Abstract: A method for detecting sustained combustion in the engine of a hybrid electric powertrain that includes a starter/generator driveably connected to the engine, a transmission for driving a load, and an input clutch for opening and closing a drive connection between the electric machine and the transmission, includes the steps of using the starter/generator to produce torque and crank the engine, preparing the engine to produce combustion, producing torque capacity across the input clutch while slipping the clutch, and continuing use of the starter/generator until a sum of the crankshaft torque applied by the starter/generator and the crankshaft torque applied by the transmission is less than some torque threshold for a predetermined period length.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the amount of torque generated by at least torque generating device in a vehicle is provided. A vehicle layer transmits arbitrated torque request signals indicative of first and second amounts of torque and at least one torque reservation request signal indicative of whether the vehicle is in an anticipated vehicle dynamic state or in a non-anticipated vehicle dynamic state. A coordination layer controls the torque generating device to generate the first amount of torque in response to the arbitrated torque request signal and the torque reservation request signal indicating that the vehicle is in the non-anticipated vehicle dynamic state. The coordination layer controls torque generating device to generate the second amount of torque in response to the arbitrated torque request signal and the torque reservation request signal indicating that the vehicle is in the anticipated vehicle dynamic state.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle. The hybrid propulsion system including a multiple step fixed-gear transmission device for transmitting torque to a first at least one drive wheel, a first electric energy conversion device coupled to an input of the multiple step fixed-gear transmission device, and a control system, during a deceleration condition, the control system increasing negative torque output of the first electric energy conversion device to meet a desired wheel braking torque in response to the multiple step fixed-ratio transmission transitioning from a first gear ratio to a second gear that is higher than the first gear ratio.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle.

Abstract: In a powertrain that includes wheels for driving a vehicle, a crankshaft, a machine driveably connected to the crankshaft and able to operate alternately as an electric motor and electric generator, a transmission including an input clutch driveably connected to the crankshaft and an output driveably connected to the wheels, a method for controlling idle speed including producing a desired magnitude of input clutch torque capacity, producing a desired wheel torque, using an error represented by a difference between a desired crankshaft idle speed and a current crankshaft speed to determine a desired change in torque produced by the machine, using the magnitude of input clutch torque capacity and the desired change in torque produced by the machine to determine a desired magnitude machine torque, and using the machine to produce said desired magnitude of machine torque.

Abstract: A pulse charging profile for a vehicle battery is synchronized with driver or vehicle demanded current disturbances by phase tracking the fundamental frequency of the desired pulse charging profile to those driver or vehicle demanded current disturbances. When these driver or vehicle demanded disturbances are not active, the tracked charging profile is honored.

Abstract: In a powertrain that includes wheels for driving a vehicle, an engine including a crankshaft, a machine driveably connected to the crankshaft and able to operate alternately as an electric motor and electric generator, a transmission including an input clutch driveably connected to the crankshaft and an output driveably connected to at least two of the wheels, and an electric storage battery having a variable state of charge and electrically connected to the machine, a method for controlling vehicle creep including adjusting a torque capacity of the input clutch to a desired magnitude of input clutch torque transmitted to the wheels, determining a desired change in torque produced by the machine such that a speed of the crankshaft is controlled to a desired idle speed, using the magnitude of input clutch torque capacity and the desired change in torque produced by the machine to determine a desired magnitude machine torque, and using the machine to produce said desired magnitude of machine torque.

Abstract: In a hybrid electric vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine that produces torque and an electric machine that produces torque, a method for operating the electric machine to produce electric assist to the engine includes determining a magnitude of power requested by the vehicle operator, determining a minimum power limit and a maximum power limit of the engine that will produce a response to a torque request within a desired period following the torque request, using the magnitude of power requested, the minimum and maximum power limits of the engine to determine the upper and lower limits of the electric power assist such that the requested torque will be provided within the desired period, and operating the electric machine to provide electric power assist within said upper and lower limits.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle powertrain that includes a first power path including a first electric machine driveably connected to a first wheel set and a second power path including a second electric machine driveably connected to a second wheel set, including determining a desired wheel torque required to hold the vehicle stationary on an inclined surface, determining a temperature of the first machine and a first reference temperature, determining a torque capacity of the first power path, and using the first power path to produce the desired wheel torque, if the temperature of the first electric machine is less than the first reference temperature and the torque capacity of the first power path is greater than the desired wheel torque.

Abstract: A method for controlling the launch of a vehicle having a powertrain that includes a first power path for driving a first wheel set and including an engine, a transmission having an input driveably connected to a crankshaft of the engine, a current gear, an input clutch associated with the current gear and an output connected to first wheel set, and a second power path including an electric machine for driving a second wheel set.

Abstract: In a powertrain that includes an engine having a filter for removing particulate matter from engine exhaust gas, and an electric machine driveably connected to the engine, a method for controlling temperature of the filter including operating the engine to produce a magnitude of positive crankshaft power for driving the vehicle, increasing the temperature of the engine exhaust gas by operating the electric machine to increase load on the engine, and regenerating the particulate filter by passing engine exhaust gas at the increased temperature through the particulate filter.

Abstract: In a powertrain for a vehicle that includes an engine, a transmission having an input, a current gear, an input clutch, a target gear and an output for driving a load, and an electric machine for driving the load, a method for performing a gearshift from the current gear to the target gear comprising the steps of opening the input clutch, releasing a drive connection between the current gear and the output, producing a drive connection between the target gear and the output, using the electric machine to produce torque at the load, closing the input clutch; and reducing the torque produced by the electric machine.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hybrid propulsion system for a passenger vehicle is provided. The system comprises at least one drive wheel; a first motor coupled to the drive wheel; a second motor; a transmission including a first end coupled to the drive wheel and a second end coupled to the second motor; and a control system configured to control operation of the first and second motor to each provide vehicle braking torque, wherein transmission state is adjusted in response to an amount of braking torque provided by the first motor and an amount of braking torque provided by the second motor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle is provided. The system comprises at least one drive wheel; a first motor coupled to the drive wheel, said first motor configured to selectively generate electrical energy from kinetic energy received at the drive wheel; a second motor configured to selectively generate electrical energy from kinetic energy received at the drive wheel; a transmission including a first end coupled to the first motor and a second end coupled to the second motor; and a control system configured to vary a level of electrical energy generated by the first motor relative to the second motor in response to a thermal condition of at least one of said first and second motors to provide vehicle braking.

Abstract: A method for detecting sustained combustion in the engine of a hybrid electric powertrain that includes a starter/generator driveably connected to the engine, a transmission for driving a load, and an input clutch for opening and closing a drive connection between the electric machine and the transmission, includes the steps of using the starter/generator to produce torque and crank the engine, preparing the engine to produce combustion, producing torque capacity across the input clutch while slipping the clutch, and continuing use of the starter/generator until a sum of the crankshaft torque applied by the starter/generator and the crankshaft torque applied by the transmission is less than some torque threshold for a predetermined period length.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle launch using a transmission having an input, a current gear, an input clutch associated with a target gear and an output, an engine and an electric machine for driving the input, includes the steps of using the engine and the first electric machine to drive the transmission input at a desired magnitude of torque, determining a desired magnitude of torque capacity of the input clutch, determining a crankshaft speed error, determining a magnitude of a change in torque capacity of the input clutch that will reduce the crankshaft speed error, and increasing the torque capacity of the input clutch to a desired torque capacity whose magnitude is determined by adding the current magnitude of torque capacity of the input clutch and said change in torque capacity of the input clutch.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle launch using a transmission having an input, a current gear, an input clutch associated with a target gear and an output, an engine and an electric machine for driving the input, includes the steps of determining a desired magnitude of torque to be produced at the transmission output, producing a predetermined magnitude of torque capacity of the input clutch, operating the engine such that a magnitude of torque at the transmission output is substantially equal to the desired transmission output torque, determining an crankshaft speed error, determining a desired change in torque at the transmission input that will reduce the crankshaft speed error, adjusting a magnitude of torque produced by the first electric machine such that the magnitude of torque at the transmission input is substantially equal to the desired torque at the transmission input, and engaging the input clutch.