Abstract: Provided is an intake manifold pressure control apparatus, or vacuum pump, for a hybrid propulsion system. The vacuum pump is operable to evacuate the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, thereby lowering the Manifold Absolute Pressure, or MAP, to a predetermined level to enable a quick restart of the internal combustion engine. This vacuum pump may also be used to evacuate hydrocarbons, or HCs, from within the intake system to prevent evaporative emissions from the intake manifold upon engine shutdown. In the preferred embodiment, the vacuum pump is operated by a motor that can simultaneously operate an auxiliary transmission oil pump. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of controlling the hybrid propulsion system to enable the manifold pressure control apparatus to lower the MAP value within the intake manifold as well as a method of evacuating HCs from the intake manifold upon engine shutdown.

Abstract: A method of performing a first start of an internal combustion engine of a hybrid electro-mechanical vehicle includes activating an auxiliary power module prior to the engine starting to direct power stored in a high voltage battery (used for powering the motor/generator(s) on the hybrid vehicle) through the auxiliary power module at a voltage level of a low voltage battery to assist the low voltage battery in powering a starter motor for starting the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine having at least one cylinder and an electric machine that drives the engine during a start-up period. A control module monitors a rotational speed of the engine and regulates torque generated by the electric machine based on the rotational speed during the start-up period and a maximum discharge power available to power the electric machine.

Abstract: An anti-rollback control system for a vehicle having a brake system includes a brake pedal that is operable to induce a brake pressure in the brake system and a control module that holds the brake pressure equal to a hold pressure that is based on an incline angle to inhibit rollback of the vehicle when pressure is relieved from the brake pedal. The control module initiates forward propulsion of the vehicle based on a driver input and reduces the brake pressure from the hold pressure concurrent to initiating the forward propulsion.

Abstract: A wheel slip control system includes wheel speed sensors that generate wheel speed signals and a control module that controls torque production of at least one of an engine and an electric motor and that detects a negative wheel slip based on the wheel speed signals. The control module increases torque production of at least one of the engine and the electric motor when the negative wheel slip is detected.

Abstract: An anti-rollback vehicle control system reduces vehicle rollback by restarting an engine based on a grade, a brake signal, and a calculated brake release rate. In a hybrid vehicle, the control system restarts the vehicle engine and electric motor. In a conventional powertrain vehicle that utilizes a transmission with a neutral-idle mode, the control system directs the transmission to exit neutral-idle mode. The grade may be estimated based on a vehicle acceleration rate, a vehicle driving force, and resistance factors.

Abstract: A fuel delivery control system includes a vehicle speed sensor that generates a vehicle speed signal and an engine rotational speed sensor that generates an engine rotational speed signal. A control module calculates at least one of an accelerator release delay period and a brake depression delay period based on the vehicle speed signal and the engine rotational speed signal and deactivates fuel delivery to said engine after waiting at least one of the accelerator release delay period after the accelerator pedal is released and the brake depression delay period after the brake pedal is depressed.

Abstract: The method of the present invention provides a variety of vehicle performance characteristics depending on the mode of operation. A first routine is initiated to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy for any given combination of vehicle speed and deceleration rate. The first routine may, according to a preferred embodiment, include a plurality of routines that are each configured to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy within a predefined range of vehicle speeds and deceleration rates. A second routine is initiated if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range. The second routine includes running the electric motor/generator while the hybrid vehicle is being stopped in order to control the driveline lash and thereby minimize disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start.

Abstract: A refresh control system that selectively initiates a refresh charge cycle includes an energy storage device and an electric machine that is operable to charge the energy storage device. A control module monitors a usage period of the energy storage device and determines a bias factor. The control module determines a modified usage period threshold based on a usage period threshold and the bias factor. The control module regulates the electric machine to initiate a refresh charge cycle of the energy storage device when the usage period exceeds the modified usage period threshold.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine having at least one cylinder and an electric machine that drives the engine during a start-up period. A control module monitors a rotational speed of the engine and regulates torque generated by the electric machine based on the rotational speed during the start-up period and a maximum discharge power available to power the electric machine.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle that includes an engine and an electric machine that selectively drives the engine. A control module monitors a deceleration rate of the vehicle and regulates fueling of the engine based on the deceleration rate. The control module regulates rotation of a crankshaft of the engine based on the deceleration rate.

Abstract: A vehicle control system reduces vehicle rollback upon brake release. The control system includes a brake system, a vehicle grade measurement device and a controller that modulates applied brake pressure of the brake system based on a grade measurement of the grade measurement device. The controller actuates brake-hold device communicating with the brake system based on the grade measurement through pulse width modulation. The control system communicates with a motor generator and an engine to provide a start power to the engine upon brake release based on the grade measurement. Fuel injectors of the engine are enabled upon brake release based on the grade measurement. The control system further communicates with a transmission forward clutch to provide selective rotational communication between the transmission and the engine based on the grade measurement.

Abstract: An automated method for controlling a vehicle having an engine and a transmission includes sensing knock activity in the engine. A transmission ratio applicable to the transmission is selected based on the sensed knock activity. This method allows a vehicle to be operated in a fuel-efficient manner while knock-sensitive operating conditions are avoided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the climate cooling in the passenger cabin of a hybrid motor vehicle. The apparatus includes an internal combustion engine capable of being started and temporarily stopped, an air conditioning compressor and a dedicated electric compressor motor coupled to drive the air conditioning compressor. Moreover, sensors are coupled to monitor selected parameters associated with the motor vehicle. An electronic controller is coupled to the internal combustion engine, the compressor motor and the sensors. The engine when running operates the compressor to provide cabin climate cooling. The controller responds to the selected parameters to selectively drive the compressor motor to selectively drive the compressor when the engine is temporarily stopped so that the climate cooling continues to be supplied to the cabin if certain monitored conditions are met.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling the fueling of a motor vehicle and specifically for controlling the cut off of fueling of a hybrid electric motor vehicle during deceleration of that motor vehicle. In a hybrid electric motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a motor/generator, and a continuously variable transmission, one embodiment of the method comprises the steps of sensing throttle position of the internal combustion engine and slewing the continuously variable transmission to a higher gear ratio in response to sensing a closed throttle position. The method further comprises the steps of cutting fueling of the internal combustion engine during the deceleration, and coupling the motor/generator in parallel with the internal combustion engine with the motor/generator operating as a generator.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling the fueling of a motor vehicle and specifically for controlling the cut off of fueling of a hybrid electric motor vehicle during deceleration of that motor vehicle. In a hybrid electric motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a motor/generator, and a continuously variable transmission, one embodiment of the method comprises the steps of sensing throttle position of the internal combustion engine and slewing the continuously variable transmission to a higher gear ratio in response to sensing a closed throttle position. The method further comprises the steps of, cutting fueling of the internal combustion engine during the deceleration, and coupling the motor/generator in parallel with the internal combustion engine with the motor/generator operating as a generator.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain control system including an electric motor drive system, a first battery coupled to the electric motor drive system, an electronically controlled switched coupled to the first battery, a second battery coupled to the electronically controlled switch, and where the electronically controlled switch applies power from the second battery to supplement the first battery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the climate cooling in the passenger cabin of a hybrid motor vehicle. The apparatus includes an internal combustion engine capable of being started and temporarily stopped, an air conditioning compressor and a dedicated electric compressor motor coupled to drive the air conditioning compressor. Moreover, sensors are coupled to monitor selected parameters associated with the motor vehicle. An electronic controller is coupled to the internal combustion engine, the compressor motor and the sensors. The engine when running operates the compressor to provide cabin climate cooling. The controller responds to the selected parameters to selectively drive the compressor motor to selectively drive the compressor when the engine is temporarily stopped so that the climate cooling continues to be supplied to the cabin if certain monitored conditions are met.

Abstract: Crank drive belt systems feature a triple pulley tensioner which may be applied in various ways to provide proper tensioning on belt spans adjacent a motor generator for both starting and generating functions of the system. The tensioner provides adequate belt wrap and damping functions for the systems. In a simplified embodiment, the belt system connects a crankshaft or crank pulley with a motor generator pulley and at least one accessory drive pulley, such as an air conditioner compressor. The triple pulley tensioner includes a fixed tensioner housing mounting a fixed rotatable pulley and two tensioner arms carrying pulleys for tensioning the belt spans on either side of the motor generator. The fixed pulley is positioned on a third belt span between the accessory and the crank and combines with the tensioner pulleys to maximize belt wrap around the MG pulley, the crank pulley, and the accessory pulley, if needed. Numerous alternative arrangements may be provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling manifold absolute pressure in a hybrid electric vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine in parallel with an electric motor/generator. The method includes the steps of monitoring the torque demand on the hybrid electric vehicle, monitoring the manifold absolute pressure magnitude and change rate of the internal combustion engine, supplying torque from the internal combustion engine to meet the torque demand; and supplying torque from the motor/generator to load-level the torque supplied from the internal combustion engine and to maintain the manifold absolute pressure of the internal combustion engine within an acceptable range and rate.