Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110165829 | AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING CLIMATE SYSTEM OF SAME - An automotive vehicle may include a container, a battery disposed within the container and configured to provide motive power for the vehicle, and a battery climate system configured to move air from the cabin to the container. The vehicle may also include at least one controller configured to, while the vehicle is in a non-propulsion mode, receive a request to activate the battery climate system and, in response to the request, activate the battery climate system. | 07-07-2011 |
20110202223 | VEHICLE BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE HOLD FUNCTION AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT - A method and a system for controlling a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has first and second propulsion devices. The vehicle determines a calculated decline in state of charge (SOC) for a charge depleting mode for a battery coupled to the first propulsion device. The vehicle is operated to achieve the calculated decline in SOC. The vehicle operates the second propulsion device for at least a predetermined time after the second propulsion device is turned on during the charge depleting mode. | 08-18-2011 |
20110276205 | VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRIC MACHINE AND/OR ENGINE THEREIN - A total power demand including a wheel power demand may be observed. The wheel power demand may be modified to determine a modified total power demand including a modified wheel power demand if the total power demand falls within a target range of power values defined by upper and lower threshold power values such that the modified total power demand is generally equal to the lower threshold power value. | 11-10-2011 |
20130153354 | PRESSURE CONTROLLED DRIVELINE MECHANICAL COUPLING - A vehicle includes a motive power source, a transmission, and a clutch system. The vehicle further includes a controller that causes the clutch system to generate a generally constant clutch pressure to mechanically couple the motive power source and transmission as a line pressure associated with the transmission varies. | 06-20-2013 |
20130178330 | HYBRID VEHICLE AND CONTROL FOR A CLUTCH ENGAGING EVENT - A method for controlling a downstream clutch in a vehicle during an upstream torque disturbance includes slipping a downstream clutch by reducing the downstream clutch pressure, varying the downstream clutch pressure to a target threshold to control the slip of the downstream clutch, increasing the downstream clutch pressure to engage the downstream clutch. A vehicle includes a first prime mover, a second prime mover connected to the first prime mover using an upstream clutch, a transmission connected to the second prime mover using a downstream clutch, and a controller connected to the first and second prime movers and the upstream and downstream clutches. The controller is configured to (i) slip the downstream clutch by reducing the pressure, (ii) vary the downstream clutch pressure to a target threshold to control the slip, and (iii) increase the downstream clutch pressure to engage the clutch. | 07-11-2013 |
20130244829 | Transmission Control During Regenerative Braking - A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio. | 09-19-2013 |
20130296100 | Controlled Regenerative Braking Torque Incrementing in Hybrid Vehicle Downshift - A controller and control strategies minimize shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift during regenerative braking by maintaining the transmission input speed substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing. The controller and the control strategies control the regenerative braking torque during a downshift occurring during regenerative braking in such a way that the transmission input speed is maintained substantially linear when the transmission input speed is slowing during a torque phase of the downshift. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296104 | BIASED SPEED CONTROL FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE IN A HYBRID VEHICLE - A vehicle is provided with an engine, an electric machine connected to the engine by an upstream clutch, a transmission gearbox connected to the electric machine by a downstream clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) slip a downstream clutch, (ii) limit a torque output of an electric machine to a threshold value, (iii) engage an upstream clutch while the downstream clutch is slipping, and (iii) engage the downstream clutch. A method for controlling an electric machine in a vehicle during an upstream torque disturbance is provided. The downstream clutch is slipped and the torque output of an electric machine is limited to a threshold value. The upstream clutch is engaged while the downstream clutch is slipping. The downstream clutch is engaged. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296108 | Modular Hybrid Transmission with a One Way Clutch - A vehicle transmission system having a combustion engine, an electric motor and a transmission includes a first clutch operatively connected between the engine and the motor and a one way clutch. The one way clutch is connected in parallel with the first clutch that permits the engine to increase speed with the clutch disengaged until the engine speed matches the motor speed. The engine provides positive torque through the one way clutch to the motor and transmission upon matching the motor speed. The first clutch and the one way clutch may be a hybrid rocker one way clutch. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296109 | Method and Apparatus for Starting an Engine of a Modular Hybrid Transmission Based Upon Demanded Torque - A control system including a method and apparatus for operating a hybrid vehicle. A disconnect clutch selectively separates an electric machine from a combustion engine. If a wide open throttle or high torque command is requested and the combustion engine is shut down, a 12 volt starter may be used to start the combustion engine while disconnected from the electric machine and all of the electric machine torque available may be used for traction. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296113 | CONTROLLING A TRACTION MOTOR DURING ENGINE PULL-UP IN A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes an engine and a fraction motor. A clutch is configured to selectively mechanically couple the engine to the traction motor. A controller or controllers are provided that are configured to command a change in magnitude of an electric current supplied to the electric machine. The command is made in response to initiation of the clutch engaging the traction motor to the engine. The change in magnitude of the electric current ensures the speed of the traction motor remains generally constant during clutch engagement while a speed of the engine is less than that of the traction motor. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296114 | VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS OF A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes an engine, a traction motor, and a torque converter that is driven by the traction motor. A clutch arrangement mechanically couples an output of the torque converter to transmission gearing. A controller is provided in the vehicle that is configured to command an increase in slip, or decrease in clutch pressure, in the clutch arrangement in response to an increase in speed of the traction motor. The commanding of an increase in slip enables a product of the torque ratio of the torque converter and an input torque to the torque converter to remain generally constant during the increase in speed of the traction motor. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296128 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO MANAGE DRIVELINE OSCILLATIONS WITH CLUTCH PRESSURE CONTROL - A system and method for controlling a vehicle having an electric traction motor coupled to a transmission by a clutch include modifying torque transmitted to the driveline by modifying the clutch apply pressure in response to a difference between rotational speed of a driveline component and a filtered rotational speed of the driveline component to reduce driveline oscillation when the clutch is unlocked. The clutch pressure may be modified in response to a vehicle event that may otherwise induce driveline oscillations, such as a transmission ratio change or regenerative braking, for example. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297105 | ENGINE START FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric machine connected to the engine by an upstream clutch, a transmission gearbox connected to the electric machine by a downstream clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to start the engine using one of a plurality of start sequences that control the electric machine, the upstream and downstream clutches. The engine start sequence is selected based on transmission gearbox input speed and a driver demand input. A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle is provided. An engine is selectively coupled to an electric machine by an upstream clutch with the electric machine selectively coupled to a transmission gearbox by a downstream clutch. The engine is started using a control sequence to control the electric machine, upstream clutch, and downstream clutch. The control sequence is determined by a vehicle state based on transmission gearbox input speed and a driver demand input. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297108 | CONTROLLING A POWERTRAIN AND A CLUTCH OF A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes an engine and is at least partially propelled by a fraction battery and a traction motor. A clutch is configured to be coupled to the traction motor. An electrical and/or mechanical pump provides pressure to control the clutch. At least one controller determines if the clutch is slipping. In response to the clutch slipping, the at least one controller commands an increase in speed of an input of the clutch such that the available line pressure to control the slipping of the clutch is increased. The line pressure is then applied to the clutch in order to control the slipping of the clutch. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297109 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO MANAGE DRIVELINE OSCILLATIONS WITH MOTOR TORQUE ADJUSTMENT - A system and method for controlling a vehicle having an electric traction motor coupled to a transmission by a clutch include modifying traction motor torque in response to the difference between rotational speed of a driveline component and the filtered rotational speed of the driveline component to reduce driveline oscillation when the clutch is locked. The traction motor torque may be modified in response to a vehicle event that may otherwise induce driveline oscillations, such as a transmission ratio change or regenerative braking, for example. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297110 | LASH ZONE DETECTION IN A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method for controlling an electric vehicle having a traction motor connected to a driveline includes controlling traction motor output torque through a region surrounding the vehicle wheel torque reversal to mitigate torque disturbances in a driveline, wherein the region is determined using a relationship between driveline input torque and driveline output torque and is bounded by a zero input torque and a zero output torque. A hybrid electric vehicle has a traction motor, a driveline connected to a vehicle wheel, and a controller configured to control traction motor output torque through a region surrounding a vehicle wheel torque reversal to mitigate torque disturbances in the driveline. A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes a traction motor and a controller. The controller is configured to control traction motor output torque through a region surrounding a vehicle wheel torque reversal to mitigate torque disturbances in the driveline. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297111 | DRIVELINE LASH CONTROL METHOD DURING DRIVER TIP-IN/OUT - A hybrid electric vehicle has a traction motor, a driveline connected to a vehicle wheel, and a controller. The controller is configured to control motor torque through a region surrounding vehicle wheel torque reversal, control driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of driveline output torque, and control motor torque during a torque reversal of at least one driveline component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the driveline component. A method for controlling a vehicle having a traction motor includes controlling the traction motor torque through a region surrounding a vehicle wheel torque reversal, controlling driveline input torque during torque reversal of driveline output torque to limit rate of change of output torque, and controlling traction motor torque during a torque reversal of a powertrain component to limit rate of change of the torque applied to the component. | 11-07-2013 |
20130331230 | TRANSMISSION CONTROL DURING REGENERATIVE BRAKING - A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio. | 12-12-2013 |
20140148305 | Method and Apparatus for Limiting Engine Torque to Protect Disconnect Clutch in a Hybrid Vehicle - A powertrain comprising an engine, a motor, a disconnect clutch connected between the engine and the motor, and a transmission. The transmission is connected to the motor by a launch clutch and selectively and indirectly connected to the engine by the disconnect clutch. A controller receives an engine torque output signal and reduces the torque output of the engine to the clutch capacity limit value. A system and a method are also provided for controlling a powertrain for a hybrid vehicle. | 05-29-2014 |
20140277873 | CONTROL STRATEGY TO ALTER AVAILABLE WHEEL POWER IN A VEHICLE - A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine for providing propulsion forces to wheels of the vehicle. In an electric-only propulsion mode, the engine is disabled and the electric machine acts as the power source for the wheels. In a hybrid propulsion mode, the engine is activated to act as an additional power source for the wheels. At least one controller along with a plurality of sensors and positional information devices activate an active safety control signal in response to objects surrounding the vehicle that pose a threat to a potential collision event. In response to the active safety control signal, the engine can be either automatically started or stopped to provide additional available power or a reduced available power, respectively. | 09-18-2014 |
20140343756 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVELINE SOFTENING UTILIZING A VEHICLE TO CLOUD TO VEHICLE SYSTEM - A vehicle includes a power source, such as an engine, an electric machine, or combination thereof. A torque converter is selectively coupled to the power source such that torque is altered before being distributed into a transmission of the vehicle. A torque converter bypass clutch enables torque from the power source to selectively transmit torque directly to the transmission with little or no torque altering provided by the torque converter. At least one controller in the vehicle is in communication with a remote facility in a vehicle-to-cloud (V2C) system. The controller sends road condition data to the remote facility regarding a road segment. During a subsequent drive to or over the road segment, the controller receives the road condition data and enables the torque converter bypass clutch to slip to dampen driveline disturbances when the vehicle passes over the road segment. | 11-20-2014 |
20140352492 | Hybrid Electric Vehicle Engine Starting with a Preloaded Damper Spring - A method for starting an engine includes preloading a spring of a torsion damper by transmitting torque having a magnitude less than engine cranking torque from an electric motor through a clutch to the spring, before cranking the engine, increasing a torque capacity of the clutch, and using the electric motor to crank the engine in response to a command to start the engine. | 12-04-2014 |
20140373676 | ENGINE CRANKING TORQUE REFERENCED TO AN ENGINE STOP POSITION - A method for restarting a vehicle engine that is stopped at a known crank angle includes actuating a clutch located in a torque path between a starting motor and the engine with desired pressure related to the known crank angle during the restart, and using the starting motor to drive the engine during the restart. | 12-25-2014 |