Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a vehicle system which may include a primary clutch operably coupled with a primary inertia, and a torsional spring operably coupled with the primary inertia and also operably coupled to a transmission input shaft. The transmission input shaft may be operably coupled to a secondary clutch which may be constructed and arranged to engage a secondary inertia. The secondary inertia may be used to deliver a dual mass fly wheel effect and the secondary clutch may be constructed and arranged to be opened during shifting events.

Abstract: A modular rear drive unit for a hybrid vehicle comprises a torque distributing unit, an electric motor-generator, and a gearing arrangement operatively connecting the electric motor-generator with the torque distributing unit. The modular rear drive unit also includes an integrated housing and rear cradle supporting and surrounding the torque distributing unit, the electric motor-generator, and the gearing arrangement. The integrated housing and rear cradle operatively mounts to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a clutch system having a clutch; a first cylinder operatively connected to the clutch; a passive valve operatively connected to the first cylinder; a hydraulic power pack actuator and a second cylinder operatively connected to the passive valve; an electronic control unit operatively connected to the hydraulic power pack actuator; and a clutch pedal operatively connected to the second cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a vehicle system which may include a primary clutch operably coupled with a primary inertia, and a torsional spring operably coupled with the primary inertia and also operably coupled to a transmission input shaft. The transmission input shaft may be operably coupled to a secondary clutch which may be constructed and arranged to engage a secondary inertia. The secondary inertia may be used to deliver a dual mass fly wheel effect and the secondary clutch may be constructed and arranged to be opened during shifting events.

Abstract: A number of variations may include an autonomous emergency braking system including a device for automatically opening a clutch of a transmission without driver action required. A number of variations may include a method comprising providing an autonomous emergency braking system including a device for automatically opening a clutch of a transmission without driver action required, using a sensor to detect a potential collision, and activating the device when a collision is detected to open a clutch of a transmission without driver action or input.

Abstract: A modular rear drive unit for a hybrid vehicle comprises a torque distributing unit, an electric motor-generator, and a gearing arrangement operatively connecting the electric motor-generator with the torque distributing unit. The modular rear drive unit also includes an integrated housing and rear cradle supporting and surrounding the torque distributing unit, the electric motor-generator, and the gearing arrangement. The integrated housing and rear cradle operatively mounts to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine that has a crankshaft. A first motor-generator is drivingly connected to the crankshaft via an endless rotatable device. The powertrain includes a transmission that has a transmission input member driven by the crankshaft and a transmission output member. A front differential is operatively connected with front half shafts. A transfer case is configured to distribute torque of the transmission output member to the front differential and to a driveshaft. A rear differential is configured to transfer torque from the driveshaft to rear half shafts. A second motor-generator is drivingly connected to the rear differential. A gearing arrangement is configured to multiply torque from the second motor-generator to the rear half shafts. A controller controls the second motor-generator to function as a motor that provides torque to the rear wheels through the rear differential. A modular rear drive unit operatively connects to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: a clutch system comprising: a clutch; a first cylinder operatively connected to the clutch; a passive valve operatively connected to the first cylinder; a hydraulic power pack actuator and a second cylinder operatively connected to the passive valve; an electronic control unit operatively connected to the hydraulic power pack actuator; and a clutch pedal operatively connected to the second cylinder.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: an electric motor generator, a first power electronics module operatively connected to the electric motor generator; an electric motor constructed and arranged for driving an air delivery device, and a second power electronics module coupled to the electric motor. A number of variations may include a product comprising: an electric motor generator for a vehicle and an electric motor constructed and arranged for driving an air delivery device, and single housing enclosing the electric motor generator and an electric motor.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine that has a crankshaft. A first motor-generator is drivingly connected to the crankshaft via an endless rotatable device. The powertrain includes a transmission that has a transmission input member driven by the crankshaft and a transmission output member. A front differential is operatively connected with front half shafts. A transfer case is configured to distribute torque of the transmission output member to the front differential and to a driveshaft. A rear differential is configured to transfer torque from the driveshaft to rear half shafts. A second motor-generator is drivingly connected to the rear differential. A gearing arrangement is configured to multiply torque from the second motor-generator to the rear half shafts. A controller controls the second motor-generator to function as a motor that provides torque to the rear wheels through the rear differential. A modular rear drive unit operatively connects to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a hybrid transmission that has an input member operatively connectable to an engine crankshaft, at least one motor/generator, a gearing arrangement, and an output member operatively connectable to both the input member and said at least one motor/generator. An input brake has a first and a second brake shoe, a selectively energizable solenoid, and a mechanical biasing mechanism. The solenoid is operatively connected to the brake shoes via the mechanical biasing mechanism so that both brake shoes are operatively connected with the input member when the solenoid is energized. When the solenoid is deenergized, the first brake shoe remains operatively connected with and resists rotation of the input member when clockwise torque is applied to the input member and the second brake shoe remains operatively connected with and resists rotation of the input member when counterclockwise torque is applied to the input member.

Abstract: A drive belt tensioner for mounting to a motor-generator unit comprises a tensioner pulley support having a centrally located pivot defining a pivot axis and first and second reaction arms extending outwardly from the centrally located pivot to define an angle therebetween. Tensioner pulleys are rotatably mounted to the second ends of each of the first and second reaction arms. The reaction arms are configured to flexibly bias the tensioner pulleys when engaged by a drive belt force to maintain a desired drive belt tension.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine that has a crankshaft. A first motor-generator is drivingly connected to the crankshaft via an endless rotatable device. The powertrain includes a transmission that has a transmission input member driven by the crankshaft and a transmission output member. A front differential is operatively connected with front half shafts. A transfer case has a gearing arrangement configured to distribute torque of the transmission output member to the front differential and to a driveshaft. A rear differential is operatively connectable with the driveshaft, and is configured to transfer torque from the driveshaft to rear half shafts. A second motor-generator is drivingly connected to the rear differential. A controller is operatively connected to the second motor-generator, and controls the second motor-generator to function as a motor that provides torque to the rear wheels through the rear differential. A modular rear drive unit operatively connects to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine that has a crankshaft. A first motor-generator is drivingly connected to the crankshaft via an endless rotatable device. The powertrain includes a transmission that has a transmission input member driven by the crankshaft and a transmission output member. A front differential is operatively connected with front half shafts. A transfer case has a gearing arrangement configured to distribute torque of the transmission output member to the front differential and to a driveshaft. A rear differential is operatively connectable with the driveshaft, and is configured to transfer torque from the driveshaft to rear half shafts. A second motor-generator is drivingly connected to the rear differential. A controller is operatively connected to the second motor-generator, and controls the second motor-generator to function as a motor that provides torque to the rear wheels through the rear differential. A modular rear drive unit operatively connects to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle having a hybrid powertrain includes monitoring vehicle navigation and traffic patterns associated with a predicted travel path. It extends the powertrain instantaneous controller into a predictive control framework, and utilizes previewed traffic and geographic information based on on-board sensing and navigation information. An impending road load is predicted from which a fuel cost factor is optimized under a model predictive control framework. A state-of-charge trajectory is predicted from the impending road load and operation of the hybrid powertrain system is controlled in response thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission that receives torque from an engine and/or a motor. A clutch assembly that may be actuated by a driver is operably disposed between the transmission and the motor, the engine, or both. A controller is configured to control the torque provided by the motor and the engine to prevent engine stall, excessive engine flare, or both, during manual actuation of the clutch assembly by the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a hybrid transmission that has an input member operatively connectable to an engine crankshaft, at least one motor/generator, a gearing arrangement, and an output member operatively connectable to both the input member and said at least one motor/generator. An input brake has a first and a second brake shoe, a selectively energizable solenoid, and a mechanical biasing mechanism. The solenoid is operatively connected to the brake shoes via the mechanical biasing mechanism so that both brake shoes are operatively connected with the input member when the solenoid is energized. When the solenoid is deenergized, the first brake shoe remains operatively connected with and resists rotation of the input member when clockwise torque is applied to the input member and the second brake shoe remains operatively connected with and resists rotation of the input member when counterclockwise torque is applied to the input member.

Abstract: A drive belt tensioner assembly for a motor-generator unit is comprises a motor-generator unit having a rotatable drive pulley, configured to engage a drive belt, extending therefrom. A drive belt assembly housing is fixed to the motor-generator unit and has an inner surface defining an opening through which the rotatable drive pulley of the motor-generator unit extends. A tensioner mounting ring is mounted to, and rotatable with respect to, the drive belt assembly housing. A tensioner pulley is mounted for rotation on the tensioner mounting ring and is configured to engage the drive belt on a side of the motor-generator unit drive pulley. A biasing assembly having a first end mounted to the tensioner mounting ring and a second end mounted in a fixed relationship to the motor-generator unit exerts a biasing force on the tensioner mounting ring to rotate the ring and the tensioner pulley against the drive belt.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, a motor configured to provide a motor torque to the transmission, and an engine configured to provide an engine torque to the transmission. A torque converter is operably disposed between the transmission and the motor, the engine, or both. The torque converter is configured to at least partially transfer at least one of the motor torque and the engine torque to the transmission in accordance with a plurality of k-factors. The torque converter includes a clutch configured to at least partially engage to change the effective k-factor applied by the torque converter. A control processor is configured to blend the plurality of k-factors and at least partially engage the clutch based on the blended k-factor.

Abstract: An integrated electrical connector comprises one or more terminals housed within a connector body. The connector body is configured and arranged to structurally join an auxiliary component to a host vehicle to which the integrated electrical connector is mechanically fixed and electrically coupled. The connector body is configured to facilitate electrically coupling electrical circuitry of the auxiliary component to the host vehicle. The connector body is configured to facilitate transmission of information among the auxiliary component and the host vehicle.