Abstract: Provided are image sensors with non-local readout circuits that include a substrate and a plurality of pixels and operatively connected to a control unit, wherein the control unit has first and second biasing circuits for providing, respectively, substantially symmetrical first and second biasing voltages and including, respectively, first and second selection means to selectively bias the pixels; and a readout circuit for reading out the pixels; and in that each pixel includes a photo-active element that has a photosensitizing layer associated to a transport layer; a non-photo-active reference element; first and second contacts circuitally connected, respectively, to the first and second biasing circuits; and an output contact circuitally connected to the readout circuit; wherein the photo-active element is circuitally connected between the first and output contacts, and the reference element is circuitally connected between the output and second contacts.

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 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: A torsional compensator for an internal combustion engine is provided. The torsional compensator comprises a rotor portion and a stator portion. The rotor portion is in driving engagement with an output of the internal combustion engine. The first rotor portion comprises at least one of first magnetic array and a first ferromagnetic array. The stator portion is disposed about the rotor portion. The stator portion is coupled to at least one of the internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a compensator housing. The stator portion comprises at least one of a second magnetic array and a second ferromagnetic array. In response to rotation of the rotor portion within the stator portion, a magnetic reluctance force is generated. The magnetic reluctance force applies a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine to dampen a torque ripple of the internal combustion engine.

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 image sensors with non-local readout circuits that include a substrate and a plurality of pixels and operatively connected to a control unit, wherein the control unit has first and second biasing circuits for providing, respectively, substantially symmetrical first and second biasing voltages and including, respectively, first and second selection means to selectively bias the pixels; and a readout circuit for reading out the pixels; and in that each pixel includes a photo-active element that has a photosensitizing layer associated to a transport layer; a non-photo-active reference element; first and second contacts circuitally connected, respectively, to the first and second biasing circuits; and an output contact circuitally connected to the readout circuit; wherein the photo-active element is circuitally connected between the first and output contacts, and the reference element is circuitally connected between the output and second contacts.

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: 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 parallel, torque additive torsional compensating device for an internal combustion engine is provided. The torsional compensating device comprises a first gear in driving engagement with the output of the engine, a first Cardan joint assembly in driving engagement with the first gear, an intermediate shaft in driving engagement with the first joint assembly, a second joint assembly in driving engagement with the intermediate shaft, a clutching device in driving engagement with the second joint assembly, a torsional element oriented substantially parallel to the output of the engine in driving engagement with the clutching device, and a second gear in driving engagement with the torsional element and the output of the engine. An angular deviation of the first Cardan joint assembly causes a cyclical acceleration of the torsional element, applying a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine through the second gear and the second engagement portion.

Abstract: A method for estimating a total mass of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of speed sensors configured to sense a rotational speed of a plurality of components of a driveline of the vehicle, estimating an output torque of the driveline of the vehicle, calculating gear losses based on the output torque of the driveline, estimating friction losses based on a rotational speed of a torque converter, calculating a rolling resistance of the vehicle, calculating an inertia of the vehicle, and estimating the total mass of the vehicle based on the inertia of the vehicle. The method uses currently available sensors found in a vehicle transmission to estimate a total mass of a vehicle or a vehicle payload.

Abstract: A parallel, torque additive torsional compensating device for an internal combustion engine is provided. The torsional compensating device comprises a first gear, a first joint assembly, an intermediate shaft, a second joint assembly, a torsional element, and a second gear. The first gear and the second gear are in respective driving engagement with a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion of an output of the engine. The intermediate shaft is in driving engagement with the first joint assembly and the second joint assembly. The torsional element is in driving engagement with the second joint assembly and the second gear. An angular deviation of at least one of the first joint assembly and the second joint assembly causes a cyclical acceleration of the torsional element. The cyclical acceleration applies a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine through the second gear and the second engagement portion.

Abstract: A torsional compensator for an internal combustion engine is provided. The torsional compensator comprises a rotor portion and a stator portion. The rotor portion is in driving engagement with an output of the internal combustion engine. The first rotor portion comprises at least one of first magnetic array and a first ferromagnetic array. The stator portion is disposed about the rotor portion. The stator portion is coupled to at least one of the internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a compensator housing. The stator portion comprises at least one of a second magnetic array and a second ferromagnetic array. In response to rotation of the rotor portion within the stator portion, a magnetic reluctance force is generated. The magnetic reluctance force applies a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine to dampen a torque ripple of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A torsional compensating device for an internal combustion engine for an internal combustion engine is provided. The torsional compensating device comprises a first joint assembly and a torsional element. The first joint assembly is in driving engagement with an output of the internal combustion engine. The torsional element is in driving engagement with the first joint assembly and the output of the internal combustion engine. An angular deviation of the first joint assembly causes a cyclical acceleration of the torsional element. The cyclical acceleration of the torsional element applies a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine. The torsional compensating device may be passively or dynamically adapted for both an amplitude and a phase of a torque ripple while minimizing an interference with an operation of the internal combustion engine.