Abstract: A control scheme is provided for stopping an internal combustion engine of a hybrid powertrain during ongoing vehicle operation. The method, executed as program code in an article of manufacture comprises the following steps in the sequence set forth. First, engine operation is controlled to stop firing the engine. A damper clutch is controlled to lock rotation of the engine and the electro-mechanical transmission. Torque outputs from the first and second electrical machines are then selectively controlled to reduce engine speed. Torque outputs from the first and second electrical machines are then selectively controlled to stop rotation of the engine substantially near a predetermined crank position.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus to determine operating conditions for a powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine and first and second electrical machines and an electro-mechanical transmission selectively operative to transmit torque therebetween. The method comprises determining a torque output and an operating cost for operating the first and second electrical machines of the hybrid transmission effective to meet an operator torque request when the engine is operating in an engine-off operating state. Determining the torque output for operating the first and second electrical machines comprises executing a predetermined system equation effective to determine motor torque outputs from each of the first and second electrical machines based upon the selected parametric value for the input torque and the operator torque request.

Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle includes determining whether a cam phaser system of the engine is in one of an inactive state and an active state and monitoring at least one engine operating parameter. An engine torque array is selected from a plurality of engine torque arrays based on the one of the inactive state and the active state. An available engine torque is determined based on the engine torque array and the at least one engine operating parameter and the engine is regulated based on the available engine torque.

Abstract: A hand tool having an elongated plunger assembly that is rotatably and movably disposed in a socket. The plunger assembly can be rotated between a first orientation and a second orientation as well as being moved between a first, withdrawn position and a second, extended position. The plunger assembly also has an upper notch and a lower notch on a front side and at least one generally flat lateral side. A fixed latch member extends across a portion of the socket and defines a narrow passage within the socket. The hand tool, preferably, includes a compression spring biasing the plunger assembly toward the extended position.

Abstract: A transformer and method of making same is disclosed. A substantially planar configured, first half primary winding and first half secondary winding are formed over a substantially planar base. The first half primary and secondary windings are overlaid with a ferrite layer. A substantially planar configured, second half primary winding and second half secondary winding are formed over the ferrite layer in stacked relation to the respective first half primary winding and secondary windings. The respective first and second half primary windings and respective first and second half secondary windings are interconnected together.

Abstract: There is provided a control scheme for restarting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid powertrain during ongoing vehicle operation. The method comprises generating a torque output from an electrical machine to rotate the engine, and determining an engine crank torque. The torque output from the electrical machine is selectively controlled based upon the engine crank torque. The engine is fired when rotational speed of the engine exceeds a threshold. An engine torque simulation model accurately determines engine compression pressures in real-time to accommodate changes in engine operating conditions, based upon present engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid powertrain which determines engine crank angle position based upon signal inputs from electric machines of the powertrain is provided. The hybrid powertrain comprises an internal combustion engine and electric machines and an electromechanical transmission selectively operative to transmit torque therebetween. The electric machines are rotatably fixedly coupled to the internal combustion engine via a transmission input shaft. Control modules are adapted to execute a control scheme to determine engine crank angle position. The control scheme comprises code to determine an input shaft angle based upon rotational positions of the electric machines. An offset angle of the input shaft and an angular twist between the engine and the transmission are determined. An engine crank angle offset is determined based upon the offset angle and the angular twist of the input shaft.

Abstract: A control scheme is provided for stopping an internal combustion engine of a hybrid powertrain during ongoing vehicle operation. The method, executed as program code in an article of manufacture comprises the following steps in the sequence set forth. First, engine operation is controlled to stop firing the engine. A damper clutch is controlled to lock rotation of the engine and the electro-mechanical transmission. Torque outputs from the first and second electrical machines are then selectively controlled to reduce engine speed. Torque outputs from the first and second electrical machines are then selectively controlled to stop rotation of the engine substantially near a predetermined crank position.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method are provided to determine pressure in an unfired cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The cylinder comprises a variable volume combustion chamber defined by a piston reciprocating within a cylinder between top-dead center and bottom-dead center points and an intake valve and an exhaust valve controlled during repetitive, sequential exhaust, intake, compression and expansion strokes of said piston. The code is executed to determine volume of the combustion chamber, and determine positions of the intake and exhaust valves. A parametric value for cylinder pressure is determined at each valve transition. Cylinder pressure is estimated based upon the combustion chamber volume, positions of the intake and exhaust valves, and the cylinder pressure at the most recently occurring valve transition.

Abstract: A transformer and method of making same is disclosed. A substantially planar configured, first half primary winding and first half secondary winding are formed over a substantially planar base. The first half primary and secondary windings are overlaid with a ferrite layer. A substantially planar configured, second half primary winding and second half secondary winding are formed over the ferrite layer in stacked relation to the respective first half primary winding and secondary windings. The respective first and second half primary windings and respective first and second half secondary windings are interconnected together.

Abstract: A transformer and method of making includes first half primary and secondary windings as metallic circuits that are etched on a metallic cladding of a first liquid crystal polymer (LCP) sheet. Secondary windings are positioned in spaced relation to the primary windings. A second LCP sheet is applied over the first LCP sheet. Second half primary and secondary windings are etched as metallic circuits on a metallic cladding of a second LCP sheet. Respective first and second half primary windings are interconnected to each other and the first and second half secondary windings are connected to each other by conductive vias.

Abstract: An electro-fluidic interconnection. The interconnection includes a body (200) formed of a ceramic material. The body (200) is provided with an aperture (206) having a profile suitable for receiving an interconnecting conduit (400). The interconnecting conduit (400) can be formed of the same type of ceramic material as the body (200). The conduit (400) is defined by an outer shell (403) with a hollow bore (402) for transporting a fluid. A mating portion (404) of the conduit has an exterior profile that matches the profile of the aperture. Moreover, the mating portion (404) of the conduit (400) can be compression fitted within the aperture (206). Conductive traces (406, 208) on the conduit and the body can be electrically connected to complete the electro-fluidic interconnection.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling an electro-mechanical transmission selectively operative in a plurality of fixed gear modes and continuously variable modes is provided. The exemplary transmission comprises first and second electrical machines and a hydraulic circuit comprising a plurality of pressure control devices and flow management valves. The method comprises monitoring an operating temperature of the electrical machines. A cooling flow rate in the hydraulic circuit effective to reduce the operating temperature of the electrical machines is determined. Availability of active cooling for each of the electrical machines is determined. Hydraulic flow in the hydraulic circuit is selectively controlled.

Abstract: A transformer and method of making includes first half primary and secondary windings as metallic circuits that are etched on a metallic cladding of a first liquid crystal polymer (LCP) sheet. Secondary windings are positioned in spaced relation to the primary windings. A second LCP sheet is applied over the first LCP sheet. Second half primary and secondary windings are etched as metallic circuits on a metallic cladding of a second LCP sheet. Respective first and second half primary windings are interconnected to each other and the first and second half secondary windings are connected to each other by conductive vias.

Abstract: A transformer and method of making same is disclosed. A substantially planar configured, first half primary winding and first half secondary winding are formed over a substantially planar base. The first half primary and secondary windings are overlaid with a ferrite layer A substantially planar configured, second half primary winding and second half secondary winding are formed over the ferrite layer in stacked relation to the respective first half primary winding and secondary windings The respective first and second half primary windings and respective first and second half secondary windings are interconnected together.

Abstract: A ball grid array (BGA) connection system includes an integrated circuit (IC) package that includes a plurality of conductive balls forming a ball grid array (BGA) arranged in a matrix pattern. A printed circuit board (PCB) includes a plurality of ball sockets arranged in a corresponding matrix pattern. Each ball socket includes a base having one side that engages the PCB and an opposing side configured for seating a conductive ball of the BGA. A plurality of prongs are secured to and extend from the base and configured to receive and hold a conductive ball into contact with the base.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method, an article, and a control system for controlling a powertrain having a main and an auxiliary hydraulic pump, with each pump operative to supply hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic circuit of the transmission. It includes determining a main pressure and a desired main pressure, and controlling the auxiliary hydraulic pump. Determining a main pressure in the hydraulic circuit comprises estimating hydraulic pressure. The auxiliary pump is controlled to an operating speed. Control of flow from the auxiliary and main pumps can comprise an exclusive ‘either-or’ flow, or a blended flow.

Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.

Abstract: An electro-fluidic interconnection. The interconnection includes a body (200) formed of a ceramic material. The body (200) is provided with an aperture (206) having a profile suitable for receiving an interconnecting conduit (400). The interconnecting conduit (400) can be formed of the same type of ceramic material as the body (200). The conduit (400) is defined by an outer shell (403) with a hollow bore (402) for transporting a fluid. A mating portion (404) of the conduit has an exterior profile that matches the profile of the aperture. Moreover, the mating portion (404) of the conduit (400) can be compression fitted within the aperture (206). Conductive traces (406, 208) on the conduit and the body can be electrically connected to complete the electro-fluidic interconnection.

Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.