Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque capacity of a driveline disconnect is coordinated with torque control of an electric machine immediately following engine starting. The electric machine and the driveline disconnect clutch may assist starting of an engine, or alternatively, the engine may be started via a starter motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for electrical power distribution. In one example, a system includes plurality of electric consumers comprising one or more operating modes with different levels of power consumption, an energy storage and an electric machine arranged in the vehicle and configured to provide energy to the energy storage device or power to the electric consumers and torque to wheels of the vehicle, a power allocating device coupled to the energy storage device and the plurality of electric consumers, and a controller configured to maintain two indices for allocating power to the plurality of electric consumers, wherein a first index comprises a first power allocation strategy based on power from only the energy storage device and a second index comprises a second power allocation strategy based on power from the energy storage device and the electric machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque capacity of a driveline disconnect is coordinated with torque control of an electric machine immediately following engine starting. The electric machine and the driveline disconnect clutch may assist starting of an engine, or alternatively, the engine may be started via a starter motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing an efficiency of a modular hybrid transmission (MHT) of a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a method for operating an MHT comprises, at one or more control modules, determining an upper torque bound and a lower torque bound of a feedback controller based on a feedforward (FF) engine torque value, the feedback controller controlling a torque of an electric motor of the hybrid vehicle; and constraining operation of the electric motor via the feedback controller based on the upper and lower torque bounds. The electric motor may be controlled by a hybrid powertrain control module of the MHT. The upper and lower torque bounds may be calculated at a powertrain control module of the MHT based on torque converter losses.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a powertrain of a vehicle. In one example, the powertrain may include a first torque source, a second torque source, and an automatic transmission. The powertrain may further include a first controller configured to control the first torque source and a second controller configured to control the second torque source. The second controller stores instructions in non-transitory memory that when executed cause the second controller to command the first controller to control a torque of the first torque source via a feedforward torque value of the second torque source calculated at the second controller which is adjusted based on a degree of difference between a proximity term and a difference between the torque of the first torque source and a first torque source limit, the first torque source limit calculated at the second controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing closed-in-bore diagnostics for a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, select operating conditions may be evaluated before closed-in-bore diagnostics may be initiated. In addition, charging of one or more batteries may be reduced to ensure that an engine throttle may operate with a small opening amount to evaluate the presence or absence of sludge in the engine throttle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing closed-in-bore diagnostics for a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, select operating conditions may be evaluated before closed-in-bore diagnostics may be initiated. In addition, charging of one or more batteries may be reduced to ensure that an engine throttle may operate with a small opening amount to evaluate the presence or absence of sludge in the engine throttle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a hybrid vehicle from park or neutral to drive or reverse are presented. In one example, a requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission disengaging indication and a transmission disengaging timer when a transmission is being disengaged from a gear. In another example, the requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission engaging indication and a transmission engaging timer when the transmission is being engaged to a gear.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a hybrid vehicle from park or neutral to drive or reverse are presented. In one example, a requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission disengaging indication and a transmission disengaging timer when a transmission is being disengaged from a gear. In another example, the requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission engaging indication and a transmission engaging timer when the transmission is being engaged to a gear.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for electrical power distribution. In one example, a system includes plurality of electric consumers comprising one or more operating modes with different levels of power consumption, an energy storage and an electric machine arranged in the vehicle and configured to provide energy to the energy storage device or power to the electric consumers and torque to wheels of the vehicle, a power allocating device coupled to the energy storage device and the plurality of electric consumers, and a controller configured to maintain two indices for allocating power to the plurality of electric consumers, wherein a first index comprises a first power allocation strategy based on power from only the energy storage device and a second index comprises a second power allocation strategy based on power from the energy storage device and the electric machine.

Abstract: A plugin hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a battery, an electric machine, and a controller. The vehicle is operable in a primary electric vehicle driving mode (EV mode) and in a hybrid electric vehicle driving mode (HEV mode). The controller is programmed to receive input from the driver representing a desired operating mode and a desired energy reservation. If the desired operating mode is HEV mode, then a state of charge (SOC) offset is established as the smaller of a maximum SOC offset and an allowable SOC offset, otherwise, the SOC offset is established based on the desired energy reservation. The vehicle is operated based on the SOC offset.

Abstract: A drive system for an electric vehicle includes an input capacitor selectably coupled to a DC power source (e.g., battery) by a contactor. A variable voltage converter couples the input capacitor to a main link capacitor, and an inverter couples the main capacitor to a machine load (e.g., motor and/or generator). During a normal or emergency shutdown, the contactor is opened. In order to quickly discharge the input capacitor when the contactor opens, A) the converter operates in a boost mode to transfer charge from the input capacitor to the main capacitor until the input capacitor discharges to less than a threshold voltage, B) the converter deactivates to prevent transferring charge from the main capacitor to the input capacitor, and C) the main capacitor can then be discharged through the inverter.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are presented to transfer energy between an energy storage device (ESD) at an electrified vehicle (EV) and an AC or DC external load such as an electric grid, appliance or power tool. A portable EVETA can engage an EV charge inlet couple an EV, and can provide an AC outlet, a grid interface and a DC connector for coupling external loads. An EVETA can be used at a remote construction site or campsite to power high current equipment, obviating the need to transport an electric generator. An EVETA can be configured for data and control communication with the EV to coordinate energy transfer. An EVETA can receive a predetermined ESD state of charge limit so that the transfer process can be terminated to preserve sufficient charge for EV return to a desired destination. A human machine interface enables user input reception and information display.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are presented to transfer energy between an energy storage device (ESD) at an electrified vehicle (EV) and an AC or DC external load such as an electric grid, appliance or power tool. A portable EVETA can engage an EV charge inlet couple an EV, and can provide an AC outlet, a grid interface and a DC connector for coupling external loads. An EVETA can be used at a remote construction site or campsite to power high current equipment, obviating the need to transport an electric generator. An EVETA can be configured for data and control communication with the EV to coordinate energy transfer. An EVETA can receive a predetermined ESD state of charge limit so that the transfer process can be terminated to preserve sufficient charge for EV return to a desired destination. A human machine interface enables user input reception and information display.

Abstract: A drive system for an electric vehicle includes an input capacitor selectably coupled to a DC power source (e.g., battery) by a contactor. A variable voltage converter couples the input capacitor to a main link capacitor, and an inverter couples the main capacitor to a machine load (e.g., motor and/or generator). During a normal or emergency shutdown, the contactor is opened. In order to quickly discharge the input capacitor when the contactor opens, A) the converter operates in a boost mode to transfer charge from the input capacitor to the main capacitor until the input capacitor discharges to less than a threshold voltage, B) the converter deactivates to prevent transferring charge from the main capacitor to the input capacitor, and C) the main capacitor can then be discharged through the inverter.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle powertrain includes driving first wheels using an electric machine, starting an engine, using a second electric machine driven by the engine to produce synchronous speed at a input of a transmission having a desired gear engaged, engaging a clutch that connects said input and the engine, and using the engine and the transmission to drive second wheels.

Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle creep includes controlling motor speed to produce the desired creep speed, if desired creep speed exceeds vehicle speed; controlling motor torque to produce the desired wheel torque, if desired wheel torque exceeds actual wheel torque; and controlling motor torque to decelerate the vehicle to creep speed, if vehicle speed is decreasing and exceeds the desired speed.

Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain includes determining maximum and minimum series-drive power limits of powertrain electric components; operating in parallel-drive if vehicle speed exceeds a reference, demanded wheel power is between said limits, or demanded engine power exceeds a reference demanded engine power; and operating in series-drive if vehicle speed is less than a reference, demanded wheel power is between said limits, and demanded engine power is less than a reference engine power.

Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle creep includes controlling motor speed to produce the desired creep speed, if desired creep speed exceeds vehicle speed; controlling motor torque to produce the desired wheel torque, if desired wheel torque exceeds actual wheel torque; and controlling motor torque to decelerate the vehicle to creep speed, if vehicle speed is decreasing and exceeds the desired speed.

Abstract: In a hybrid electric motor vehicle , a power supply system for storing and supplying electrical power includes a motor-generator located onboard the vehicle, driveably connected to the vehicle wheels and producing AC electric power, an energy storage device for alternately storing and discharging electric power, an inverter coupled to the motor-generator and the energy storage device for converting alternating current produced by the motor-generator to direct current transmitted to the energy storage device, and for converting direct current stored in the energy storage device to alternating current transmitted to the motor-generator, an off board source of AC electric power located external to the vehicle, and a charger coupled to said electric power source and the energy storage device for supplying DC electric power to the energy storage device from said AC electric power source.