Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a transmission system including a differential and an electrically powered heating device configured to selectively warm a differential fluid of the differential. The electrically powered heating device is selectively powered to warm the differential fluid.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain including an engine and a motor operable to propel the vehicle includes reducing a torque of the motor at a first torque reduction rate from a torque level above a minimum motor torque in response to a deceleration request. A torque of the engine is reduced at a second torque reduction rate less than the first torque reduction rate in response to the deceleration request.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, a starter-generator, and a controller. The electric machine is coupled to a traction battery via an inverter. The starter-generator is mechanically coupled with an engine and electrically coupled with a low-voltage battery. And, the controller charges the low-voltage battery with power from the traction battery, and in response to a torque demand of the electric machine falling below a threshold defined by losses of the inverter, transitions to the starter-generator to charge the low-voltage battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods adjust battery charging and discharging as well as engine and motor torque based on whether or not the vehicle is operating in a cruise control mode. In one example, curves that provide a basis for operating an engine and motor based on driver demand torque are compressed during a vehicle cruise control mode to improve powertrain efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft, a transmission, an electric machine, and at least one controller. The transmission includes a torque converter having a turbine fixed to a turbine shaft that is driveably connected to driven wheels of the vehicle. The torque converter includes an impeller and a bypass clutch configured to selectively lock the impeller and the turbine relative to each other. The electric machine includes a rotor selectively coupled to the crankshaft via a disconnect clutch and fixed to the impeller. The at least one controller is configured to generate a first torque command for the electric machine that defines a magnitude equal to driver-demanded torque while the bypass clutch is locked. The controller is further configured to, in response to a reduction in fluid pressure supplied to the bypass clutch, generate a second torque command for the electric machine that defines a magnitude equal to driver-demanded torque plus impeller inertia torque.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, and an electric motor having a rotor selectively coupled to the crankshaft via a disconnect clutch. The powertrain further includes a transmission having a torque converter that has an impeller fixed to the rotor. A controller is configured to, in response to the engine starting, generate a torque command for the motor that defines a magnitude that is based on a difference between a target impeller speed and a measured impeller speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid powertrain or driveline that includes an engine and a driveline disconnect clutch are described. In one example, a motor/generator rotates one side of an open driveline disconnect clutch that is coupled to a transmission, and then closes the open driveline disconnect clutch in response to motor/generator acceleration being less than a threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain including an engine and a motor operable to propel the vehicle includes reducing a torque of the motor at a first torque reduction rate from a torque level above a minimum motor torque in response to a deceleration request. A torque of the engine is reduced at a second torque reduction rate less than the first torque reduction rate in response to the deceleration request.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine coupled to a transmission element. The electric machine is also selectively coupled with the engine by a clutch. The vehicle includes a belt integrated starter-generator (BISG) operatively coupled to the engine. An electronic controller includes one or more inputs adapted to receive a temperature measurement and a request to start the engine. The electronic controller is programmed to, in response to the one or more inputs receiving the request to start the engine and the temperature measurement less than a threshold temperature measurement, effect actuation of the electric machine and close the clutch to apply a first torque to the engine. The electronic controller is further programmed to, in response to an engine speed achieving an engine speed threshold, effect actuation of the BISG to apply a second torque to the engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a transmission of a hybrid powertrain that includes a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods may improve engine starting during engine starts where little or larger driver demand torques are requested. In one example, engine torque may be commanded to a torque based on a filtered driver demand torque, the filtered driver demand torque filtered based on a position of an accelerator pedal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cranking an engine of a hybrid vehicle that includes an electric machine to crank the engine and propel the vehicle are disclosed. In one example, engine cranking speed and engine cranking source are selected in response to vehicle operating conditions that may affect whether or not an electrical power source has sufficient energy to crank the engine.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling engine starting in a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a first electric machine selectively coupled to the engine by a first clutch, a second electric machine coupled to the engine, a step-ratio transmission selectively coupled to the electric machine by a second clutch include starting the engine using either the first electric machine or the second electric machine based on engine stop position. The first electric machine may be a low voltage starter motor or integrated starter-generator. The system and method may use the first electric machine when the engine stop position is within a specified range of positions relative to a piston top dead center position associated with higher cranking torques.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a controller that is programmed to, in response to an accelerator lift-pedal event, generate a drag torque, with at least one of an engine and electric machine, having a magnitude that is based on a deceleration fuel shut-off torque of the engine and a desired power output of the electric machine, and limit the drag torque to a threshold value that is based on the deceleration fuel shut-off torque.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a controller that is programmed to, in response to an accelerator lift-pedal event, generate a drag torque, with at least one of an engine and electric machine, having a magnitude that is based on a deceleration fuel shut-off torque of the engine and a desired power output of the electric machine, and limit the drag torque to a threshold value that is based on the deceleration fuel shut-off torque.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes circulating a fluid through a heat exchanger and a battery pack when the battery pack requires cooling, and circulating the fluid through an exhaust gas heat recovery device and the battery pack when the battery pack requires heating. An exemplary system includes a battery pack, a heat exchanger, an exhaust gas heat recovery device, and a fluid valve moveable to a cooling position that permits a fluid to circulate between the heat exchanger and the battery pack and a heating position that permits the fluid to circulate between the exhaust gas heat recovery device and the battery pack.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods adjust battery charging and discharging as well as engine and motor torque based on whether or not the vehicle is operating in a cruise control mode. In one example, curves that provide a basis for operating an engine and motor based on driver demand torque are compressed during a vehicle cruise control mode to improve powertrain efficiency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a transmission of a hybrid powertrain that includes a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods may improve engine starting during engine starts where little or larger driver demand torques are requested. In one example, engine torque may be commanded to a torque based on a filtered driver demand torque, the filtered driver demand torque filtered based on a position of an accelerator pedal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid powertrain that includes a motor/generator and driveline disconnect clutch are described. The systems and methods may adjust a torque capacity of the driveline disconnect clutch during engine starting. Torque output from the motor/generator may also be adjusted during engine starting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving launching of a stopped hybrid vehicle are presented. The systems and methods adjust speed of a motor to reduce the possibility of noticeable impact between driveline gears during vehicle launch. In one example, motor speed is adjusted to a pump pressurization speed where driveline components may be moved to reduce impact between driveline gears during vehicle launch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid powertrain that includes a motor/generator and driveline disconnect clutch are described. The systems and methods may adjust a torque capacity of the driveline disconnect clutch during engine starting. Torque output from the motor/generator may also be adjusted during engine starting.