Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft, an electric machine having a shaft, and a front end accessory drive (FEAD). The FEAD includes a multi-speed pulley assembly mounted to one of the crankshaft and the shaft, a pulley mounted to the other of the crankshaft and the shaft, and a tension member trained around the multi-speed pulley assembly and the pulley. The multi-speed pulley assembly is configured to establish a low speed ratio between the shaft and the crankshaft and a high speed ratio between the shaft and the crankshaft. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in switch between the high speed ratio and the low speed ratio to optimize operating conditions of the FEAD.

Abstract: A vehicle driveline component includes a torque converter including an actuator and a clutch. The actuator includes an actuator piston slidable within an actuator chamber and dividing the actuator chamber into loosening and tightening chambers. The actuator piston moves the stator blades between a plurality of pitch positions. The clutch selectively couples the turbine to the impeller. The clutch includes a spring and clutch piston. The clutch piston at least partially defines an apply chamber and a release chamber. The apply chamber is in fluid communication with the tightening chamber via a hydrodynamic chamber. The release chamber is in fluid communication with the loosening chamber. The clutch piston is movable between an engaged position which inhibits relative rotation between the housing and the turbine and a disengaged position permitting relative rotation. The clutch spring is supported by the turbine hub and biases the clutch piston toward the disengaged position.

Abstract: A vehicle driveline component includes a torque converter including an actuator and a clutch. The actuator includes an actuator piston slidable within an actuator chamber and dividing the actuator chamber into loosening and tightening chambers. The actuator piston moves the stator blades between a plurality of pitch positions. The clutch selectively couples the turbine to the impeller. The clutch includes a spring and clutch piston. The clutch piston at least partially defines an apply chamber and a release chamber. The apply chamber is in fluid communication with the tightening chamber via a hydrodynamic chamber. The release chamber is in fluid communication with the loosening chamber. The clutch piston is movable between an engaged position which inhibits relative rotation between the housing and the turbine and a disengaged position permitting relative rotation. The clutch spring is supported by the turbine hub and biases the clutch piston toward the disengaged position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft, an electric machine having a shaft, and a front end accessory drive (FEAD). The FEAD includes a multi-speed pulley assembly mounted to one of the crankshaft and the shaft, a pulley mounted to the other of the crankshaft and the shaft, and a tension member trained around the multi-speed pulley assembly and the pulley. The multi-speed pulley assembly is configured to establish a low speed ratio between the shaft and the crankshaft and a high speed ratio between the shaft and the crankshaft. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in switch between the high speed ratio and the low speed ratio to optimize operating conditions of the FEAD.

Abstract: An assembly includes a front module housing an electric machine and an engine disconnect clutch, a transmission aft of the front module, a torque converter axially between the front module and the transmission, and a baffle radially between the torque converter and the transmission.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a climate control system with an accumulator, and a corresponding method. An example motor vehicle includes a powertrain and a climate control system configured to meet a thermal conditioning demand. The climate control system includes an accumulator and a compressor driven by the powertrain. Further, a controller is in electronic communication with the climate control system, and the controller is configured to selectively command the climate control system to charge the accumulator when an amount of energy available to the compressor from the powertrain is in excess of an amount of energy required to meet the thermal conditioning demand.

Abstract: A torque converter stator includes a hub, an outer ring, a plurality of blades, and a plurality of spokes. The hub is disposed about an axis. The blades are disposed radially between the outer ring and the hub. All of the blades are pivotable relative to the hub and outer ring. The spokes are spaced apart from the blades and fixed to the hub and the outer ring to support the outer ring relative to the hub.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system may include an accumulator, a pump, and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to braking of the vehicle, close a line pressure regulator to isolate the accumulator and pump from a transmission pressure line demand, and operate the pump to charge the accumulator without satisfying any of the demand, and responsive to a tip-in event, open the line pressure regulator and operate the accumulator and pump to satisfy the demand.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a climate control system with an accumulator, and a corresponding method. An example motor vehicle includes a powertrain and a climate control system configured to meet a thermal conditioning demand. The climate control system includes an accumulator and a compressor driven by the powertrain. Further, a controller is in electronic communication with the climate control system, and the controller is configured to selectively command the climate control system to charge the accumulator when an amount of energy available to the compressor from the powertrain is in excess of an amount of energy required to meet the thermal conditioning demand.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a VCR engine. In one example, the VCR engine includes a VCR mechanism that relies on electric power to adjust a compression ratio of the VCR engine. The compression ratio is maintained by hydraulically-assisted engagement of a mechanical locking pin with an S-link of the VCR mechanism, holding a position of the VCR mechanism while an electric motor, used to adjust a position of the S-link, may be deactivated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a VCR engine. In one example, the VCR engine includes a VCR mechanism that relies on electric power to adjust a compression ratio of the VCR engine. The compression ratio is maintained by hydraulically-assisted engagement of a mechanical locking pin with an S-link of the VCR mechanism, holding a position of the VCR mechanism while an electric motor, used to adjust a position of the S-link, may be deactivated.

Abstract: A torque converter stator includes a hub, an outer ring, a plurality of blades, and a plurality of spokes. The hub is disposed about an axis. The blades are disposed radially between the outer ring and the hub. All of the blades are pivotable relative to the hub and outer ring. The spokes are spaced apart from the blades and fixed to the hub and the outer ring to support the outer ring relative to the hub.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a variable pitch torque converter stator includes positioning a framework, including an outer ring, a plurality of blades, a plurality of pivot members, and a plurality of actuation members, so the pivot members are seated in a stator body and the actuation members are coupled to a stator piston, with the pivot and actuation members being non-rotatably coupled to opposite ends of corresponding blades. The method includes removing the outer ring from the framework.

Abstract: A vehicle having a controller is provided. The controller may be configured to, responsive to identification of a braking event predicted to occur in the future, hydraulically charge an accumulator, and responsive to a pressure of the accumulator exceeding a first threshold, cease charging the accumulator, and satisfy transmission line pressure demand with pressure from the accumulator to begin depleting the accumulator to a before initiation of the braking event.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to the vehicle traveling at a constant speed for a predetermined time, hydraulically charge the accumulator, and responsive to a pressure of the accumulator exceeding a first threshold that is defined by a road grade, cease charging the accumulator, and satisfy transmission line pressure demand with the pressure to deplete the accumulator.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine driven variable displacement pump and an accumulator. A switch network controls the flow of fluid among the pump, the accumulator, a line pressure circuit of a valve body, and the sump, enabling several operating modes. In a balanced operating mode, no fluid flows into or out of the accumulator. In a discharging mode, fluid flows from the accumulator reducing the power required by the pump to increase output torque or reduce fuel consumption. In a charging mode, fluid flows into the accumulator for later use. Fluid also flow into the accumulator in a high-torque mode in which the pump and switch network are set to intentionally increase the pump torque to assist in deceleration.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system may include an accumulator, a pump, and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to braking of the vehicle, close a line pressure regulator to isolate the accumulator and pump from a transmission pressure line demand, and operate the pump to charge the accumulator without satisfying any of the demand, and responsive to a tip-in event, open the line pressure regulator and operate the accumulator and pump to satisfy the demand.

Abstract: A transmission includes a torque converter with both a variable pitch stator and a bypass clutch. These are controlled in two modes to maintain a target slip speed. In a first mode, the bypass clutch is fully released and slip is controlled by varying the pitch of the stator blades. In a second mode, the stator is held in the tightest position and slip is controlled by varying the torque capacity of the bypass clutch. The target slip is calculated based on a variety of different input signals depending on what type of vehicle maneuver is being performed.

Abstract: A vehicle having a controller is provided. The controller may be configured to, responsive to identification of a braking event predicted to occur in the future, hydraulically charge an accumulator, and responsive to a pressure of the accumulator exceeding a first threshold, cease charging the accumulator, and satisfy transmission line pressure demand with pressure from the accumulator to begin depleting the accumulator to a before initiation of the braking event.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to the vehicle traveling at a constant speed for a predetermined time, hydraulically charge the accumulator, and responsive to a pressure of the accumulator exceeding a first threshold that is defined by a road grade, cease charging the accumulator, and satisfy transmission line pressure demand with the pressure to deplete the accumulator.