Abstract: Improved actuators and valve control systems, and methods for controlling actuators and/or engine valves, are disclosed. In addition to the inherent capability of timing control, the ability to provide continuous valve lift or stroke control greatly improves engine achieve fuel economy, emission and performance. The power-off state of the actuator is at the minimum stroke, from which an easy start-up can be directly executed. The minimum stroke is also very beneficial to achieve efficient low load operation. Even with continuous lift variation, the present invention is able to keep the spring force neutral or zero point in the center of a stroke, thus maintaining an efficient scheme of energy conversion and recovery through the pendulum action. When in compression braking or other high engine cylinder air pressure working mode, the invention is able to supply necessary force to open the engine valve.

Abstract: Actuators, and corresponding methods and systems for controlling such actuators, provide independent lift and timing control with minimum energy consumption, while supplying sufficient supplemental energy to overcome friction. In an exemplary embodiment, an actuation cylinder in a housing defines a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends in first and second directions. An actuation piston in the cylinder, with first and second surfaces, is moveable along the longitudinal axis. First and second actuation springs bias the actuation piston in the first and second directions, respectively. A first fluid space is defined by the first end of the actuation cylinder and the first surface of the actuation piston, and a second fluid space is defined by the second end of the actuation cylinder and the second surface of the actuation piston.

Abstract: Actuators, and corresponding methods and systems for controlling such actuators, provide independent lift and timing control with minimum energy consumption. In an exemplary embodiment, an actuation cylinder in a housing defines a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends in first and second directions. An actuation piston in the cylinder, with first and second surfaces, is moveable along the longitudinal axis. First and second actuation springs bias the actuation piston in the first and second directions, respectively. A first fluid space is defined by the first end of the actuation cylinder and the first surface of the actuation piston, and a second fluid space is defined by the second end of the actuation cylinder and the second surface of the actuation piston. A fluid bypass short-circuits the first and second fluid spaces when the actuation piston is not substantially proximate to either the first or second end of the actuation cylinder.

Abstract: Actuators, and corresponding methods and systems for controlling such actuators, provide independent lift and timing control with minimum energy consumption. In an exemplary embodiment, an actuation cylinder in a housing defines a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends in first and second directions. An actuation piston in the cylinder, with first and second surfaces, is moveable along the longitudinal axis. First and second actuation springs bias the actuation piston in the first and second directions, respectively. A first fluid space is defined by the first end of the actuation cylinder and the first surface of the actuation piston, and a second fluid space is defined by the second end of the actuation cylinder and the second surface of the actuation piston. A fluid bypass short-circuits the first and second fluid spaces when the actuation piston is not substantially proximate to either the first or second end of the actuation cylinder.

Abstract: Actuators, and corresponding methods and systems for controlling such actuators, provide independent lift and timing control with minimum energy consumption, while supplying sufficient supplemental energy to overcome friction. In an exemplary embodiment, an actuation cylinder in a housing defines a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends in first and second directions. An actuation piston in the cylinder, with first and second surfaces, is moveable along the longitudinal axis. First and second actuation springs bias the actuation piston in the first and second directions, respectively. A first fluid space is defined by the first end of the actuation cylinder and the first surface of the actuation piston, and a second fluid space is defined by the second end of the actuation cylinder and the second surface of the actuation piston.

Abstract: A multi-port rotary valve used to distribute coolant to an engine cooling system comprises a valve body having a plurality of outlet ports for directing coolant flow to a radiator circuit, a heater circuit, and an auxiliary circuit. An internal gear driven rotary disc includes a gear driven mechanism located on an inner circumference of the rotary disc. The rotary disc includes two apertures positioned on a top surface of the rotary disc for regulating predetermined flow paths and flow rates to the plurality of ports. An inlet housing body which includes an inlet port mates with the valve body and encases the rotary disc. An actuator which is coupled to a drive gear mounted internal to the inlet housing body is responsive to a control signal for transmitting a torque to the internal drive gear for rotating the rotary disc to regulate coolant flow.

Abstract: A multi-port rotary valve used to distribute coolant to an engine cooling system comprises a valve body having a plurality of outlet ports for directing coolant flow to a radiator circuit, a heater circuit, and an auxiliary circuit. An internal gear driven rotary disc includes a gear driven mechanism located on an inner circumference of the rotary disc. The rotary disc includes two apertures positioned on a top surface of the rotary disc for regulating predetermined flow paths and flow rates to the plurality of ports. An inlet housing body which includes an inlet port mates with the valve body and encases the rotary disc. An actuator which is coupled to a drive gear mounted internal to the inlet housing body is responsive to a control signal for transmitting a torque to the internal drive gear for rotating the rotary disc to regulate coolant flow.

Abstract: The powertrain thermal system of the present invention contains and/or utilizes various sensors and signals. Some are located within the powertrain thermal system itself. However, the majority are located in other systems of the hybrid electrical vehicle.

Abstract: A variable force solenoid valve assembly generally includes a coil, magnetic pole, armature, and one or more variable size air gaps that are disposed within the solenoid. The solenoid may be calibrated by first energizing the solenoid coils and determining a corresponding desired hydraulic pressure, measuring the actual hydraulic pressure, and adjusting the magnetic flux until the desired output pressure is achieved.

Abstract: A powertrain thermal management system for a hybrid vehicle having provisions for passenger cabin heating and engine warm up.

Abstract: A powertrain thermal management system for a hybrid vehicle having provisions for passenger cabin heating and engine warm up.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a cylinder, a first, second and third port, an actuation piston, a control piston and a control spring. The cylinder defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a first and second end. The first port communicates with the first end of the cylinder, the second port communicates with the second end of the cylinder, and the third port communicates with the cylinder between the first and second ends. The actuation piston is disposed in the cylinder and is moveable along the longitudinal axis in a first and second direction. The actuation piston comprises a first and second side. The control piston also is disposed in the cylinder and is moveable along the longitudinal axis in a first and second direction. The control piston comprises a first and second side, with the first side of the control piston facing the second side of the actuation piston. The control spring biases the control piston in at least one of the first and second directions.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system for a hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine, which includes a crankshaft assembly, and a motor, which includes a main rotor shaft. A first clutch selectively engages the crankshaft assembly and the main rotor shaft. The vehicle drive system also includes a transmission, which includes an input shaft, and second clutch which selectively engages the main rotor shaft and the transmission input shaft. An accessory drive mechanism is driven by the main rotor shaft and drives a vehicle accessory. The accessory may be an air conditioning compressor and include a clutch coupled between the accessory drive mechanism and the compressor.

Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a housing comprising a cylinder defining a longitudinal axis, an exhaust port, a piston disposed in the cylinder and an engine valve operably connected to the piston. An exhaust member is disposed in the housing and is variably moveable along a longitudinal path to a desired position between a maximum and minimum lift position. The exhaust member has an exhaust port that is maintained in communication with the housing exhaust port as the exhaust member is selectively, variably moved between the maximum and minimum lift positions. A pressure source selectively applies a pressure to the piston and a control system is operably connected to the exhaust member and selectively, variably moves the exhaust member between the maximum and minimum position. A method for controlling the engine valve is also provided.

Abstract: A discrete lift, variable timing (DLVT) engine valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of electrohydraulic valves. The plurality of electrohydraulic valves are operable between at least an open and closed position. Each of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves is operable independently of the other of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves. In one preferred embodiment, a selected combination of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves are selectively operated between at least the open and closed positions to move a selected combination of a plurality of pistons disposed in a selected combination of a plurality of axially spaced cylinders positioned serially one on top of the other. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a selected combination of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves are selectively operated between at least the open and closed positions to open a selected combination of longitudinally spaced exhaust ports communicating with a cylinder.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a cylinder, a first, second and third port, an actuation piston, a control piston and a control spring. The cylinder defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a first and second end. The first port communicates with the first end of the cylinder, the second port communicates with the second end of the cylinder, and the third port communicates with the cylinder between the first and second ends. The actuation piston is disposed in the cylinder and is moveable along the longitudinal axis in a first and second direction. The actuation piston comprises a first and second side. The control piston also is disposed in the cylinder and is moveable along the longitudinal axis in a first and second direction. The control piston comprises a first and second side, with the first side of the control piston facing the second side of the actuation piston. The control spring biases the control piston in at least one of the first and second directions.

Abstract: A discrete lift, variable timing (DLVT) engine valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of electrohydraulic valves. The plurality of electrohydraulic valves are operable between at least an open and closed position. Each of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves is operable independently of the other of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves. In one preferred embodiment, a selected combination of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves are selectively operated between at least the open and closed positions to move a selected combination of a plurality of pistons disposed in a selected combination of a plurality of axially spaced cylinders positioned serially one on top of the other. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a selected combination of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves are selectively operated between at least the open and closed positions to open a selected combination of longitudinally spaced exhaust ports communicating with a cylinder.

Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a housing comprising a cylinder defining a longitudinal axis and an exhaust port. A piston is disposed in the cylinder and is moveable along the longitudinal axis in a first and second direction. The piston has a first and second side. An engine valve is operably connected to the first side of the piston. An exhaust member is disposed in the housing and is variably moveable along a longitudinal path to a desired position between a maximum and minimum lift position. The exhaust member has an exhaust port that is maintained in communication with the housing exhaust port as the exhaust member is selectively, variably moved between the maximum and minimum lift positions. A pressure source selectively applies a pressure to the second side of the piston as the piston is moved in the first direction.

Abstract: An electrorheological damping device for reducing translational vibration between two bodies comprises a rotary electrorheological damper and transmission means for converting the translational vibration between the two bodies to the rotary motion of the rotary electrorheological damper. The rotary electrorheological damper includes a stator and a rotor that are coaxially arranged. The stator have a plurality of stator electrodes, and the rotor have a plurality of rotor electrodes. The stator electrodes and the rotor electrodes face each other alternatively within at least one fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is filled with an electrorheological fluid that varies its rheological properties when exposed to an electric field. The electrorheological fluid fills spaces between each pair of the stator and rotor electrodes.