Parallel (ipc) Patents (Class 180/65.25)
  • Patent number: 10023175
    Abstract: A method for managing power in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple components including at least two of a group comprising an engine, a motor, a generator and a high voltage battery includes computing power losses for the individual components. An engine operating speed and torque for a given vehicle speed and total power command is determined so that total power losses for powertrain components are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shailesh Kozarekar, Ming Kuang, Joseph Supina, Fazal Syed, Morgan Andreae, Vincent Freyermuth
  • Patent number: 10005451
    Abstract: A control system, a switch and a control method for a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle operable in a hybrid mode where a combustion engine and an electric motor can be used, and in an electric mode where only the electric motor can be used. The control system includes a propulsion mode control module configured to control the vehicle to operate in one of the hybrid mode and the electric mode. The propulsion mode control module is further configured to verify that the vehicle has been in an off-state for a predetermined period of time before switching from the hybrid mode to the electric mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Pehrson
  • Patent number: 10005468
    Abstract: A method for active vibration control of a hybrid electric vehicle may include: selecting a reference angle signal based on position information of a motor or an engine; generating a reference angle based on information of the reference angle signal; setting up a period of fast Fourier transform (FFT) and analyzing the FFT signal; setting up a reference spectrum according to an engine speed and an engine load; extracting a vibration component from each frequency based on information of the reference spectrum; selecting and adding a removal object frequency from the vibration of each frequency and performing inverse FFT; determining a basic amplitude ratio according to the engine speed and the engine load and an adjustable rate according to the engine load; and performing active vibration control of each frequency based on the information of the basic amplitude ratio, the adjustable rate, and the engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sung Jae Kim, Jeong Soo Eo
  • Patent number: 10000198
    Abstract: In a control system and a control method, an electronic control unit is configured to crank an engine by setting a clutch to a half engaged state in a state where operation of the engine is stopped during traveling. The half engaged state is a state where the clutch is engaged with a slip. The electronic control unit is configured to, after a rotation speed of the engine has reached an ignition permission rotation speed or higher, increase a transmitted torque capacity of the clutch to a transmitted torque capacity that satisfies the following conditions i) and ii): i) the transmitted torque capacity is larger than a transmitted torque capacity before the rotation speed of the engine has reached the ignition permission rotation speed; and ii) the transmitted torque capacity allows the clutch to be kept in the half engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensei Hata, Makoto Funahashi, Yuji Iwase, Yosuke Suzuki, Seitaro Nobuyasu, Koichi Watanabe, Shojiro Oya, Yuta Oshiro
  • Patent number: 9995232
    Abstract: A method to control engine start-stop in a vehicle is provided. The method includes outputting via a controller an engine command to auto-start the engine based on detection of a predetermined vehicle condition affecting fuel economy of the vehicle, detection of a shift from neutral to another gear position, and whether a predetermined time threshold has expired following the shift in response to detection of a presence of an engine auto-stop mode and a neutral gear position. The predetermined vehicle condition may be a movement of the vehicle in a reverse direction. The predetermined vehicle condition may be a battery parameter being outside of predetermined range. The predetermined range may be based on a battery state of charge, a battery temperature, a battery voltage, or a battery load current. The predetermined vehicle condition may be a HVAC component activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Chad Everette Griffin, Kevin Muncy
  • Patent number: 9981652
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for active vibration control of a hybrid electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Jae Kim, Jeong Soo Eo
  • Patent number: 9981560
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a vehicle with a recuperation unit may include determining at least one first parameter denoting possible imminent actuation of the recuperation unit, evaluating whether actuation of the recuperation unit is imminent, and if yes, calculating a probable profile for a speed of the vehicle during the actuation on the basis of a prescribable level of a recuperation intensity of the recuperation unit. The method may also include generating at least one second parameter denoting the ascertained probable profile of the speed of the vehicle during the ascertained imminent actuation of the recuperation unit and displaying the at least one second parameter with an output apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Helge Zinner
  • Patent number: 9975451
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Luke D. Shepley, Joshua F. Pacheco, Krunal P. Patel, Anthony H. Heap, Michael Andrew Miller, Michael V. Woon
  • Patent number: 9975544
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for active vibration control of a hybrid electric vehicle. In particular, the method may include: detecting an engine speed or a motor speed; selecting a reference angle signal based on the detected; setting up a period of a fast Fourier transform (FFT) and performing FFT of the engine speed or the motor speed for the period of the FFT from the reference angle signal; setting up a reference spectrum; extracting vibration components based on the reference spectrum; summing vibration components to be removed based on the frequencies and performing inverse FFT; determining a basic amplitude ratio based on the engine speed and an engine load and an adjustable ratio based on a SOC; and performing active vibration control of each frequency based on the the basic amplitude ratio, the adjustable ratio and the engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeong Soo Eo, Sung Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 9975540
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with: an air-fuel ratio determinator configured to determine an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine in a predetermined period until speed change by a transmission is actually performed; and a controller configured to control at least one of the internal combustion engine and an electric motor in such a manner that a possible amount of torque down of the internal combustion engine is increased if the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine is lean in the predetermined period. By this, it is possible to avoid a detrimental effect, such as a torque shock, deterioration of durability of a friction material, and the like, which can occur in the speed change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Tatsuya Imamura, Kazuyuki Shiiba
  • Patent number: 9963199
    Abstract: A bicycle configured for communication with other bicycles, a centralized server, client computing devices and third party servers allows the rider to be connected with friends, coaches/trainers, and third party vendors including vendors associated with lodging, food, and other conveniences, vendors associated with bike servicing, equipment, warranties, and other bike related products and services, and vendors associated with routes, areas or destinations. Information may be communicated in real time or stored in memory and communicated to servers, client devices, other riders, etc., at a later date. Information may be communicated to the bike controller for route planning, service scheduling, training purposes and the like. Information communicated to or from the bicycle may be performed as indicated by the rider or there may be predetermined rules or guidelines for what information is collected and to whom the information may be sent to or received from.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: David Barton Hancock, Christopher M. Vasiliotis, Brian Benjamin Sweet, Charles B. Lohr, Daniel J. Dawe, Eric Tanner, Jeremy Carter, Jeffrey A. Birchak, Wayne Leroy Contello, Russell Charles Whisler, Kevin Alan Gust, Matthew R. Bazyn
  • Patent number: 9944289
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a transmission gear shift during a braking event in a vehicle having an electric motor and friction brakes both operable to brake the vehicle includes the step of reducing friction braking to increase wheel torque during the braking event. The braking event includes both friction braking and regenerative braking. The reduction in friction braking to increase the wheel torque is based at least in part on a reduction in the wheel torque resulting from a change in gear ratio of a step-ratio transmission during the transmission gear shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Bernard D. Nefcy, Christopher Alan Lear
  • Patent number: 9932031
    Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes outputting via a controller an engine speed command that is based on a predicted impeller speed of a torque converter and corresponds to the accelerator tip-in to output a torque from the engine to wheels of the vehicle in response to detection of an accelerator pedal tip-in greater than a predetermined threshold. The method may also include accessing a history of impeller speed outputs of the hybrid vehicle to obtain the predicted impeller speed. The engine speed command may set engine speed substantially equal to or greater than the predicted impeller speed. The predetermined threshold may be based on a driver requested torque output of the wheels in which torque from the torque converter to the wheels results in saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Francis Thomas Connolly
  • Patent number: 9926040
    Abstract: A maneuvering system is provided for single- or multi-tracked vehicles. The system includes an electric motor and an output system which can be coupled to a vehicle transmission so that with the help of the electric motor the vehicle can be moved at least backwards. The electric motor is connected to the output system by a flexible shaft or a drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Huber, Karl Pongratz
  • Patent number: 9926902
    Abstract: A system and method for starting/stopping an engine in a moving vehicle include stopping the engine, by a controller, in response to a time needed to start the engine from a stopped state and attain an engine speed corresponding to a driveshaft speed when stopping the engine being less than a target time, and starting the engine in response to the time needed reaching the target time. A start/stop vehicle having an engine includes a driveshaft speed sensor and a controller configured to stop the engine while the vehicle is moving with a vehicle speed below a threshold speed in response to a time associated with starting the engine and powering a driveshaft to attain a driveshaft speed measured by the driveshaft speed sensor and stored from a previous engine stopping event being less than a threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Dashwood Crisp, Rainer Busch
  • Patent number: 9919697
    Abstract: A torque upper limit value changing section increases an upper limit value of a torque instruction value in a powering range in case a rotational speed reduction degree is greater than a reference value and decreases the upper limit value of the torque instruction value in the powering range in case the rotational speed reduction degree is smaller than the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Miyashita, Yukifumi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9902249
    Abstract: In order to secure a driving performance of an electric vehicle while stably supporting a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell stack generating electric power, a motor generator, and an electrical adjuster are accommodated in an accommodation compartment formed at a front side of a passenger compartment in a vehicle length direction. The electric motor and the electrical adjuster are housed in a common, bottom casing and the bottom casing is arranged at a bottom of the accommodation compartment. A stack support surface which is flat and extends in substantially a horizontal direction is formed at a top of the casing. The fuel cell stack is arranged above the casing and is supported by the casing through mounts arranged on the stack support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideo Nagaosa
  • Patent number: 9896083
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes an engine stop/start determination unit and an engine controller and a re-acceleration scene predicting unit. The engine stop/start determination unit determines stopping and starting of the engine based on a magnitude of the accelerator position opening amount unit. The engine controller carries out the stopping/starting of the engine in accordance with the determination of the engine stop/start determination unit. The re-acceleration scene predicting unit predicts a re-acceleration scene in which an accelerator is depressed after the accelerator has been released based on the accelerator position opening amount. When the re-acceleration scene predicting unit predicts a re-acceleration scene of the engine, the engine stop/start determination unit prohibits the stopping of the engine while the engine is running, and the starting of the engine is carried out by the accelerator being depressed while the engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsunobu Morita, Ryoji Kadono, Shuusaku Katakura, Kenichiro Murakami
  • Patent number: 9889841
    Abstract: A method for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes: detecting a speed of the hybrid vehicle when receiving an instruction to start the engine; and outputting an inertia torque generated by a transmission of the hybrid vehicle to a crankshaft of the engine to start the engine when the speed is larger than or equal to a predetermined speed. Further, a system for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle and a hybrid vehicle including the system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Changjiu Liu, Guorui Liu, Xiaowei Zhou, Heping Ling, Shibin Xie, Yubo Lian
  • Patent number: 9884618
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor, an electrical storage device and a controller. The electric motor generates electric power by using driving force of the engine. The controller controls supply of electric power, which is at least one of electric power generated by the electric motor or electric power stored in the electrical storage device, to an outside of the vehicle. The controller selects, on the basis of setting made by a user, whether to permit or prohibit generation of electric power by using the driving force of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Kinomura
  • Patent number: 9885334
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric machine coupled to an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, the electric machine having a stator winding, a rotor winding, a field regulator assigned to the rotor winding and a current converter post-connected to the stator winding having controllable switching elements, in which during a starting process of the internal combustion engine the electric machine is operated as a motor according to a rotational speed specification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, SEG AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Jaros, Nikolas Poertner, Axel Reuter, Alexander Trofimov
  • Patent number: 9884616
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a hybrid vehicle equipped with an air control valve are provided. The method includes collecting road information and determining a number of conversions between an engine operation mode and a motor driving mode based on the collected road information. Further, a degree of flap closing of the air control valve is restricted from being corrected when the predicted number of conversion is less than a predetermined threshold. The air control valve is adjusted for flap displacement upon closing of the flap when the predicted number of conversion is greater than the predetermined threshold and in which the degree of flap closing of the air control valve is corrected based on the detected flap displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hwa Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 9874192
    Abstract: The method according to the invention is implemented in an alternator-starter (1) comprising phase windings (u,v,w) connected to an inverter (3) linked to an onboard electrical network (2) powered by a battery for operation as a starter. The invention involves controlling the inverter in a chopped full-wave control mode when the rotational speed (?) of the alternator-starter is lower than at least a threshold speed and in a full-wave control mode when the rotational speed is higher than the threshold speed. According to a specific embodiment, the switching between the chopped full-wave control mode and the full-wave control mode takes place according to a hysteresis cycle using two predefined threshold speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Christophe Louise, Gael Blondel, Ronald Malbranque
  • Patent number: 9871381
    Abstract: A regenerative power supply system and method comprises a dynamo-electric generator, an electric drive motor coupled to the generator, a transmission device coupling the generator to the electric drive motor, and an energy storage device configured to provide a backup power supply to the regenerative power supply system. An electronic control device is configured to control a flow of electricity to the electric drive motor. An energy storage management device is configured to control a flow of electricity between the electronic control device and the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Constructive Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Barry Thompson
  • Patent number: 9868433
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine: a regenerative motor for use when the hybrid vehicle runs, the motor having characteristics such that the motor efficiency is 90% or more at a rotational speed of 75% of the maximum rotational speed of the motor when the load of the motor is 10% or more of the maximum load of the motor; and a transmission which transmits the power of the engine to a wheel drive shaft. The motor is coupled to the wheel drive shaft without being coupled to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Muto, Koki Ito, Shinji Takahara, Jun Inada, Tomoaki Saito
  • Patent number: 9866163
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the operating speed and the torque of an electric motor using an operational model are described. An operational model for the electric motor, including a plot of engine performance parameters, is used for reference, and a most efficient output path, which may pass through an optimal operation region in the operational model, is selected. The most efficient output path may be determined, for example, according to locations of a current output state and a to-be-reached target state in the operational model, enabling the operating state of the motor to reach the target state from the current operating state. By selecting a more efficient output path, the operating efficiency of the motor may be optimized, the life of a battery improved and/or the operating mileage of the vehicle may be increased, without significantly reducing the driving experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Sheng-Fu Lai
  • Patent number: 9845088
    Abstract: The invention relates to a torque overlay device for use in a hybrid drive system for motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine, an electric motor and the torque overlay device, wherein a torque of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motor are overlaid using the torque overlay device. The torque overlay device is connected, on the output side, to a driven element of the vehicle, and includes a first and a second torque input and a torque output, as well as a first transmission device and a second transmission device. The electric motor can be coupled to the first torque input in a torque-resistant manner, and the internal combustion engine can be coupled to the second torque input in a torque resistant manner, where the first torque input is connected to the first transmission device and the second torque input is connected to the second transmission device, both in a torque-resistant manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Hoess, Robert Huber, Simon Rogge, Falk Prignitz
  • Patent number: 9840255
    Abstract: A method provides for operating a drive train having several drive assemblies, a transmission and an output A first drive assembly acts on a first transmission shaft of the transmission, and a second drive assembly acts on a second transmission shaft. The transmission includes several shift elements, whereas an output torque depending on a driver's requested torque is provided at the output. For the opening of a shift element the shift element is placed without load. The probability of a gearshift request is determined on the control side by a shifting strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Zöllner, Karl Franz, Anatol Weidenbach
  • Patent number: 9835072
    Abstract: A recovered energy transfer apparatus of a waste heat recovery system includes an input unit connected to an expander of the waste heat recovery system and rotatable by recovered energy of the expander, and one or more output units for receiving a torque of the input unit and outputting the torque to at least one of a power generator, an engine of a vehicle, and a power take-off (PTO) for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jung Min Seo
  • Patent number: 9829101
    Abstract: A gear shifting control method for an electric vehicle includes an operation range determination step of determining, by a controller, whether a current revolutions per minute (RPM) of a motor falls within a constant torque range or a constant power range when gear shifting is initiated between a first shift gear and a second shift gear. A variable control step controls an operating power of a cone clutch by adjusting an operating tilt if it is determined that the RPM of the motor falls within the constant torque range in the operation range determination step. A constant control step controls the operating power of the cone clutch to be constant if it is determined that the RPM of the motor falls within the constant power range in the operation range determination step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jong Yun Park
  • Patent number: 9828965
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an engine starting system includes detecting a first engine crank command, monitoring engine speed states, and collecting the engine speed states in a first buffer disposed in a first controller. A second engine crank command is determined based upon monitored electric power states from a battery. The electric power states from the battery are collected in a second buffer disposed in a second controller. The engine speed states collected in the first buffer are synchronized with the electric power states from the battery collected in the second buffer based upon the first engine crank command and the second engine crank command. A starter resistance is determined based upon the electric power states from the battery. A telematics device communicates the starter resistance and the monitored engine speed states synchronized with the monitored electric power states to a remote system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Youssef A. Ghoneim
  • Patent number: 9821806
    Abstract: When neutral control is started by placing a CVT drive clutch in a semi-engaged state while a vehicle is decelerating in a state where a second power transmission path is established, a clutch mechanism that is semi-engaged in neutral control while the vehicle is decelerating is changed from the CVT drive clutch to a forward clutch before a stop of the vehicle, so it is possible to continue the neutral control until a stop of the vehicle. At a stop of the vehicle, a power transmission path is already changed to a first power transmission path that establishes a gear ratio (EL) higher than a highest gear ratio (?max) that can be established by the second power transmission path. Thus, right after a stop of the vehicle, it is possible to execute idle stop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuro Shimazu, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Hiromitsu Nitani, Akira Hino, Hiroki Kondo, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Patent number: 9815451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a hybrid electric vehicle (100), the vehicle having a powertrain (135) comprising at least one electric propulsion motor (123) and at least one engine (121), the control system being operable to control the vehicle to operate in an electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the at least one engine remains switched off and the at least one electric propulsion motor is configured to deliver drive torque and a boost mode in which the at least one engine is switched on to provide additional power to drive the vehicle. When the vehicle is operating in EV mode the system is further operable to determine whether a boost location exists ahead of the vehicle being a location at which a gradient of a driving surface is sufficiently high to require selection of the boost mode, the control system being operable automatically to command starting of the at least one engine before the boost location is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Clement Dextreit, Mark Ellis, Matt Hancock
  • Patent number: 9803543
    Abstract: A system and a method for reducing a rotational imbalance of a drive train of a hybrid vehicle are provided. The drive train includes an internal-combustion engine, an electric machine, and a crankshaft. A reduction or nullification of the rotational imbalance takes place by actuating the electric machine. The actuation is implemented as an adaptive feed forward control, which provides an actuation signal for the electric machine. The actuation signal represents a desired torque to be generated by the electric machine, so that the electric machine outputs a torque that is at least approximately inverse with respect to the rotational imbalance to the crankshaft for the superimposition of the torque generated by the internal-combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Christ, Jonas Mueller, Maximilian Skibbe
  • Patent number: 9783188
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a generator, a battery, a transmission, and a controller. The generator is configured to recharge the battery at a maximum power output when a generator speed is above a threshold speed. The transmission is configured to downshift during regenerative braking such that the generator speed is maintained above the threshold speed. The controller is programmed to, in response to a decrease in battery temperature corresponding to a decrease in generator speed required to maintain the maximum power output, decrease the threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Scott Colvin, Christopher Alan Lear, Bernard D. Nefcy, Andrew E. Burt
  • Patent number: 9783203
    Abstract: The present invention provides a riding work vehicle that includes a vehicle body having a driver seat; a driving wheel unit supporting the vehicle body; a working electric motor that drives a work unit having a work device; an electric motor controller controlling an operation of the working electric motor in a steady mode or a power saving mode in which consumed power is smaller than the steady mode; and a work load evaluator that evaluates load of the working electric motor. In the riding work vehicle, the electric motor controller operates the working electric motor in the power saving mode in a case where the load of the working electric motor evaluated by the work load evaluator is low load lower than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Koike, Hirokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 9776620
    Abstract: An upper limit charging rate is limited when a speed position of an automatic transmission is high as compared to when the speed position is low, so an engine is hard to enter a high torque state even when the speed position is high. Thus, it is possible to suppress vibrations and noise that tend to occur at the time when the engine is driven at a low rotation speed and high torque. On the other hand, the upper limit charging rate increases when the speed position is low as compared to when the speed position is high, with the result that a charging rate increases, so it is possible to keep a state of charge of a battery within an appropriate range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Minamikawa, Toshio Sugimura, Seiji Kuwahara, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Masato Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9764631
    Abstract: A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle which uses an engine and first and second motor/generators as power sources may include an input device having a first input shaft receiving either or both of torques of the engine and the first motor/generator and provided with a first driving gear disposed thereon, and a second input shaft disposed in parallel with the first input shaft, receiving a torque of the second motor/generator, and provided with a second driving gear disposed thereon, an output device including an output shaft provided with one driven gear engaged with the first driving gear, a second driven gear engaged with the second driving gear, and an output gear disposed thereon, and outputting torque transmitted from the input device, and a final reduction device outputting torque transmitted from the output device as driving torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Wan Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9758157
    Abstract: A method for active vibration control of a hybrid electric vehicle may include: determining by a controller whether a driving mode enters an idle region based on a motor speed or an engine speed; selecting a reference angle signal based on position information of a motor or an engine when the driving mode enters the idle region; setting up a period of fast Fourier transform (FFT) and performing FFT of the engine speed or the motor speed corresponding to the period of the FFT from the reference angle signal; setting up a reference spectrum according to the engine speed and an engine load; extracting vibration components based on the reference spectrum; summing vibration components according to frequencies and performing inverse FFT; determining an amplitude ratio according to the engine speed and the engine load; and performing active vibration control of each frequency based on the amplitude ratio and motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeong Soo Eo, Sung Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 9758160
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine may be started in one of two ways depending on operating conditions. In particular, the engine may be started via a lower power output electric machine or a higher power output electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey Allen Doering, David Oshinsky, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Patent number: 9748768
    Abstract: A pre-charging and voltage supply system for a DC-AC inverter is provided. The system includes a first battery having a first anode and a first cathode, and a second battery having a second anode and a second cathode. The first cathode is electrically isolated from the second cathode. The system includes a contactor coupled in series between the first anode and an electrical node. The system includes a microprocessor that generates a first control signal to induce a DC-DC voltage converter to increase a voltage level applied to the DC-AC inverter. The microprocessor generates a second control signal to induce the contactor transition to a closed position such that a first voltage level is applied to the DC-AC inverter, if the voltage level between the electrical node and the first cathode is greater than a threshold voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander Jeffrey Smith
  • Patent number: 9744963
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor, an electrical storage device and a controller. The electric motor generates electric power by using driving force of the engine. The controller controls supply of electric power, which is at least one of electric power generated by the electric motor or electric power stored in the electrical storage device, to an outside of the vehicle. The controller selects, on the basis of setting made by a user, whether to permit or prohibit generation of electric power by using the driving force of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Kinomura
  • Patent number: 9738271
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid electric powertrain includes, in response to a request to increase a powertrain braking force on at least one of a plurality of traction wheels, (i) commanding at least one clutch to increase a gear ratio of a transmission, and (ii) during clutch stroke, commanding an electric machine to act as a generator such that the electric machine applies a braking force to at least one of the traction wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Daniel Scott Colvin, Marvin Paul Kraska
  • Patent number: 9738268
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chen Zhang, Rajit Johri, Scott James Thompson, Ming Lang Kuang, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Mathew Alan Boesch, David Crist Gabriel
  • Patent number: 9738282
    Abstract: A method for improving startability of a vehicle is provided, the vehicle being provided with a prime mover and a kinetic energy recuperation system. The prime mover is adapted to propel the vehicle either alone or in combination with the kinetic energy recuperation system which is operably coupled to the prime mover and to wheels of the vehicle and is adapted to store energy at times when there is an abundance of energy and to use energy at times when there is a demand for energy. A vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Mattias Àsbogård, Johan Bringhed, Niclas Wennberg
  • Patent number: 9735718
    Abstract: A method for controlling an alternator includes determining a temperature-dependent value associated with a battery coupled to an alternator and determining an excitation emergency threshold for the alternator based on the determined temperature-dependent value associated with the battery. The method further includes initiating, by a controller of an alternator, at least one safety measure upon a determination that a voltage associated with the battery exceeds the determined excitation emergency threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Martin Grafling, Christoph Seidl
  • Patent number: 9732719
    Abstract: A method of starting a vehicle may include, in response to an expected driver entry, stroking a clutch configured to couple an engine to an electric machine for a predetermined time period. The method may further include, in response to an engine start request received during the predetermined time period, providing power to the electric machine to spin the electric machine at a speed at least equal to a target engine cranking speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Wright
  • Patent number: 9725084
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Jason Meyer
  • Patent number: 9718458
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a rotary electric machine, a battery, and an ECU. The ECU is configured to control the rotary electric machine to generate electric power when the engine is started during the motor traveling mode and provide a cranking torque to the engine, the electric power generated by the rotary electric machine increasing as a vehicle speed increases, and determine whether or not to start the engine based on a comparison between a sum of electric power and a value corresponding to electric power acceptable by the battery. The sum of electric power is a sum of first electric power actually input into and output from the battery during the motor traveling mode and second electric power predicted to be generated by the rotary electric machine while the cranking torque is provided to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Endo, Koji Hokoi
  • Patent number: 9718456
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a traction battery, an internal combustion engine, an electric machine configured to provide torque assistance to the engine, and a controller or a powertrain control system having a controller. The controller is programmed to respond to a percentage of state of charge (SOC) allocated for torque assistance. An allocation for torque assistance is a change in SOC of the battery attributed to a current flow to the electric machine for torque assistance. When the change in SOC attributed to the current flow is greater than a predetermined change, the controller will halt the current flow to the electric machine to cease torque assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Minku Lee, Francis Thomas Connolly