Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080307811 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A COMPRESSOR - The embodiments described herein include a control system and method for a compressor that is operable with a climate system. The control system enables optimal climate system operation by efficiently controlling the operating speed of the compressor. | 12-18-2008 |
20090105037 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A PROPULSION SYSTEM OF AN ALTERNATIVELY POWERED VEHICLE - Inverters of a hybrid electric vehicle are cooled by a coolant. Expected temperature differences between the inverters and the coolant are determined based on vehicle parameters. Actual temperature differences between the inverters and the coolant are compared to the expected temperature differences. A maximum output torque is reduced if the actual temperature differences exceed the expected temperature differences. | 04-23-2009 |
20090140521 | GENERATOR POWER-BASED COLD START STRATEGY - The method of the invention controls engine speed during engine starting for a hybrid electric vehicle that includes a battery, an engine and a generator, acting as a motor, whereby generator torque assists the engine to develop a stable running speed throughout an engine start event, particularly a cold engine start event, without violating battery power limits. | 06-04-2009 |
20090210108 | Engine Speed Control for an Engine in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain for Improved Noise, Vibration and Harshness - A control strategy is disclosed for regulating speed of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain that includes an electric motor and gearing. An electrical power flow path and a mechanical power flow path are established. Electrical power is coordinated with mechanical power to effect an arbitrated engine speed for a given power demand that will result in an acceptable noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristic for the powertrain and an acceptable powertrain efficiency. | 08-20-2009 |
20100023194 | Method for Reducing Gear Rattle in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain - A method for controlling a powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine and a motor and gearing for establishing power flow paths from the engine and the motor with common gear elements to vehicle traction wheels. An engine power bias is applied to an engine power command and a bias to a motor torque command to avoid an operating mode in which motor torque is at or near zero, whereby gear rattle due to torque disturbances is avoided. | 01-28-2010 |
20100106352 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AN OVERALL EFFICIENCY OF A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A system and method for determining and displaying an overall efficiency value of a vehicle. The vehicle may include an engine and an electric machine that operates to provide torque to propel the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle may have an electric power source that provides electric power to the electric machine. A controller may determine and transmit the overall efficiency value so that the information display displays the number of efficiency indicators. Also, the number of efficiency indicators displayed may be based on the overall efficiency value. | 04-29-2010 |
20100152941 | System And Method For Displaying Vehicle Efficiency - A system and method for determining and displaying an overall efficiency value of a vehicle. The vehicle may include an engine and an electric machine that operates to provide torque to propel the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle may have an electric power source that provides electric power to the electric machine. A controller may determine and transmit the overall efficiency value so that the information display displays the number of efficiency indicators. Also, the number of efficiency indicators displayed may be based on the overall efficiency value. | 06-17-2010 |
20100265050 | Vehicle Information Display And Method - An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system determines which engine on reasons are true and applies a prioritization strategy to determine which engine on reasons are displayed to an operator via an information display. | 10-21-2010 |
20100300125 | AUTOMOTIVE CLIMATE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - An automotive climate control system includes an evaporator, a variable speed compressor and a controller. The controller is configured to periodically alter a previous target evaporator temperature at a selected rate to generate a current target evaporator temperature, select a target compressor speed based on a difference between an actual evaporator temperature and the current target evaporator temperature, and command the compressor to operate at the target compressor speed. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305795 | System And Method For Displaying Power Flow In A Hybrid Vehicle - A system and method is provided for determining a mode of operation of a hybrid vehicle, obtaining torque data and speed data based on the mode of operation, and displaying component icons as well as a graphical representation of power flows. The graphical representation of power flows is displayed between pairs of the component icons. The component icons represent components of the hybrid vehicle including an engine, a battery, drive wheels, and an electric machine arrangement. | 12-02-2010 |
20110093187 | System And Method For Displaying Vehicle Efficiency - A system and method for determining and displaying an overall efficiency value of a vehicle. The vehicle may include an engine and an electric machine that operates to provide torque to propel the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle may have an electric power source that provides electric power to the electric machine. A controller may determine and transmit the overall efficiency value so that the information display displays the number of efficiency indicators. Also, the number of efficiency indicators displayed may be based on the overall efficiency value. | 04-21-2011 |
20110095878 | Vehicle Information Display And Method - An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system also indicates how close the engine is to turning on due to an engine on reason by displaying a proximity indicator representing a value associated with the engine on reason and a threshold demarcating values which cause the engine to be on. | 04-28-2011 |
20110164993 | AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMPTION OF A COMPRESSOR THEREIN - A method for controlling power consumption of a compressor of an automotive vehicle climate system may include identifying an energy source providing energy to power the compressor and selecting an operating parameter of the climate system based on the identified energy source to control power consumption of the compressor. | 07-07-2011 |
20110227715 | Vehicle Information Display And Method - An information display system includes an information display that communicates relevant information relating to the operation of a vehicle. The information display conveys a score representing lifetime or long-term driving or operating efficiency of the vehicle. The score can be conveyed numerically or graphically using a number of indicators, or both. Each indicator may correspond to a different achievement level attained for efficient driving or vehicle use behavior. | 09-22-2011 |
20110307137 | GENERATOR POWER-BASED COLD START STRATEGY - A system and method for controlling engine starting in a hybrid electric vehicle that includes a battery, an engine and a generator acting as a motor control generator power during engine starting so that generator torque complements or assists the engine to develop a stable running speed throughout an engine start event, particularly a cold engine start event, without violating battery power limits. | 12-15-2011 |
20130073129 | VEHICLE DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - An information display system includes an information display that communicates relevant information relating to the operation of a vehicle. The information display conveys a score representing lifetime or long-term driving or operating efficiency of the vehicle. The score can be conveyed numerically or graphically using a number of indicators. Each indicator may correspond to a different achievement level attained for efficient driving or vehicle use behavior. | 03-21-2013 |
20130166123 | VEHICLE SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING TRAVEL RANGE - A vehicle system is provided with a controller and an interface communicating with the controller. The controller is configured to receive input that is indicative of available electric energy of a storage device, actual electrical power usage of a climate control system, and thermal requests. The controller is also configured to generate output that is indicative of an estimated travel range in response to the input. The interface is configured to display a range indicator based on the estimated travel range. | 06-27-2013 |
20130173111 | DRIVING BEHAVIOR FEEDBACK INTERFACE - One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's acceleration behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's acceleration behavior. The acceleration behavior feedback can be used to coach future driving acceleration behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the acceleration behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173128 | Driving Behavior Feedback Interface - One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's braking deceleration behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's braking deceleration behavior. The braking deceleration behavior feedback can be used to coach future braking deceleration behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the braking deceleration behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173129 | DRIVING BEHAVIOR FEEDBACK INTERFACE - One or more embodiments of the present application may provide a system and method for monitoring driver inputs and vehicle parameters, assessing a driver's cruising speed behavior, and providing short-term and/or long-term feedback to the driver relating to the driver's cruising speed behavior. The cruising speed behavior feedback can be used to coach future cruising speed behavior that may translate into better long-term driving habits, which in turn may lead to improvements in fuel economy or vehicle range. Moreover, the cruising speed behavior feedback can be adapted to a driver based upon how responsive the driver is to the feedback. | 07-04-2013 |
20140058647 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OIL DILUTION CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine in a hybrid vehicle in response to fuel and water dilution of engine lubricating oil. An engine oil dilution counter may be adjusted based on a number of engine hot starts and duration of engine operation above a threshold temperature. In addition, the counter may be adjusted if the engine is started to deplete stale fuel in the fuel tank. | 02-27-2014 |
20140109872 | PHEV Heating Modes to Provide Cabin Comfort - A vehicle is disclosed that has multiple coolant paths selected by control of a valve. A valve system is configured to direct coolant from an engine to a heat exchanger according to a difference between a temperature associated with the engine and a temperature associated with the heat exchanger. The valve system is also configured to direct coolant from the engine to an electric heater and to, in response to a heat demanded from the heat exchanger being greater than a heat capability of the electric heater, request the engine to run. A method is disclosed for controlling a valve to change from an isolation position in which the valve isolates coolant circulating through an electric heater and the valve from coolant circulating through an engine to a non-isolation position in which the valve directs coolant from the engine to the electric heater. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114512 | USER OVERRIDE FOR ELECTRIC-ONLY OPERATION OF A HYBRID VEHICLE - A vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. The vehicle controller is configured to (i) in response to the user interface receiving input selecting an electric-only operating (EV) mode, disable the engine such that the vehicle is propelled by the electric machine, (ii) in response to the user interface receiving input overriding EV mode, re-enabling the engine for a predetermined time period. A vehicle is provided with a controller. In response to input selecting an electric-only operating (EV) mode, an engine is disabled such that the vehicle is propelled by an electric machine. In response to user power demand being greater than power available during the EV mode, a prompt is generated inquiring whether to override the EV mode. In response to user confirmation to override the EV mode, the engine is re-enabled to satisfy the user power demand. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114513 | SYSTEM OVERRIDE FOR USER SELECTED ELECTRIC-ONLY OPERATION OF A HYBRID VEHICLE - A vehicle, a control system for a vehicle having a user interface, and a method of controlling a vehicle are provided. In response to input selecting an electric-only operating mode, an engine is disabled such that the vehicle is propelled by an electric machine. In response to detecting a predefined vehicle state while the electric-only operating mode is selected, the engine is re-enabled such that the vehicle is propelled by at least one of the engine and electric machine. In response to detecting an absence of the predefined vehicle state while the electric-only operating mode is selected, the engine is disabled such that the vehicle is propelled by the electric machine. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114514 | DELAYED ELECTRIC-ONLY OPERATION OF A HYBRID VEHICLE - A vehicle and a method for controlling the vehicle include a controller configured to, in response to a user command to delay electric-only operation of the vehicle, selectively operate an electric machine and an engine to propel the vehicle such that a state of charge of a traction battery electrically connected with the electric machine is generally maintained at a target value within a predefined range of states of charge. A vehicle includes a powertrain and a controller. The controller is configured to (i) operate the powertrain in a charge deplete mode and a charge sustain mode, and (ii) in response to a user request, operate the powertrain in the charge sustain mode if the state of charge is within a predefined range of states of charge when the request is received. | 04-24-2014 |
20150025721 | HYBRID VEHICLE ENGINE WARM-UP - A hybrid powertrain system includes an engine, an electric machine, a battery pack, and at least one controller. If the controller detects that a temperature associated with the engine is less than a predefined value, it may request power output by the engine to increase such that the temperature increases to a threshold temperature if a state of charge of the battery pack is less than one hundred percent. | 01-22-2015 |
20150066260 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ENABLE A COAST-DOWN MODE - A vehicle may include at least one electric machine, a traction battery, and a voltage boost converter electrically connecting the at least one electric machine and traction battery. The vehicle may further include at least one controller programmed to, in response to a request for drive mode while in a passive neutral mode, enable the boost converter and drive an output voltage of the boost converter to a predetermined target. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to the output voltage achieving the predetermined target, enable the at least one electric machine and drive a current through the at least one electric machine to zero such that an output torque of the at least one electric machine is approximately zero; and in response to the current achieving approximately zero, increase the current through the at least one electric machine such that the output torque is greater than zero. | 03-05-2015 |
20150066261 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ENABLE A COAST-DOWN MODE - A vehicle includes an engine and a non-selectable-gear transmission having an electric machine mechanically coupled to the engine. The vehicle may have one or more controllers programmed to, in response to a request for passive neutral mode, pull-down the engine and inhibit engine pull-up while disabling the electric machine such that the vehicle coasts with minimal rotational inertia and electrical losses. The one or more controllers may be further programmed to, in response to a subsequent request for drive mode during the passive neutral mode, permit engine pull-up while enabling the electric machine such that the vehicle resumes drive. | 03-05-2015 |
20150066333 | CONTROL STRATEGY FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE WITH A DISABLED MOTOR - A method for controlling an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle according to the present disclosure includes, in response to a drive motor being unavailable, commanding an engine power equal to the lesser of a first and a second power. The first power is sufficient to satisfy a driver wheel torque request at the current engine speed, and the second power corresponds to a maximum engine torque available at a target engine speed, where the target engine speed is selected to attain a desired battery state of charge. | 03-05-2015 |