Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for managing hybrid energy sources. The use of energy sources may be adjusted by an Adaptive Equivalent Consumption Management Strategy (A-ECMS) implemented on a supervisory controller. The A-ECMS may take into account both fuel economy and battery capacity degradation in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) to optimize fuel consumption with consideration of battery aging as determined using a severity factor received from the HEV powertrain. Optimal control approaches including Dynamic Programming and Pontryagin's Minimum Principle may be used to develop energy management strategies that optimally trade off fuel consumption and battery aging. Based on the optimal solutions, a real-time implementable battery-aging-conscious A-ECMS is implemented.

Abstract: A powertrain is adapted to drive ground-engaging elements disposed along longitudinally-opposing sides of a vehicle. The powertrain includes at least one engine, a first electric machine, a second electric machine, a third electric machine, a first differential mechanism and a second differential mechanism. The engine and first electric machine are operatively connected to the first and second differential mechanisms. The second electric machine is operatively connected to the first differential mechanism and the third electric machine is operatively connected to the second differential mechanism. The first and second differential mechanisms are each operatively connected to drivably engage one or more ground-engaging elements disposed on a different one of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle. A vehicle including such a powertrain as well as methods of using the same are also included.

Abstract: A transaxle (200) operatively connects a first associated rotational connection and a second associated rotational connection with an associated vehicle axle. An electrically-variable transmission includes an engine (108), a first electric machine (110) operatively connected to the engine, second and third electric machines (130 and 132), a first transaxle (126) operatively connecting the engine and second electric machine to an associated vehicle axle (104A), and a second transaxle (128) operatively connecting the first and third electric machines to another associated vehicle axle (104B). A method (300, 400, 500) is also included.

Abstract: A powertrain is adapted to drive ground-engaging elements disposed along longitudinally-opposing sides of a vehicle. The powertrain includes at least one engine, a first electric machine, a second electric machine, a third electric machine, a first differential mechanism and a second differential mechanism. The engine and first electric machine are operatively connected to the first and second differential mechanisms. The second electric machine is operatively connected to the first differential mechanism and the third electric machine is operatively connected to the second differential mechanism. The first and second differential mechanisms are each operatively connected to drivably engage one or more ground-engaging elements disposed on a different one of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle. A vehicle including such a powertrain as well as methods of using the same are also included.

Abstract: A transaxle (200) operatively connects a first associated rotational connection and a second associated rotational connection with an associated vehicle axle. An electrically-variable transmission includes an engine (108), a first electric machine (110) operatively connected to the engine, second and third electric machines (130 and 132), a first transaxle (126) operatively connecting the engine and second electric machine to an associated vehicle axle (104A), and a second transaxle (128) operatively connecting the first and third electric machines to another associated vehicle axle (104B). A method (300, 400, 500) is also included.

Abstract: Torque estimation techniques in the real-time basis for engine control and diagnostics applications using the measurement of crankshaft speed variation are disclosed. Two different torque estimation approaches are disclosed—“Stochastic Analysis” and “Frequency Analysis.” An estimation model function consisting of three primary variables representing crankshaft dynamics such as crankshaft position, speed, and acceleration is used for each estimation approach. The torque estimation method are independent of the engine inputs (air, fuel, and spark). Both approaches have been analyzed and compared with respect to estimation accuracy and computational requirements, and feasibility for the real-time engine diagnostics and control applications. Results show that both methods permits estimations of the indicated torque based on the crankshaft speed measurement while providing not only accurate but also relatively fast estimations during the computation processes.

Abstract: A model-based Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) system and method based on a hierarchical structure for monitoring overall vehicle system performance and diagnosing faults is disclosed. The FDI scheme uses the available sensors in a vehicle system and divides them into subsystems of smaller dimensions containing one or more modules that are related or interconnected. The same module may appear in a different subsystem, but the set of all subsystems does not have to contain all of the modules. For this structure, an FDI scheme comprising several detector units is created. Each detector unit receives information from the sensors and outputs a residual that is sent to a residual evaluation unit which processes the data and performs the residual evaluation for the selected subsystem. Finally, each subsystem outputs a decision that is sent to a supervisor unit performing the final diagnosis.

Abstract: A model-based Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) method and system for monitoring the overall performance in a vehicle system based on a hierarchical structure is disclosed. The FDI scheme uses the available sensors in a vehicle system and divides them into subsystems of smaller dimensions containing one or more modules that are related or interconnected. The same module may appear in a different subsystem, but the set of all subsystems does not have to contain all of the modules. For this structure, an FDI scheme comprising several detector units is created. Each detector unit receives information from the sensors and outputs a residual that is sent to a high-level detector unit which processes the data and performs the residual evaluation for the selected subsystem. Finally, each subsystem outputs a decision that is sent to a supervisor hazard detector performing the final diagnosis.

Abstract: Torque estimation techniques in the real-time basis for engine control and diagnostics applications using the measurement of crankshaft speed variation are disclosed. Two different torque estimation approaches are disclosed—“Stochastic Analysis” and “Frequency Analysis.” An estimation model function consisting of three primary variables representing crankshaft dynamics such as crankshaft position, speed, and acceleration is used for each estimation approach. The torque estimation method are independent of the engine inputs (air, fuel, and spark). Both approaches have been analyzed and compared with respect to estimation accuracy and computational requirements, and feasibility for the real-time engine diagnostics and control applications., Results show that both methods permits estimations of the indicated torque based on the crankshaft speed measurement while providing not only accurate but also relatively fast estimations during the computation processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating instantaneous torque in an internal combustion engine includes a comprehensive model of internal combustion engine dynamics. Instantaneous net torque is estimated using a model which describes the relationship between engine indicated torque and crankshaft angular velocity. The first method and apparatus perform an explicit model inversion to solve for individual cylinder combustion torques. The second method and apparatus perform an implicit model inversion for reconstructing combustion torques produced by individual combustion events in an internal combustion engine. Unknown input observers are used in the implicit model inversion. The individual cylinder combustion torques are monitored as an indication of engine performance.

Abstract: An ignition voltage analysis is performed to provide a combustion diagnosis. A first set of characteristic parameters are provided relating a plurality of spark plug voltage, current or gap impedance waveform signals to a plurality of combustion quality measures. A spark plug voltage, current or gap impedance waveform signal is sampled in real time during a first combustion process. A second set of characteristic parameters are then generated based upon the sampled first spark plug voltage waveform signal. The combustion process is classified as a one of a knocking combustion event, a normal combustion event, a slow burn event, a partial burn event, and a misfire event. The spark plug voltage, current or gap impedance waveform signals are classified according to a statistical closeness to parameters generated by a testing engine operated in each of the above operating modes.

Abstract: A trainable, pattern recognition-based method and system for detecting misfire in a reciprocating internal combustion engine having an engine cycle frequency in the frequency domain from crankshaft angular velocity. Preferably, a pattern recognition system including a neural network is utilized. Crankshaft angular position is sensed to develop an electrical signal which is a function of the crankshaft angular velocity. The electrical signal contains data which is sampled. The sampled data is transformed to an equivalent frequency domain spectrum including frequency components of the engine cycle frequency and harmonics thereof. A load signal such as mass airflow and an RPM signal are generated. The magnitudes and phases of the frequency components and the load and RPM signals are supplied to the neural network to distinguish between a true misfire and normal cyclic variability which characterizes the combustion process.

Abstract: An improved method and system are provided for the detection of internal combustion engine misfires utilizing optimum signal processing. The method and system exploit a measurement of engine crankshaft angular velocity in conjunction with hybrid electronic signal processing. Once the angular velocity signal is conditioned to minimize the effects of random error and external disturbances, four alternate computationally efficient methods may be used to extract information pertaining to individual cylinder torque productions. Two of the methods employ extremal samples of the estimated torque or velocity waveform to obtain a random torque nonuniformity index or metric. The other two methods utilize a transformation into the frequency domain after the input data is first sampled and windowed to substantially lower probability of error. All of the methods provide an M-dimensional torque non-uniformity vector of individual cylinder performance for each individual engine cycle.

Abstract: A hybrid method and system are disclosed for the detection of internal combustion engine misfires. The method and system are capable of detecting misfires even at very low occurrence rates in real time with inexpensive analog and digital (i.e. hybrid) electronics suitable for use on-board a vehicle, thus satisfying current and proposed exhaust emission control regulations. The method and system exploit a measurement of engine crankshaft angular velocity in conjunction with hybrid electronic signal processing. Once the angular velocity signal is conditioned to minimize the effects of random error and external disturbances, four alternate computationally efficient methods may be used to extract information pertaining to individual cylinder torque productions. Two of the methods employ extremal samples of the estimated torque or velocity waveform to obtain a random torque nonuniformity index or metric.

Abstract: A hybrid method and system are disclosed for the detection of internal combustion engine misfires. The method and system are capable of detecting misfires even at very low occurrence rates in real time with inexpensive analog and digital (i.e. hybrid) electronics suitable for use on-board a vehicle, thus satisfying current and proposed exhaust emission control regulations. The method and system exploit a measurement of engine crankshaft angular velocity in conjunction with hybrid electronic signal processing. Once the angular velocity signal is conditioned to minimize the effects of random error and external disturbances, four alternate computationally efficient methods may be used to extract information pertaining to individual cylinder torque productions. Two of the methods employ extremal samples of the estimated torque or velocity waveform to obtain a random torque nonuniformity index or metric. The other two methods utilize a transformation into the frequency domain.