Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a four wheel drive vehicle that includes a high gear ratio and a low gear ratio. The driveline may be operated to shift between the high gear ratio and the low gear ratio while the four wheel drive vehicle is moving. In one example, a clutch is opened during shifting from the high gear ratio to the low gear ratio, which allows the vehicle to continue traveling during the gear ratio change.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control system and method include a controller programmed to, while a transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL, start an engine, close a disconnect clutch selectively coupling the engine to an electric machine, and control the electric machine to charge a traction battery in response to the accelerator pedal position exceeding an idle position and being less than a threshold. The controller controls transmission impeller speed in response to accelerator pedal position exceeding the threshold to allow revving the engine in response to accelerator pedal. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes starting an engine, closing a clutch between the engine and an electric machine, and controlling the engine and the electric machine to either: i) charge a traction battery or ii) rev the engine based on accelerator pedal position relative to a threshold above an idle position while the transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL.

Abstract: A gaming machine having a display to display symbols at a plurality of display positions and a plurality of prize identifiers. The gaming machine also includes a game controller to cause a display to display a plurality of symbols at the display positions and visually moves a number of a plurality of prize identifiers at a first speed. If a trigger condition occurs with the displayed symbols, the game controller selects a prize identifier of the prize identifiers to be upgraded while visually moving the selected prize identifier being upgraded at a second speed onto the display. The game controller completes the upgrading on the display while the selected prize identifier is being displayed.

Abstract: An inner housing defines a pin retaining receptacle elongated in an X-direction with entry ramps extending parallel to the X-direction. The inner housing is slidably coupled to an outer housing and extends into an interior thereof. The pair of inner housing retaining surfaces can engage the pair of cooperating inner housing retaining surfaces, with the pin retaining receptacle of the inner housing extending into the interior of the outer housing, to slidably couple the inner housing and the outer housing together while permitting movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing in a Y-direction in response to the inner housing moving in the Y-direction during insertion of the pin into the pin retaining receptacle. Associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a motor, and a controller. The engine and motor are each configured to deliver torque to a torque converter impeller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a demanded impeller torque exceeding an upper motor torque threshold while the motor alone is delivering torque to the impeller, increase motor torque to a value that is less than the threshold and that depends on a torque converter bypass clutch torque capacity and a torque converter turbine speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a hybrid vehicle during launch conditions from rest. In one example, a driver demand torque is held constant until a threshold vehicle speed is reached when a constant accelerator pedal position is present so that closing of a transmission input clutch may result in reduced driveline torque disturbances while a desired driver demand torque is delivered.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a hybrid vehicle during launch conditions from rest. In one example, a threshold speed below which a clutch is closed during a vehicle launch is adjusted so that driver demand wheel torque is held constant for a constant accelerator pedal position until the clutch is closed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for charging an onboard energy storage device in a hybrid vehicle depending on vehicle operating conditions. In one example, a method includes charging the onboard energy storage device through a dual clutch transmission via an electric machine positioned downstream of the dual clutch transmission, and controlling a driveline disconnect clutch positioned downstream of the electric machine. In this way, charging of the onboard energy storage device may be conducted under conditions where a speed of the vehicle is either above a predetermined threshold speed, or below the predetermined threshold speed.

Abstract: An example method of crowd-sourcing energy consumption data for vehicles includes controlling a vehicle in response to a predicted energy consumption that is continually updated based on a difference between a previous predicted energy consumption and a previous actual base energy consumption. Another example method of routing a vehicle includes changing a route for a vehicle in response to a predicted energy consumption for the vehicle when travelling the route, the predicted energy consumption based on a difference between a previous predicted energy consumption and a previous actual base energy consumption.

Abstract: An inner housing defines a pin retaining receptacle elongated in an X-direction with entry ramps extending parallel to the X-direction. The inner housing is slidably coupled to an outer housing and extends into an interior thereof. A plurality of centering blades extend into the interior and between the inner and outer housings to locate the pin retaining receptacle in a central position within the interior in a Y-direction prior to insertion of the pin into the pin retention receptacle. The centering blades are movable in the Y-direction to permit the pin retaining receptacle of the inner housing to move to a non-central position relative to the housing in the Y-direction as a result of the inner housing moving the centering blades in response to the pin engaging the entry ramps during insertion of the pin into the pin receiving receptacle. Associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems to operate a hybrid vehicle in a controlled lateral vehicle slip mode are described. The lateral vehicle slip mode may adjust torques applied to a vehicle's front wheels and operation of transmission clutches to induce lateral vehicle slip when requested. The vehicle may exit the lateral vehicle slip mode in response to applying vehicle brakes or releasing a vehicle accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A clip includes a base that is elongated in a longitudinal direction, a post connected to the base at a proximal end of the post. The post extends away from the base and terminates at a distal end of the post. The clip further includes a first finger and a second finger both connected on opposite sides of the post and extending away from the post toward the base in the longitudinal direction. The clip also includes an elongated foot connected to the base on a side of the base opposite the post. The clip also includes an umbrella seal connected to the base that has a sealing lip around a periphery of the base that extends away from the base. The base, the elongated foot and the first finger and the second finger of the clip extend along the same longitudinal direction of the clip.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system configured to generate wheel torque includes an engine arranged to output a first propulsion torque to a transmission and an electric motor arranged to output a second propulsion torque downstream of the transmission. The vehicle propulsion system also includes a controller programmed to, in response to detecting a lash crossing associated with one of the electric motor and the transmission, set a torque slew rate of the other one of the electric motor and transmission such that each of the electric motor and transmission undergoes lash crossings at different points in time.

Abstract: A gaming machine having a display to display symbols at a plurality of display positions and a plurality of prize identifiers. The gaming machine also includes a game controller to cause a display to display a plurality of symbols at the display positions and visually moves a number of a plurality of prize identifiers at a first speed. If a trigger condition occurs with the displayed symbols, the game controller selects a prize identifier of the prize identifiers to be upgraded while visually moving the selected prize identifier being upgraded at a second speed onto the display. The game controller completes the upgrading on the display while the selected prize identifier is being displayed.

Abstract: Systems methods, and vehicles for implementing a navigation system include a processor programmed to cause a display to show a graphical user interface that simultaneously presents a map and a graphic object. The map includes guidance for a set route to be traversed by the navigation system. The graphic object includes a timeline for the set route. The timeline indicates travel times between a current position of the navigation system on the set route and occurrences of an interest category associated with the timeline that are upcoming on the set route.

Abstract: A fluid separator for a compressed air system including a head cap defining an inlet port and an outlet port, a first body defining an inner air shaft extending from an upper end to an opposing lower end, the upper end in fluid communication with the inlet port, and a vortex baffle disposed about the lower end of the inner air shaft. A second body forms an outer air shaft about the inner air shaft and vortex baffle, the outer air shaft extending from a lower end proximate to the vortex baffle to an upper end in fluid communication with the outlet port.

Abstract: Systems and methods changing between driveline operating modes of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, electrical output to electric power consumers is maintained during closing of a driveline disconnect clutch. Further, engine speed is controlled via a first electric machine to a speed of a second electric machine to provide smooth closing of a driveline disconnect clutch.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, and an electric motor having a rotor selectively coupled to the crankshaft via a disconnect clutch. The powertrain further includes a transmission having a torque converter that has an impeller fixed to the rotor. A controller is configured to, in response to the engine starting, generate a torque command for the motor that defines a magnitude that is based on a difference between a target impeller speed and a measured impeller speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a powertrain or driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes two electric machines and a transmission are described. In one example, vehicle propulsion is maintained while transmission operating parameters are determined for improving transmission operation. In particular, a rear drive unit maintains vehicle speed and monitors torque delivered via an output of the transmission.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling clutch capacity in a hybrid electric vehicle. In one example, a method includes adjusting values of a transfer function of a clutch of a dual clutch transmission in response to an operating condition of an engine and/or operating condition of an integrated starter/generator coupled to the engine while a vehicle is propelled via an electric machine coupled to the dual clutch transmission, and maintaining a driver demand wheel torque at vehicle wheels via adjusting torque of the electric machine in response to the operating condition of the engine and/or operating condition of the integrated starter generator. In this way the method may apply pressure to one of the clutches where engine speed is independently controlled to maintain positive or negative slip, thus enabling adaptation of positive and negative clutch transfer functions, which may improve driveline operation and shift quality.