Abstract: A method of monitoring a performance level of a battery of a vehicle having an electronic control unit (ECU) includes enabling a charging diagnostic module (CDM) and determining, with the CDM, a charging status of the battery. The method also includes enabling a discharging diagnostic module (DDM) and determining, with the DDM, a discharging status of the battery. The charging status and the discharging status are recorded in a memory location of the ECU.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes the following: (a) receiving route data regarding a desired trip; (b) determining a load distribution along the desired trip based on the route data; (c) determining a load threshold based on the load distribution along the desired trip; (d) determining a charge depleting operating threshold based on a state of charge of the energy storage device; (e) commanding the powertrain to shift from a charge-depleting mode to a charge-sustaining mode when a load of the hybrid vehicle is equal to or greater than the load threshold; and (f) commanding the powertrain to shift from the charge-sustaining mode to the charge-depleting mode when the hybrid vehicle has traveled a distance that is greater than or equal to the charge-depleting operating threshold since the powertrain shifted from the charge-depleting mode to the charge-sustaining mode.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a battery module, an electric motor-generator unit (MGU), and a controller. The engine generates an engine torque. The battery module stores and outputs electrical energy. The MGU is in electrical communication with the battery module and is configured to generate a motor torque based, at least in part, on the electrical energy received from the battery module. The MGU generates electrical energy. The controller is in communication with at least one powertrain module. The controller is configured to receive a signal corresponding to a selected drive mode of the vehicle; adjust an account balance of a credit account as a function of the selected drive mode; and transmit a signal to at least one of the engine, the battery module, and the MGU to allow the vehicle to operate in the selected drive mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to allow for reliable consumption of GPS and Map information into a Control System, for such uses as improving off cycle fuel economy in a plug in hybrid vehicle with an electric motor, and an internal combustion engine using a global position system (GPS) is provided. The system comprises a global position system (GPS), a clock, and a processor containing a function executing therein that controls the internal combustion engine based on a GPS fix and its Accuracy Information (VDOP/HDOP/Satellite Quantity).

Abstract: A method of rationalizing a plurality of temperature sensors associated with a plurality of electrical systems of a vehicle includes: maintaining each of the respective electrical systems of the vehicle in a non-operational state for a predetermined period of time; receiving a temperature reading from each of the plurality of temperature sensors following the predetermined period of time; computing a master-reference temperature value from the plurality of received temperature readings; determining a difference between each of the respectively received temperature readings and the computed master-reference temperature value; comparing each determined difference to a threshold; and providing an indicator if one or more of the determined differences exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a first event and executing a first procedure to identify a sensor offset in response to detecting the first event. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, whether the sensor offset was measured during the execution of the first procedure, scheduling a second procedure to execute in response to detecting a second event if the sensor offset was not measured during the first procedure, and scheduling the first procedure to execute in response to detecting a subsequent occurrence of the first event if the sensor offset was measured during the first procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to allow for reliable consumption of GPS and Map information into a Control System, for such uses as improving off cycle fuel economy in a plug in hybrid vehicle with an electric motor, and an internal combustion engine using a global position system (GPS) is provided. The system comprises a global position system (GPS), a clock, and a processor containing a function executing therein that controls the internal combustion engine based on a GPS fix and its Accuracy Information (VDOP/HDOP/Satellite Quantity).

Abstract: A method and system used to identify an optimal hybrid vehicle operating mode based on a variety of potential factors, and then recommend the optimal operating mode to the driver so that they can make an informed decision regarding their operating mode selection. In one embodiment, the method uses geographic-, vehicle- and/or environmental-related factors to establish one or more operating zones, monitors the location of the hybrid vehicle and determines when it is within one of the operating zones, and then determines an operating mode that is optimal for that particular operating zone.

Abstract: A method and system used to identify an optimal hybrid vehicle operating mode based on a variety of potential factors, and then recommend the optimal operating mode to the driver so that they can make an informed decision regarding their operating mode selection. In one embodiment, the method uses geographic-, vehicle- and/or environmental-related factors to establish one or more operating zones, monitors the location of the hybrid vehicle and determines when it is within one of the operating zones, and then determines an operating mode that is optimal for that particular operating zone.

Abstract: A method of rationalizing a plurality of temperature sensors associated with a plurality of electrical systems of a vehicle includes: maintaining each of the respective electrical systems of the vehicle in a non-operational state for a predetermined period of time; receiving a temperature reading from each of the plurality of temperature sensors following the predetermined period of time; computing a master-reference temperature value from the plurality of received temperature readings; determining a difference between each of the respectively received temperature readings and the computed master-reference temperature value; comparing each determined difference to a threshold; and providing an indicator if one or more of the determined differences exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A method of detecting an in-range failure of a brake pedal position sensor includes calculating the difference between a minimum position and a maximum position of the brake pedal position sensor. The calculated difference is weighted to define a fast test weighted input value and/or a full test weighted input value. A cumulative test result value is incremented by the fast test weighted input value and/or the full test weighted input value. The cumulative test result value is filtered to define a moving average of the cumulative test result value after each incremented occurrence. The moving average of the cumulative test result value is tracked to determine if the brake pedal position sensor is functioning properly.

Abstract: A distributed on-board diagnostic (OBD) architecture for a control system of a vehicle includes a plurality of control modules that are in communication with one another and a designated master OBD control module that is one of the plurality of control modules. The master OBD control module performs functions that a remainder of the plurality of control modules are incapable of performing including at least one of arbitrating a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) state, arbitrating and storing OBD freeze frame data and determining OBD status flags of the remainder of the plurality of control modules.

Abstract: Method for detecting a fault condition in a vehicular hydraulic circuit during a drive cycle using an electric pump includes monitoring an actual pump torque and monitoring a desired pump torque. A current confidence factor is determined based on the actual pump torque and the desired pump torque. An average confidence factor is iteratively calculated based on the current confidence factor and previously determined confidence factors. The average confidence factor is compared to a fault condition threshold. An absence of the fault condition in the hydraulic circuit is detected when the average confidence factor is at least the fault condition threshold, and a presence of the fault condition in the hydraulic circuit is detected when the average confidence factor is less than the fault condition threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a belt, and a controller. The engine is configured to output torque via a crankshaft. The motor is configured to apply torque to and/or receive torque from the engine via an output shaft. The belt is operably disposed on the crankshaft of the engine and the output shaft of the motor. Rotation of the output shaft is transferred to the crankshaft via the belt. The controller is configured to identify a slip event by comparing a speed of the motor to a speed of the engine. The controller is further configured to count the number of slip events and diagnose a belt failure if the number of slip events exceeds a predetermined number of slip events over a predetermined number of drive cycles.

Abstract: A vehicular powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine. A method for operating the powertrain includes monitoring operator inputs, monitoring a transmission output, and terminating an engine operating mode when a time-rate change in the transmission output exceeds a threshold absent a change in the monitored operator inputs.

Abstract: A system for robust fault detection in an electrically variable, hydraulically controlled transmission includes independently monitoring hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic control circuit and electric machine rotation for detecting clutch state faults.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an onboard diagnostic system for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes incrementing the denominator of an N/D ratio for the onboard diagnostic system only when a total time criteria, a vehicle speed criteria and an idle criteria are satisfied after an internal combustion engine of the vehicle has been fueled. The diagnostic system performance is summarized into a single N/D ratio. When an underperforming ratio is identified, the system controls the engine to provide more engine operation and subsequent diagnostic observability. The denominator of the N/D ratio is compared to a verification denominator to identify vehicles that are typically operated in a manner such that an engine-on cycle does not begin, or is not identified, until very near the end of the drive cycle, thereby preventing the denominator and a numerator of the N/D ratio from incrementing, and thereby providing a false passing performance ratio.

Abstract: An example hybrid vehicle includes a control unit that generates a control signal representing an expected torque, a first actuator that generates a first torque, a second actuator that generates a second torque associated with operating characteristics of the second actuator, and a gearbox that can receive the torque generated by the first and second actuators. A controller can determine whether the first torque produced by the first actuator is substantially the same as the expected torque based on one or more operating characteristics of the second actuator. An example method includes deriving an actual torque of the first actuator based on the operating characteristics of the second actuator, defining a torque deviation from the actuator torque and the expected torque, comparing the torque deviation to a calibration threshold, and diagnosing that the first actuator has failed if the torque deviation exceeds the calibration threshold.

Abstract: Control of operation of a hybrid powertrain is provided, wherein mechanical power flow to an output is controlled through selective actuation of torque-transfer clutches. Electric machines are coupled to an energy storage system for electric power flow. The electro-mechanical transmission is operated in a continuously variable operating range state, and, operation of the transmission is monitored. Absence of a mismatch between the commanded continuously variable operating range state and an actual operating state of the transmission is determined. Presence of a mismatch between the commanded operating range state and the actual operating state of the transmission may be determined. Operation of the powertrain is modified when a mismatch between the commanded operating range state and the actual operating state of the transmission is detected.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. Powertrain operation includes monitoring operator inputs, and determining input speeds and changes in input speeds for the internal combustion engine and the electric machine. The input speeds are compared to threshold input speeds, and the changes in input speeds are compared to threshold changes in input speeds. Input torques of the internal combustion engine and the electric machine are reduced when any one of the input speeds and changes in input speeds exceeds the corresponding threshold.