Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a disconnect clutch configured to selectively couple the engine to the electric machine, a transmission having an input shaft operably coupled to the electric machine and an output shaft operably coupled to a driveline, and a controller programmed to, in response to (i) the disconnect clutch being disengaged and (ii) a speed difference between the input and output shafts being less than a threshold, limit torque commanded to the electric machine to a value that is less than a rated torque of the electric machine regardless of driver-demand torque, and further programmed to, in response to (i) the disconnect clutch being disengaged, (ii) a request to start the engine, and (iii) the speed difference exceeding the threshold, permit a torque command to the electric machine that exceeds the value to reduce the speed difference between the input and output shafts.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for electrical power distribution. In one example, a system includes plurality of electric consumers comprising one or more operating modes with different levels of power consumption, an energy storage and an electric machine arranged in the vehicle and configured to provide energy to the energy storage device or power to the electric consumers and torque to wheels of the vehicle, a power allocating device coupled to the energy storage device and the plurality of electric consumers, and a controller configured to maintain two indices for allocating power to the plurality of electric consumers, wherein a first index comprises a first power allocation strategy based on power from only the energy storage device and a second index comprises a second power allocation strategy based on power from the energy storage device and the electric machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, the internal combustion is started via closing a driveline disconnect clutch and limiting a torque output rate of an electric machine so that vehicle speed may increase continuously without decreasing during engine cranking and run-up periods.

Abstract: Methods and a system are provided for shaping a torque profile for a motor of a hybrid vehicle. In one example, the method includes during a vehicle launch, an off condition of an engine, and upon receiving an engine start request, predicting a time of engine engagement, predicting a driver requested torque at the engine engagement; and reducing the driver requested torque until the predicted time of engine engagement based on the predicted driver requested torque at the engine engagement. The predicting of at least one of the time of engine engagement and the driver requested torque at the engine engagement may be based on a current position of an accelerator pedal and a driver profile. The method may further include controlling motor torque profile based on the reduced driver request torque.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing an efficiency of a modular hybrid transmission (MHT) of a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a method for operating an MHT comprises, at one or more control modules, determining an upper torque bound and a lower torque bound of a feedback controller based on a feedforward (FF) engine torque value, the feedback controller controlling a torque of an electric motor of the hybrid vehicle; and constraining operation of the electric motor via the feedback controller based on the upper and lower torque bounds. The electric motor may be controlled by a hybrid powertrain control module of the MHT. The upper and lower torque bounds may be calculated at a powertrain control module of the MHT based on torque converter losses.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a powertrain of a vehicle. In one example, the powertrain may include a first torque source, a second torque source, and an automatic transmission. The powertrain may further include a first controller configured to control the first torque source and a second controller configured to control the second torque source. The second controller stores instructions in non-transitory memory that when executed cause the second controller to command the first controller to control a torque of the first torque source via a feedforward torque value of the second torque source calculated at the second controller which is adjusted based on a degree of difference between a proximity term and a difference between the torque of the first torque source and a first torque source limit, the first torque source limit calculated at the second controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a hybrid vehicle from park or neutral to drive or reverse are presented. In one example, a requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission disengaging indication and a transmission disengaging timer when a transmission is being disengaged from a gear. In another example, the requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission engaging indication and a transmission engaging timer when the transmission is being engaged to a gear.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a hybrid vehicle from park or neutral to drive or reverse are presented. In one example, a requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission disengaging indication and a transmission disengaging timer when a transmission is being disengaged from a gear. In another example, the requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission engaging indication and a transmission engaging timer when the transmission is being engaged to a gear.

Abstract: Methods and a system are provided for shaping a torque profile for a motor of a hybrid vehicle. In one example, the method includes during a vehicle launch, an off condition of an engine, and upon receiving an engine start request, predicting a time of engine engagement, predicting a driver requested torque at the engine engagement; and reducing the driver requested torque until the predicted time of engine engagement based on the predicted driver requested torque at the engine engagement. The predicting of at least one of the time of engine engagement and the driver requested torque at the engine engagement may be based on a current position of an accelerator pedal and a driver profile. The method may further include controlling motor torque profile based on the reduced driver request torque.

Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, the internal combustion is started via closing a driveline disconnect clutch and limiting a torque output rate of an electric machine so that vehicle speed may increase continuously without decreasing during engine cranking and run-up periods.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes an integrated starter/generator and a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method estimates engine torque as a function of engine temperature during cold engine starts so that if an estimate of engine torque is in error, the integrated starter/generator may still successfully start the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a battery, an electric machine, an electrical circuit, an electrical outlet, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to receive electrical power from the battery to propel the vehicle and to deliver electrical power to the battery to recharge the battery. The electrical circuit is configured to transfer electrical power between the battery and the electric machine. The electrical outlet is configured to deliver power from the electrical circuit to an external device that is connected to the outlet. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first set of conditions that is indicative of the vehicle powertrain overheating or a second set of conditions that is indicative of an inability to charge the battery to a requested charge value, issue a warning of an impending shutdown of the electrical outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine that may be started via an electric machine and a driveline disconnect clutch are described. In one example, the method estimates a maximum motor propulsive torque during engine starting. The maximum motor propulsive torque may be based on an estimated speed that a torque converter impeller speed will be when an engine cranking period ends.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for electrical power distribution. In one example, a system includes plurality of electric consumers comprising one or more operating modes with different levels of power consumption, an energy storage and an electric machine arranged in the vehicle and configured to provide energy to the energy storage device or power to the electric consumers and torque to wheels of the vehicle, a power allocating device coupled to the energy storage device and the plurality of electric consumers, and a controller configured to maintain two indices for allocating power to the plurality of electric consumers, wherein a first index comprises a first power allocation strategy based on power from only the energy storage device and a second index comprises a second power allocation strategy based on power from the energy storage device and the electric machine.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a battery, accessory devices, an electrical outlet, an inverter, and a controller. The engine and the electric machine are each configured to propel the vehicle. The inverter is configured to deliver power from the battery or the electric machine to the accessory devices or the electrical outlet. The controller is programmed to adjust the power being delivered by the inverter to the electrical outlet based on a discharge power capacity of the battery, a power output capacity of the engine, a power output capacity of the electric machine, and the power being drawn from the inverter via the accessories.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a battery, an electric machine, an electrical circuit, an electrical outlet, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to receive electrical power from the battery to propel the vehicle and to deliver electrical power to the battery to recharge the battery. The electrical circuit is configured to transfer electrical power between the battery and the electric machine. The electrical outlet is configured to deliver power from the electrical circuit to an external device that is connected to the outlet. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first set of conditions that is indicative of the vehicle powertrain overheating or a second set of conditions that is indicative of an inability to charge the battery to a requested charge value, issue a warning of an impending shutdown of the electrical outlet.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes an integrated starter/generator and a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method estimates engine torque as a function of engine temperature during cold engine starts so that if an estimate of engine torque is in error, the integrated starter/generator may still successfully start the engine.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes a torque converter is described. In one example, the method adjusts torque of an electric machine in response to a requested torque converter speed. The requested torque converter speed linearizes torque output of a torque converter so that vehicle wheel torque control may be improved.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes a torque converter is described. In one example, the method adjusts torque of an electric machine in response to a requested torque converter speed. The requested torque converter speed linearizes torque output of a torque converter so that vehicle wheel torque control may be improved.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of a temperature of a starter-generator exceeding a de-rated threshold, command the engine to start and disable engine automatic shut-off. And the controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of the temperature exceeding a disabled threshold, or the temperature exceeding the de-rated threshold and a traction battery discharge power being less than a threshold, command the engine to start and shed a load.