Abstract: A valvetrain suitable for an internal combustion engine of a type that includes a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed within the combustion chamber, and a camshaft. The valvetrain includes a rocker arm assembly having a rocker arm and an electrical device that either configures the rocker arm assembly or provides position feedback for a part of the rocker arm assembly. The valvetrain includes a framework that fits around a spark plug tube while holding a component of a circuit that includes the electrical device in a position adjacent the rocker arm assembly. The position may place the component in contact with or very close to the rocker arm assembly. This framework structure may effectively utilize the available space under a valve cover while facilitating correct positioning of the component in relation to the rocker arm assembly.

Abstract: An example system includes a motor/generator selectively coupled to a drive line of a vehicle, and configured to selectively modulate power transfer between an electrical load and the drive line; a battery pack; a DC/DC converter electrically interposed between the motor/generator and the electrical load, and between the battery pack and the electrical load; a covering tray positioned over a plurality of batteries of the battery pack, the covering tray comprising a connectivity layer that has a charging circuit allowing each of the plurality of batteries to be discharged individually; a plurality of battery microcontrollers, each of the plurality of battery microcontrollers associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of batteries of the battery pack; and a primary DC/DC controller configured to command operations of the DC/DC converter; wherein the plurality of battery microcontrollers are operationally coupled to the primary DC/DC controller.

Abstract: An example system includes a vehicle having a prime mover motively coupled to a drive line; a motor/generator selectively coupled to the drive line, and configured to selectively modulate power transfer between an electrical load and the drive line; a battery pack; a DC/DC converter electrically interposed between the motor/generator and the electrical load, and between the battery pack and the electrical load, the DC/DC converter comprising a DC/DC converter housing; and a covering tray positioned over a plurality of batteries of the battery pack, the covering tray comprising a connectivity layer configured to provide electrical connectivity to terminals of the plurality of batteries.

Abstract: An example system includes a vehicle having a prime mover motively coupled to a drive line; a motor/generator selectively coupled to the drive line, and configured to selectively modulate power transfer between an electrical load and the drive line; a battery pack; a DC/DC converter electrically interposed between the motor/generator and the electrical load, and between the battery pack and the electrical load, the DC/DC converter comprising a DC/DC converter housing; and a covering tray positioned over a plurality of batteries of the battery pack, the covering tray comprising a connectivity layer configured to provide electrical connectivity to terminals of the plurality of batteries.

Abstract: A valvetrain suitable for an internal combustion engine of a type that includes a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed within the combustion chamber, and a camshaft. The valvetrain includes a rocker arm assembly having a rocker arm and an electrical device that either configures the rocker arm assembly or provides position feedback for a part of the rocker arm assembly. The valvetrain includes a framework that fits around a spark plug tube while holding a component of a circuit that includes the electrical device in a position adjacent the rocker arm assembly. The position may place the component in contact with or very close to the rocker arm assembly. This framework structure may effectively utilize the available space under a valve cover while facilitating correct positioning of the component in relation to the rocker arm assembly.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a valvetrain having a rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm on which a latch pin is mounted. An actuator for the latch pin, including an electromagnet, is mounted separately from the rocker arm. Therefore, the rocker arm is able to move independently from the electromagnet. The electromagnet is operative to cause the latch pin to actuate through magnetic flux following a magnetic circuit that passes through the rocker arm. Mounting the electromagnet apart from the rocker arm allows wires powering the electromagnet to be held in relatively static positions. The magnetic circuit is arranged to bring magnetic flux into the latch pin, or a co-acting part, within the volume of the rocker arm. This enables a compact design that is suitable for installation in engines where the available space under the valve cover may be very limited.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cam-actuated rocker arm assembly with a solenoid-actuated latch that provides for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation. The solenoid has an inductance that varies significantly in relation to the position of a latch pin as it translates between latching and non-latching configurations. A sensor is positioned to monitor a current or a voltage in a circuit that includes the solenoid. Diagnostic information relating to the operation of the rocker arm assembly is determined by comparing data collected from the sensor over a first period to data collected from the sensor over a second period.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine of a type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, a camshaft on which a cam is mounted, and a rocker arm assembly having a rocker arm and a cam follower configured to engage the cam as the camshaft rotates. The method includes obtaining rocker arm position data, using the rocker arm position data to obtain camshaft position information, and using the camshaft position information in an engine management operation.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine that includes a valvetrain having a rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm on which a latch pin is mounted. An actuator for the latch pin, including an electromagnet, is mounted separately from the rocker arm. Rocker arm position information is obtained by gathering and analyzing data relating to a current or voltage in an electrical circuit that is operative to power the electromagnet. The rocker arm position information is used to perform a diagnostic.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cam-actuated rocker arm assembly with a solenoid-actuated latch that provides for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation. The solenoid is in a position where its inductance varies significantly in relation to the position of a latch pin as it translates between latching and non-latching configurations. A sensor is positioned to monitor a current or a voltage in a circuit that includes the solenoid. The sensor data is analyzed to provide diagnostic information relating to the operation of the rocker arm assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine that includes a valvetrain having a rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm on which a latch pin is mounted. An actuator for the latch pin, including an electromagnet, is mounted separately from the rocker arm. Rocker arm position information is obtained by gathering and analyzing data relating to a current or voltage in an electrical circuit that is operative to power the electromagnet. The rocker arm position information is used to perform a diagnostic.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cam-actuated rocker arm assembly with a solenoid-actuated latch that provides for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation. The solenoid is in a position where its inductance varies significantly in relation to the position of a latch pin as it translates between latching and non-latching configurations. A sensor is positioned to monitor a current or a voltage in a circuit that includes the solenoid. The sensor data is analyzed to provide diagnostic information relating to the operation of the rocker arm assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine of a type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, a camshaft on which a cam is mounted, and a rocker arm assembly having a rocker arm and a cam follower configured to engage the cam as the camshaft rotates. The method includes obtaining rocker arm position data, using the rocker arm position data to obtain camshaft position information, and using the camshaft position information in an engine management operation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cam-actuated rocker arm assembly with a solenoid-actuated latch that provides for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation. The solenoid is in a position where its inductance varies significantly in relation to the position of a latch pin as it translates between latching and non-latching configurations. A sensor is positioned to monitor a current or a voltage in a circuit that includes the solenoid. The sensor data is analyzed to provide diagnostic information relating to the operation of the rocker arm assembly.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a valvetrain having a rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm on which a latch pin is mounted. An actuator for the latch pin, including an electromagnet, is mounted separately from the rocker arm. Therefore, the rocker arm is able to move independently from the electromagnet. The electromagnet is operative to cause the latch pin to actuate through magnetic flux following a magnetic circuit that passes through the rocker arm. Mounting the electromagnet apart from the rocker arm allows wires powering the electromagnet to be held in relatively static positions. The magnetic circuit is arranged to bring magnetic flux into the latch pin, or a co-acting part, within the volume of the rocker arm. This enables a compact design that is suitable for installation in engines where the available space under the valve cover may be very limited.

Abstract: Discontinuous torque ratio shifts by a transmission can result in complex transient exhaust conditions that can adversely affect exhaust air-fuel ratio control, which can result in ineffective regeneration. In extreme cases, the result can be irreversible damage to exhaust system components. The inventors' concept is to alter either regeneration scheduling or shift scheduling to avoid shifting while regenerating.

Abstract: A method for determining a release bearing touch point in a clutch is described. A cross shaft of the clutch is positioned in a pre-determined state. A quantity of torque is applied to the cross shaft using an actuator and a velocity change is determined in the cross shaft. An angular position of the cross shaft is recorded when the velocity change happens as the new release bearing touch point.

Abstract: Discontinuous torque ratio shifts by a transmission can result in complex transient exhaust conditions that can adversely affect exhaust air-fuel ratio control, which can result in ineffective regeneration. In extreme cases, the result can be irreversible damage to exhaust system components. The inventors' concept is to alter either regeneration scheduling or shift scheduling to avoid shifting while regenerating.