Abstract: An electric motor including a rotor, a stator disposed adjacent to the rotor, and a brake mechanism. The stator is configured to cause a rotational movement of the rotor during operation of the electric motor and the brake mechanism is configured to selectively maintain a stationary rotational position of the rotor against a force exerted by an external source.

Abstract: A disconnect apparatus including a first clutch member and a second clutch member in selective engagement with the first clutch member. The disconnect apparatus also includes a cam mechanism and a sensor assembly. The cam mechanism includes an axially movable first cam member and an axially fixed second cam member, wherein the sensor assembly generates a pulse pattern which is utilized to determine a position of the first cam member, and thereby a state of the disconnect apparatus.

Abstract: A method for determining a kiss point. A drive unit having one or more motors with a motor output shaft is provided. One or more actuation profiles are ran and an amount of motor current and motor shaft position data is measured. The data measured is filtered and one or more motor current vs. motor shaft position plots having one or more curves with a high force and high current region are generated. A derivative is calculated over the curves and a slope of the high force and high current region is determined. A relative slope threshold is determined by multiplying the slopes by a predetermined percentage. One or more lines having a slope substantially equal to the relative slope threshold are plotted. The kiss point is determined based on the position of the motor shaft where the derivative of the curves equals the slope of the lines plotted.

Abstract: A method for determining a kiss point. A drive unit having one or more motors with a motor output shaft is provided. One or more actuation profiles are ran and an amount of motor current and motor shaft position data is measured. The data measured is filtered and one or more motor current vs. motor shaft position plots having one or more curves with a high force and high current region are generated. A derivative is calculated over the curves and a slope of the high force and high current region is determined. A relative slope threshold is determined by multiplying the slopes by a predetermined percentage. One or more lines having a slope substantially equal to the relative slope threshold are plotted. The kiss point is determined based on the position of the motor shaft where the derivative of the curves equals the slope of the lines plotted.

Abstract: A temperature measurement system of a vehicle includes a controller, a first temperature sensor associated with a first location, and a second temperature sensor associated with a second location. The temperature measurement system is calibratable based upon a comparison of a temperature of the first location and a temperature of the second location, wherein the temperature of at least one of the first location and the second location is determined after a predetermined time from an end of operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric motor including a rotor, a stator disposed adjacent to the rotor, and a brake mechanism. The stator is configured to cause a rotational movement of the rotor during operation of the electric motor and the brake mechanism is configured to selectively maintain a stationary rotational position of the rotor against a force exerted by an external source.

Abstract: A method of operating a final drive unit clutch. The method provides an electric motor coupled with a clutch. The electric motor including a stator, a first Hall-effect sensor coupled with the stator, a second Hall-effect sensor coupled with the stator, a third Hall-effect sensor coupled with the stator, and a rotor having at least one magnetic pole pair. The method also provides for a controller in electrical communication with the electric motor. The method includes determining a first ideal commutation point, and calculating a first offset of a first Hall-effect sensor state change from the first ideal commutation point. The method further includes calculating a time delay of commutation, during the clutch transition between a non-torque transmitting position and a torque transmitting position, utilizing the first offset such that a second Hall-effect sensor state change corresponds with a second ideal commutation point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optoelectronic apparatus comprising: —an optoelectronic device comprising: —a transport structure (T) comprising a 2-dimensional layer; —a photosensitizing structure (P) configured and arranged to absorb incident light and induce changes in the electrical conductivity of the transport structure (T); and —drain (D) and source (S) electrodes electrically connected to respective separate locations of the transport structure (T); —noise suppression means comprising a modulation unit including: —a control unit to generate and apply on the drain (D) or source (S) electrodes a voltage oscillating signal having a component with a frequency of ?m/2?; and —a signal extraction unit to extract a required electric signal, from an output signal, with no components below ?m/2?. The present invention also concerns to a method for suppressing noise for an optoelectronic apparatus according to the invention, and to the use of the apparatus as a light detector or as an image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optoelectronic apparatus comprising: —an optoelectronic device comprising: —a transport structure (T) comprising a 2-dimensional layer; —a photosensitizing structure (P) configured and arranged to absorb incident light and induce changes in the electrical conductivity of the transport structure (T); and —drain (D) and source (S) electrodes electrically connected to respective separate locations of the transport structure (T); — noise suppression means comprising a modulation unit including: —a control unit to generate and apply on the drain (D) or source (S) electrodes a voltage oscillating signal having a component with a frequency of ?m/2?; and —a signal extraction unit to extract a required electric signal, from an output signal, with no components below ?m/2?. The present invention also concerns to a method for suppressing noise for an optoelectronic apparatus according to the invention, and to the use of the apparatus as a light detector or as an image sensor.

Abstract: A method of operating a final drive unit clutch. The method provides an electric motor coupled with a clutch. The electric motor including a stator, a first Hall-effect sensor coupled with the stator, a second Hall-effect sensor coupled with the stator, a third Hall-effect sensor coupled with the stator, and a rotor having at least one magnetic pole pair. The method also provides for a controller in electrical communication with the electric motor. The method includes determining a first ideal commutation point, and calculating a first offset of a first Hall-effect sensor state change from the first ideal commutation point. The method further includes calculating a time delay of commutation, during the clutch transition between a non-torque transmitting position and a torque transmitting position, utilizing the first offset such that a second Hall-effect sensor state change corresponds with a second ideal commutation point.

Abstract: Provided herein is a BLDC motor having a control system, a rotor including a motor magnet having a plurality of alternating magnetic poles thereon, a stator and a ring magnet. The ring magnet is mounted on the rotor axially adjacent the motor magnet. The number of poles on the ring magnet is an integer multiple of the number of poles on the motor magnet. Also provided is a method for controlling the BLDC motor including the steps of supplying a current to the motor, determining if the torque produced by the motor is in a positive or negative direction, determining a multiplier based on the direction of the torque, multiplying the supplied current by the multiplier, implementing a commutation sequence to provide current to the motor, measuring the current in each of the plurality of windings and adjusting the current provided to the motor based on the measured current.

Abstract: Provided are gaze tracking apparatuses, which in some embodiments can include an optoelectronic device, wherein the optoelectronic device includes an image sensor with non-local readout circuit having a substrate and a plurality of pixels and operatively connected to a control unit, wherein a first area of the substrate is at least partially transparent to visible light and at least the plurality of pixels of the image sensor are arranged on the first area of the substrate to aim to an eye of a user when placed in front of an inner face of the substrate, and wherein the control unit is also adapted to control the image sensor to acquire image information from the user's eye for performing a gaze tracking of the user's eye.

Abstract: A method of controlling an all-wheel-drive system connect event including providing a power transmission apparatus having a clutch, a propeller shaft, and a rear drive unit with a clutch pack assembly. The rear drive unit clutch pack is actuated by creating a model of the propeller shaft rotational speed, adapting the model parameters to compensate for temperature and vehicle wheel speed, storing the model, adapting the model utilizing information collected during a previous all-wheel-drive system connect event, and developing a set point for the clutch driving element utilizing the model and a multi-loop control architecture. The power transmission apparatus clutch is then engaged.

Abstract: A method of disengaging an axle disconnect system including providing an actuator having a coil (214) at least partially surrounded by a housing (220), an armature (216) located within the housing and the coil, where the armature is capable of actuating between a first and second position, and at least one of the housing and the armature is part of a magnetic circuit. Applying a current to the coil and actuating the armature from the first position to the second position. Developing an uninterrupted magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit and stopping application of the current to the coil. Permitting the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit to continue in its uninterrupted state and maintain the armature in the second position. Applying an alternating current, having decreasing amplitude over time, to the coil to dissipate the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A system for monitoring torque input into a transmission from a torque source comprising a torque sensing device and a control mechanism. The torque sensing device adapted to transfer torque from the torque source to the transmission input while measuring said torque. The control mechanism may be adapted to control the transmission in order to prevent damage from a high torque situation.

Abstract: A method to estimate an amount of force in a clutch pack of a clutch actuation system. The method includes engaging an actuation motor to apply a set point force to the clutch pack and monitoring a position of the actuation motor when the set point force is applied. Additionally, the method includes determining one or more clutch clamping curves and one or more clutch releasing curves based on a relationship between the position of the actuation motor and an amount of torque applied by the actuation motor at position of the actuation motor. The method further includes modeling one or more frictional characteristics of the clutch actuation system and estimating an amount of clamping and releasing force within the clutch pack by using a control unit. The amount of torque applied to the clutch pack between the clutch clamping and releasing curves at the set point force is maintained.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels operatively connected to a control unit that includes a readout circuit, characterized in that it comprises a monolithic three-dimensional integrated circuit comprising an upper level and a lower level; wherein each pixel comprises: a photosensitive element arranged in said upper level and comprising a photosensitizing layer associated to a transport layer; an active device arranged in said lower level and operatively coupled to the photosensitive element; and a first intermediate terminal and an output terminal circuitally connected, respectively, to the photosensitive element and to the readout circuit; wherein the image sensor further comprises a dark current suppressing circuit; and wherein the control unit is configured to, upon readout of a pixel, circuitally connect the first intermediate terminal of said pixel with its output terminal through the dark current suppressing circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to controlling the speed ratio of a Continuous Variable Transmission with a hydraulic method. The Ball Planetary CVT design is adapted with a mechanical and hydraulic addition. The carrier of the ball-type variator is supported by hydraulic actuators. The result is that the speed ratio is controlled by both a set speed ratio and the torque flowing through the CVT. Subsequently, torque peaks are avoided and controllability of the CVT is increased.

Abstract: Provided are gaze tracking apparatuses, which in some embodiments can include an optoelectronic device, wherein the optoelectronic device includes an image sensor with non-local readout circuit having a substrate and a plurality of pixels and operatively connected to a control unit, wherein a first area of the substrate is at least partially transparent to visible light and at least the plurality of pixels of the image sensor are arranged on the first area of the substrate to aim to an eye of a user when placed in front of an inner face of the substrate, and wherein the control unit is also adapted to control the image sensor to acquire image information from the user's eye for performing a gaze tracking of the user's eye.

Abstract: A method of controlling an all-wheel-drive system connect event including providing a power transmission apparatus having a clutch, a propeller shaft, and a rear drive unit with a clutch pack assembly. The rear drive unit clutch pack is actuated by creating a model of the propeller shaft rotational speed, adapting the model parameters to compensate for temperature and vehicle wheel speed, storing the model, adapting the model utilizing information collected during a previous all-wheel-drive system connect event, and developing a set point for the clutch driving element utilizing the model and a multi-loop control architecture. The power transmission apparatus clutch is then engaged.