An engine starting system for hybrid vehicle is provided. The engine starting system is applied to a hybrid vehicle in which a friction clutch is disposed between an engine and a power distribution device. In order to reduce gear noise and vibrations, a second motor establishes a cancel torque to cancel a reaction torque acting on an axle when starting the engine. The engine starting system is configured to increase the torque of the second motor in a direction of a drive torque rotating the axle, when starting the engine while bringing the friction clutch into engagement in a slipping manner.

A control apparatus for a vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus that includes a gear mechanism and a continuously-variable transmission mechanism including a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, a transfer element that is looped over the primary and secondary pulleys, and an actuator configured to apply, to the primary pulley, a thrust, based on which the transfer element is to be clamped by the primary pulley. The vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus defines a first drive-force transmitting path for transmitting a drive force through the gear mechanism and a second drive-force transmitting path for transmitting the drive force through the continuously-variable transmission mechanism. The control apparatus is configured, upon vehicle deceleration with the first drive-force transmitting path being established, to set a lower limit value of the above-described thrust, based on a gear ratio of the continuously-variable transmission mechanism and an amount of change of a rotational speed of the primary pulley.

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for multi-player gaming. Some embodiments relate to systems having an improved communications infrastructure and improved handheld game controllers, while other embodiments relate to improvements in handling large numbers of players in the multi-player game when played in a game arena with a single large display screen showing the multi-player game images. In one particular embodiment, a system is provided that has a game server controlling a display system to display the multi-player game on the large screen and a plurality of game controllers. Each game controller has a secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input. The system further comprises communication mans for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers. The plurality of game controllers are located in proximity to the large display screen such that it is visible to game players manipulating the game controllers while playing the multi-player game.

A drive system includes a first gear set and a second gear set, each including a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of planetary gears coupling the sun gear to the ring gear, and a carrier rotationally supporting the plurality of planetary gears, a first electrical machine coupled to the sun gear of the first gear set, a second electrical machine coupled to the sun gear of the second gear set, a connecting shaft coupled to the ring gear of the first gear set, a driveshaft that transports power from the electrical machines to a tractive element, a first clutch selectively rotationally coupling the first carrier and the second carrier to the driveshaft, and at least one of a second clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second electrical machine to the connecting shaft and a third clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second gear set to the driveshaft.

An electro-magnetically actuated pawl clutch is adapted to establish a fixed overdrive ratio in a powersplit type hybrid gearing arrangement. The electro-magnetically actuated clutch includes a first race splined to the transmission input shaft and a second race integrally formed into a first gear that is supported for rotation about the input shaft. Electrical current in a non-rotating coil establishes a magnetic field in the first race. The magnetic field causes a set of pawls to pivot with respect to the first race and to engage a cam surface in the second race. The pawls and cams are designed such that, when engaged, the second race can rotate faster than the inner race but cannot rotate slower. The first gear meshes with a second gear fixed to the transmission output shaft.

A power-split drive train for a working machine having a main drive element, drive output shafts (Ab1, Ab2, Ab3), and a continuous power-split transmission with three drive units (2a, 2b, 2c). The transmission enables all three output shafts to be operated at the same time with rotational speed variability. A first drive unit (2a) has two energy converters while second and third drive units (2b, 2c) each comprise one energy converter. All four energy converters are functionally connected to an electric line. The first unit (2a) is connected, via a first shaft, to the main drive element and, via a second shaft, to output shaft (Ab1). The first unit (2a) is connected to drive unit (2b) which is connected, via a third shaft, to output shaft (Ab2). The first drive unit (2a) is connected to drive unit (2c) which is connected, via a fourth shaft, to output shaft (Ab3).

Devices and methods are provided herein for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power can be transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. A continuously variable transmission is provided with a ball variator assembly, a planetary gear set coupled thereto and an arrangement of rotatable shafts with multiple gears and clutches that extend the ratio range of the variator. In some embodiments, clutches are coupled to the gear sets to enable synchronous shifting of gear modes. In some embodiments, clutches are coupled to chain drives to enable synchronous shifting of gear modes.

An electro-mechanical drive unit connectable with first and second motor/generators includes an output member, a stationary member, a gear-train, and a torque-transmitting device. The drive unit also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement having a ring gear structure, first and second sun gears, and a carrier structure. The gear arrangement includes first, second, third, and fourth junction points and has a double-pinion assembly having a first pinion gear in mesh with the first sun gear member and a second pinion gear in mesh with the first pinion gear and with the ring gear structure. The gear arrangement is operatively connected to the second motor/generator at the first junction point via the gear-train and to the first motor/generator at the fourth junction point. The output member is operatively connected to the second junction point. Furthermore, the torque-transmitting device is engageable to ground the third junction point to the stationary member.

Devices and methods are provided herein for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power can be transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. A continuously variable transmission is provided with a ball variator assembly, a dual pinion planetary gearset coupled thereto and an arrangement of rotatable shafts with multiple gears and clutches that extend the ratio range of the variator. In some embodiments, a launch gear CVP bypass enables is provided.

A computer-implemented system for a vehicle having an engine, a battery system, a first motor/generator, and a second motor/generator, each motor/generator operably coupled to a ball-planetary variator (CVP), the computer-implemented system comprising: a digital processing device comprising an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory device; a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device, the computer program comprising a software module configured to manage a plurality of vehicle driving conditions; a hybrid supervisory controller; and a plurality of sensors configured to monitor vehicle parameters including at least one of CVP input speed, engine torque, accelerator pedal position, CVP speed ratio, and battery charge, wherein the software module includes a plurality of software sub-modules configured to optimize the CVP speed ratio based at least in part on one of the vehicle parameters monitored by the plurality of sensors. The hybrid supervisory controller can choose the torque split and path of highest efficiency from engine to wheel, optionally operate at the best potential overall efficiency point in any mode and also provide torque variability, thereby leading to the best combination of powertrain performance and fuel efficiency.