives the low DC voltage signal to convert into a chopped DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converter outputs a high AC voltage signal corresponding to the chopped DC voltage signal. The controller controls a duty cycle of the chopped DC voltage signal. The AC-to-DC converting circuit converts the high AC voltage signal into a high DC voltage signal. The high voltage battery charges using the high DC voltage signal. A method for charging a high voltage battery is also provided.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar system that includes a first stabilizer bar, a second stabilizer bar and a clutch having a clutch housing and a plurality of coupling members housed in the clutch housing. The first stabilizer bar is received in the clutch housing for rotation relative to the clutch housing about a rotational axis. The second stabilizer bar is fixedly coupled to the clutch housing. The coupling members are configured to selectively non-rotatably couple the first stabilizer bar to the clutch housing such that the clutch housing is employed to transmit torque between the first and second stabilizer bars.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator assembly with a frame, a movable element, first and second sensor targets that are coupled to the movable element for movement therewith, first and second sensors that are coupled to the frame and a controller. The first sensor is configured to sense a position of the first sensor target and to produce a first sensor signal in response thereto. The second sensor is configured to sense a position of the second sensor target and to produce a second sensor signal in response thereto. The controller that receives the first and second sensor signals and identifies three or more discrete points along a path of travel of the plunger. A differential assembly that incorporates the electromagnetic actuator assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A fast turn-off and fast turn-on circuit (10) providing at least one power source (12, 20), at least one switching device (14, 22), a coil (16), and at least a first voltage control device (18). The at least one switching device (14, 22) is connected to the at least one power source (12, 20) for selectively connecting the at least one power source (12, 20) to portions of the circuit (10). An electrical current from at least one power source (12, 20) charges the coil (16) and creates an electromagnetic field when the at least one switching device (14, 22) is in a closed position and connects the at least one power source (12, 20) with the coil (16). The first voltage control device (18) limits a voltage in the circuit (10) when the electromagnetic field decays.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar system that includes a first stabilizer bar, a second stabilizer bar and a clutch having a clutch housing and a plurality of coupling members housed in the clutch housing. The first stabilizer bar is received in the clutch housing for rotation relative to the clutch housing about a rotational axis. The second stabilizer bar is fixedly coupled to the clutch housing. The coupling members are configured to selectively non-rotatably couple the first stabilizer bar to the clutch housing such that the clutch housing is employed to transmit torque between the first and second stabilizer bars.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a moving element that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. The clutch is configured to transmit torque from one of the stabilizer bar members to the other stabilizer bar member concentrically about the axis. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator assembly with a frame, a movable element, first and second sensor targets that are coupled to the movable element for movement therewith, first and second sensors that are coupled to the frame and a controller. The first sensor is configured to sense a position of the first sensor target and to produce a first sensor signal in response thereto. The second sensor is configured to sense a position of the second sensor target and to produce a second sensor signal in response thereto. The controller that receives the first and second sensor signals and identifies three or more discrete points along a path of travel of the plunger. A differential assembly that incorporates the electromagnetic actuator assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a moving element that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. The clutch is configured to transmit torque from one of the stabilizer bar members to the other stabilizer bar member concentrically about the axis. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator assembly with a frame, a movable plunger, first and second sensor targets that are coupled to a plunger for movement therewith, first and second sensors that are coupled to the frame and a controller. The first sensor is configured to sense a position of the first sensor target and to produce a first sensor signal in response thereto. The second sensor is configured to sense a position of the second sensor target and to produce a second sensor signal in response thereto. The controller that receives the first and second sensor signals and identifies three or more discrete points along a path of travel of the plunger. A differential assembly that incorporates the electromagnetic actuator assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a moving element that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. The clutch is configured to transmit torque from one of the stabilizer bar members to the other stabilizer bar member concentrically about the axis. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A system for charging a high voltage battery that includes a low DC voltage battery, a DC-to-AC converting circuit, a controller, a AC-to-DC converting circuit and a high DC voltage battery. The low voltage battery outputs a low DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converting circuit receives the low DC voltage signal to convert into a chopped DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converter outputs a high AC voltage signal corresponding to the chopped DC voltage signal. The controller controls a duty cycle of the chopped DC voltage signal. The AC-to-DC converting circuit converts the high AC voltage signal into a high DC voltage signal. The high voltage battery charges using the high DC voltage signal. A method for charging a high voltage battery is also provided.

Abstract: A fast turn-off and fast turn-on circuit (10) providing at least one power source (12, 20), at least one switching device (14, 22), a coil (16), and at least a first voltage control device (18). The at least one switching device (14, 22) is connected to the at least one power source (12, 20) for selectively connecting the at least one power source (12, 20) to portions of the circuit (10). An electrical current from at least one power source (12, 20) charges the coil (16) and creates an electromagnetic field when the at least one switching device (14, 22) is in a closed position and connects the at least one power source (12, 20) with the coil (16). The first voltage control device (18) limits a voltage in the circuit (10) when the electromagnetic field decays.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator assembly with a frame, a movable plunger, first and second sensor targets that are coupled to a plunger for movement therewith, first and second sensors that are coupled to the frame and a controller. The first sensor is configured to sense a position of the first sensor target and to produce a first sensor signal in response thereto. The second sensor is configured to sense a position of the second sensor target and to produce a second sensor signal in response thereto. The controller that receives the first and second sensor signals and identifies three or more discrete points along a path of travel of the plunger. A differential assembly that incorporates the electromagnetic actuator assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a moving element that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. The clutch is configured to transmit torque from one of the stabilizer bar members to the other stabilizer bar member concentrically about the axis. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A shift fork restrictor operably disposed in a transfer case for the purpose of allowing the shift motor to transfer energy to the currently existing double wound spring, where the energy is stored until the shift motor sensor indicates that the motor is in the proper range location. When the motor is in the proper range location, the stored energy in the spring is released by the shift fork restrictor releasing the cam allowing for maximum torque and speed to be provided through the secondary rail, cam, and shift fork to complete the requested range shift. This configuration can be used to, among other things, select a high or low range in the transfer case, as well as couple the input and output shafts together, which have different gear ratios.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method to digitally control a transfer case through a digital data bus to provide synchronized low to high shift capabilities in vehicles that employ a controller area network (CAN) system. In addition, a transfer case that can be digitally controlled in a vehicle with a controller area network (CAN) system to provide synchronized low to high shifts is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method to digitally control a transfer case through a digital data bus to provide synchronized low to high shift capabilities in vehicles that employ a controller area network (CAN) system. In addition, a transfer case that can be digitally controlled in a vehicle with a controller area network (CAN) system to provide synchronized low to high shifts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transfer case includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a gear set selectively operable to translate torque between the input and output shafts at reduced speeds. A clutch is operable to translate torque between the input and output shafts either directly or through the gear set. An actuator, having a rotational output, is operatively coupled to the clutch for moving the clutch between predetermined positions. A control unit is employed in connection with the transfer case to effect the method of synchronizing low to high shifts in the transfer case. To this end, the control unit calculates the speed of the actuator as it moves the clutch to a neutral position. The control unit further determines the additional time until the clutch will reach a predetermined synchronization point using the speed of the actuator and the remaining rotational distance through which the actuator must move for the clutch to reach the predetermined synchronization point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power transfer device such as a vehicle transfer case having, shaft speed sensors, a two speed (high-low) drive assembly, an electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated shift operator and a microprocessor comprising the steps of sensing the speeds of the transfer case input shaft and output shaft, calculating the rate of change (.DELTA.S/.DELTA.t) of the speed of the input shaft, predicting, based upon such rate of change, a time when the input shaft and the output shaft will be synchronized and commencing movement of such shift operator at a time prior to such synchronization in order to effect engagement of such clutch into high gear at substantially the instant of synchronization.