Abstract: A controller for triggering a pyrotechnic component of a vehicle is designed to determine and store a trigger status of the pyrotechnic component. The trigger status exhibits a triggered state or a non-triggered state. The controller is further designed, if the trigger status exhibits the non-triggered state, to allow operation of the controller with a pyrotechnic component in the vehicle without enabling the pyrotechnic component. Further, the controller is designed, if the trigger status exhibits the triggered state, to reset the trigger status from the triggered state to the non-triggered state when the pyrotechnic component is enabled.

Abstract: An electric machine is provided that includes a rotor assembly having a rotor core configured to support permanent magnets spaced around the rotor core to define a number of rotor poles. The rotor core has multiple rotor slots arranged as multiple barrier layers at each of the rotor poles. The rotor core is configured so that the electric machine satisfies predetermined operating parameters. In one embodiment, the electric machine is coupled with an engine through a belt drive train and provides cranking (engine starting), regeneration and torque assist modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expansible fixing plug (1) which consists of at least two different plastics materials, having a main body (2) made of the first plastics material, which is at least partly encased by a casing (3) made of the second plastics material. The main body (2) has an expansion region (5), which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and has at least two expansion tongues (11, 12) which are separated from one another by a first slot (13), and a sleeve (6) arranged at the front of the expansible fixing plug (1) in the direction of introduction (E). The sleeve (6) is connected to the expansion region (5) and is at least partly encased by a casing body (18) formed by the casing (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to an expansible fixing plug (1) which consists of at least two different plastics materials, having a main body (2) made of the first plastics material, which is at least partly encased by a casing (3) made of the second plastics material. The main body (2) has an expansion region (5), which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) between a sleeve (6) and an insertion sleeve (4) forming the rear end of the expansible fixing plug (1), in which expansion region there are arranged at least two expansion tongues (11, 12) which are separated from one another by a first slot (13), the first slot (13) being at least partly filled in the expansion region (5) by a casing element (21) of the casing (3). In order to obtain an expansible fixing plug (1) having improved expansion behavior, it is proposed that on at least one expansion tongue (11, 12) there be arranged a local weakened position (17) as predetermined bending point.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuation system includes an electrical coil, a magnetic core, an armature, a controllable bi-directional drive circuit for selectively driving current through the coil in either of two directions, and a control module providing an actuator command to the drive circuit. Current is driven though the electrical coil in a first direction when an actuation is desired. When the actuation is not desired current is driven through the electrical coil including in a second direction sufficient to reduce residual flux within the actuator below a level passively attained within the actuator at zero coil current.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuation system includes an actuator having an electrical coil, a magnetic core, and an armature. The system further includes a controllable drive circuit for selectively driving current through the electrical coil. A control module provides an actuator command to the drive circuit effective to drive current through the electrical coil to actuate the armature. The control module includes a magnetic force control module configured to adapt the actuator command to converge magnetic force within the actuator to a preferred force level.

Abstract: A method for parameter estimation in an electromagnetic actuator having an electrical coil and an armature includes applying a voltage pulse to the electrical coil of the actuator prior to an actuator event and of sufficient duration to ensure that a resulting electrical current achieves steady state. At least one parameter of the actuator is estimated based upon the voltage pulse and the steady state current.

Abstract: A system for controlling actuation of an electromagnetic actuator includes an actuator having an electrical coil, a magnetic core, and an armature. A controllable drive circuit is responsive to an electric power flow signal for driving current through the electrical coil to actuate the armature. A control module includes an armature motion observer configured to determine an armature motion parameter in the actuator based upon a magnetic flux within the actuator and a predetermined mechanical equation of motion corresponding to the actuator and adapt the electric power flow signal based on the armature motion parameter.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuation system includes an actuator having an electrical coil, a magnetic core, and an armature. The system further includes a controllable bi-directional drive circuit for selectively driving current through the electrical coil in either of two directions. The control module provides an actuator command to the drive circuit effective to drive current through the electrical coil in a first direction to actuate the armature and in a second direction subsequent to armature actuation to oppose residual flux within the actuator. The control module includes a residual flux feedback control module configured to adapt the actuator command to converge residual flux within the actuator to a preferred flux level.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuation system includes an actuator having an electrical coil, a magnetic core, and an armature. The system further includes a controllable bi-directional drive circuit for selectively driving current through the electrical coil in either of two directions. The control module provides an actuator command to the drive circuit effective to drive current through the electrical coil in a first direction to actuate the armature and in a second direction subsequent to armature actuation to oppose residual flux within the actuator. The control module includes a feed forward control module configured to adapt the actuator command to converge residual flux within the actuator to a preferred flux level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expansible fixing plug (1) which consists of at least two different plastics materials, having a main body (2) made of the first plastics material, which is at least partly encased by a casing (3) made of the second plastics material. The main body (2) has an expansion region (5), which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and has at least two expansion tongues (11, 12) which are separated from one another by a first slot (13), and a sleeve (6) arranged at the front of the expansible fixing plug (1) in the direction of introduction (E). The sleeve (6) is connected to the expansion region (5) and is at least partly encased by a casing body (18) formed by the casing (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to an expansible fixing plug (1) which consists of at least two different plastics materials, having a main body (2) made of the first plastics material, which is at least partly encased by a casing (3) made of the second plastics material. The main body (2) has an expansion region (5), which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) between a sleeve (6) and an insertion sleeve (4) forming the rear end of the expansible fixing plug (1), in which expansion region there are arranged at least two expansion tongues (11, 12) which are separated from one another by a first slot (13), the first slot (13) being at least partly filled in the expansion region (5) by a casing element (21) of the casing (3). In order to obtain an expansible fixing plug (1) having improved expansion behaviour, it is proposed that on at least one expansion tongue (11, 12) there be arranged a local weakened position (17) as predetermined bending point.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of an electromagnetically-activated actuator includes an activation controller that is one of integrated within a connector assembly of the actuator and integrated into a power transmission cable in close proximity to the actuator. The activation controller comprises a control module configured to generate an actuator command signal, and an actuator driver comprising a bi-directional current driver. The actuator driver is configured to receive the actuator command signal from the control module and generate an activation command signal for controlling the direction and amplitude of the current provided to the actuator.

Abstract: A method for parameter estimation in an electromagnetic actuator having a main coil and a search coil includes driving a current through the main coil, determining a main coil voltage, determining a search coil voltage, determining a main coil current, and estimating at least one parameter of the actuator based on the main coil voltage, the search coil voltage and the main coil current.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an electrical coil and a high permeability magnetic flux path. The magnetic flux path includes a magnetic core, an armature and a flux return structure. The electromagnetic actuator further includes a flux sensor which is integrated within the actuator and is configured to detect a magnetic flux within the high permeability magnetic flux path.

Abstract: An apparatus for closed loop operation of a solenoid-activated actuator includes an external control module and a power source which are electrically and operatively coupled to an activation controller of the actuator. The external control module and the power source are located externally to the actuator. The apparatus further includes an activation controller which is integrated within the body of the actuator. The activation controller includes a control module and an actuator driver and is configured to communicate with the external control module and to receive electrical power from the power source. The apparatus additionally includes at least one sensor device which is integrated within the body of the actuator and is electrically and operatively coupled to the activation controller. The at least one sensor device is configured to measure one or more parameters during operation of the actuator and the measured parameters are provided as feedback to the activation controller.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an engine, a motor-generator and a starter mechanism, and engine systems also include the engine. The electrical system includes a first energy storage device having a first voltage level and a second energy storage device having a second voltage level less than the first voltage level. The electrical system further includes a controller configured to control the motor-generator, the starter mechanism and first and second switching devices. Current from at least one of the first and second energy storage devices is delivered to the motor-generator when at least one of the first switching device is in a first closed state and the second switching device is in a second closed state such that the motor-generator transfers torque to the starter mechanism and the starter mechanism uses the torque to start the engine.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an engine, a motor-generator and a starter mechanism, and engine systems also include the engine. The electrical system includes a first energy storage device having a first voltage level and a second energy storage device having a second voltage level less than the first voltage level. The electrical system further includes a controller configured to control the motor-generator, the starter mechanism and first and second switching devices. Current from at least one of the first and second energy storage devices is delivered to the motor-generator when at least one of the first switching device is in a first closed state and the second switching device is in a second closed state such that the motor-generator transfers torque to the starter mechanism and the starter mechanism uses the torque to start the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, transmission, auxiliary and high-voltage electrical loads, a drivetrain, and an electrical system. The electrical system, characterized by an absence of a DC-DC converter, includes a full-bridge active rectifier/inverter, a semi-active auxiliary rectifier, an MGU connected to the engine via the drivetrain, and a controller. The controller executes a first operating mode in which the bridge rectifier is disabled and the MGU operates as a motor to restart or assist the engine, and a second operating mode in which the MGU is a generator, with the rectifier/inverter powering the HV-ESS and HV electrical load. The auxiliary rectifier provides an auxiliary DC output voltage to the LV-ESS and auxiliary electrical load. Switches may be positioned between a DC bus connection point and the HV-ESS and LV-ESS, with a switch closed and another opened in the first operating mode, and vice versa in the second operating mode.