Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying a coast-down braking torque to a vehicle coasting. The system provides a controlled regenerative braking torque automatically applied when the vehicle is coasting to simulate the feeling of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. When the driver lets off the throttle when a vehicle is either on a flat grade or driving down a hill, the amount of regenerative braking is automatically controlled. When utilized with an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, the coast-down braking torque is converted to stored electric energy which improves the efficiency of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for use in a motor vehicles is disclosed for calculating a fuel multiplier during transient engine operation. The fuel multiplier modifies the amount of fuel released from a fuel actuator into an engine. The fuel control system uses neural network logic to establish the fuel multiplier. The neural network logic involves taking inputs from engine sensors, processing the inputs through an input layer, a hidden layer and an output layer resulting in a fuel multiplier.

Abstract: A system and method for use in a motor vehicles is disclosed for calculating a fuel multiplier during transient engine operation. The fuel multiplier modifies the amount of fuel released from a fuel actuator into an engine. The fuel control system uses neural network logic to establish the fuel multiplier. The neural network logic involves taking inputs from engine sensors, processing the inputs through an input layer, a hidden layer and an output layer resulting in a fuel multiplier.

Abstract: A battery disconnect switch is provided for breaking the conductive path in an electric vehicle comprising at least one conductor pin moveable between a conducting position and a non-conducting position. At least one spring is provided for biasing the conductor pin toward the non-conducting position. A surging mechanism moves the conductor pin to the conducting position and a locking mechanism holds the conductor pin in the conducting position against the bias of the spring. A release mechanism releases the locking mechanism allowing the bias of the spring to force the conductor pin to its non-conducting position.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for monitoring usage of current immediately available from the traction batteries (12) of an electric vehicle includes a means (18) for generating a signal representative of the current being drawn from the batteries (12); a means (20) for generating a signal representative of the maximum current available from the batteries (12) for immediate use; and a means (22) responsive to the drawn-current signal and the maximum-available-current signal for generating a usage signal representing the ratio of drawn current to maximum-available current. A display, such as an analog meter (24) responsive to the usage signal and calibrated from zero-percent to one-hundred-percent available current usage, displays the transitory current usage as a percentage of maximum-available current.

Abstract: A fault detection system detects the existence of unwanted electrical paths between the high voltage traction system of an electric car and the chassis of the car. The fault detection system includes a positive sampling RC circuit connected to the positive conductor of the traction system and a negative sampling RC circuit connected to the negative conductor of the traction system. Each RC circuit generates a voltage, and the voltages are balanced, i.e., the voltages are equal and opposite, when no leakage path exists. In contrast, when a leakage path to chassis exists, the voltages are not balanced. A comparator compares the sum of the voltages to a setpoint which varies proportionately to the varying voltage of the battery of the traction system, and a fault condition is indicated when the sum of the voltages exceeds the setpoint.

Abstract: A diagnostic method is provided for sensing whether an oxygen sensor is still suitable for use in measuring the fuel-air mixture in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The method involves turning off a heater of an oxygen sensor when the engine is turned off and allowing the sensor to cool. While the sensor cools, the sensor resistance is measured by means of a large pull-up resistor and a small pull-up resistor, with the small resistor being switched into the circuit at regular intervals for a short period of time. The use of the small pull-up resistor not only increases the reliability of the measurements, but also aids in quickly determining when the sensor resistance has increased above a threshold value indicating the sensor is cool. When the sensor is sufficiently cool, the heater is turned on and the sensor is monitored for a decrease in resistance, indicating that the heater is functioning properly.

Abstract: A power module positioned a desired distance away from a circuit board is described. The module includes a housing supported above the circuit board. The housing includes a cavity having a mechanism for electrically coupling the housing with a circuit board and a system. Circuitry is disposed within the housing cavity to perform electrical functions and controls for the system.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly to dissipate heat from electrical components to ambient surroundings is disclosed. The heat sink assembly of the present invention includes a housing having a mechanism for retaining electrical components within the housing. The electrical components include heat sink tabs. A mechanism is coupled with the housing and the heat sink tabs of the electrical components to dissipate heat from the electrical components to the ambient surroundings. Also, a mechanism is associated with the assembly to couple the assembly to a circuit board or the like.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic voltage regulation system for controlling the charging of the battery in a vehicle. The conventional voltage regulator is eliminated and the intelligence of the microprocessor already present on the vehicle for controlling engine operation is used to regulate the output of the alternator. The battery temperature signal from a temperature transducer and a battery voltage signal from a sense line connected directly to the positive terminal of the battery are supplied to the microprocessor through an analog-to-digital converter. The microprocessor is programmed to ascertain from the battery temperature signal the desired set point voltage based upon an inverse first order relationship between battery temperature and desired battery voltage with preset maximum and minimum voltage set point levels.