Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing torque distribution in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. An engine power estimation is determined for use in obtaining an optimum wheel torque command to attenuate sustained powertrain dynamic oscillations during operation of the vehicle with varying wheel torque and speed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for attenuating vibrations of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having a subsystem comprising an electric motor, a generator and a battery. Engine torque is coordinated with motor torque during engine start events and engine stopping events using gearing that defines in part separate torque flow paths for the engine and the motor. A filtered motor speed is used to compute active motor torque damping.

Abstract: A controller and a control method is disclosed for determining a power demand for an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. In computing engine power demand, a modified motor speed is used at zero and near-zero actual motor speeds to satisfy a driver demand for vehicle traction wheel torque.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an internal combustion engine in a vehicle powertrain. A filtered driver demand for torque at vehicle traction wheels is used to determine an engine torque command. The engine torque command is initialized to a percentage of a target engine torque as a function of variables that may include a smoothness factor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an internal combustion engine in a vehicle powertrain. A filtered driver demand for torque at vehicle traction wheels is used to determine an engine torque command. The engine torque command is initialized to a percentage of a target engine torque as a function of variables that may include a smoothness factor.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle to reduce exhaust emissions is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a battery for operating the motor, and a catalyst for reducing exhaust gas emissions. The vehicle is operated in a first mode when at least one predetermined condition is met. The first mode includes providing at least some of the desired vehicle output power with the motor. The engine is operated to quickly increase the temperature of the catalyst when the output power from the battery is within a first predetermined range. When the output power of the battery is outside the first predetermined range, the operation of the engine is adjusted to drive battery operation into the first predetermined range. When the at least one predetermined condition is not met, the vehicle is operated in a second mode based at least partly on driver demand and battery requirements.

Abstract: A method for controlling fuel injection during engine startup in a hybrid electric vehicle. The hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine, a power source, an electrical machine, and a control module. The method includes the steps of driving the engine with the electrical machine, determining whether the engine is at a target state, selecting a cylinder for fuel injection, calculating an amount of fuel to provide to the cylinder, injecting the amount of fuel, and repeating the selecting, calculating, and injecting steps for another cylinder for a predetermined number of iterations.

Abstract: A vehicle and method are provided that determine a misfire torque limit for an engine in the vehicle. The vehicle includes an electric machine operable to provide torque to the engine. The method includes commanding the engine to operate at a predetermined torque and a predetermined speed, thereby putting the engine in an idle state. An output torque of the engine is then determined while the engine is in the idle state. A torque offset, defined as the difference between the torque command and the determined engine output torque, is also determined. The misfire torque limit for the engine is then determined based at least in part on the torque offset.

Abstract: A method for controlling starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple power flow paths to vehicle traction wheels from the engine and from an electric motor. A smoothness factor is calculated to determine how smooth an engine start should be. Engine operating variables regulate engine smoothness during engine start events as determined by the calculated smoothness factor appropriate for selected vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for controlling starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple power flow paths to vehicle traction wheels from the engine and from an electric motor. A smoothness factor is calculated to determine how smooth an engine start should be. Engine operating variables regulate engine smoothness during engine start events as determined by the calculated smoothness factor appropriate for selected vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for controlling starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple power flow paths to vehicle traction wheels from the engine and from an electric motor. A smoothness factor is calculated to determine how smooth an engine start should be. Engine operating variables regulate engine smoothness during engine start events as determined by the calculated smoothness factor appropriate for selected vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for attenuating vibrations of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having a subsystem comprising an electric motor, a generator and a battery. Engine torque is coordinated with motor torque during engine start events and engine stopping events using gearing that defines in part separate torque flow paths for the engine and the motor. A filtered motor speed is used to compute active motor torque damping.

Abstract: A method for controlling fuel injection during engine startup in a hybrid electric vehicle. The hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine, a power source, an electrical machine, and a control module. The method includes the steps of driving the engine with the electrical machine, determining whether the engine is at a target state, selecting a cylinder for fuel injection, calculating an amount of fuel to provide to the cylinder, injecting the amount of fuel, and repeating the selecting, calculating, and injecting steps for another cylinder for a predetermined number of iterations.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle to reduce exhaust emissions is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a battery for operating the motor, and a catalyst for reducing exhaust gas emissions. The vehicle is operated in a first mode when at least one predetermined condition is met. The first mode includes providing at least some of the desired vehicle output power with the motor. The engine is operated to quickly increase the temperature of the catalyst when the output power from the battery is within a first predetermined range. When the output power of the battery is outside the first predetermined range, the operation of the engine is adjusted to drive battery operation into the first predetermined range. When the at least one predetermined condition is not met, the vehicle is operated in a second mode based at least partly on driver demand and battery requirements.

Abstract: A vehicle and method are provided that determine a misfire torque limit for an engine in the vehicle. The vehicle includes an electric machine operable to provide torque to the engine. The method includes commanding the engine to operate at a predetermined torque and a predetermined speed, thereby putting the engine in an idle state. An output torque of the engine is then determined while the engine is in the idle state. A torque offset, defined as the difference between the torque command and the determined engine output torque, is also determined. The misfire torque limit for the engine is then determined based at least in part on the torque offset.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing torque distribution in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. An engine power estimation is determined for use in obtaining an optimum wheel torque command to attenuate sustained powertrain dynamic oscillations during operation of the vehicle with varying wheel torque and speed.

Abstract: A controller and a control method is disclosed for determining a power demand for an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. In computing engine power demand, a modified motor speed is used at zero and near-zero actual motor speeds to satisfy a driver demand for vehicle traction wheel torque.

Abstract: A method for controlling starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple power flow paths to vehicle traction wheels from the engine and from an electric motor. A smoothness factor is calculated to determine how smooth an engine start should be. Engine operating variables regulate engine smoothness during engine start events as determined by the calculated smoothness factor appropriate for selected vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: The strip is cast on a chilled casting surface of a rotating drum from a pool of the molten metal contained in a tundish having a graphite lip insert seated therein cooperating with, the casting surface adjacent to the tundish to form and contain the pool of the molten metal. The tundish preferably contains a feed chamber, a return chamber, and a diverting chamber, the feed chamber and the diverting chamber effectively removing turbulence from the molten feed and the return chamber having a vertically adjustable weir dividing the return chamber from the diverting chamber for controlling the surface level of the pool of molten metal in the diverting chamber and the lip insert and for diverting a flow of molten metal to the return chamber. A preferred lead alloy is a low antimony-lead alloy which is cast into strip and is subjected to a heat treatment to permit expansion and shaping in subsequent production of expanded mesh battery grids.

Abstract: An improved gear pump for pumping molten metals, such as molten lead or lead alloy, in which sealing means are provided to prevent loss of metal flowing axially along the pump drive shaft. A cooled annulus is provided about the pump drive shaft for solidifying molten metal therein which forms an effective seal and bearing.