Abstract: A powertrain includes a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. The powertrain also includes a first energy storage device disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. Additionally, the powertrain includes a first switching device selectively transitionable between a first open state to electrically disconnect the first energy storage device from at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system, and a first closed state to electrically connect the first energy storage device to at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system. The motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system are operable regardless of the first switching device being in the first open and closed states.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. The powertrain also includes a first energy storage device disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. Additionally, the powertrain includes a first switching device selectively transitionable between a first open state to electrically disconnect the first energy storage device from at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system, and a first closed state to electrically connect the first energy storage device to at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system. The motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system are operable regardless of the first switching device being in the first open and closed states.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine with a crankshaft rotating on a first axis, motor/generator unit (MGU), belted drive system, transmission, actuator assembly, and controller. An MGU rotor shaft rotates about a second axis. The belted drive assembly has a first pulley connected to the crankshaft, a second pulley selectively connected to the rotor shaft, and an endless rotatable drive element that connects the pulleys. The transmission is connected to the flywheel via an input clutch. The actuator assembly has a third axis parallel to the first and second axes, a linear actuator(s), pinion gears translatable along the third axis to selectively engage the first and second gear elements, and overrunning clutches to passively disengage the pinion gears from the first or second gear element. The controller transmits control signals to the MGU and linear actuators to command a control state via translation of the pinion gears.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle is disclosed. The powertrain includes an engine, a motor-generator and a starter mechanism. The powertrain also includes a first energy storage device disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. Additionally, the powertrain includes a first switching device selectively transitionable between a first open state to electrically disconnect the first energy storage device from at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system, and a first closed state to electrically connect the first energy storage device to at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system. Electrical communication between the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system is independent of the first switching device being in the first open and closed states.

Abstract: A system and method for providing energy to auto systems such as systems after-treating exhaust. Energy may be received from a solar energy source electrically connected to an after-treatment system. At least some of the energy from the solar energy source may be provided to the after-treatment system to purify exhaust from an engine. A control module may provide at least some of the energy from the solar energy source to a heater, for example, to initiate heating the after-treatment system prior to starting the engine. The heater may heat the after-treatment to temperatures within a predetermined temperature range associated with optimal efficiency for the after-treatment system.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle is disclosed. The powertrain includes an engine, a motor-generator and a starter mechanism. The powertrain also includes a first energy storage device disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. Additionally, the powertrain includes a first switching device selectively transitionable between a first open state to electrically disconnect the first energy storage device from at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system, and a first closed state to electrically connect the first energy storage device to at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system. Electrical communication between the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system is independent of the first switching device being in the first open and closed states.

Abstract: A charging system is provided for an electric vehicle. A vehicle battery stores electrical energy used to drive the electric vehicle. A refillable storage device is carried by the vehicle for storing compressed fluid from an off-vehicle supply of compressed fluid. An expander is in fluid communication with the refillable storage device. The expander selectively receives the compressed fluid from the refillable storage device when the vehicle battery is in need of charging and generates a rotational energy in response to the compressed fluid flowing through the expander. A generator is rotationally coupled to the expander and electrically coupled to the vehicle battery for converting the rotational energy into electrical energy that is transferred to and stored by the vehicle battery.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, a stationary member, and a first and a second compound planetary gear set. The first compound planetary gear set has a first, a second, a third, a fourth, and a fifth member. The second compound planetary gear set has a first, a second, a third, and a fourth member. The first member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously connected for common rotation with the output member. An interconnecting member continuously connects the first member of the first compound planetary gear set for common rotation with the second member of the second compound planetary gear set. The transmission has seven torque-transmitting mechanisms, including three brakes and four rotating-type clutches, that are engagable to establish up to fourteen forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: An auxiliary energy management system for a vehicle includes an energy storage device, solar panel array, a preconditioning device, a communication module and a solar control module. The solar panel array generates electrical energy. The pre-conditioning device generates a temperature change to the vehicle. The solar control module includes a processor for selectively configuring a distribution of electrical energy captured by the solar energy panel to one of the energy storage device and the preconditioning device. The processor includes a mode selector logic module for indicating one of a passive enablement or active enablement of the distribution of electrical energy based on a vehicle driving status and the electrical energy availability from the solar panel array. At least one of a recharging function or a preconditioning function is enabled passively or actively based on a configuration in the mode selector logic module or a personalized configuration.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, a stationary member, and a first and a second compound planetary gear set. The first compound planetary gear set has a first, a second, a third, a fourth, and a fifth member. The second compound planetary gear set has a first, a second, a third, and a fourth member. The first member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously connected for common rotation with the output member. An interconnecting member continuously connects the first member of the first planetary gear set for common rotation with the second member of the second planetary gear set. The transmission includes seven torque-transmitting mechanisms that are engagable to establish up to fifteen forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, a first and a second intermediate member, and a planetary gear set, all of which are coaxial and define a first axis of rotation. A first and a second layshaft are arranged to define a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, respectively. Each of five sets of intermeshing gears transfer torque from a respective one of the intermediate members to a respective one of the layshafts via engagement of different respective ones of nine torque-transmitting mechanisms. A set of transfer gears transfers torque from the layshafts to the output member. One of the torque-transmitting mechanisms grounds a member of the planetary gear set to a stationary member. The nine torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish up to eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, a stationary member, and a first and a second compound planetary gear set. The first compound planetary gear set has a first, a second, a third, a fourth, and a fifth member. The second compound planetary gear set has a first, a second, a third, and a fourth member. The first member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously connected for common rotation with the output member. An interconnecting member continuously connects the first member of the first planetary gear set for common rotation with the second member of the second planetary gear set. The transmission includes seven torque-transmitting mechanisms that are engagable to establish up to fifteen forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine vehicle or hybrid-electric vehicle is provided with a vehicle-mounted solar cell array capable of generating electrical power. The solar cell array and other elements, including a metal substrate catalytic convertor form a system for reducing exhaust gas emissions from the vehicle in which the power from the array is applied to minimize exhaust emissions. A primary application of the solar cell array-generated power is to preheat the catalytic convertor to a preferred operating temperature prior to engine start. But the power from the solar cells, directed by a controller, may also be applied to charge the battery or to power electric power receiving devices, for example, to control cabin temperatures. The preferred allocation of the solar power available depends on a number of factors including the state of charge of the batteries, and the time of anticipated next use of the vehicle.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, an intermediate shaft, and a simple planetary gear set, all of which are coaxial. A first and a second layshaft are arranged to define a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, respectively. The transmission has five sets of intermeshing gears, some of which are arranged to transfer torque from the input member to the layshafts, and others of which are arranged to transfer torque from the layshafts to the intermediate member or the simple planetary gear set. The transmission has eight torque-transmitting mechanisms, including one torque-transmitting mechanism that is selectively engagable to connect the input member for common rotation with the intermediate member. The other seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are each selectively engagable to connect a different respective gear of the sets of intermeshing gears to a respective one of the layshafts or to a stationary member.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission is configured to transfer mechanical power to an output member and includes an input member, an output member, and a transmission case circumscribing first and second differential gear sets, each differential gear set including a plurality of meshingly engaged rotatable elements. The first differential gear set is configured with four nodes for transferring mechanical power, and the second differential gear set is configured with three nodes for transferring mechanical power. Two of the four nodes of the first differential gear set are continuously interconnected to two of the three nodes of the second differential gear set. A first torque transfer clutch is configured to selectively connect the input member to an internal combustion engine. First and second brake devices are configured to selectively interconnect elements of the first and second differential gear sets, the transmission case, the input member, and the output member.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, a stationary member, and a first and a second compound planetary gear set. The first planetary gear set has a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth member. The second planetary gear set has a first, second, third, and fourth member. The first member of the first compound planetary gear set is continuously connected for common rotation with the input member. The first member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously connected for common rotation with the output member. The second member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously grounded to the stationary member. None of the members of the first planetary gear set are continuously connected for common rotation with any of the members of the second planetary gear set. Seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable to establish up to ten forward speed ratios.

Abstract: A transmission is provided that includes a first compound planetary gear set and a second simple planetary gear set. An input member, an output member and the planetary gear sets are arranged coaxially with one another to define a first axis of rotation. A first and a second layshaft are arranged coaxially with one another to define a second axis of rotation. A first set of intermeshing gears transfer torque from the input member to the first layshaft. A second set of intermeshing gears transfer torque from the second layshaft to the second planetary gear set. Seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish multiple forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission is provided that includes an input member, an output member, a stationary member, a first and a second compound planetary gear set. The first compound planetary gear set has a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth member. The second compound planetary gear set has a first, second, third, and fourth member. The first member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously connected for common rotation with the output member. The second member of the second compound planetary gear set is continuously grounded to the stationary member. None of the members of the first compound planetary gear set are continuously connected for common rotation with any of the members of the second compound planetary gear set. Seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable in combinations of three to establish up to ten forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: A transmission is provided that includes a first compound planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set. An input member, an output member and the planetary gear sets are arranged coaxially with one another to define a first axis of rotation. A first and a second layshaft are arranged coaxially with one another to define a second axis of rotation. A first set of intermeshing gears transfer torque from the input member to the first layshaft. A second set of intermeshing gears transfer torque from the second layshaft to the second planetary gear set. Seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish multiple forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: A transmission includes a coaxial input member, output member, intermediate member, and simple planetary gear set. A first and a second layshaft are arranged to define a second and a third axis of rotation, respectively. The transmission has five sets of intermeshing gears, some of which are arranged to transfer torque from the input member to the layshafts, and others of which are arranged to transfer torque from the layshafts to one of the intermediate member and the simple planetary gear set. The transmission has eight torque-transmitting mechanisms that are each selectively engagable to connect a different respective gear of the intermeshing sets of gears to a respective one of the layshafts or to a stationary member. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish up to fourteen forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.