Abstract: A method for distributing electrical power to electric motors in an electric powertrain, in which the electric motors are electrically connected to a shared power supply, includes receiving input signals via a supervisory controller. The input signals include a total torque request of the electric powertrain and electrical limits of the power supply. The method includes determining an open-loop torque command for each respective motor in response to the input signals. In response to the total torque request and the power supply limits, the controller also determines maximum and minimum power limits of motor, with the maximum and minimum power limits including a calibrated power reserve for executing a predetermined torque operation. The method includes transmitting the open-loop torque command and the power limits to a respective motor control processor of each motor to thereby control the torque operation.

Abstract: A method for distributing electrical power to electric motors in an electric powertrain, in which the electric motors are electrically connected to a shared power supply, includes receiving input signals via a supervisory controller. The input signals include a total torque request of the electric powertrain and electrical limits of the power supply. The method includes determining an open-loop torque command for each respective motor in response to the input signals. In response to the total torque request and the power supply limits, the controller also determines maximum and minimum power limits of motor, with the maximum and minimum power limits including a calibrated power reserve for executing a predetermined torque operation. The method includes transmitting the open-loop torque command and the power limits to a respective motor control processor of each motor to thereby control the torque operation.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes an electric machine, a torque converter, a transmission, a hydraulic pump, and a controller, and it is arranged to transfer mechanical power to a driveline. The torque converter includes a clutch, a pump, and a turbine, and the electric machine is rotatably coupled to the hydraulic pump and to the torque converter pump. The hydraulic pump is fluidly connected to the transmission, and the controller is operably connected to the electric machine and the torque converter clutch. The controller is executable to determine an operator command, and control the electric machine to spin the hydraulic pump in a speed control mode and control the torque converter clutch in an open state. Upon achieving a desired minimum pump speed, the torque converter clutch is applied in a slip state and the electric machine is controlled in response to the operator command.

Abstract: Presented are vehicle powertrains and control logic for provisioning intelligent fast-torque output, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles with dynamically allocated fast-torque production. A method of controlling torque output of a vehicle powertrain includes a vehicle controller receiving sensor data and determining therefrom maximum and minimum motor torque capacities of a traction motor. The controller calculates the traction motor's maximum and minimum effective motor capacities based on a previous motor torque command and the maximum and minimum torque capacities, respectively. The controller then determines if a negative of the crankshaft torque reserve is: (1) greater than the minimum effective motor capacity; and (2) less than the maximum effective motor capacity. If (1) or (2) is true, an engine spark torque command is set equal to an air torque spark value, and the controller commands an engine assembly to modulate its torque output based on the spark torque command.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes an electric machine, a torque converter, a transmission, a hydraulic pump, and a controller, and it is arranged to transfer mechanical power to a driveline. The torque converter includes a clutch, a pump, and a turbine, and the electric machine is rotatably coupled to the hydraulic pump and to the torque converter pump. The hydraulic pump is fluidly connected to the transmission, and the controller is operably connected to the electric machine and the torque converter clutch. The controller is executable to determine an operator command, and control the electric machine to spin the hydraulic pump in a speed control mode and control the torque converter clutch in an open state. Upon achieving a desired minimum pump speed, the torque converter clutch is applied in a slip state and the electric machine is controlled in response to the operator command.

Abstract: Presented are vehicle powertrains and control logic for provisioning intelligent fast-torque output, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles with dynamically allocated fast-torque production. A method of controlling torque output of a vehicle powertrain includes a vehicle controller receiving sensor data and determining therefrom maximum and minimum motor torque capacities of a traction motor. The controller calculates the traction motor's maximum and minimum effective motor capacities based on a previous motor torque command and the maximum and minimum torque capacities, respectively. The controller then determines if a negative of the crankshaft torque reserve is: (1) greater than the minimum effective motor capacity; and (2) less than the maximum effective motor capacity. If (1) or (2) is true, an engine spark torque command is set equal to an air torque spark value, and the controller commands an engine assembly to modulate its torque output based on the spark torque command.

Abstract: A powertrain system including an internal combustion engine, a transmission and an electric machine is described, and includes the electric machine rotatably coupled to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The transmission is coupled to a driveline to transfer tractive torque and braking torque thereto. A method for controlling the electric machine includes determining a short-term axle torque capacity, a long-term axle torque capacity and a maximum regenerative braking stall torque capacity, and determining an operator request for braking. A preferred regenerative braking capacity is determined based upon the short-term axle torque capacity, the long-term regenerative braking capacity, the engine stall regenerative braking capacity and the operator request for braking. Torque output from the electric machine is controlled based upon the preferred regenerative braking capacity.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain includes, in response to an output torque request that includes deceleration, operating an internal combustion engine in a fuel cutoff state and in a cylinder deactivation state, controlling a clutch of a torque converter in an activated state, and operating an electric machine in a regenerative braking state. A state of the powertrain related to engine speed is monitored. The internal combustion engine is commanded to transition from the cylinder deactivation state to an all-cylinder state and the electric machine operates in the regenerative braking state including ramping down magnitude of regenerative braking torque when the engine speed is less than a first threshold speed. The torque converter clutch is commanded to a released state when the engine speed is less than a second threshold speed, with the first threshold speed being greater than the second threshold speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain includes, in response to an output torque request that includes deceleration, operating an internal combustion engine in a fuel cutoff state and in a cylinder deactivation state, controlling a clutch of a torque converter in an activated state, and operating an electric machine in a regenerative braking state. A state of the powertrain related to engine speed is monitored. The internal combustion engine is commanded to transition from the cylinder deactivation state to an all-cylinder state and the electric machine operates in the regenerative braking state including ramping down magnitude of regenerative braking torque when the engine speed is less than a first threshold speed. The torque converter clutch is commanded to a released state when the engine speed is less than a second threshold speed, with the first threshold speed being greater than the second threshold speed.

Abstract: A powertrain system including an internal combustion engine, a transmission and an electric machine is described, and includes the electric machine rotatably coupled to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The transmission is coupled to a driveline to transfer tractive torque and braking torque thereto. A method for controlling the electric machine includes determining a short-term axle torque capacity, a long-term axle torque capacity and a maximum regenerative braking stall torque capacity, and determining an operator request for braking. A preferred regenerative braking capacity is determined based upon the short-term axle torque capacity, the long-term regenerative braking capacity, the engine stall regenerative braking capacity and the operator request for braking. Torque output from the electric machine is controlled based upon the preferred regenerative braking capacity.