Abstract: A method is provided for controlling engine stop position in a vehicle having an engine with auto stop/auto start functionality. The method includes automatically ramping down engine speed upon initiation of an auto stop event, executing closed-loop speed control of the engine when the engine speed begins to ramp down, and for as long as the engine speed remains above a threshold engine speed while ramping down the engine speed; executing closed-loop position control of the engine while ramping down the engine speed once the engine speed is less than the threshold engine speed and greater than zero; and stopping the crankshaft to within a calibrated range of a targeted engine stop position. A controller is also provided that includes a hardware module and an algorithm adapted for executing the foregoing method, and a vehicle is provided having an engine with auto stop/start functionality and the controller noted above.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a rotor and a stator. The stator surrounds the rotor, has a top half, a bottom half, and wire windings, and is fixed with respect to the drive-unit housing. The stator is cooled by gravity feed via a fluid supplied by an external source and flowing onto and past the top half. The motor also includes a fluid dam fixed relative to the stator. The fluid dam is configured to guide the fluid around the stator and shield the rotor from the fluid flowing past the stator thereby limiting an amount of the fluid between the rotor and the stator such that spin losses in the electric motor are controlled. An electro-mechanical drive-unit employing the above described electric motor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a level of fluid in a main sump of a transmission includes opening an auxiliary reservoir with a first valve when fluid temperature in the main sump is at or below the predetermined temperature. The first valve is opened to increase the level of fluid in the main sump to at least a predetermined height so that transmission rotating components contact the fluid and generate splash lubrication. When the transmission is transmitting torque and the fluid is above the predetermined temperature, the level of fluid in the main sump is maintained below a predetermined height with closed first valve, such that the rotating components do not contact the fluid inside the main sump. A fluid pump alone is sufficient to lubricate the rotating components above the predetermined temperature and sufficient to lubricate the rotating components at or below the predetermined temperature only with splash lubrication.

Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid powertrain includes commanding an engine start of an engine configured to operate at approximately zero engine speed. A spooling phase includes accelerating the first electric machine with the first machine torque, such that the first electric machine begins rotating. The first machine speed increases in magnitude from zero to non-zero, but engine speed is maintained at approximately zero. The mechanical energy of the rotating first electric machine is stored. A transfer phase includes commanding an increase in magnitude of the first machine torque and decelerating the first electric machine, such that the first machine speed decreases. The stored mechanical energy of the first electric machine is transferred to the engine to increase the engine speed to greater than zero, such that the engine starts.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first electrical power loss value of operating first and second electric machines with power inverters of both electric machines in an active mode. The method includes determining at least one of a second and a third electrical power loss value. The second electrical power loss value is with operating with the power inverter of the first electric machine in the active mode and the power inverter of the second electric machine in a standby mode. The third electrical power loss value is with operating with the power inverter of the second electric machine in the active mode and the power inverter of the first electric machine in the standby mode. A controller sets the power inverters in the respective modes corresponding with a lowest of the electrical power loss values.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical drive unit connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member, a stationary member, and a torque-transmitting device. The drive unit also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement having a first, second, third, and fourth junction point. The power sources include a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The first motor/generator and the second motor/generator are disposed on a common rotating axis. The second motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the first junction point and the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point. Additionally, the first motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the fourth junction point. Furthermore, the torque-transmitting device is engageable to ground the third junction point to the stationary member.

Abstract: A brake mechanism includes a clutch unit and a disc. The clutch unit includes a first and second engagement mechanism. Each engagement mechanism presents at least one tooth. The disc defines at least one slot. Each engagement mechanism is movable relative to the disc between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The tooth of the first engagement mechanism is configured to engage the slot of the disc when in the engaged position to cease rotation of the disc in a first direction of rotation. The tooth of the second engagement mechanism is configured to engage the slot of the disc when in the engaged position to cease rotation of the disc in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation. The disc is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, relative to the clutch unit, when each engagement mechanism is in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A gear-train for transferring torque from multiple power sources includes first, second, and third input members, and an output member. The first and second input members rotate about a first axis, the third input member rotates about a second axis, and the output member rotates about a third axis. The gear-train additionally includes a first gear-set connected to the first input member. The gear-train also includes a second gear-set connected to the second input member. The gear-train additionally includes an intermediate shaft that rotates about a fourth axis. Furthermore, the gear-train includes a third gear-set connected to the intermediate shaft. In the third gear-set, first member is connected to the intermediate shaft and to the third input member, second and third members are set coaxially relative to the intermediate shaft and configured for asynchronous rotation with each other, and the third member is also connected to the output member.

Abstract: A method for managing a threshold increase in output torque capability in a vehicle includes detecting the threshold increase in output torque capability using a controller, and automatically limiting, via the controller, a rate of change of an actual output torque from a transmission of the vehicle in response to the threshold increase. The actual output torque is provided via a traction motor solely using battery power from an energy storage system. The method may include calculating a difference between the threshold increase and the actual output torque, and limiting the rate of change using a rate that is proportional to the difference. A vehicle includes the ESS, a transmission, and a controller. An output member of the transmission is powered using electrical energy from the ESS. The controller manages an increase in output torque capability as noted above.

Abstract: A multi-speed drive unit is provided for an electrically variable transmission having a variable-range output gear ratio for a motor vehicle. The variable-range output electrically variable transmission has improved final drive gear ratios that allow the motor to be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range during both city and highway vehicle operation. Further, the variable-range output electrically variable transmission allows for increased vehicle speeds during electric vehicle operation and provides for the use of the vehicle engine during reverse gear operation.

Abstract: Multi-mode operation is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission provides for multiple gear ratios and power flow configurations including fixed gear operation. An improved input-split planetary gear set configuration is provided for the multi-mode electrically variable transmission. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission may be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range more frequently. Further, the transmission reduces clutch torques and provides improved functionality in range-extended electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission is provided with a fixed gear operating capability for improved highway cruising and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.

Abstract: A method of regulating operation of a hybrid vehicle traveling on a surface having a grade includes determining a drive force of the hybrid vehicle, calculating a brake pressure value and determining whether a grade freeze condition exists based on the brake pressure value. The method further includes calculating a grade value of the surface based on the drive force when the freeze condition does not exist and regulating operation of the hybrid vehicle based on the grade value.

Abstract: Multi-mode operation is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission provides for multiple gear ratios and power flow configurations including fixed gear operation. An improved input-split planetary gear set configuration is provided for the multi-mode electrically variable transmission. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission may be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range more frequently. Further, the transmission reduces clutch torques and provides improved functionality in range-extended electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission is provided with a fixed gear operating capability for improved highway cruising and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.

Abstract: An indicator, system and method of indicating electric drive usability in a hybrid electric vehicle. A tachometer is used that includes a display having an all-electric drive portion and a hybrid drive portion. The all-electric drive portion and the hybrid drive portion share a first boundary which indicates a minimum electric drive usability and a beginning of hybrid drive operation of the vehicle. The indicated level of electric drive usability is derived from at least one of a percent battery discharge, a percent maximum torque provided by the electric drive, and a percent electric drive to hybrid drive operating cost for the hybrid electric vehicle.

Abstract: Multi-mode operation is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission provides for multiple gear ratios and power flow configurations including fixed gear operation. An improved input-split planetary gear set configuration is provided for the multi-mode electrically variable transmission. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission may be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range more frequently. Further, the transmission reduces clutch torques and provides improved functionality in range-extended electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission is provided with a fixed gear operating capability for improved highway cruising and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor includes an engine speed control module, an air pressure control module, and an engine torque control module. The engine speed control module increases engine speed during a first calibration period based on a driver torque request and a predetermined torque threshold. The air pressure control module decreases intake manifold pressure (MAP) of the engine during a second calibration period based on the driver torque request and the predetermined torque threshold. The engine torque control module starts the engine during a period after the first and second calibration periods by activating N of M cylinders of the engine, wherein N is based on the driver torque request and the predetermined torque threshold.

Abstract: A method minimizes driveline disturbances in a vehicle having a motor generator unit (MGU) and a controller, which may be a motor control processor or a hybrid control processor. The method includes determining a set of motor values of the MGU, including a change in motor speed, a derivative of the change in motor speed, and a motor jerk value; calculating a corrective final torque value for the MGU as a function of the set of motor values; and commanding the corrective final torque value from the MGU during a predetermined event, e.g., engine restart. Calculations and commanding the corrective final torque value are conducted by the controller within a calibrated minimum processing loop time. A vehicle includes first and second MGUs, and a controller electrically connected to the second MGU. The controller has the algorithm for minimizing driveline disturbances as noted above.

Abstract: A system and a method for modifying a transmission in a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle to couple the transmission to an off-axis electric motor. The transmission includes a motor-driven gear that replaces an engine-driven reverse gear. The motor-driven gear is hard-splined to an output shaft of the transmission. An electric motor is coupled to the output shaft of the transmission via the motor-driven gear. The electric motor may thus be oriented along an axis that differs from the axis of the transmission's output shaft.

Abstract: An electrically variable drive unit having two electric motors is provided. The first electric motor is mounted along the same axis as an engine. The second electric motor is mounted along the same axis as a transmission output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electric motor. An electric motor apparatus has an electric motor with motor stator windings, a battery, battery control module coupled to the battery and configured to monitor and detect a state of the battery, and a motor control unit coupled to the battery and the batter control module and being configured to select an operation of the electric motor based on a signal from the battery control module representing the state of the battery. The motor control unit selects a normal motor control operation, a power dissipation motor control operation, or a discharge operation. During the power dissipation motor control operation, power from brake torque is dissipated in the motor stator windings of the electric motor.