Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, values of an engine spark to engine torque relationship are adjusted to improve engine torque control. The engine is subsequently operated responsive to adjusted values of the engine spark to engine torque relationship.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, learning an energy consumption efficiency of a vehicle in an energy domain by periodically filtering a ratio of a distance traveled to an energy consumed. The learning step is executed by a control module configured to monitor the energy consumption efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for rapidly charging a battery in a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a method includes charging a battery at a first rate via an engine transferring torque to a plurality of motor/generators while a vehicle speed is controlled based on a driver demand, and charging the battery at a second rate greater than the first rate via the plurality of motor/generators while the vehicle is autonomously controlled via a cruise control system. In this way, by charging the battery at the second rate while the vehicle speed is being controlled by the cruise control system, drivability issues related to engine torque production and/or motor/generator torque production may be minimized.

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: An electronic gaming machine includes a display for displaying a game and an electronic game controller for controlling the display of said game symbols on said display. The game includes game symbols arranged into a first array of symbol positions. The electronic game controller causes the display of a second array for displaying at least one special symbol in a symbol position that visually appears greater in size than said symbol positions of said first array, the at least one special symbol resulting in the award of one of more game enhancing elements. The at least one special symbol is randomly selected by said electronic game controller and is different to said game symbols displayed in said first array. A gaming method is also provided.

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 method of generating warnings associated with a vehicle is provided. The method broadly includes the steps of: (a) receiving an indication that a warning relating to operation of an electric motor is appropriate; (b) generating a drive current for the electric motor; (c) superimposing a warning signal onto the drive current; and (d) driving the electric motor with the drive current and the superimposed warning signal such that the electric motor produces the warnings. The warning signal may produce an audio warning, a tactile warning, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic gaming machine comprising an electronic game controller and a display. A game is shown on the display, comprising game symbols displayed in predetermined game positions on said display and where predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols in the game award prizes to a player. The appearance of at least one special symbol in a play of the game causes the display of an additional special symbol for one or more subsequent plays of the game. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a transmission of a hybrid powertrain that includes a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods may classify transmission degradation in response to an estimated transmission input shaft speed that is determined from transmission output shaft speed. In one example, transmission degradation may be correctable transmission degradation, partial transmission degradation, and continuous transmission degradation.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft and a throttle body, and an electric machine having a rotor selectively coupled to the crankshaft via a disconnect clutch. A transmission of the powertrain includes a torque converter having an impeller fixed to the rotor, a turbine disposed on an input shaft of the transmission, and a bypass clutch configured to selectively transmit torque from the impeller to the turbine. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to the bypass clutch being open or slipping and the disconnect clutch being closed, command a throttle position of the throttle body based on an error between measured and estimated speeds of the impeller.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft, a transmission, an electric machine, and at least one controller. The transmission includes a torque converter having a turbine fixed to a turbine shaft that is driveably connected to driven wheels of the vehicle. The torque converter includes an impeller and a bypass clutch configured to selectively lock the impeller and the turbine relative to each other. The electric machine includes a rotor selectively coupled to the crankshaft via a disconnect clutch and fixed to the impeller. The at least one controller is configured to generate a first torque command for the electric machine that defines a magnitude equal to driver-demanded torque while the bypass clutch is locked. The controller is further configured to, in response to a reduction in fluid pressure supplied to the bypass clutch, generate a second torque command for the electric machine that defines a magnitude equal to driver-demanded torque plus impeller inertia torque.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a controller, a torque converter, and an engine and electric machine coupled by a clutch. The torque converter may be configured to couple the electric machine to an output shaft. The controller may be programed to generate a command for the electric machine to output torque to drive the torque converter toward a desired rotational speed, and to modify the command according to a difference between the desired rotational speed and an actual rotational speed to reduce the difference, wherein values of the difference are limited by thresholds that change with powertrain operation.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic gaming machine (1) comprising an electronic game controller (4) and a display (7) that shows a first game array (11) and two or more second game arrays (30). Each second game array (30) is associated with a respective designated predetermined position (33) of a plurality of predetermined positions (13) on the first game array (11). The appearance of one or more special symbols (25) in one or more of the designated predetermined positions (33) causes the electronic game controller (4) to make each second game array (30) associated with the one or more designated predetermined positions (33) available to the player for play simultaneously with the first game array (11).

Abstract: A gaming machine having a first reel, and a set of second reels. The first reel has a plurality of prizes displayed at respective first display positions, and spins in a first direction. Each of the second reels is aligned with one of the first display positions, and spins in a second direction to identify one of the prizes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a driveline that includes a dual clutch transmission are described. In one example, clutches of the dual clutch transmission may be cooled via activating and adjusting a flow rate of an electric pump. Further, driveline operating modes may be entered or exited in response to clutch operating conditions so that driveline robustness may be enhanced.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, a rear drive unit electric machine, an integrated starter/generator, and a transmission are described. In one example, inertia torque compensation is provided to counter inertia torque during a power-on upshift.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that may include an internal combustion engine, a rear drive unit electric machine, an integrated starter/generator, and a transmission are described. In one example, torque capacity of an on-coming clutch is adjusted during an inertia phase of a power-on upshift to improve shift smoothness.

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 and configured to operate in torque control and in speed control. The powertrain further includes a transmission having a torque converter with an impeller fixed to the rotor, a turbine disposed on an input shaft of the transmission, and a bypass clutch configured to selectively transmit torque from the impeller to the turbine. A controller is configured to, in response to the motor switching from torque control to speed control, generate a torque command for the motor that defines a magnitude derived from an error between measured and estimated speeds of the impeller obtained during torque control to prevent a spike in motor speed when the motor switches from torque control to speed control.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, an integrated starter/generator, and a transmission are described. In one example, transmission output torque and electric machine torque are adjusted while a brake pedal and accelerator pedal are contemporaneously applied.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine comprises a display for displaying a game and an electronic game controller for controlling the display of game symbols on the display. The electronic game controller enables the player to select a bet option from a plurality of bet options. A first bet option has a first number of predetermined combinations of symbol positions and a second bet option has a second number of predetermined combinations of symbol positions. The first and second bet options and the first and second numbers are different to each other. In response to an in-game trigger event, the number of symbol positions in the array changes based on the selected bet option. A gaming method is also provided.