Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a stator having a first set of electrical windings. The motor assembly includes a rotor assembly rotatable about an axis of rotation and that has a rotor with first and second rotor segments. Each of the rotor segments has a respective set of magnets spaced therearound. The motor assembly has a phaser that includes a phaser actuator and a phaser gear mechanism. The phaser gear mechanism has a plurality of members. The phaser actuator and the first and second rotor segments are each operatively connected to a different respective one of the members. The phaser actuator is activatable to change an angular position of the member to which the phaser actuator is operatively connected, moving one of the rotor segments about the axis of rotation relative to the other of the rotor segments to reduce back electromotive force in the first set of stator windings.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a first motor disposed within the vehicle body, a second motor disposed within the vehicle body, and an engine removably disposed on the vehicle body and configured to selectively provide torque to the first motor when disposed on the vehicle body. A climate control compressor is disposed within the vehicle body and is selectively coupled to the first motor. A controller is configured to control the coupling of the climate control compressor to the first motor and to control the coupling of the engine to the first motor. The first motor is configured to generate electrical energy to operate the second motor when coupled to the engine. The controller is further configured to control operation of the engine.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a rotor hub, and a rotor supported on the rotor hub. The rotor hub has first and second hub portions, and the rotor has first and second annular rotor segments supported for rotation on the respective first and second hub portions. Each of the rotor segments has a respective set of magnets spaced circumferentially therearound. The rotor hub and the rotor segments are configured so that at least one of the rotor segments moves about the axis of rotation relative to the other of the rotor segments as the rotor hub rotates. The movement of the at least one of the rotor segments is an amount that increases as the speed of the rotor hub increases to reduce back electromotive force. The movement may be due to centrifugal force, which increases as speed increases, without requiring a control system to effect the movement.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a stator having a first set of electrical windings. The motor assembly includes a rotor assembly rotatable about an axis of rotation and that has a rotor with first and second rotor segments. Each of the rotor segments has a respective set of magnets spaced therearound. The motor assembly has a phaser that includes a phaser actuator and a phaser gear mechanism. The phaser gear mechanism has a plurality of members. The phaser actuator and the first and second rotor segments are each operatively connected to a different respective one of the members. The phaser actuator is activatable to change an angular position of the member to which the phaser actuator is operatively connected, moving one of the rotor segments about the axis of rotation relative to the other of the rotor segments to reduce back electromotive force in the first set of stator windings.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a rotor hub, and a rotor supported on the rotor hub. The rotor hub has first and second hub portions, and the rotor has first and second annular rotor segments supported for rotation on the respective first and second hub portions. Each of the rotor segments has a respective set of magnets spaced circumferentially therearound. The rotor hub and the rotor segments are configured so that at least one of the rotor segments moves about the axis of rotation relative to the other of the rotor segments as the rotor hub rotates. The movement of the at least one of the rotor segments is an amount that increases as the speed of the rotor hub increases to reduce back electromotive force. The movement may be due to centrifugal force, which increases as speed increases, without requiring a control system to effect the movement.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a first motor disposed within the vehicle body, a second motor disposed within the vehicle body, and an engine removably disposed on the vehicle body and configured to selectively provide torque to the first motor when disposed on the vehicle body. A climate control compressor is disposed within the vehicle body and is selectively coupled to the first motor. A controller is configured to control the coupling of the climate control compressor to the first motor and to control the coupling of the engine to the first motor. The first motor is configured to generate electrical energy to operate the second motor when coupled to the engine. The controller is further configured to control operation of the engine.

Abstract: An engine management system for a hybrid vehicle may include a hybrid vehicle controller that selects a power source to be one of an electric propulsion system and a combustion engine. The hybrid vehicle controller may include an engine operation module configured to determine when operation of the combustion engine is required based on a predetermined set of operating parameters associated with the combustion engine.

Abstract: A vehicle has an electric drive mode, a body defining a vehicle interior, a first and second set of audio speakers positioned outside and inside of the interior, respectively, and a controller. The controller generates an acoustic signal, broadcasts the acoustic signal via the first set of speakers during an electric drive mode, and generates and broadcasts a cancelling signal via the second set of speakers. The broadcasts are coordinated to substantially cancel an attenuated portion of the acoustic signal resulting from propagation of the acoustic signal into the interior. A method cancels a synthesized sound within a vehicle interior by collecting vehicle operating values, generating an acoustic signal as the synthesized sound during an electric drive mode, and processing the acoustic signal to generate a modified acoustic signal approximating an attenuated portion of the acoustic signal propagating into the vehicle interior.

Abstract: A powertrain is provided having an engine operable in a reverse direction so that a reverse mode is provided through an electrically variable transmission without relying on pure electric or series electric operation, and without the addition of a dedicated reverse gear. A method of controlling such a powertrain is also provided.

Abstract: A lubrication control system includes an accumulator to store oil. The accumulator can be filled with oil during operation of an engine. A control valve can be selectively operated to allow oil stored in the accumulator to flow to a turbocharger. At least one control module can control operation of a hybrid electric vehicle and determine an operating condition of the engine and command the control valve to open and close based on the operating condition.

Abstract: A vehicle has an electric drive mode, a body defining a vehicle interior, a first and second set of audio speakers positioned outside and inside of the interior, respectively, and a controller. The controller generates an acoustic signal, broadcasts the acoustic signal via the first set of speakers during an electric drive mode, and generates and broadcasts a cancelling signal via the second set of speakers. The broadcasts are coordinated to substantially cancel an attenuated portion of the acoustic signal resulting from propagation of the acoustic signal into the interior. A method cancels a synthesized sound within a vehicle interior by collecting vehicle operating values, generating an acoustic signal as the synthesized sound during an electric drive mode, and processing the acoustic signal to generate a modified acoustic signal approximating an attenuated portion of the acoustic signal propagating into the vehicle interior.

Abstract: A method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is provided including the steps of: A) determining whether the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from an external power source; B) disabling the operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and executing a thermal program if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from the external power source, wherein the thermal program includes charging a high voltage battery and monitoring the state of charge of the high voltage battery; C) determining if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle continues to receive power from the external power source; and D) enabling operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is no longer receiving power from the external power source.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain is provided including an internal combustion engine sufficiently configured for operation in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode of operation. An electric motor and an electric storage device are provided in parallel hybrid combination with the internal combustion engine. A transmission is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The engine may operate in one of a two-stroke and a four-stroke cycle.

Abstract: A wall mount for supporting a hitch mount rack comprises one or more base members comprising at least one base plate member. The wall mount further comprises a wall mount receiver projecting from the base plate member, an anchor structure on at least one of the one or more base members, and at least one fastener configured to engage the anchor structure and secure the wall mount to a building wall structure. The wall mount receiver is configured to receive a receptacle portion of a hitch mount rack.

Abstract: A lubrication control system includes an accumulator to store oil. The accumulator can be filled with oil during operation of an engine. A control valve can be selectively operated to allow oil stored in the accumulator to flow to a turbocharger. At least one control module can control operation of a hybrid electric vehicle and determine an operating condition of the engine and command the control valve to open and close based on the operating condition.

Abstract: A method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is provided including the steps of: A) determining whether the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from an external power source; B) disabling the operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and executing a thermal program if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from the external power source, wherein the thermal program includes charging a high voltage battery and monitoring the state of charge of the high voltage battery; C) determining if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle continues to receive power from the external power source; and D) enabling operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is no longer receiving power from the external power source.

Abstract: A powertrain is provided having an engine operable in a reverse direction so that a reverse mode is provided through an electrically variable transmission without relying on pure electric or series electric operation, and without the addition of a dedicated reverse gear. A method of controlling such a powertrain is also provided.

Abstract: An engine management system for a hybrid vehicle may include a hybrid vehicle controller that selects a power source to be one of an electric propulsion system and a combustion engine. The hybrid vehicle controller may include an engine operation module configured to determine when operation of the combustion engine is required based on a predetermined set of operating parameters associated with the combustion engine.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain is provided including an internal combustion engine sufficiently configured for operation in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode of operation. An electric motor and an electric storage device are provided in parallel hybrid combination with the internal combustion engine. A transmission is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The engine may operate in one of a two-stroke and a four-stroke cycle.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine with an engine output member and a transmission with two motor/generators and a transmission input member operatively connected to the engine output member. A control unit is configured to selectively cause a device to resist or prevent rotation of the input member in response to the existence of certain conditions, such as the engine not supplying torque to the transmission and the transmission being in reverse operating mode. Resisting or preventing rotation of the input member improves transmission performance when only the motor/generators are supplying torque to propel the vehicle. A corresponding method is also provided.