Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system is provided that includes a first prime mover having a rotational output, a second prime mover having a rotational output, and a transmission having a main shaft supporting at least two main shaft gears thereon. The transmission includes a first independent countershaft drivingly connected to the first prime mover and including at least one ratio gear supported thereon that meshes with a respective main shaft gear. A second independent countershaft is drivingly connected to the second prime mover and includes at least one ratio gear supported thereon that meshes with a respective main shaft gear. The ratio gears on the first and second countershafts cooperate with the main shaft gears to provide at least one gear ratio between the first and second countershafts and the main shaft. A shift control mechanism selectively engages and disengages the first and second countershafts for rotation with the main shaft.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system is provided that includes a first prime mover having a rotational output, a second prime mover having a rotational output, and a transmission having a main shaft supporting at least two main shaft gears thereon. The transmission includes a first independent countershaft drivingly connected to the first prime mover and including at least one ratio gear supported thereon that meshes with a respective main shaft gear. A second independent countershaft is drivingly connected to the second prime mover and includes at least one ratio gear supported thereon that meshes with a respective main shaft gear. The ratio gears on the first and second countershafts cooperate with the main shaft gears to provide at least one gear ratio between the first and second countershafts and the main shaft. A shift control mechanism selectively engages and disengages the first and second countershafts for rotation with the main shaft.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator having a coil, stator and an armature where dual parallel channels are formed in the stator for receiving the coil and where the armature is hinged to the stator for movement toward the stator upon application of an electrical current to the coil. The stator has a length, a width and a height where its length is at least 1.6 times its width and its width is at least 2.0 times its height.

Abstract: A method of controlling a viscous fluid coupling (15) in which, when the vehicle engine (E) is operating at low speeds, if the speed of rotation (SF) of the fan exceeds a predetermined speed limit (L3), the input signal (29) to the coupling is modified to move the valve member (49) toward a closed position (FIG. 3A). This action reduces the occurrence of an overfill condition, thus reducing undesired fan noise when the engine again accelerates. Another aspect of the invention is to sense the speed (SE) of the engine, and whenever the sensed speed (SE) is high enough that operation in an excess slip heat region (ESH) is possible, compare the demanded fan speed (29) to the lower limit (CHP) of the slip heat region. Whenever the demanded fan speed exceeds the limit, the input signal (29) to the coupling is modified to operate the coupling at a speed safely above or below the slip heat region (ESH) depending on the state of control inputs such as engine temperature.

Abstract: A control system for an engine throttle valve actuator uses an actuator position feedback loop with a compensation factor which applies a reverse voltage having an amplitude based on actuator momentum to a DC motor to effectuate an electrical braking action to achieve high speed response with positional accuracy. A separate position limiting feedback loop is used to prevent excessive actuator excursions. The engine throttle valve is controlled to a selected position by using a throttle valve position feedback loop and a compensation factor to provide a feedback signal to a summing junction.

Abstract: An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). The system senses the electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the electric circuit, and generates a field responsive signal. Arc discrimination circuitry responding to the field responsive signal and generates an arc indicative signal in response to a given characteristic of the field responsive signal. The system includes an E field sensor (66) and a B field sensor (68).

Abstract: An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). A field sensor senses an electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the circuit, and generates a field responsive signal. Arc discrimination circuitry includes frequency responsive circuitry responding to the field sensor and generating an arc indicative signal in response to a given frequency characteristic of the field responsive signal. The frequency responsive circuitry monitors a plurality of different frequencies of the field responsive signal, and generates the arc indicative signal in response to a given combination of field responsive signal frequencies. A comb filter passes the field responsive signal through a plurality of passbands, and the arc indicative signal is generated in response to a given frequency signature of the field responsive signal.

Abstract: An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). The arc detector includes a field sensor (62) sensing an electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the electric circuit, and generating a field responsive signal in response thereto. Arc discrimination circuitry responds to the field sensor and generates an arc indicative signal in response to a random chaotic pattern of the field responsive signal.

Abstract: A homoplanar brushless electric gerotor (10) includes a housing assembly (32) defining a substantially closed cavity (52), a fluid inlet port (88). Inner and outer gerotor pump gears (72,74), are eccentrically disposed for relative rotation within the cavity whereupon a working fluid received at the inlet port at a low pressure is discharged from the outlet port at a high pressure. A plurality of alternatingly radially polarized circumferentially aligned permanent magnets (76) are carried by one of the pump gears for rotation therewith. A stator including windings (44) circumferentially distributed and axially spaced from the permanent magnets (76) electromagnetically interact therewith to effect their rotation upon the electrical energization of the windings (44) by a drive circuit (26).

Abstract: A viscous clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (18), driven by the engine (12), rotates a clutch member (42) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (60) for the transmission of torque thereto when fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (100) defined by complementary shear surfaces in the clutch and body members (48,98), respectively. An actuator assembly (30) operates to displace a valving element (196) within the clutch to control the torque transmission therethrough and thus the speed of the output shaft and fan (34) thereof. The actuator is electrically powered by a generator (222) made up of an armature (224) carried by the body member and a plurality of field generating magnets carried by clutch member (42) for rotational interaction therebetween.

Abstract: A viscous clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (18), driven by the engine (12), rotates a clutch member (42) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (60) for the transmission of torque thereto when fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (100) defined by complimentary shear surfaces in the clutch and body members (48,98), respectively. An actuator assembly (30) operates to displace a valving element (196) within the clutch to control the torque transmission therethrough and thus the speed of the output shaft and fan (34) thereof. The actuator is electrically powered by a generator (222) made up of an armature (224) carried by the body member and a plurality of field generating magnets carried by clutch member (42) for rotational interaction therebetween.

Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (18), driven by the engine (12), rotates a clutch member (42) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (60) for the transmission of torque thereto when fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (106) defined by complimentary shear surfaces in the clutch and body members (48 and 98), respectively. A tether assembly (30) operates as an actuator to displace a valving element (196) within the clutch to control the torque transmission there through and thus the speed of the output shaft and fan (34) thereof. Fan speed is regulated by variable current signal applied to a coil (174) within assembly (30) to selectively variably frictionally engage valve element assembly (196) with a grounded thrust surface or reaction member (190) to effect limited displacement of a valve element (198) in response thereto.

Abstract: A power steering system suitable for large off-highway and other vehicles has no mechanical linkages or hydraulic connections entering into the driver's cab. Torque demand signals are produced in an electromechanical torque sensor that measures the deflections of a torsional spring. The system provides synchronization between steering and steered wheels upon starting, without initial corrective motion of either member. During operation, the direction of the steered wheels does not drift with respect to the position of the steering wheel. In the event of certain types of failures of its primary steering system the apparatus automatically changes over to an open-loop secondary steering system that is controllable by the same steering wheel, and that has components in common with the closed-loop primary system.

Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within in a truck or or automobile. A shaft (18), driven by the engine (12), rotates a clutch member (42) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (60) for the transmission of torque thereto when fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (100) defined by complementary shear surfaces in the clutch and body members (48 and 98), respectively. A tether assembly (30) operates as an actuator to displace a valving member (158) within the clutch to control the torque transmission therethrough and thus the speed of the output shaft (and fan 34) thereof. Fan speed is regulated as a function of a sensed temperature of the host engine by a control circuit (176) which senses fan speed and coolant fluid temperature and generates a speed error signal as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A torque transducer (10) generates a signal representing torque applied to an input shaft (12) to the transducer. The input shaft is resiliently connected to an output shaft (14), permitting limited relative rotation between the two which is sensed by the selective shunting of an electromagnetic field. Multiple fields and shunting devices (76 and 78) are provided which coact complementarily (in shunting effect) to provide a usable signal throughout an entire range of operation. In application, the transducer is intended for electrically assisted vehicle power steering systems.

Abstract: A drivetrain (48) for an electric passenger vehicle (10) includes a battery (40) for energizing a single-phase A.C. traction motor (18) which drives a ground engaging wheel (12) through a multi-speed transaxle (20). The motor is characterized by an external ferrite permanent magnet rotor (26) drivingly engaging an input shaft (32) of the transaxle. The motor is controlled by an inverter circuit (44) and a control circuit (46) which generates switch command signals to reciprocally actuate power transistors (56 and 62) within the inverter circuit as a function of operator demand, rotor position and rotor speed. The control circuit includes a motor positioning circuit (442) which toggles the motor current when the rotor speed falls below a predetermined level to dither the rotor about a park position for a predetermined period. A pre-start rotor positioner (224) is provided to mechanically lock the rotor in its park position to ensure the availability of a high electrical starting torque.

Abstract: An electrical power assisted steering system for a vehicle. The system includes a battery, having two terminals at different voltages and a center tap, and a bidirectional electric power assist motor having two terminals, one terminal being connected to the center tap of the battery. In an electric vehicle, said battery would be the traction battery. A control circuit responds to movement of the vehicle's steering wheel to generate a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to drive the motor to assist in steering. The pulse widths are directly proportional to the driver's rotational displacement of the steering wheel and the amount of current flowing through the motor and inversely proportional to the speed of the vehicle. The PWM signal is applied to a selected one of two driving transistors, the first of which is connected between one of the terminals of the battery and the free terminal of the motor, the other of which is connected between the other terminal of the battery and the free terminal of the motor.

Abstract: An inverter (34) which provides power to an A.C. machine (28) is controlled by a circuit (36) employing PWM control strategy whereby A.C. power is supplied to the machine at a preselectable frequency and preselectable voltage. This is accomplished by the technique of waveform notching in which the shapes of the notches are varied to determine the average energy content of the overall waveform. Through this arrangement, the operational efficiency of the A.C. machine is optimized. The control circuit includes a micro-computer which calculates optimized machine control data signals from various parametric inputs and during steady state load conditions, seeks a best V/HZ ratio to minimize battery current drawn (system losses) from a D.C. power source (32). In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is incorporated within an electric vehicle (10) employing a 144 VDC battery pack and a three-phase induction motor (18).

Abstract: In a power assisted steering system for a vehicle, an operator controlled steering shaft is connected directly to at least one steered wheel of the vehicle. An electric motor is connected to the steering shaft via a ratio reduction means. A clutch is interposed between the motor and the ratio reduction means to connect and disconnect the motor from the steering shaft. A control circuit senses torque and direction of rotation of the steering shaft by the operator and operates the motor to provide power steering assistance. The control circuit also monitors the operation of the system and, when the system is operating properly, keeps the clutch in engagement to transmit torque from the motor to the steering shaft. When the system is diagnosed to be operating improperly, the clutch is rapidly disengaged and the motor is effectively isolated from the steering shaft.

Abstract: The position or presence of a metallic object is detected by an electronic circuit which senses a shift in phase between a first cyclic signal and a second cyclic signal which shifts in phase in response to movement of the object. An oscillator produces the first cyclic signal which is used as the reference signal and as the excitation for a parallel resonant circuit which produces the second signal. The phase of the second signal is shifted in response to movement of a metal plate or a shorted coil in an electromagnetic field produced by an inductor in the resonant circuit. The degree of the phase shifts may be used to detect the position of an object in the electromagnetic field or rate of the phase shifts may be used to detect the velocity of an object. An exclusive-or gate senses the changes or differences in phase between the two cyclic signals and produces an output signal representative of the changes or differences in phase.