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: Methods and apparatus are provided for providing a torque boost in an electric motor system at low speeds. The electric motor system comprises an alternating current (AC) synchronous electric motor, an inverter and a controller. The inverter is coupled to the AC synchronous electric motor and provides electric control therefore. The controller is coupled to the inverter and provides operational control signals thereto for operation of the electric motor. The controller includes a torque command gain block which modifies a torque command to generate a boosted torque signal in response to a detected speed of the electric motor, the torque command modified to define the boosted torque signal defined in accordance with a torque dependent scaling factor calculated in response to the torque command.

Abstract: A control system for enabling an engine to operate in a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) mode is provided. The system includes: an enable module that selectively enables a DFCO mode based on an accelerator pedal position; and an engine speed module that regulates engine speed based on turbine speed during a predetermined time period after the DFCO mode is enabled.

Abstract: A hybrid engine control system comprises a hybrid engine control module and a torque mitigation module. The hybrid engine control module selectively stops an internal combustion engine (ICE). The hybrid engine control module selectively starts the ICE based upon driver inputs and non-driver inputs. The torque mitigation module reduces torque transfer from the ICE to a driveline while the ICE is started based upon the non-driver inputs and maintains torque transfer from the ICE to the driveline while the ICE is started based upon the driver inputs. A method comprises selectively stopping an internal combustion engine (ICE); selectively starting the ICE based upon driver inputs and non-driver inputs; reducing torque transfer from the ICE to a driveline while the ICE is started based upon the non-driver inputs; and maintaining torque transfer from the ICE to the driveline while the ICE is started based upon the driver inputs.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture is provided to control an automatic transmission which includes a hydraulic fluid circuit having an electrically-driven auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump. It includes determining the internal combustion engine is shut off during vehicle operation, and monitoring fluidic pressure at a plurality of locations in the hydraulic circuit. Operation of the electrically-driven auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump is commanded to an elevated voltage level when the engine is shut off and the fluidic pressures fail to register substantially proper pressure levels. It includes discontinuing operation of the electrically-driven auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump when the engine is subsequently commanded on, or when an elapsed measure of time has passed, or when the monitored fluidic pressures register substantially proper pressure levels.

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: A method and system to control transmission shifting in a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission is provided, wherein a command for a transmission up-shift is detected, and, inhibited, based upon operator input, engine speed, and vehicle operating conditions. A fuel cutoff event is immediately implemented, along with electrical energy regeneration using vehicle kinetic energy. Operator input includes monitoring accelerator pedal input, and inhibiting the command for the transmission up-shift when a tip-out event occurs. The command for inhibiting the transmission up-shift is discontinued when an accelerator pedal tip-in is detected, or accelerator pedal position is greater than a calibrated value, or when engine output torque exceeds a torque threshold, or when engine speed exceeds a speed threshold.

Abstract: A method and system to capture energy during regenerative braking while managing driveline disturbances by controlling locking and unlocking of a torque-converter clutch based upon operator input, typically throttle position or accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, and engine load is offered. The exemplary vehicle has an engine, a torque converter with a clutch, and a transmission device. Vehicle kinetic energy is transmittable to an electrical machine using the transmission device and the torque converter. It includes monitoring an operator demand for power, engine operating speed, and, engine load; and, actuating the locking clutch for the torque converter based upon the operator demand for power, the engine operating speed, and, the engine load.

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: A method of regulating a throttle opening of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle system includes initiating a fuel-cut off operating mode of the engine, monitoring an engine speed during said fuel cut-off operating mode and regulating the throttle opening based on the engine speed during the fuel-cut off mode to maintain a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of the engine above a threshold MAP.

Abstract: A fuel economy (FE) indicator lamp regulation system for a hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes an FE indicator lamp, a first module that calculates an instantaneous FE of the hybrid electric vehicle and a second module that determines a velocity of the hybrid electric vehicle. A third module switches the FE indicator lamp between an on state and an off state based on the instantaneous FE and the vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method of regulating a crankshaft position in a hybrid electric vehicle includes deactivating cylinders of an internal combustion engine, driving a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine using an electric machine, and determining a target crankshaft position when a rotational speed of the crankshaft crosses a first threshold. The crankshaft is driven towards the target crankshaft position at a nudge rotational speed, and rotation of the crankshaft is braked using the electric machine when a brake crankshaft position is achieved at the target rotational speed. Rotation of the crankshaft is arrested at the target position.

Abstract: A control system for controlling an electric machine (EM) of a hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The system includes: an enable module that selectively enables a motoring mode of the EM based on ambient air temperature; and an EM control module that commands the EM to provide motoring torque as a function of engine speed during the motoring mode.

Abstract: A control system for enabling an engine to operate in a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) mode is provided. The system includes: an enable module that selectively enables a DFCO mode based on an accelerator pedal position; and an engine speed module that regulates engine speed based on turbine speed during a predetermined time period after the DFCO mode is enabled.

Abstract: A method of regulating operation of a hybrid vehicle traveling on a surface having a grade includes determining a drive force of the hybrid vehicle, calculating a brake pressure value and determining whether a grade freeze condition exists based on the brake pressure value. The method further includes calculating a grade value of the surface based on the drive force when the freeze condition does not exist and regulating operation of the hybrid vehicle based on the grade value.

Abstract: An electrical charging strategy and system for a high voltage electrical energy storage system able to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The system charges the electrical energy storage system so state-of-charge at the end of a trip is substantially unchanged. The strategy and system employs opportunity charging to achieve maximum energy efficiency of the hybrid system, thus minimizing fuel consumption and maximizing fuel economy. The charging system operation is controlled, based upon: the state-of-charge of the electrical energy storage system, and, the operating efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Battery life is likewise extended through use of this strategy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for dynamically counteracting torque steer which includes a processor adapted to calculate a correction factor from a calculated axle torque on front wheel drive half shafts of the vehicle. A power circuit is provided responsive to the calculated correction factor to provide an offset current through the power steering unit or the braking system of the vehicle to counteract the torque steer.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture is provided to control an automatic transmission which includes a hydraulic fluid circuit having an electrically-driven auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump. It includes determining the internal combustion engine is shut off during vehicle operation, and monitoring fluidic pressure at a plurality of locations in the hydraulic circuit. Operation of the electrically-driven auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump is commanded to an elevated voltage level when the engine is shut off and the fluidic pressures fail to register substantially proper pressure levels. It includes discontinuing operation of the electrically-driven auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump when the engine is subsequently commanded on, or when an elapsed measure of time has passed, or when the monitored fluidic pressures register substantially proper pressure levels.

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: 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.