Abstract: A motor vehicle seat having an underframe comprising at least one base and at least one rear rocker, which is connected to the base through a rear pivot axis, a seat carrier carried by the underframe, a seat back connected to the seat carrier, and a drive device. A crash sensor controls the drive device. In the event of a crash, the drive device pivots the seat carrier inclusive of the seat back about the rear pivot axis, and a seat front edge of the seat carrier is raised at least 10 mm relative to the base.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system is disclosed comprising an engine having at least one combustion cylinder configured to operate in a first and a second combustion mode, wherein the first combustion mode is a spark ignition mode and the second combustion mode is a compression ignition mode, wherein the engine is configured to supply an engine output; a motor configured to selectively supply or absorb a secondary output; an energy storage device configured to selectively store at least a portion of the engine output and selectively supply energy to the vehicle; and a control system configured to control at least the engine, the motor, and the energy storage device, wherein the control system is configured to selectively operate said at least one combustion cylinder in one of the spark ignition mode and the compression ignition mode based on a condition of the energy storage device.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat having an underframe comprising at least one base and at least one rear rocker, which is connected to the base through a rear pivot axis, a seat carrier carried by the underframe, a seat back connected to the seat carrier, and a drive device. A crash sensor controls the drive device. In the event of a crash, the drive device pivots the seat carrier inclusive of the seat back about the rear pivot axis, and a seat front edge of the seat carrier is raised at least 10 mm relative to the base.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system, comprising of an engine having at least one combustion cylinder configured to selectively operate in one of a plurality of combustion modes, wherein a first combustion mode is a spark ignition mode and a second combustion mode is a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode, an energy storage device configured to store energy, a motor configured to absorb at least a portion of an output produced by the engine and convert said absorbed engine output to energy storable by the energy storage device and wherein the motor is further configured to produce a motor output, a fuel tank vapor purging system coupled to the engine, and a controller configured to vary fuel vapors supplied to the engine during different combustion modes of the engine.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system is disclosed comprising an engine having at least one combustion cylinder configured to operate in a first and a second combustion mode, wherein the first combustion mode is a spark ignition mode and the second combustion mode is a compression ignition mode, wherein the engine is configured to supply an engine output; a motor configured to selectively supply or absorb a secondary output; an energy storage device configured to selectively store at least a portion of the engine output and selectively supply energy to the vehicle; a lean NOx trap configured to store NOx produced by the engine; and a controller configured to control at least the engine, the motor, and the energy storage device, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate said at least one combustion cylinder in one of the spark ignition mode and the compression ignition mode based on a condition of the lean NOx trap.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes the steps of determining a first power state of the hybrid powertrain system, limiting electrical power generated by a generator to the minimum of the rated power limit of the generator and the first power state, when the first power state is greater than zero, and limiting the electrical power generated by the generator to zero, and limiting the power limit of an electric machine during generating to a first operating condition of the hybrid powertrain system, when the first power state is less than or equal to zero, to provide over-charge protection to the battery. The method further includes steps that provide over-discharge protection to the battery.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system is disclosed comprising an engine having at least one combustion cylinder configured to operate in a first and a second combustion mode, wherein the first combustion mode is a spark ignition mode and the second combustion mode is a compression ignition mode, wherein the engine is configured to supply an engine output; a motor configured to selectively supply or absorb a secondary output; an energy storage device configured to selectively store at least a portion of the engine output and selectively supply energy to the vehicle; and a control system configured to control at least the engine, the motor, and the energy storage device, wherein the control system is configured to selectively operate said at least one combustion cylinder in one of the spark ignition mode and the compression ignition mode based on a condition of the energy storage device.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system is disclosed comprising an engine having at least one combustion cylinder configured to operate in a first and a second combustion mode, wherein the first combustion mode is a spark ignition mode and the second combustion mode is a compression ignition mode, wherein the engine is configured to supply an engine output; a motor configured to selectively supply or absorb a secondary output; an energy storage device configured to selectively store at least a portion of the engine output and selectively supply energy to the vehicle; a lean NOx trap configured to store NOx produced by the engine; and a controller configured to control at least the engine, the motor, and the energy storage device, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate said at least one combustion cylinder in one of the spark ignition mode and the compression ignition mode based on a condition of the lean NOx trap.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system, comprising of an engine having at least one combustion cylinder configured to selectively operate in one of a plurality of combustion modes, wherein a first combustion mode is a spark ignition mode and a second combustion mode is a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode, an energy storage device configured to store energy, a motor configured to absorb at least a portion of an output produced by the engine and convert said absorbed engine output to energy storable by the energy storage device and wherein the motor is further configured to produce a motor output, a fuel tank vapor purging system coupled to the engine, and a controller configured to vary fuel vapors supplied to the engine during different combustion modes of the engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes the steps of determining a first power state of the hybrid powertrain system, limiting electrical power generated by a generator to the minimum of the rated power limit of the generator and the first power state, when the first power state is greater than zero, and limiting the electrical power generated by the generator to zero, and limiting the power limit of an electric machine during generating to a first operating condition of the hybrid powertrain system, when the first power state is less than or equal to zero, to provide over-charge protection to the battery. The method further includes steps that provide over-discharge protection to the battery.