Control Of Individual Subunit Specific To Hybrid Operation Patents (Class 180/65.275)
  • Patent number: 8914173
    Abstract: A method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, like a high-voltage battery or a fuel cell used for vehicle propulsion. It may be detrimental for a high-voltage battery in a parked vehicle to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time. Thus, the method and system may be used to condition such a battery—for example, by heating it up if it is too cold or by cooling it down if it is too hot—so that the performance, durability, lifespan and/or other aspects of the battery are improved. In an exemplary embodiment, the method predicts if the battery will need conditioning the next time the vehicle is parked and, if such conditioning is needed, then the method predicts if the battery has sufficient charge to perform this conditioning. If the charge appears insufficient, then the method operates an energy generator that provides additional charge to the battery in anticipation of the needed conditioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William A. Biondo, David T. Proefke, Clark E. McCall
  • Patent number: 8914177
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a hybrid wheel loader capable of highly efficient and stable supply of motive power. [Solution] A hybrid wheel loader including: a front work machine (5) provided at the front of a vehicle; power sources including an engine (1) and an electric storage device; and a hybrid control device (20) which controls output of these power sources; characterized in that: a capacitor (11) is provided as the electric storage device; and the hybrid control device makes control to decrease a voltage of the capacitor in accordance with increase of energy held by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kaneko, Takashi Ikimi, Hidekazu Moriki, Noritaka Ito, Hiroaki Yanagimoto
  • Publication number: 20140360793
    Abstract: A hybrid drive device in which an input shaft is connected to an engine, an output shaft is connected to wheels, and a wheel drive motor is connected between the input shaft and the output shaft. In the hybrid device, a friction engagement element that is provided between the input shaft and the output shaft and of which transfer torque is controllable. A control device controls the friction engagement element. The control device reduces the transfer torque of the friction engagement element during engine starting in a predetermined low temperature environment or during travel on a bad road, compared to the transfer torque of the friction engagement element in an engaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Aoki, Takafumi Koshida, Yoshitomi Haneda, Tokiyoshi Kida, Hiroshi Imai
  • Patent number: 8909398
    Abstract: A cooling system of an electric vehicle includes a cooling medium circulation path that circulates a cooling medium to an electrically powered drive unit of a vehicle, a heat exchange unit between the cooling medium and external air, a cooling medium circulation unit, a blower unit that blows air against the heat exchange unit, and a control unit that controls the cooling medium circulation unit and the blower unit, thus controlling cooling of the electrically powered drive unit. The control unit controls the cooling medium circulation unit and the blower unit in a first cooling mode, when a drive force for the vehicle is in a first operational region, and controls in a second cooling mode that provides a higher cooling capability than the first cooling mode, when the drive force for the vehicle is in a second operational region that is higher than the first operational region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Itsuro Sawada, Tadashi Osaka, Atsushi Yokoyama, Shingo Nasu, Yuto Imanishi, Sachio Sekiya
  • Patent number: 8909403
    Abstract: A powertrain includes: an engine provided with a plurality of cylinders; a first motor generator coupled to an output shaft of the engine; and an ECU for controlling them. When misfire in the engine is detected, the output shaft of the engine is rotated by driving the first motor generator with ignition and supply of fuel to the engine being suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Yokouchi, Kenji Miyasaka, Tetsuo Hori, Hideto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8903581
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an engine in a hybrid vehicle being driven by an electric motor is disclosed. The motor is operably configured to deliver mechanical power through an automatic transmission to at least one vehicle drive wheel to cause an acceleration of the vehicle. The method involves coupling the engine to the motor to cause an inertial load on the motor thus causing the motor to decelerate to a reduced rotational speed to provide a starting torque to the engine for starting the engine, and causing the automatic transmission to change gear ratio to a target gear ratio associated with the reduced rotational speed while causing the motor to decelerate, the motor being operable to deliver increased torque at the reduced rotational speed, thereby generally maintaining the acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
    Inventor: Nicolas Louis Bouchon
  • Publication number: 20140335995
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine that has a crankshaft. A first motor-generator is drivingly connected to the crankshaft via an endless rotatable device. The powertrain includes a transmission that has a transmission input member driven by the crankshaft and a transmission output member. A front differential is operatively connected with front half shafts. A transfer case has a gearing arrangement configured to distribute torque of the transmission output member to the front differential and to a driveshaft. A rear differential is operatively connectable with the driveshaft, and is configured to transfer torque from the driveshaft to rear half shafts. A second motor-generator is drivingly connected to the rear differential. A controller is operatively connected to the second motor-generator, and controls the second motor-generator to function as a motor that provides torque to the rear wheels through the rear differential. A modular rear drive unit operatively connects to the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shawn H. Swales, Joel M. Maguire, Goro Tamai, Peter J. Savagian
  • Publication number: 20140330465
    Abstract: Control apparatuses for hybrid vehicles are disclosed which rapidly decrease the voltage of an inverter following a collision. The control apparatus increases a force of engagement of a clutch when an operating speed of an engine is lower than an operating speed of an electric motor after a collision, and reduces the force of engagement of the clutch when the operating speed of the engine is equal to or higher than the operating speed of the electric motor after the collision. Accordingly, the clutch is placed in an engaged state when the engine applies a load to the electric motor, and is placed in a released state when the operating speed of the electric motor is raised by the engine in the engaged state of the clutch so that the operating speed of the electric motor can be rapidly lowered and a voltage of an inverter can be rapidly lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuto Matsudaira
  • Patent number: 8874290
    Abstract: It is provided a control device for a vehicle power transmission device having a stepped automatic transmission making up a portion of a power transmission path between an engine and a drive wheel, the control device setting a shift point of the automatic transmission in accordance with a request drive force of a driver and a vehicle speed, the control device setting a shift point of the automatic transmission in accordance with a rotation speed of the engine and a vehicle speed instead of the request drive force, if a vehicle is in a predetermined fuel consumption priority running state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20140315682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch device having an actuating device for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, the drivetrain having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine with a stator and a rotor, and a transmission device, wherein the clutch device can be arranged in the drivetrain between the internal combustion engine at one side and the electric machine and the transmission device at the other side, the clutch device and the actuating device are integrated into the rotor of the electric machine, and the actuating device has a rotatable ramp device with first ramps and second ramps, wherein the clutch device has an electric actuator for actively rotating the ramp device, in order to structurally and/or functionally improve the clutch device, and to an electric machine having a stator, a rotor and a clutch device of this type integrated into the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Helmer, Florian Vogel
  • Patent number: 8868271
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a motor control system and method for a vehicle with a transmission comprising for improving the quality of shifting, by improving precision in shifting control with precise and active motor torque control by calculating a maximum and a minimum motor torque in response to determining a power-on up-shift for increasing a shifting gear and a power-off down-shift for decreasing the shifting gear in shifting of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Publication number: 20140309827
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes an electric motor, a smoothing capacitor, a discharge device and a controller. The smoothing capacitor smoothes the electric current that is used to drive the electric motor. The discharge device is capable of releasing the electric charge stored in the capacitor. The controller is configured to receive sensor data that indicates a state of the motor vehicle and determine whether to activate a discharge device, based on the sensor data received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takao Kanzaki, Koichi Sakata, Yusuke Shindo, Yasuaki Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8855872
    Abstract: A construction machine includes: a work device; an operation device which receives a manipulation; a hydraulic unit including a hydraulic motor; an electric unit including an electric motor and an energy storage unit; a control device which makes the electric power of the energy storage unit assist the hydraulic unit upon the manipulation for the drive side, and makes the electric motor generate regenerative electric power unit upon the manipulation for the regeneration side; and a power-discharge command unit which issues a discharge command for the energy storage unit. Upon receiving the discharge command, the control device operates the electric motor to lower a voltage of the energy storage unit upon the manipulation for the drive side, and makes only the hydraulic unit decelerate or stop the work device upon the manipulation for the regeneration side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8851217
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine, at least one electric drive motor and a starter. The internal combustion engine optionally can be started by the starter or the electric drive motor. However, the internal combustion engine is started by the starter when the vehicle is already being driven by the electric drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Schiek, Thomas Rauner, Immo Stache, Markus Goehring, Leo Spiegel
  • Publication number: 20140297073
    Abstract: An engine clutch control system for a hybrid vehicle has a power source including an engine and a motor, an engine clutch between the engine and the motor, a traveling information detector that detects traveling information including at least one of the vehicle speed, shift gear, displacement of the accelerator pedal, and displacement of the brake pedal, and a hybrid controller that selects an EV mode or HEV mode by controlling disengagement or engagement of the engine clutch. A method of controlling the engine clutch includes determining whether there is a request for changing into the HEV mode from the EV mode; determining a reference speed from traveling inertia of the vehicle and inertia of the engine and the motor; determining a desired speed for controlling the determined reference speed; and calculating transmission torque of the engine clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Seok Min Jeong
  • Patent number: 8844272
    Abstract: Various systems and method are described for controlling an engine having an exhaust system which includes a particulate filter. One example method comprises, after shutting down the engine and spinning down the engine to rest, operating a vacuum pump to draw fresh air through the exhaust system to an intake system, and regenerating at least a portion of the particulate filter during the engine rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn
  • Publication number: 20140288754
    Abstract: A control device that controls a vehicle drive device in which a rotary electric machine is provided in a power transfer path that connects between an internal combustion engine and wheels. Engagement of a second engagement device is started when a change in shift range from a stop range to a running range is detected when output torque of the rotary electric machine is zero with the internal combustion engine rotating and with both the first engagement device and the second engagement device disengaged. Engagement of a first engagement device is started after engagement of the second engagement device is started, and the output torque of the rotary electric machine is increased from zero at the same time as engagement of the first engagement device is started or before engagement of the first engagement device is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Masashi Kito, Shigeru Sugisaka, Yuichi Seki
  • Patent number: 8838310
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle causes the hybrid vehicle to travel in limp-home mode with motive power from an engine when either a motor or a battery for travel cannot be used. The engine incorporated in the hybrid vehicle includes an EGR device for recirculating part of exhaust gas to an intake system of the engine again. Even if an operation state of the engine satisfies a prescribed EGR permission condition for operating the EGR device, during the travel in limp-home mode with an abnormality detection flag being set to 1, the control device prohibits operation of the EGR device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Tomatsuri
  • Patent number: 8836187
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes an input member coupled to an internal combustion engine; an output member coupled to a wheel; a rotating electrical machine; a fluid coupling; and a case containing at least the rotating electrical machine and the fluid coupling. The fluid coupling includes an input and an output that is paired with the input. The rotating electrical machine includes a rotor and a rotor support that extends radially inward from the rotor in an axial direction with respect to the coupling input, and supports the rotor via a support bearing. A power transmission member is formed by coupling at least the rotor support and the coupling input together so that at least the rotor support and the coupling input rotate together. A movement restricting mechanism restricts axial movement of the power transmission member toward the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Iwase, Tomohide Suzuki, Naoya Jinnai, Tatsuya Okishima, Toshihiko Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20140257653
    Abstract: In a gear-shift instruction device for the hybrid vehicle that includes an engine that can output power for running, an electric motor (such as a motor-generator and a motor) that can output power for running, a power transmission system that transmits power to a drive wheel and can manually select a gear shift position, and a gear-shift instruction unit that prompts a change of the gear shift position to a driver, modes of the guide for gear shift are different between during electric motor running (EV running) and during hybrid running (HV running) for a same accelerator depression amount and vehicle speed in a state that allows manual gear shift operation (manual gear shift mode). This ensures the compatibility between: improvement in energy efficiency and fuel consumption by the gear shift instruction; and reduction in burden of the driver due to gear shifting based on the gear shift instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita Sato, Eiji Fukushiro
  • Publication number: 20140257618
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a clutch on a power transmission path between a motor generator and a driving wheel. If the vehicle moves backward when the vehicle starts forward acceleration from standstill on an ascending slope, the charging level of the battery that is attributable to power generation by the motor generator due to the backward travel is compared with a current maximum charging power of the battery. If the charging level of the battery is greater, the quantity of slippage of the clutch is controlled according to the excess to lower the rotational speed of the motor generator, hence to lower the power generation. That enables an increase in the torque of the motor generator within the range in which the battery may be charged. Performance is thus improved during acceleration from standstill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hiasa, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Tatsuya Imamura, Kenta Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 8820445
    Abstract: A maximum dischargeable current Idmax obtained when electric power output from a battery is increased from a battery current Ib and a battery voltage Vb at present under internal resistance R at present (an operating point 510) until the battery voltage reaches a lower limit voltage Ve (an operating point 520), is shown as follows: Idmax=Ib+(Vb?Ve)/R. Therefore, in accordance with multiplication of the lower limit voltage Ve and the maximum dischargeable current Idmax, it is possible to predict maximum dischargeable electric power at which the battery voltage does not become lower than the lower limit voltage even if discharge limitation is temporarily relaxed, as a relative value with respect to the battery voltage and the battery current at present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20140244087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oil pump control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle that controls an oil pump according to a demand of an output torque and oil temperature, and a method thereof. A oil pump control method includes controlling hydraulic line pressure by operating a oil pump at a maximum power if a starting demand for a hybrid vehicle is detected, calculating a viscosity to correspond to an oil temperature in an engine stop mode and controlling a rotation speed of the oil pump at a low power, and calculating a viscosity according to a variation of a line pressure in a driving mode and controlling the rotation speed of the electric oil pump in either a low power, a middle power, and a high power state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanghyun Jeong, Jong Hyun Kim, Seunghyun Yang, Sang Lok Song, Yeonho Kim, Jaeshin Yi, Haksung Lee, Seung Ki Kong
  • Publication number: 20140244091
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle drive device comprises an engine and an electric motor acting as a drive force source for running, a mechanical oil pump driven by at least one of the engine and the electric motor, a hydraulic power transmission device transmitting power of the engine and the electric motor to drive wheels, and an engagement device interposed between the hydraulic power transmission device and the drive wheels, the engagement device transmitting power input from the hydraulic power transmission device to the drive wheels when engaged, if the electric motor drives the mechanical oil pump while an operation of the engine is stopped, the control device executing neutral control of putting the engagement device into a slip state or a released state to suppress power transmission between the hydraulic power transmission device and the drive wheels, the hydraulic power transmission device including a lockup clutch mechanically coupling input and output members of the hydraulic power transmission devic
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shingo Eto, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Publication number: 20140243148
    Abstract: A drive force control system includes an engine for controlling an output in accordance with an operation of an accelerator of a vehicle, a drive motor assisting a torque of the engine, an operation state detection portion detecting an operation state of the accelerator, and a control portion performing an advancing compensation control by the drive motor together with a drive control of the engine on the basis of an amount of change of the operation state of the accelerator generated within a predetermined time to provide greater acceleration than a case where the operation state of the accelerator is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: TAKESHI TOJO, KYOSUKE MORI, TAKAHIRO MISU, YO SHISHIDO
  • Patent number: 8818603
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first electric storage device for supplying an electric power to an electric rotating machine, a second electric storage device with a lower voltage than the first electric storage device for supplying an electric power to an electric component, a converter, and a control unit. The control unit controls the converter such that a voltage of a electric power supplied from the first electric storage device to the second electric storage device becomes equal to a target voltage. Further, the control unit sets the target voltage to a first voltage if a system stop period for a system of the vehicle is longer than a first period, and sets the target voltage to a second voltage, which is lower than the first voltage, if the system stop period is equal to or shorter than the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Gohki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8818648
    Abstract: A hybrid construction machine includes a hydraulic pressure work element driven by hydraulic pressure generated by driving power of an internal combustion engine or a motor generator, and also includes an electric-motor work element driven by an electric motor. A superordinate control unit generates a control command which controls drive of the hydraulic pressure work element and the electric-motor work element. A subordinate control unit controls drive of the hydraulic pressure work element and the electric-motor work element based on the control command generated by the superordinate control unit. The subordinate control unit monitors an error in the superordinate control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo (S.H.I.) Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoko Takanashi, Hideaki Yuasa, Kiminori Sano
  • Patent number: 8806882
    Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein are directed to managing the heat content of two vehicle subsystems through a single coolant loop having parallel branches for each subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Alliance for Substainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Bennion, Matthew Thornton
  • Patent number: 8812183
    Abstract: When the amount of heat stored in a heat storage container is greater than or equal to a determination value at the time of initiation of system start-up in a hybrid vehicle, heating by thermal energy stored in the heat storage container is carried out only on an internal combustion engine. This increases the engine temperature to a permitting temperature for intermittent control of the engine or higher, so that the intermittent control is executed at an early stage after the initiation of the system start-up in the hybrid vehicle. Also, oil viscosity in the engine is rapidly lowered to decrease the resistance to operation of the engine. If the amount of the heat stored in the heat storage container is less than the determination value, the heating by the thermal energy stored in the heat storage container is performed on the transaxle under a prescribed condition. As a result, the fuel efficiency of the engine is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8808124
    Abstract: A belt alternator starter (BAS) system for a hybrid vehicle may include a first pulley, a first belt, a motor generator unit (MGU), a second pulley, a second belt, and a first clutch. The first belt encircles the first pulley and a crankshaft pulley of an internal combustion engine. The MGU includes the second pulley and functions as an electric motor when the engine is started and as a generator for charging a battery when the engine is running. The second belt encircles the second pulley and at least one drive pulley of an accessory unit. The first clutch couples/decouples the crankshaft pulley to/from the second pulley depending on operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, Steven A. Tarnowsky
  • Publication number: 20140229044
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric machine connected to the engine by an upstream clutch, a transmission gearbox connected to the electric machine by a downstream clutch, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a user commanded shift of the transmission, control the electric machine speed to a designated speed based on gearbox output speed and the transmission gear ratio after the shift, thereby synchronizing speeds across the gearbox for the shift. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle provides, in response to a user commanded shift of an automatic transmission gearbox, controlling an electric machine speed to a target speed based on the transmission gear ratio after the shift where the target speed is synchronized with the transmission gearbox output speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengyu Dai, Hong Jiang
  • Publication number: 20140222263
    Abstract: A system includes a hybrid power train including an engine, a first electrical torque provider, and a second electrical torque provider. The system further includes a load mechanically coupled to the hybrid power train. The hybrid power train further includes a clutch coupled to the engine and the second electrical torque provider on a first side, and coupled to the first electrical torque provider and the load on a second side. The system further includes an electrical energy storage device electrically coupled to the electrical torque providers. The system further includes a controller that performs operations to smooth torque commands for the engine and the second electrical torque provider in response to determining that a clutch engage-disengage event occurring or imminent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Vivek Anand Sujan, Martin T. Books, Patrick O. Djan-Sampson, Praveen Muralidhar
  • Patent number: 8781658
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the target thermal conditioning value to control a rechargeable energy storage system. Target thermal conditioning values are determined using a required thermal power value and a heat generation value in order to appropriately condition the RESS for heating and cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Simonini
  • Publication number: 20140195082
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control device is provided that is capable of achieving stable input torque control and torque capacity control of the clutch. When transitioning between a slip drive mode, in which the vehicle travels by controlling the rotation speed of the drive source and controlling the slip state of a starting clutch, and an engagement drive mode, in which the vehicle travels by controlling the torque of the drive source and completely engaging the starting clutch, the torque of the inertia component of the drive source side is deducted from the target drive torque set on the basis of the acceleration opening degree set as the starting clutch transfer torque capacity in the slip state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Takamura, Hiroyuki Ashizawa, Haruhisa Tsuchikawa
  • Publication number: 20140190147
    Abstract: A method is applied to regenerate particulate matter in a particulate filter of a hybrid electric vehicle having a combination of a combustion engine and an electric motor for propelling the vehicle, the hybrid electric vehicle having an electrically heated catalyst disposed in flow communication with the particulate filter in an exhaust system of the vehicle. The method determines whether the combustion engine is or is not combusting fuel, and under a condition where the combustion engine is not combusting fuel, the catalyst is electrically heated until it has reached a temperature suitable to cause ignition of the particulate matter. The electric motor is used to facilitate rotation of the combustion engine at a rotational speed suitable to draw air into and be exhausted out of the combustion engine into the exhaust system, across the catalyst, and into the particulate filter to facilitate ignition of the particulate in the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bryan N. Roos, Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Patent number: 8770328
    Abstract: A process for controlling a vehicle start-stop operation having a hybrid drive with an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, a service brake with an ABS and an electric parking brake, includes: determining, monitoring and analyzing performance parameters of the vehicle, the internal-combustion engine, the electric motor, the service brake and the parking brake; automatically releasing the parking brake in the case of a starting prompt because of determined performance parameters; driving the vehicle by the electric motor for the start; starting the engine by the electric motor if the engine is switched off; driving the vehicle by the electric motor and the engine; activating a generator operation of the electric motor in the case of a braking prompt because of determined performance parameters; activating the service brake; and automatically locking the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped after a previously definable deceleration time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Publication number: 20140180519
    Abstract: A vehicle incorporates an engine to which an engine-related component is attached, a battery charged with electric power supplied from an external power supply, and an electric motor as a driving source to which electric power is supplied from the battery. An ECU causes at least one of the engine-related component and the battery to be heated, using the electric power supplied from outside while the electric power is being supplied from outside, in accordance with a distance over which the vehicle can run by driving the electric motor alone and a distance to a destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kuniaki Niimi
  • Publication number: 20140172212
    Abstract: A method and system for setting a learning period of an engine clutch of a hybrid vehicle are provided. The engine clutch controls a connection of power between an engine and a motor of a hybrid vehicle, and the method includes: detecting and accumulating a launch slip time of the engine clutch; detecting and accumulating a launch slip entry number of times of the engine clutch; detecting and accumulating a time in which a temperature of the engine clutch exceeds a setting temperature; detecting and accumulating a number of times in which the temperature of the engine clutch exceeds the setting temperature; and setting a learning period of the engine clutch based on at least one of the launch slip accumulation time, the launch slip entry accumulation number of times, the setting temperature exceeding accumulation time, and the setting temperature exceeding accumulation number of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Joonyoung Park, Chun Hyuk Lee
  • Publication number: 20140172250
    Abstract: A method of controlling a level of fluid in a main sump of a transmission includes opening an auxiliary reservoir with a first valve when fluid temperature in the main sump is at or below the predetermined temperature. The first valve is opened to increase the level of fluid in the main sump to at least a predetermined height so that transmission rotating components contact the fluid and generate splash lubrication. When the transmission is transmitting torque and the fluid is above the predetermined temperature, the level of fluid in the main sump is maintained below a predetermined height with closed first valve, such that the rotating components do not contact the fluid inside the main sump. A fluid pump alone is sufficient to lubricate the rotating components above the predetermined temperature and sufficient to lubricate the rotating components at or below the predetermined temperature only with splash lubrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Norman Schoenek, Anthony J. Corsetti
  • Publication number: 20140162840
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling anti-jerk of a hybrid vehicle reduce shift vibration and shock by reverse phase controlling a drive motor during gear-shifting of a hybrid vehicle without a torque converter. The method includes determining whether a gear-shifting command is outputted from a transmission control unit of the hybrid vehicle; when it is determined that the gear-shifting command is outputted, confirming a gear-shifting range divided into at least three phases in accordance with the gear-shifting command; determining whether the corresponding divided gear-shifting range is an anti-jerk allowed gear-shifting range; and when it is determined that the corresponding gear-shifting range is the anti-jerk allowed gear-shifting range, reverse phase controlling a drive motor of the hybrid vehicle by a predetermined value in order to reduce or attenuate vibration and shock generated in the corresponding gear-shifting range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Joung Chul Kim, Tai Jin Jugn
  • Publication number: 20140162839
    Abstract: In a case of engagement when a clutch K0 disposed between an engine 12 and a motor generator MG is engaged during EV running while a release instruction for the clutch K0 is output, drive of the engine 12 is changed such that a rotation speed NE of the engine 12 approaches a rotation speed NMG of the motor generator MG and, therefore, a drag torque of the engine 12 can be suppressed regardless of an engagement state of the clutch K0, and generation of longitudinal acceleration can be suppressed by reducing a slip time of the clutch K0. Therefore, a control device of a hybrid vehicle 10 can be provided that reduces a driver's uncomfortable feeling in a simplified manner in a case of wrong engagement of the clutch K0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Terufumi Miyazaki, Yukihiko Ideshio, Toshihiko Kamiya, Shingo Eto, Hironori Asaoka, Yasuyuki Kato
  • Publication number: 20140163804
    Abstract: There are provided an electric storage device (11), inverter devices (7, 10), a converter device (12) for converting the voltage of circuits to which the inverter devices (7, 10) are connected, a motor generator (6) for driving a hydraulic pump (4) using alternate current from the inverter device (7), a motor (9) for driving wheels (61) using alternate current from the inverter device (10), and a control device (200) for controlling the inverter devices (7, 10). When any of the devices necessary for supplying the current to the motor (9) has developed a failure, the control device (200) drives the motor (9) by getting another normal device to perform another process corresponding to the process that has been performed by the malfunctioned device before the failure. This makes it possible to continue travel movement even when part of a travel power supply system has developed a failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Satoru Kaneko, Takashi Ikimi, Hidekazu Moriki, Norita Ito, Yuichiro Morita
  • Publication number: 20140163788
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque converter impeller torque from beginning to end of transmission shifting is adjusted in response to variable driveline inertia. The approach may improve transmission shifting and reduce driveline torque disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum
  • Patent number: 8751081
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle that runs in an electric running priority mode after the engine reaches a driving condition appropriate for heating the catalyst (S130-S150) if the system has been started up and the following conditions are met: the vehicle is running in an electric running priority mode in which electric power is used preferentially to drive the vehicle; the temperature (Tc) at which the catalyst becomes activated to purify the engine exhaust falls below a threshold value (Tref); and a battery storage rate (SOC) falls below a threshold value (Scd) which reaches a threshold value (Shv). Then the system switches to a hybrid running priority mode after running on electric power for the length of time necessary to heat the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Kato, Masaya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8746380
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a braking system of a hybrid vehicle that can be driven by an internal combustion engine and an electrical machine. A brake pressure for a mechanical brake in the braking system is reduced during braking with recuperation, in comparison to the brake pressure during braking without recuperation. A braking system and a vehicle having a braking system that functions in accordance with the method also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stephan Hennings
  • Patent number: 8739906
    Abstract: A hybrid-type construction machine includes a controller configured to control a revolution speed of an engine; a hydraulic pump configured to be driven by the engine; a motor generator configured to assist the engine; and a hydraulic circuit configured to supply an operating oil discharged from the hydraulic pump to a hydraulic load, wherein when the controller determines that the hydraulic circuit is in an excessive output state, the controller controls the revolution speed of the engine so as to be lower than an ordinary revolution speed of the engine while controlling the motor generator to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Kawashima
  • Patent number: 8740104
    Abstract: A heating and ventilation system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The system having a heater core supplied with engine cooling fluid via a variable flow pump for heating an air flow supplied to the passenger compartment. The system additionally having a controller for controlling the pump to increase engine cooling fluid mass flow-rate in response to a detected temperature decrease of the engine cooling fluid when the engine is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Mark Bigler, Mark Hill, Allan Flanagan, Joseph Balog
  • Patent number: 8738260
    Abstract: A brake control system includes: a friction brake unit for generating a friction braking force; a regenerative brake unit for generating a regenerative braking force; and a control unit for controlling the regenerative and friction brake units based on a regenerative target value and a friction target value defined based on a target deceleration, and for controlling a braking force by selecting one of a plurality of control modes including both a regeneration permission mode in which a total braking force is generated by the regenerative and friction braking forces, and a regeneration prohibition mode in which the target deceleration is generated by the friction braking force. In the permission mode, the control unit generates the total force by providing a delay, while in the prohibition mode, the control unit provides a delay smaller than the above delay to the friction braking force or does not provide a delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyazaki, Kazunori Nimura
  • Patent number: 8733480
    Abstract: A rotational difference is generated between a first and a second rotor and a third rotor, which causes an induced current to flow in a first rotor winding. This causes a torque to act between the first rotor and the third rotor. The rotary magnetic field generated by the induced current flowing through a second rotor winding interacts with a second stator, which in turn generates an induced electromotive force in a second stator winding. The induced electromotive force is applied via a phase adjustment circuit to a first stator winding, which generates a rotary magnetic field and causes a torque to act between the first stator and the third rotor. The rotary magnetic field generated by the second rotor winding and the induced current flowing in the second stator winding causes a torque to act between the second stator and the second rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Watanabe, Eiji Tsuchiya, Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Takeshi Kitahata
  • Patent number: 8727050
    Abstract: A system and control module for controlling an electrically heated catalyst includes a remote start module generating a remote start signal, a catalyst control module controlling the electrically heated catalyst based on the remote start signal and an engine control module starting the engine after preheating and/or when required by the vehicle to honor a request as defined in this document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Bryan Nathaniel Roos, Brian L. Spohn, Eugene V. Gonze, Halim G. Santoso