Abstract: An installation and support apparatus or assembly 18 is provided for use in combination with an electric machine 10, such as a starter-alternator, which is adapted to be operatively installed between the engine block 12 and the transmission assembly 16 of a vehicle. The apparatus 18 includes a stationary support member or member 20, an inner or crankshaft engaging bearing 22, and an outer or rotor engaging bearing 24. Member 20 cooperates with bearings 22 and 24 to automatically create or form a relatively precise and uniform gap 54 between the stator assembly 26 and the rotor assembly 30 of electric machine 10, and further provides independent and additional support to the electric machine 10 and the vehicle's crankshaft 14.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electro-hydraulic power assist steering system including a variable-speed electric motor for pumping hydraulic fluid in the system. The method includes monitoring vehicle speed and vehicle steering wheel angle. A vehicle yaw rate is estimated using the monitored vehicle speed and monitored vehicle steering wheel angle. A control signal for setting the speed of the variable speed electric motor is compensated based based on the estimated vehicle yaw rate. Accordingly, a wide range of vehicle driving conditions are accommodated and vehicle fuel efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a center position of the vehicular steering system includes a vehicle speed sensor, a steering sensor and a control unit. The control unit uses a strategy to determine an estimate of the steering assist force. When the steering assist force is below a force threshold and a vehicle speed is above a speed threshold, the controller filters data from the steering sensor so as to rapidly determine a precise center position for the steering system.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electro-hydraulic power assist steering system including a variable-speed electric motor for pumping hydraulic fluid in the system. The method includes monitoring vehicle speed, vehicle steering wheel angle, and vehicle steering wheel turning rate. A parking mode or a driving mode is selected based upon the monitored vehicle speed. The speed of the variable speed electric motor is controlled based upon the monitored vehicle steering wheel turning rate if the parking mode is selected. If the driving mode is selected, the speed of the variable speed electric motor is controlled based upon the monitored vehicle speed, vehicle steering wheel angle and vehicle steering wheel angle turning rate. Accordingly, a wide range of vehicle driving conditions are accommodated and vehicle fuel efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing pulsations in the rotational speed of an engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention are disclosed. Torque applied by a supplemental torque source includes a component derived by pure feedback engine speed control and a learning feedforward component. The feedforward component predicts the oscillatory components in the torque generated by the engine.

Abstract: Method of controlling torque of a multi-phase induction motor (10) includes estimating rotor speed as a rational function of filtered stator current i.sub.s0 and voltage u.sub.0 and first and second order derivatives of the filtered stator current and first order derivative of the filtered stator voltage, estimating rotor flux from said estimated rotor speed, estimating rotor flux angle from said estimated rotor flux, and using the estimated rotor flux angle to control motor torque.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for measuring fluid level use a sensor comprising a first plate having continuous electrically conductive material and a second plate having electrically conductive material disposed in segments, the electrically conductive material of the first plate in opposition to the electrically conductive material of the second plate. The method comprises immersing the sensor in the fluid with at least one segment completely immersed in the fluid and at least one said segment completely out of the fluid. The method also includes sequentially energizing the segments. Further, the method includes detecting times of voltage transitions of a first signal at the first plate, relative to the sequential energizing of the segments, as an indication of fluid level.