Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Alexander Gibson

Jeffrey Allen Doering

Adam Nathan Banker

Imtiaz Ali

Thomas Megli

Philip Thomas Koneda

David Andrew Ord

A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes supply electrical current to a starter motor independently from supplying electrical current to a starter solenoid. In addition, the method includes adjusting and amount of electrical current that is delivered to the starter motor in response to a level of urgency of an automatic engine start.

Methods and system for a stop/start vehicle

A control strategy for a hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a geared transmission mechanism for transmitting driving torque to the vehicle traction wheels, and an electric motor arranged in parallel with respect to the internal combustion engine at the torque input side of the transmission. A friction clutch connects and disconnects the engine from the torque flow path as transitions are made between an electric motor driving mode and an engine driving mode. A mechanical damper is located on the torque input side of the clutch. A transition from the electric motor drive mode to the internal combustion engine drive mode is achieved by controlling the engagement of the clutch using a closed loop clutch pressure modulation strategy and controlling the fuel supply to the engine to effect an engine drive mode without triggering undesirable inertia torque fluctuations in the powertrain.

Control strategy for a hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Alexander Gibson