Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine operatively disposed therein. The engine generates exhaust gases. The vehicle further includes an alternator operatively connected to the engine. The alternator produces DC power. An ultracapacitor is operatively connected to the alternator to receive electrical energy therefrom. The vehicle still further includes an exhaust gas treatment system operatively connected to the engine to receive exhaust gases therefrom. The exhaust gas treatment system includes an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) device electrically connected to the ultracapacitor to selectively heat a catalytic exhaust system component. The ultracapacitor stores energy converted by the alternator from vehicle kinetic energy and releases the stored energy to heat the EHC.

Abstract: A system and method for managing faults occurring in a power steering system in a vehicle is disclosed that has particular application for an MRHPS system to provide reliable functioning of the power steering system. The method includes detecting a fault condition in the MRHPS system and selecting a safe mode from a plurality of predetermined safe modes based on the fault condition. The plurality of predetermined safe modes include a normal operation mode, an engine speed follow mode, a manual mode, a fixed duty cycle mode and a voltage control mode. If a fault condition is detected, the method applies the safe mode to manage the fault condition.

Abstract: A circuit that detects if contacts in an HV contactor have been welded or stuck closed. The circuit includes a controller that generates a short duration pulse signal that closes a driver switch and allows current flow through a coil in the HV contactor. The current flow is converted to a voltage by a sensor, where the voltage is received by the controller. The controller uses the voltage, such as by comparing the voltage to a stored representative voltage of the coil current for when the HV contactor is open, to determine whether the HV contactor is closed, and possibly welded or stuck closed, or partially closed. The sensor can be the driver switch or another device, such as a resistor.

Abstract: A method for determining a speed of a power steering pump used in a power steering assembly of a vehicle that has particular application in a vehicle using a magneto-rheological hydraulic power steering (MRHPS) system for improving the fuel efficiency and ride comfort of the vehicle, and for reliable functioning of the power steering system. The method includes determining an angle of rotation of the steering wheel and a rate of change of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel based on the angle of rotation of the steering wheel of the vehicle. The method further includes determining the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the power steering pump based on the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, the rate of change of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Cathode-anode voltage across free-wheeling diodes in an active rectifier is used in the determination of switching points when the free-wheeling diode is forward biased. Hysteretic switching is accomplished through the selection of conductive and non-conductive switching threshold. The switching thresholds are further selected to prevent voltage oscillations at zero current crossings and reduce delays during deactivation to prevent cross-conduction.

Abstract: A linear actuator associated with an actuator system for a device includes a wire cable fabricated from an active material. The linear actuator couples to the device and to the moveable element. The active material induces strain in the linear actuator in response to an activation signal. The linear actuator translates the moveable element relative to the device in response to the induced strain. An activation controller electrically connects to the linear actuator and generates the activation signal. A position feedback sensor monitors a position of the moveable element.

Abstract: A method for determining a speed of a power steering pump used in a power steering assembly of a vehicle that has particular application in a vehicle using a magneto-rheological hydraulic power steering (MRHPS) system for improving the fuel efficiency and ride comfort of the vehicle, and for reliable functioning of the power steering system. The method includes determining an angle of rotation of the steering wheel and a rate of change of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel based on the angle of rotation of the steering wheel of the vehicle. The method further includes determining the speed of the vehicle and the speed of the power steering pump based on the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, the rate of change of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct start engine, an automatic transmission having a threshold fluid pressure sufficient for enabling operation of the transmission when the engine is off, a controller, and a fuel delivery system. The controller determines the presence of predetermined engine states, and optimizes a stop-and-go functionality of the engine. The fuel delivery system includes a motor and an integrated pump assembly having a secondary high-pressure (HP) fuel pump which is selectively connectable to a rotatable shaft of the motor, and a secondary low-pressure (LP) fluid pump which is continuously connected to the shaft. The motor continuously energizes the secondary LP fluid pump via the rotatable shaft to thereby maintain the threshold fluid pressure during a first or second engine state, and selectively energizes the secondary HP fuel pump via the rotatable shaft to maintain the threshold fuel pressure during the second engine state.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct start engine, an automatic transmission having a threshold fluid pressure sufficient for enabling operation of the transmission when the engine is off, a controller, and a fuel delivery system. The controller determines the presence of predetermined engine states, and optimizes a stop-and-go functionality of the engine. The fuel delivery system includes a motor and an integrated pump assembly having a secondary high-pressure (HP) fuel pump which is selectively connectable to a rotatable shaft of the motor, and a secondary low-pressure (LP) fluid pump which is continuously connected to the shaft. The motor continuously energizes the secondary LP fluid pump via the rotatable shaft to thereby maintain the threshold fluid pressure during a first or second engine state, and selectively energizes the secondary HP fuel pump via the rotatable shaft to maintain the threshold fuel pressure during the second engine state.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct-start engine and a fuel rail with a threshold fuel pressure, a transmission having a threshold fluid pressure, and a fuel delivery system. The system has a controller, a motor having a shaft, and an integrated pump assembly including a high-pressure (HP) fuel pump and a low-pressure (LP) fluid pump each connected to the shaft. Threshold pressures are maintained during the predetermined engine state, which includes an engine idling and an engine cranking state. A method for providing stop-and-go functionality in a vehicle having a direct-start engine includes detecting a current engine state, rotating a motor shaft to energize a secondary HP fuel pump at a first threshold pressure during engine cranking, and rotating the shaft to energize an LP fluid pump at a second threshold pressure during engine idling and engine cranking. The secondary pumps can also be used when primary pumps are temporarily inoperable.

Abstract: Cathode-anode voltage across free-wheeling diodes in an active rectifier is used in the determination of switching points when the free-wheeling diode is forward biased. Hysteretic switching is accomplished through the selection of conductive and non-conductive switching threshold. The switching thresholds are further selected to prevent voltage oscillations at zero current crossings and reduce delays during deactivation to prevent cross-conduction.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct-start engine and a fuel rail with a threshold fuel pressure, a transmission having a threshold fluid pressure, and a fuel delivery system. The system has a controller, a motor having a shaft, and an integrated pump assembly including a high-pressure (HP) fuel pump and a low-pressure (LP) fluid pump each connected to the shaft. Threshold pressures are maintained during the predetermined engine state, which includes an engine idling and an engine cranking state. A method for providing stop-and-go functionality in a vehicle having a direct-start engine includes detecting a current engine state, rotating a motor shaft to energize a secondary HP fuel pump at a first threshold pressure during engine cranking, and rotating the shaft to energize an LP fluid pump at a second threshold pressure during engine idling and engine cranking. The secondary pumps can also be used when primary pumps are temporarily inoperable.

Abstract: A damper assembly is provided including a linear to rotary motion conversion mechanism having an outer tube member. An inner tube member is reciprocally movable and at least partially disposed within the outer tube member. The inner tube member is adapted for linear translation in a first and a second direction. A rotatable shaft is disposed within the inner tube member. The translation of the inner tube member produces a rotation of the shaft. Also included within the damper assembly is a damping mechanism having a rotor fixed to the shaft. A coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic field in response to an applied current. A magneto-rheological fluid is in contact with the rotor, and has a variable viscosity in the presence of the electromagnetic field that, in turn, provides variable resistance to rotation of the rotor and translation of the inner tube member within the outer tube member.

Abstract: A method of controlling a magneto-rheological power steering coupling is provided. The method is to be employed by a controller and is initiated upon engine start-up. The method includes initializing calibration parameters and reading a plurality of input values. Subsequently, a hand wheel angle rate value is calculated from one of said plurality of input values. A pump speed command value is calculated as a function of at least the hand wheel angle rate value. A pump speed error value is then calculated, and a proportional-integral-derivative calculation is performed acting on the pump speed error value to determine a pulse width modulation duty cycle value. The duty cycle value is then output to a power driver to provide a control signal to the magneto-rheological power steering coupling. Also provided is control system and apparatus operable to perform the functions described hereinabove.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological coupling (MRC) having an input assembly and an output member. The output member includes a generally cylindrical drum portion and a hub portion extending radially inwardly therefrom. The generally cylindrical drum portion has a low magnetically permeable region having a plurality of passages defined therein. Additionally, a plurality of apertures are defined by the hub portion. The plurality of passages and apertures enhance the flow of magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) within the MRC. The drum portion has a surface treatment of tungsten-carbide to enhance wear resistance. Additionally, the drum portion has an average roughness, or Ra value, of between 10 and 250 microns.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for controlling a vehicle electrical generator. A regulator for controlling a generator in response to an input signal received from a control module suitably includes a discriminator module, a processing module and a switching circuit. The discriminator determines whether the regulator is operating in voltage or torque control mode. If the input signal is a voltage control, the output generator produces a modulation signal to produce a desired voltage between two battery terminals. If the input signal is a torque control, the output generator produces one or more modulation signals (e.g. pulse width modulation signals) to control the torque of the generator. The modulation signals are applied across a field coil or other controllable element of the generator by a switching circuit that applies positive and/or negative voltage from the battery terminals as appropriate.