Abstract: A compound-input is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The compound-input electrically variable transmission has improved input gear ratios that allow the vehicle engine to be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range during both city and highway vehicle operation. Further, the multi-speed input electrically variable transmission provides an input brake without the need for a dedicated input brake clutch or braking mechanism and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.

Abstract: A hybrid dual clutch transmission having a hybrid rotor-clutch system. The hybrid rotor-clutch system includes an engine disconnect clutch that selectively couples an engine to the rotor of an electric motor within the hybrid dual clutch transmission. A first clutch disk selectively couples a first input shaft of the hybrid dual clutch transmission to a first surface of the web of the rotor and a second clutch disk selectively couples a second input shaft of the hybrid dual clutch transmission to a second surface of the web of the rotor.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical drive unit connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member, a stationary member, and a torque-transmitting device. The drive unit also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement having a first, second, third, and fourth junction point. The power sources include a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The first motor/generator and the second motor/generator are disposed on a common rotating axis. The second motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the first junction point and the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point. Additionally, the first motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the fourth junction point. Furthermore, the torque-transmitting device is engageable to ground the third junction point to the stationary member.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical drive unit connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member, a stationary member, a gear-train, and a torque-transmitting device. The drive unit also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement having a first, second, third, and fourth junction points. The power sources include a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The second motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the first junction point via the gear-train and the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point. Additionally, the first motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the fourth junction point. Furthermore, the torque-transmitting device is engageable to ground the third junction point to the stationary member.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling first and second electric motors of a vehicle having an electrically variable transmission during an engine start/stop operation. The system and method determine an input speed profile and an input acceleration profile based on an optimum engine speed, determine a requested output torque based on a plurality of torque limits and a desired output torque, determine first and second feedforward motor torques based on a requested output torque and the input speed and input acceleration profiles, determine first and second feedback motor torques based on a difference between the input speed profile and an actual input speed, and using the feedforward and feedback first and second motor torques to control the operation of the first and second electric motors when an engine is being turned on or off.

Abstract: A mode selection control system and method for controlling an electrically variable transmission. The system and method calculate respective costs for operating the vehicle in a plurality of operating modes based on a battery discharge penalty and the costs associated with operating the electrical and mechanical portions of the transmission. The method selects an operating mode having the lowest calculated cost.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling first and second electric motors of a vehicle having an electrically variable transmission during an engine start/stop operation. The system and method determine a type of shift being performed, determine if a first clutch is being applied or released during the shift, determine if a second clutch is being applied or released during the shift, determine an acceleration limit based on the shift being performed and which clutch is being applied and/or released, determine acceleration and speed profiles based on the shift being performed, which clutch is being applied and/or released and the acceleration limit, determine a first electric motor torque and a second electric motor torque based on the acceleration and speed profiles, and set the torques of the first and second electric motors to the determined first and second electric motor torques.

Abstract: A motor operation control system and method for controlling first and second electric motors of an electrically variable transmission. The system and method determine a minimum battery power associated with a torque of the second electric motor, set the torque of the second electric motor based on the determined minimum battery power, and set a torque of the first electric motor based on the determined minimum battery power.

Abstract: A method for controlling a low-voltage circuit of a vehicle having a generator includes monitoring operating conditions of the vehicle and determining whether surplus generator load is available. Available surplus generator load is captured and used to power the low-voltage circuit. The low-voltage circuit may include a low-voltage battery, which may be charged with the surplus generator load. The surplus generator load may be utilized for anti-sulfation of the low-voltage battery. The method is usable with both a hybrid vehicle and a conventional vehicle. The method may further include powering the low-voltage circuit with energy stored in the low-voltage battery as a result of charging the low-voltage battery with the surplus generator load.

Abstract: A clutch system for a transmission having a clutch assembly and a brake assembly. The clutch system includes a clutch assembly and a brake assembly coupled to a planetary gear set, engine and two electric motors to reduce transmission complexity, costs, and efficiency losses. The clutch assembly also includes a wear compensation mechanism and a clutch separator mechanism.

Abstract: A method for preparing an internal combustion (IC) engine component of a hybrid automotive powertrain for shutdown so as to enable clean restart is disclosed herein. The method includes determining if the IC engine is about to enter a shutdown mode. The method includes determining a number of engine run cycles to fill an intake manifold of the IC engine with clean air, if it is determined the IC engine is about to enter the shutdown mode. The method includes running the IC engine for the determined number of cycles to fill the intake manifold of the IC engine with clean air before shutting the IC engine down.

Abstract: A method of output torque smoothing for a hybrid powertrain having an electric machine and a spark ignition engine with a first cylinder and a second cylinder includes commanding a fuel-cut transition, including consecutively initiating and completing deactivation of the first cylinder and initiating and completing deactivation of the second cylinder. The fuel-cut transition is characterized by an absence of retarding spark to the first cylinder and second cylinder. Fuel is supplied to the first cylinder until the first cylinder completes deactivation and to the second cylinder until the second cylinder completes deactivation. The electric machine captures a first torque from the first cylinder by generating electricity until the first cylinder completes deactivation and captures a second torque from the second cylinder by generating electricity until the second cylinder completes deactivation.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring operation of the torque machine, and limiting the motor torque output from the torque machine to a maximum allowable motor torque that is associated with an acceptable audible noise level when the motor speed of the torque machine is within a motor speed range associated with objectionable audible noise.

Abstract: A method for controlling regeneration of a battery includes determining a scaled value for a state of charge of the battery, a scaled value for a battery temperature and a scaled value for a maximum charging power of the battery. An actual battery temperature is then compared with a predetermined operating temperature. When the actual battery temperature is less than the predetermined operating temperature, an actual regeneration amount is calculated based upon the scaled value for the state of charge of the battery and the scaled value for the battery temperature. When the actual battery temperature is greater than the predetermined operating temperature, the actual regeneration amount is based upon the scaled value for the state of charge of the battery, the scaled value for the battery temperature, and the scaled value for the maximum charging power of the battery.

Abstract: Vehicle creep control includes executing a first control scheme to determine a preferred output torque as a first function of the operator input to the brake pedal when the actual direction of vehicle travel is a first direction and the operator-selected direction of vehicle travel is also the first direction, and executing a second control scheme to determine the preferred output torque as a second function of the operator input to the brake pedal when the actual direction of vehicle travel is a second direction and the operator-selected direction of vehicle travel is the first direction.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain system and a friction braking system, the powertrain system including a hybrid transmission operative in one of a fixed gear operating range state and a continuously variable operating range state to transmit torque between an input member and a torque machine and an output member coupled to a driveline.

Abstract: A method of operating an auxiliary pump for an electrically variable transmission includes purging the auxiliary pump when an auxiliary pump temperature is below a minimum operating temperature and above a minimum purge temperature. The auxiliary pump fluid temperature and the minimum purge temperature are determined based upon the transmission fluid temperature and the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A control method for a hybrid powerplant includes receiving a pre-transition signal, and selectively adjusting a combustion torque of an engine of the powerplant between a first torque value and a second torque value prior to a deactivation transition period based on the pre-transition signal, wherein the second torque value is less than the first torque value. The method further includes selectively adjusting an electric drive torque of an electric machine of the powerplant prior to the deactivation transition period based on the pre-transition signal and the combustion torque. The selectively adjusting the electric drive torque includes adjusting the electric drive torque such that a sum of the combustion torque and the electric drive torque is equal to a desired drive torque of the powerplant during a pre-transition period prior to the deactivation transition period. A related control system is also provided.

Abstract: Multi-mode operation is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission provides for multiple gear ratios and power flow configurations including fixed gear operation. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.

Abstract: A compound-input is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The compound-input electrically variable transmission has improved input gear ratios that allow the vehicle engine to be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range during both city and highway vehicle operation. Further, the multi-speed input electrically variable transmission provides an input brake without the need for a dedicated input brake clutch or braking mechanism and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.