Abstract: A vehicle includes an electrified propulsion system powered by a traction battery over an electrical distribution system (EDS) and a controller programmed to monitor at least one of a current flow and a temperature at a plurality of locations throughout the EDS. The controller is also programmed to implement at least one mitigation action over a predetermined time window in response to detecting a filtered current value exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electrified propulsion system powered by a traction battery over an electrical distribution system (EDS) and a controller programmed to monitor at least one of a current flow and a temperature at a plurality of locations throughout the EDS. The controller is also programmed to implement at least one mitigation action over a predetermined time window in response to detecting a filtered current value exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically operate a vehicle in an electric mode when an actual speed of the vehicle is at or below a set threshold, and to automatically operate the vehicle in a hybrid mode when the actual speed is above the set threshold. The method further including adjusting the set threshold using a selector device such that the set threshold is changed without influencing the actual speed. Another exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically initiate a transition of a vehicle from an electric mode to a hybrid mode, or from the hybrid mode to the electric mode. The controller initiates the transition in response to a comparison of a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle to a threshold state of charge that is configured to be adjusted by an operator.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically operate a vehicle in an electric mode when an actual speed of the vehicle is at or below a set threshold, and to automatically operate the vehicle in a hybrid mode when the actual speed is above the set threshold. The method further including adjusting the set threshold using a selector device such that the set threshold is changed without influencing the actual speed. Another exemplary method includes using a controller to automatically initiate a transition of a vehicle from an electric mode to a hybrid mode, or from the hybrid mode to the electric mode. The controller initiates the transition in response to a comparison of a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle to a threshold state of charge that is configured to be adjusted by an operator.

Abstract: An example method includes operating an electric vehicle in an electric mode when a speed of the electric vehicle is at or below a threshold speed, and operating the electric vehicle in a hybrid mode when the speed of the electric vehicle is above the threshold speed. The threshold speed is an operator-adjustable threshold speed. Another example method includes operating an electric vehicle in an electric mode when a state of charge of a battery of the electric vehicle is at a threshold state of charge, and operating the electric vehicle in a hybrid mode when the state of charge of the battery is at or below the threshold state of charge.

Abstract: An example method includes operating an electric vehicle in an electric mode when a speed of the electric vehicle is at or below a threshold speed, and operating the electric vehicle in a hybrid mode when the speed of the electric vehicle is above the threshold speed. The threshold speed is an operator-adjustable threshold speed. Another example method includes operating an electric vehicle in an electric mode when a state of charge of a battery of the electric vehicle is at a threshold state of charge, and operating the electric vehicle in a hybrid mode when the state of charge of the battery is at or below the threshold state of charge.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine, an electric machine operable to output torque to at least one vehicle wheel, and an electric power source operable to provide electric power to the electric machine. A method for optimizing powertrain efficiency includes generating a plurality of three-dimensional maps of optimized engine speeds for combinations of vehicle power and vehicle speed at a plurality of predetermined powers of the electrical power source. Each of the maps corresponds to one of the predetermined powers of the electrical power source. The maps are used to determine an optimized engine speed for a given power of the electrical power source, a given vehicle power and a given vehicle speed.

Abstract: A hybrid-electric powertrain and control method for a vehicle having forward traction wheels and rearward traction wheels in an all-wheel drive configuration. An engine and an electric motor deliver power through delivery paths to the traction wheels. The power delivery paths may have multiple ratio gearing so that more power can be delivered mechanically to improve powertrain performance and to allow the electric motor size to be reduced. The powertrain includes a controller for automatically balancing power distribution to the forward and rearward traction wheels to avoid wheel slip.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine, an electric machine operable to output torque to at least one vehicle wheel, and an electric power source operable to provide electric power to the electric machine. A method for optimizing powertrain efficiency includes generating a plurality of three-dimensional maps of optimized engine speeds for combinations of vehicle power and vehicle speed at a plurality of predetermined powers of the electrical power source. Each of the maps corresponds to one of the predetermined powers of the electrical power source. The maps are used to determine an optimized engine speed for a given power of the electrical power source, a given vehicle power and a given vehicle speed.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain includes an electrical power source with an electric motor, a generator and a battery. A mechanical power source is an engine with a direct-start fuel injection feature. The direct-start feature provides engine starting torque at high vehicle speeds during a transition from a fully electric drive mode to a drive mode using both power sources.

Abstract: A hybrid-electric powertrain and control method for a vehicle having forward traction wheels and rearward traction wheels in an all-wheel drive configuration. An engine and an electric motor deliver power through delivery paths to the traction wheels. The power delivery paths may have multiple ratio gearing so that more power can be delivered mechanically to improve powertrain performance and to allow the electric motor size to be reduced. The powertrain includes a controller for automatically balancing power distribution to the forward and rearward traction wheels to avoid wheel slip.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus 10 for transferring torque from at least one torque generator 12, 14 to at least one wheel 20 of a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus 10 includes a operatively coupled pair of clutches 24, 26 which cooperatively provide a dynamically adjustable gear ratio, effective to allow the vehicle to be quickly and efficiently launched and efficiently operated after launch.

Abstract: The invention is a controller for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to meet driver expectation when forward wide open throttle (WOT) acceleration is requested while optimizing the total powertrain system efficiency and performance, especially when the engine is not even running. The controller can consider accelerator position, PRNDL position, and vehicle speed and start the engine if an estimated sum torque of a traction motor and generator motor is less than the calculated sum torque output of the traction motor and the engine at any given speed. Other control variables can include battery condition such as operating capacity, temperature, and state of charge. A constant can be added to allow a prestart of the engine to assure it is available when needed to maintain vehicle WOT acceleration requests.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus 10 for transferring torque from at least one torque generator 12, 14 to at least one wheel 20 of a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus 10 includes a operatively coupled pair of clutches 24, 26 which cooperatively provide a dynamically adjustable gear ratio, effective to allow the vehicle to be quickly and efficiently launched and efficiently operated after launch.