Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine configured to apply a negative torque during regenerative braking, and a multi-speed transmission coupled to the engine and having multiple discrete gear ratios. A controller is programmed to, in response to a request to decelerate the vehicle, command a shift of the transmission to a one of the gear ratios that is predetermined to rotate the electric machine at a speed that generates a regenerative-braking torque corresponding to a target deceleration of the vehicle without application of friction brakes.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine configured to apply a negative torque during regenerative braking, and a multi-speed transmission coupled to the engine and having multiple discrete gear ratios. A controller is programmed to, in response to a request to decelerate the vehicle, command a shift of the transmission to a one of the gear ratios that is predetermined to rotate the electric machine at a speed that generates a regenerative-braking torque corresponding to a target deceleration of the vehicle without application of friction brakes.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine including a crank shaft; a battery; a belt-integrated starter generator (BISG) mechanically coupled to the crank shaft and configured to generate electric power from motion of the engine to charge the battery; and a controller configured to operate the BISG to apply a load to the crank shaft to slow the engine and capture electric power for storage in the battery, wherein an initial magnitude of the load is proportional to a temperature of the engine, responsive to a speed of the BISG or engine achieving a predetermined non-zero threshold, remove the load from the crank shaft, and bring the engine to a stop.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying a heat harvesting system and for harvesting heat from a geothermal well using one or more heat pipes. A heat exchanger may receive heat from one or more heat pipes for transfer to a heat receiving component. The heat pipes may be thermally coupled to the heat exchanger via a thermal gap material having a relatively low thermal conductivity. A mounting component may engage heat pipes and define a thermal gap between the heat pipes and heat exchanger. A heat spreader, having a relatively high thermal conductivity, may be used to transfer heat from the heat pipes to the thermal gap material and help define a working temperature for the heat pipes. A heat pipe deployment system may include anti-buckling supports and/or a guide to help keep the heat pipes from buckling and to guide the heat pipes into corresponding well bores during deployment.