Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110166730 | ENGINE TRANSIENT MITIGATION FOR HYBRID VEHICLES - A method and system for limiting a fast transient in an engine in a hybrid vehicle is provided. The predicted fuel loss percentage is calculated from an inferred air-fuel ratio (inferred lambda). The rate limit term is calculated from a measured air-fuel ratio (measured lambda) and an engine torque command change rate. The predicted fuel loss percentage and the rate limit term are inputs into a calibration table to determine an engine power rate limit and an engine torque rate limit. An engine torque command is limited using the engine torque rate limit to control a fast engine torque transient for an engine. An engine power command is limited using the engine power rate limit to control the fast engine power transient for the engine. | 07-07-2011 |
20110172865 | Method For Optimizing Powertrain Efficiency For A Vehicle - A vehicle powertrain includes an engine, an electric machine operable to output torque to at least one vehicle wheel, and an electric power source operable to provide electric power to the electric machine. A method for optimizing powertrain efficiency includes generating a plurality of three-dimensional maps of optimized engine speeds for combinations of vehicle power and vehicle speed at a plurality of predetermined powers of the electrical power source. Each of the maps corresponds to one of the predetermined powers of the electrical power source. The maps are used to determine an optimized engine speed for a given power of the electrical power source, a given vehicle power and a given vehicle speed. | 07-14-2011 |
20110263379 | Multiple-Mode Power Split Hybrid Powertrain - A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having a mechanical power source and an electro-mechanical power source, including a generator, a motor and a battery. Driving torque developed by the mechanical power source is delivered through one clutch of a geared transmission to a power output shaft. The electric motor of the electro-mechanical power source delivers driving torque through a second clutch of the geared transmission. A mechanical reverse drive torque is used to improve reverse drive performance. A reduction in duration of operation in a negative power split during a driving event is achieved to improve vehicle powertrain efficiency. A series drive is available as the mechanical power source drives the generator to charge the battery, which drives the motor. The generator may act as an engine starter motor. | 10-27-2011 |
20110288712 | METHOD TO PRIORITIZE ELECTRIC-ONLY VEHICLE (EV) MODE FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicle and method for controlling the vehicle includes identifying an EV-priority zone for the vehicle along a trip path, determining the position of the vehicle with respect to the expected upcoming EV-priority zone; implementing an electric-only mode of operation of the vehicle based on the position of the vehicle and a current operating mode of the vehicle; and implementing a charging mode of operation of the vehicle based on the position of the vehicle and a current operating mode of the vehicle. | 11-24-2011 |
20120116620 | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle and Method of Control for Providing Distance to Empty and Equivalent Trip Fuel Economy Information - A powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) includes an engine, a fuel tank, a battery, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a distance to empty value as a sum of fuel in the fuel tank and a battery equivalent amount of fuel, the sum multiplied by an average fuel economy of the PHEV based on a driving condition of the vehicle. | 05-10-2012 |
20120197503 | ENGINE RESTART STRATEGY - A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a transmission having a neutral state and an engaged state, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a restart condition for the engine; and to classify the restart condition as one of: (i) a no wheel torque restart condition, and (ii) a wheel torque restart condition. The state of the transmission is set based on the restart condition classification, and the engine is started. | 08-02-2012 |
20130261966 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A VEHICLE ROUTE - A method for determining a route for a vehicle includes receiving input indicative of a driver's dynamic control of the vehicle, determining the driver's driving style based on the input, and selecting values of parameters representing the driver's anticipated dynamic control of the vehicle based on the driving style. The method also includes identifying a plurality of candidate routes between an origin and destination, partitioning each of the candidate routes into a set of predefined route patterns, and determining an energy usage associated with each of the candidate routes based on the selected values and the set of predefined route patterns defining the candidate route. The method further includes identifying the candidate route having the minimum energy usage and providing output describing the route having the minimum energy usage. | 10-03-2013 |
20140046577 | INITIATING PREPARATIONS FOR ENGINE AUTOSTOP PRIOR TO VEHICLE STOP - A stop/start vehicle includes at least one controller that, in response to predicting a vehicle stop, initiates an engine pre-shutdown protocol such that vehicle subsystems begin to prepare for engine shutdown prior to a speed of the vehicle reaching approximately zero to reduce time between the speed of the vehicle reaching approximately zero and engine shutdown. | 02-13-2014 |