Abstract: A vehicle controller includes a plurality of driving power sources for transmitting torque to a wheel, and a starter for starting a first driving power source of the plurality of diving power sources. The first driving power source is stopped when a prescribed stopping condition is satisfied, and the stopped first driving power source is started by the starter when a prescribed restarting condition is satisfied. When the startability of the first driving power source has been degraded, stopping of the first driving power source is inhibited even when the prescribed stopping condition is satisfied.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold (7) of an engine (1) is connected to a three way (TW) catalyst (8a), and the TW catalyst (8a) is connected to an NH3 adsorbing and oxidizing (NH3-AO) catalyst (10a). The engine (1) performs the lean and the rich engine operations alternately and repeatedly. When the engine (1) performs the rich operation and thereby the exhaust gas air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the TW catalyst (8a) is made rich, NOx in the inflowing exhaust gas is converted to NH3 in the TW catalyst (8a). The NH3 is then adsorbed in the NH3-AO catalyst (10a). Next, when the engine (1) performs the lean operation and thereby the exhaust gas air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the TW catalyst (8a) is made lean, NOx in the exhausted gas passes through the TW catalyst (8a), and flows into the NH3-AO catalyst (10a). At this time, NH3 adsorbed in the catalyst (10a) is desorbed therefrom, and reduces the inflowing NOx.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a power train that includes an engine and a motor generator that generates power to a wheel. Furthermore, a clutch is disposed in a power transmission path from the engine to the wheel includes a driving power controller for controlling power generated from the motor generator to the wheel when the clutch fails.

Abstract: A controller predicts a requested state of charge/discharge corresponding to a future run of a hybrid vehicle. If it is predicted that the hybrid vehicle will be stopped and restarted, or will be greatly accelerated and therefore that a request for a great discharge will be outputted in the future, the controller increases a target SOC of an HV battery to increase the value to which the charge of the HV battery will be converged in preparation for the great discharge. If it is predicted that a great regenerative electric power will be generated by a vehicle deceleration and therefore that a request for charging will be outputted, the target SOC is reduced, and the amount of charge in the HV battery is reduced, so that the regenerative power generated can be efficiency recovered.

Abstract: Start catalysts (SCs) having an O2 storage function are disposed in an exhaust gas passage of an internal combustion engine, and an NOx occluding and reducing catalyst is disposed in the exhaust gas passages downstream of the SCs. NOx in the exhaust gas is absorbed by the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst when the engine is in operation at a lean air-fuel ratio. When NOx is to be released, the engine is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio so that exhaust gas having a rich air-fuel ratio flows into the SCs and into the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst.

Abstract: A control apparatus is used to control a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a stepwise variable transmission capable of automatic speed shifting, a clutch disposed between the internal combustion engine and the stepwise variable transmission for discontinuing and establishing power transfer to and from the stepwise variable transmission, an electric motor, etc. The control apparatus calculates a timing of the stepwise variable transmission starting an automatic shifting operation, and gradually decreases the torque assist based on the motor torque Tm of the electric motor prior to the start of the shifting operation, so as to reduce the stepped change in the drive torque that occurs when the engine torque Te is eliminated upon disengagement of the clutch during the shifting operation. This operation of the control apparatus also gentles or reduces the gradient of torque change. The shock at the time of shifting is thus reduced.

Abstract: An NOx-absorbing and reducing catalyst device is disposed in an exhaust passage of an engine. The NOx concentration in exhaust gas flowing out of the catalyst device is detected by an NOx sensor. Every time the NOx concentration detected by the NOx sensor increases to a predetermined value, an electronic control unit (ECU) of the engine reactivates the NOx-absorbing and reducing catalyst device by operating the engine at a rich air fuel ratio for a short time. The ECU also detects a deviation of the output of the NOx sensor on the basis of a reference value (corresponding to zero NOx concentration) and an output of the NOx sensor produced when the engine is being operated in a condition where the amount of NOx discharged from the engine is small, for example, a condition where the air-fuel ratio is on the lean side and the load is low (that is, in a condition where the NOx concentration in exhaust gas reaching the NOx sensor becomes substantially zero).

Abstract: A transmission control apparatus is used with a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission connected to the engine and having a plurality of gear positions, and a generator which is disposed between the transmission and drive wheels and which is capable of generating electric power through regenerative braking during deceleration of the vehicle. The control apparatus operates to detect a revolution speed of the internal combustion engine, and to place the transmission in a highest gear position selected from one or more gear positions that enable the engine revolution speed to be maintained at a level not lower than a predetermined lower limit above which the engine can operate by itself (i.e., re-start), when the generator generates electric power through regenerative braking.

Abstract: A controller predicts a requested state of charge/discharge corresponding to a future run of a hybrid vehicle. If it is predicted that the hybrid vehicle will be stopped and restarted, or will be greatly accelerated and therefore that a request for a great discharge will be outputted in the future, the controller increases a target SOC of an HV battery to increase the value to which the charge of the HV battery will be converged in preparation for the great discharge. If it is predicted that a great regenerative electric power will be generated by a vehicle deceleration and therefore that a request for charging will be outputted, the target SOC is reduced, and the amount of charge in the HV battery is reduced, so that the regenerative power generated can be efficiency recovered.

Abstract: An NOx occluding and reducing catalyst is disposed in an exhaust gas passage of an internal combustion engine that operates at a lean air-fuel ratio. When the engine is operating at a lean air-fuel ratio, the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst absorbs NOx in the exhaust gas. To release NOx, the engine is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio so that the exhaust gas flowing into the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst acquires a rich air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: An automatic transmission comprises a friction engaging means having a plurality of first plates spline-fitted to a hub and a plurality of second plates spline-fitted to a drum and disposed in an interleaving relation to the first plates, an one-way clutch provided in the hub and having a plurality of sprags for locking the rotation of the hub when the hub rotates in a locking direction and a control means for temporarily releasing the friction engaging means for a specified timespan when the friction engaging means is in an engagement condition and when the hub rotates in a locking direction.

Abstract: First and second cylinder groups are connected to a NOx absorbent via a confluent exhaust pipe. The target values of the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas from the first cylinder group and the second cylinder group are set to a relatively rich value and a relatively lean value, respectively. The target values of the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas from the first and second cylinder groups are set so that the influent exhaust gas average air-fuel ratio entering the NOx absorbent becomes equal to a relatively slightly rich value. HC in exhaust gas from the first cylinder group and oxygen in exhaust gas from the second cylinder group react in the NOx absorbent to heat the NOx absorbent and cause the NOx absorbent to release SOx. Based on an output signal of an air-fuel ratio sensor disposed downstream of the NOx absorbent, the amounts of fuel to be injected to the first and second cylinder groups are controlled so that the influent exhaust gas average air-fuel ratio becomes equal to its target value.

Abstract: An NOx occluding and reducing catalyst is disposed in an exhaust gas passage of an internal combustion engine to absorb NOx in the exhaust gas when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is lean, and to release and reduce the absorbed NOx when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is rich. A recovery operation is executed only under particular operating conditions of the engine to heat the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst so as to release NOx as well as SOx absorbed thereby. The engine operating conditions for executing the recovery operation are expanded with an increase in the amount of SOx held by the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst while preventing a drop in the engine fuel efficiency. The recovery operation is easily executed with an increase in the holding amount of SOx, and a state in which SOx are held in increased amounts by the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst is prevented from lasting long.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst, for reducing nitrogen oxides and ammonia in an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, in an oxidizing atmosphere, is provided. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises a first catalyst having zeolite carrying platinum and copper thereon. Preferably, the exhaust gas purifying catalyst further comprises a second catalyst having zeolite carrying copper thereon. Preferably, the second catalyst is arranged upstream of the first catalyst, with respect to the exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst (8a) is connected to a first cylinder group 1a. The exhaust gas of the first cylinder group (1a), which has passed through the three-way catalyst (8a), and the exhaust gas of a second cylinder group (1b) are introduced to an exhaust gas purifying catalyst (14). The second cylinder group (1b) performs the lean operation. The first cylinder group (1a) performs the rich operation to synthesize NH.sub.3 from NO.sub.X in the exhaust gas of the first cylinder group (1a) in the three-way catalyst (8a). In the exhaust gas purifying catalyst (14), NO.sub.X in the exhaust gas of the second cylinder group 1b is purified by NH.sub.3 from the three-way catalyst (8a). The amount of HC flowing to the three-way catalyst (8a) is obtained. When the HC amount exceeds a predetermined amount, the first cylinder group 1a must perform the lean operation temporarily, to thereby maintain the excellent catalytic activity of the three-way catalyst (8a).

Abstract: An engine (1) has first and second cylinder groups (1a) and (1b). The first cylinder group (1a) is connected to a three way (TW) catalyst (8a). The second group (1b) and the TW catalyst (8a) are connected, via an interconnecting duct (13) to an NH.sub.3 adsorbing and oxidizing (NH.sub.3 -AO) catalyst (14a). The first group (1a) performs the rich operation, and the second group (1b) performs the lean operation. In the TW catalyst (8a), NO.sub.x exhausted from the first group (1a) is converted to NH.sub.3, and the NH.sub.3 reduces the NO.sub.x exhausted from the second group (1b) in the NH.sub.3 -AO catalyst (14a). A NO.sub.x occluding and reducing (NO.sub.x -OR) catalyst (11a) is arranged in the exhaust passage between the second group (1b) and the interconnecting duct (13), to thereby suppress the NO.sub.x amount flowing into the NH.sub.3 -AO catalyst (14a).

Abstract: In an exhaust gas purification device, a No. 1 cylinder of the engine is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio and other cylinders (No. 2 to No. 4) are operated at a lean air-fuel ratio. The exhaust gases from the No. 1 and No. 2 cylinders are mixed with each other to form a rich air-fuel ratio exhaust gas mixture. Further, since the air-fuel ratio of the No. 2 cylinder is lean, the exhaust gas from the No. 2 cylinder contains a relatively large amount of NO.sub.x. This rich air-fuel ratio exhaust gas mixture which contains a relatively large amount of NO.sub.X is supplied to a three-way catalyst. At the three-way catalyst, part of the NO.sub.X in the exhaust gas mixture is converted to NH.sub.3. The exhaust gas mixture flowing out from the three-way catalyst and the lean exhaust gas from the No. 3 and No. 4 flow into a common exhaust gas passage where they mix with each other to form a lean exhaust gas containing NH.sub.3 from the three-way catalyst and NO.sub.X from the No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders.

Abstract: A device for purifying the exhaust gas of an engine having a plurality of cylinders divided into first and second cylinder groups, the first and the second cylinder groups being connected to first and second exhaust passage, respectively, and performing a lean operation, comprises an NH.sub.3 synthesizing catalyst arranged in the first exhaust passage, and an exhaust gas purifying catalyst arranged in an interconnecting passage, which interconnects the first passage downstream of the NH.sub.3 synthesizing catalyst and the second exhaust passage, for purifying the inflowing NO.sub.X and NH.sub.3. An additional engine performing a rich operation is provided and the exhaust gas thereof is fed to the first exhaust gas passage upstream of the NH.sub.3 synthesizing catalyst to make the exhaust gas air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the NH.sub.3 synthesizing catalyst rich, to thereby synthesize NH.sub.3 therein. An amount of NH.sub.3 or NO.sub.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold of an engine is connected to a three way (TW) catalyst, and the TW catalyst is connected to an NH.sub.3 adsorbing and oxidizing (NH.sub.3 -AO) catalyst, such as the Cu-zeolite catalyst. The engine performs the lean and the rich operations alternately and repeatedly. When the engine performs the rich operation, the TW catalyst synthesizes NH.sub.3 from NO.sub.x in the inflowing exhaust gas, and the NH.sub.3 is then adsorbed in the NH.sub.3 -AO catalyst. Next, when the engine performs the lean operation, NO.sub.x passes through the TW catalyst, and the adsorbed NH.sub.3 is desorbed and reduces the inflowing NO.sub.x. When the rich operation is in process, or is to be started, the exhaust gas temperature flowing into the NH.sub.3 -AO catalyst is detected. If the temperature is equal to or higher than the upper threshold representing the rich endurance temperature, the lean or the stoichiometric operation is performed.

Abstract: In the present invention, the No. 1 cylinder of an engine is connected to a first exhaust passage and the No. 2 to No. 4 cylinders are connected to a second exhaust passage. A three-way catalyst and a NO.sub.X absorbent are disposed in the first and second exhaust passage, respectively. A denitrating catalyst is disposed in a common exhaust passage to which the first and second exhaust passage merge. The NO.sub.X absorbent absorbs NO.sub.X when the No. 2 to No. 4 cylinders are operated at a lean air-fuel ratio, and is regenerated, i.e., releases and reduces the absorbed NO.sub.X when the No. 2 to No. 4 cylinders are operated at a rich air-fuel ratio. However, NO.sub.X, without being reduced, is released from the NO.sub.X absorbent during a short period at the beginning of the regenerating operation. In the present invention, the No. 1 cylinder is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio during the short period at the beginning of the regenerating operation in order to produce NH.sub.3 at the three-way catalyst.