Vehicle center of gravity (CoG) height and mass estimation techniques utilize a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor configured to emit light pulses and capture reflected light pulses that collectively form LIDAR point cloud data and a controller configured to estimate the CoG height and the mass of the vehicle during a steady-state operating condition of the vehicle by processing the LIDAR point cloud data to identify a ground plane, identifying a height difference between (i) a nominal distance from the LIDAR sensor to the ground plane and (ii) an estimated distance from the LIDAR sensor to the ground plane using the processed LIDAR point cloud data, estimating the vehicle CoG height as a difference between (i) a nominal vehicle CoG height and the height difference, and estimating the vehicle mass based on one of (i) vehicle CoG metrics and (ii) dampening metrics of a suspension of the vehicle.

Techniques involve controlling battery access on a utility vehicle. Such techniques involve monitoring status of input signals from a group comprising: a lithium battery system, a keyed switch, and a charging receptacle, comparing the status of the input signals to timeout settings stored in memory of the motion control system, initiating a timer based on comparison of the input signals to the timeout settings, and disconnecting at least one direct current (DC) path between a lithium battery interface and a power distribution interface of the utility vehicle in response to expiration of the timer. Such techniques further involve, after disconnecting, reconnecting the at least one DC current path between the lithium battery interface and the power distribution interface in response to a change in status of at least one of the input signals. Such techniques may be performed by a motion control system of the utility vehicle.

Spark ignition engine operation at higher RPM so as to reduce alcohol requirements in high efficiency alcohol enhanced gasoline engines is disclosed. Control of engine upspeeding (use of a higher ratio of engine RPM to wheel RPM) so as to achieve an alcohol reduction objective while limiting any decrease in efficiency is described. High RPM alcohol enhanced gasoline engine operation in plug-in series hybrid powertrains for heavy duty trucks and other vehicles is also described.

Methods and systems for electric propulsion are provided. An electric propulsion system, in one example, includes a first electric machine coupled to a first gear set with a first gear ratio, a second electric machine coupled to a second gear set with a second gear ratio different from the first gear ratio, and an axle including an axle interface. In the system, at least a first output gear of the first gear set and a second output gear of the second gear set are coupled in parallel to the axle interface.

A drive train for a vehicle includes a first electromagnetic device, a second electromagnetic device electrically coupled to the first electromagnetic device by an electrical power transmission system, and an engine coupled to the first electromagnetic device and configured to drive the first electromagnetic device to provide electrical energy. In all modes of operation where the engine drives the first electromagnetic device to provide the electrical energy, the first electromagnetic device operates without providing the electrical energy to an energy storage device.

An engine unit controller (EUC) in connection with a hybrid opposed piston engine can receive real-time movement data of a crankshaft via a crank position sensor. It can simultaneously receive current data of an electric motor that partially controls the crankshaft. With the known engine constants, the EUC can determine instantaneous combustion pressure data based on the movement data and the current data. Such combustion pressure data can be used to optimize the engine's performance in real-time.

A computer for controlling a drivetrain of a hybrid vehicle including a combustion engine, an electric machine, a battery and a “heated” catalytic converter including an internal heating system. The computer being configured to determine a plurality of values for a criterion pertaining to the energy consumption of the drivetrain as a function of the distribution of torque between the at least one combustion engine and the at least one electric machine, of the at least one combustion mode of the combustion engine, and of the energy consumption due to the use of the catalytic converter, select the minimum value of the consumption criterion, apply the combustion engine torque command, the electric machine torque command, the command pertaining to the energy consumption by the catalytic converter and the command pertaining to the combustion mode of the combustion engine corresponding to the selected value of the consumption criterion.

When a vehicle is parked while the position of a power-receiving unit with respect to a power-transmitting unit is adjusted, an ECU in a parking assistance apparatus implements first assistance control if it is determined that the power-receiving unit is within a first range and implements second assistance control for controlling the vehicle such that a displacement of the vehicle per unit time is less than that during the first assistance control if it is determined that the power-receiving unit is within a second range.

Methods and systems related to electric propulsion. An electric propulsion system, in one example, includes a first electric machine coupled to a first gear set with a first gear ratio, a second electric machine coupled to a second gear set with a second gear ratio different from the first gear ratio, and an axle including an axle interface. In the system, at least a first output gear of the first gear set and a second output gear of the second gear set are coupled in parallel to the axle interface.

A system for adjusting performance of an electric motor in a hybrid vehicle during a combustion event. The system includes a combustion engine including a cylinder, an electric motor including an electric motor shaft and connected to the combustion engine via a drive shaft, and an inverter controller connected to the electric motor. The inverter controller includes an electronic processor configured to receive a rotational position of the electric motor shaft, determine, based on the rotational position of the electric motor shaft, whether a combustion event is occurring in the cylinder, and when a combustion event is occurring in the cylinder, preform one selected from the group comprising increase torque produced by the electric motor and decrease the torque produced by the electric motor.