Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine configured to selectively apply regenerative braking torque to decelerate the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to control a rate of change of a regenerative braking torque limit during a transmission downshift that occurs during a regenerative braking event based on a change in speed of an output shaft of the powertrain caused by the transmission downshift.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor that are both capable of powering the wheels. While a vehicle is being driven, the vehicle's driving condition data is monitored. The driving condition data can include steering wheel angle or position, accelerator pedal position, driver torque or power demands, or road grade or incline. The vehicle includes a controller with a specific control scheme to receive the driving condition data, and subject the data to a moving average or a weighted moving average. Based on the averaged driving condition data, the engine is inhibited from stopping under certain conditions to reduce the frequency of the engine turning on and off.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch. The engine, electric machine, and clutch are arranged along a common axis. At least one controller is programmed to execute various commands when the vehicle is in park or neutral and the accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed. This enhances perceived vehicle reactions in response to accelerator pedal movement. To do so, the controller is programmed to control a rate of speed increase of the electric machine based on a rate of the depression of the accelerator pedal (e.g., “speed control”). Furthermore, the torque output of the engine is controlled to a target value irrespective of engine speed and engine torque is converted into electric energy via the electric machine (e.g., “torque control”). The rate of speed increase of the electric machine is altered when the engine is started.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a torque source between speed control and torque control modes during a vehicle creep mode are disclosed. In one example, torque of an electric machine is adjusted in response to a torque converter model. The torque converter model provides for a locked or unlocked torque converter clutch.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor that are both capable of powering the wheels. While a vehicle is being driven, the vehicle's driving condition data is monitored. The driving condition data can include steering wheel angle or position, accelerator pedal position, driver torque or power demands, or road grade or incline. The vehicle includes a controller with a specific control scheme to receive the driving condition data, and subject the data to a moving average or a weighted moving average. Based on the averaged driving condition data, the engine is inhibited from stopping under certain conditions to reduce the frequency of the engine turning on and off.

Abstract: A control strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having an engine, a motor, and a transmission includes operating the powertrain according to a motor power loss term that is adapted based on battery power supplied to the motor, motor power output, and an estimated motor power loss such that the motor power loss term changes over time and converges to a constant value to thereby be indicative of actual motor power loss.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a torque source between speed control and torque control modes during a vehicle creep mode are disclosed. In one example, torque of an electric machine is adjusted in response to a torque converter model. The torque converter model provides for a locked or unlocked torque converter clutch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are described. The systems and methods may improve hybrid driveline performance so that a driver may experience less turbocharger lag and/or less cam phasing lag. The methods and systems may hold engine torque at an elevated level in the presence of a decrease in driver demand torque.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a torque converter and a controller. The torque converter includes an impeller and receives power from the engine and electric machine. The controller, in response to an absence of driver demanded torque and a difference between desired and estimated impeller speeds, adjusts a torque of the electric machine based on a difference between an estimated engine torque and a desired impeller torque in order to drive the impeller toward the desired impeller speed.

Abstract: A vehicle operator is identified. Based at least in part on the operator's identity, one or more parameters are determined specifying a mode for autonomously operating the vehicle. The vehicle is autonomously operated at least in part according to the one or more parameters.

Abstract: Method and systems are provided for adjusting an engine torque in response to changes in a desired engine torque. In one example, a method may comprise responsive to increasing desired engine torques, monotonically decreasing an alternator torque to a first level from a second level when not injecting fuel to engine cylinders, and stepping up the alternator torque from the first level to the second level while initiating engine combustion, and then monotonically decreasing the alternator torque from the second level to the first level in response to the alternator torque reaching the first level. In this way, a method may comprise adjusting a load exerted on an engine by an alternator mechanically coupled to said engine during both cylinder combustion, and during non-fueling conditions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a step-ratio automatic transmission having clutches engageable to provide forward and reverse gears, an electric machine selectively coupled to the transmission, a main pump powered by the electric machine and supplying oil to actuate selected transmission clutches, a gear selector configured for selecting a transmission gear, and a controller configured to stop the electric machine when the gear selector selects park or neutral, to operate the electric machine in a speed control mode using a higher controller gain in response to the gear selector selecting forward or reverse while the electric machine is stopped until the electric machine and the main pump reach a first speed threshold to reduce engagement delay of at least one of the transmission clutches, and to operate the electric machine using a lower controller gain when the electric machine and the main pump exceed the first speed threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor configured to monitor at least one condition while operating in an autonomous mode. The vehicle further includes a processing device configured to identify at least one occupant, select a profile associated with the occupant, and autonomously operate at least one subsystem according to the selected profile and the at least condition monitored by the at least one autonomous driving sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a motor, and a controller. The controller is programmed to inhibit a scheduled transmission downshift and increase a torque of the motor for a specified period of time in response to a torque demand being greater than a maximum torque capability of the engine but less than a maximum combined torque capability of the engine and motor. Upon expiration of the specified period of time, the controller may permit the downshift to occur. The specified period of time may be based on a state of charge of a battery at a time when the torque demand exceeds the maximum torque capability of the engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle driveline that includes an engine and a motor are presented. In one example, the systems and methods include one or more control modes where engine and/or motor speed or torque is adjusted responsive to different control parameters during a vehicle launch from zero speed or a creep speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle driveline that includes an engine and a motor are presented. In one example, the systems and methods include one or more control modes where engine and/or motor speed or torque is adjusted responsive to different control parameters during a vehicle launch from zero speed or a creep speed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft, a transmission having an input, and an electric machine mechanically coupled to the transmission input. The vehicle further includes a clutch configured to mechanically couple the electric machine and engine crankshaft, and at least one controller. The at least one controller, in response to an engine start condition and subsequent partial engagement of the clutch, outputs a torque command for the electric machine to increase the speed of the crankshaft to a speed of the electric machine before commanding fuel injection of the engine. The torque command is based on driver demanded torque and a change in speed of the crankshaft caused by changes in pressure to the clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling a vehicle are provided. The vehicle may include a controller programmed to, in response to a change from a first to a second powertrain operating mode, operate an engine and electric machine to increase a state of charge target of a traction battery to increase propulsion torque available from the electric machine. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to a decrease in accelerator pedal position and a vehicle speed being less than a threshold speed while operating the powertrain in the second powertrain operating mode and the engine and electric machine are coupled via a friction element, decrease a pressure of the friction element to a first target pressure to decouple the engine from the electric machine.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and an electric motor both configured to generate a vehicle powertrain torque and a controller programmed to control the powertrain torque for a limited duration in anticipation of a powertrain torque variation scenario using a damping function, wherein the damping function adjusts the vehicle powertrain torque based on a difference between a measured motor speed and a desired motor speed using the electric motor to counteract a powertrain speed oscillation.

Abstract: Vehicle operating systems are autonomously operated. A transient in an upcoming path of the vehicle is determined from a comparison of vehicle path data and vehicle status data to a threshold of mechanism first operating system. Operational parameters for one of first and second operating systems are selected according to the comparison. The selected operational parameters are applied to the operation of the one of the first and second operating systems.