Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090124450 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING MECHANICAL POWER TO OPERATE A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An automotive transmission transitions from a drive gear to a neutral gear when an engine is shutdown. During a rolling pull-up, a crankshaft of the engine will be spun up to a desired speed and the transmission will transition from the neutral gear to an appropriate gear based on a shift schedule. A target transmission input speed is commanded to be a synchronous speed plus an offset to smoothly transition out of electric axle drive propulsion. | 05-14-2009 |
20100218916 | PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE SECONDARY COOLING SYSTEM - A system for utilizing heat generated by a component of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes a first component having a first coolant system extending therethrough. The first coolant circulation system includes a first radiator. The system also includes a second component having a second coolant circulation system extending therethrough. The second coolant circulation system is in fluid communication with the first coolant circulation system. The first coolant system is configured is to selectively direct heated coolant from the first component to the second component. | 09-02-2010 |
20100230197 | Auto-Seek Electrical Connection for a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle - An auto-seek operating mode for a vehicle adjusts the vehicle in a direction transverse to a vehicle central axis using a vehicle power steering system and using a motor and a battery to advance the vehicle toward a target connector for a utility power grid for charging the battery. If needed, vertical vehicle position adjustments are made using a controllable vehicle suspension system. | 09-16-2010 |
20100292901 | HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A POWERTRAIN THEREIN - A method for controlling a hybrid electric powertrain includes, in response to a request to increase a powertrain braking force on at least one of a plurality of traction wheels, (i) commanding at least one clutch to increase a gear ratio of a transmission, and (ii) during clutch stroke, commanding an electric machine to act as a generator such that the electric machine applies a braking force to at least one of the traction wheels. | 11-18-2010 |
20110005850 | Powertrain And Method For Controlling A Powertrain In A Vehicle - A powertrain for a vehicle having an air intake includes an engine and an electric machine. The engine includes a manifold configured to receive intake air entering through the vehicle air intake, and a throttle disposed between the air intake and the manifold. The powertrain also includes a compressor disposed between the air intake and the manifold, and operable to compress the intake air before it enters the engine. A pressure sensor disposed downstream of the compressor and upstream of the throttle provides air pressure signals to a control system that determines a driver demand and operates the electric machine to boost torque output of the powertrain when the driver demand requires operation of the compressor and the driver demand is not met by the engine. The torque boost of the electric machine is based at least in part on signals output from the pressure sensor. | 01-13-2011 |
20110031049 | System For Using Mechanical Power To Operate A Hybrid Electric Vehicle - An automotive transmission transitions from a drive gear to a neutral gear when an engine is shutdown. During a rolling pull-up, a crankshaft of the engine will be spun up to a desired speed and the transmission will transition from the neutral gear to an appropriate gear based on a shift schedule. A target transmission input speed is commanded to be a synchronous speed plus an offset to smoothly transition out of electric axle drive propulsion. | 02-10-2011 |
20110118078 | Vehicle And Method For Controlling Engine Start In A Vehicle - A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine at the lowest engine speeds when the engine-required torque is the highest. This reduces the amount of torque necessary to be supplied from the motor/generator, and further helps to reduce torque disturbances in the driveline. If the motor/generator is producing torque to propel the vehicle at the time the engine start is requested, a launch clutch or one or more transmission clutches can be controlled to provide slip between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline. | 05-19-2011 |
20110118915 | Vehicle And Method For Controlling Engine Start In A Vehicle - A vehicle includes a motor/generator, a starter motor, a disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator, and at least one clutch disposed between the motor/generator and the vehicle drive wheels. When an engine start is requested, various parameters are controlled to ensure a smooth engine start wherein driveline torque disturbances are minimized. The starter motor is used to crank the engine upon an engine start request, thereby eliminating the need to transfer torque from the motor/generator to the engine. This helps to further reduce torque disturbances in the driveline when the engine is started. | 05-19-2011 |
20110172862 | Multiple-Ratio Transmission Downshift Strategy for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrains - A control system and method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain supplies battery power boost torque to vehicle traction wheels to modify shift points for a multiple ratio transmission in the powertrain. A shift schedule is adjusted to avoid a downshift for small changes in torque demand, thus reducing shift frequency due to small transient changes in torque demand. | 07-14-2011 |
20120029750 | AUTO-SEEK ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR A PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An auto-seek operating mode for an electric vehicle adjusts the vehicle in a direction transverse to a vehicle central axis using a vehicle power steering system and using a motor and a battery to advance the vehicle toward a target connector for a utility power grid for charging the battery. If needed, vertical vehicle position adjustments are made using a controllable vehicle suspension system. | 02-02-2012 |
20130151054 | AUTO-SEEK ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR A PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An auto-seek operating mode for an electric vehicle adjusts the vehicle using a vehicle power steering system and a vehicle traction motor to move the vehicle toward a target connector for a utility power grid to charge a vehicle traction battery. If needed, vertical vehicle position adjustments may be made using a controllable vehicle suspension system. | 06-13-2013 |
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 |
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 |
20130297106 | HYBRID VEHICLE CONTROL UTILIZING GRADE DATA - A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle having a step ratio transmission is disclosed. The method utilizes terrain data to reduce the number of shift events. The method comprises receiving data indicative of a grade profile of an anticipated route, identifying a forecast shift sequence comprising a forecast downshift event and an adjacent forecast upshift event, and adjusting the shift criteria based on the time between the forecast shift events, the road grade between the forecast shift events, and the state of a storage battery. | 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 |
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 |
20140148309 | Method and Apparatus for Reducing Torque During a Transmission Upshift for a Hybrid Vehicle - A hybrid vehicle powertrain that has an engine and an electric machine that may separately or jointly provide torque to a multi-speed transmission. A drivetrain including the engine and the motor is controlled to reduce the requested level of torque provided to the transmission during an upshift. The method is initiated by a request for a reduction of the level of torque and checking the operating state of the engine. If the engine is not on, the torque from the motor is reduced. If the engine is on, the torque from the motor is reduced first and then the torque from the engine is reduced to the requested level of torque. | 05-29-2014 |
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 |
20150099607 | 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 torque converter and lock-up 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. | 04-09-2015 |
20150202964 | HYBRID VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine, and friction brakes configured to resist rotation of a vehicle wheel. The further includes at least one controller programmed to (i) issue a command for the electric machine to apply a regenerative torque to decelerate the vehicle in response to driver braking demand, and (ii) cause both a decay in the regenerative torque and a countervailing increase in the resistance of the friction brakes when vehicle speed is reduced to less than a first threshold such that braking demand is substantially satisfied by only the friction brakes when the vehicle speed is less than a second threshold. | 07-23-2015 |
20150251657 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING HYBRID VEHICLE REGENERATIVE BRAKING - A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine configured to selectively apply regenerative braking torque to decelerate the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to control a rate of change of a regenerative braking torque limit during a transmission downshift that occurs during a regenerative braking event based on a change in speed of an output shaft of the powertrain caused by the transmission downshift. | 09-10-2015 |
20150267808 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVELINE SOFTENING IN A VEHICLE - 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 drive torque can be altered before being distributed into a transmission of the vehicle. A torque converter bypass clutch enables torque from the power source to selectively transmit 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 storage device. The controller sends road condition data to the storage device 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. | 09-24-2015 |