Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Balakrishna Rao

Rimma Isayeva

Daniel Richard Luedtke

Jonathan Andrew Butcher

A vehicle having at least two electric machines includes an oil circulation path that circulates oil through the electric machines. A controller commands the electric machines to fulfill torque demands. The controller utilizes the oil temperature in the oil circulation path to control the commanded torque output by the electric machines. In the event of a failure or fault in an oil temperature sensor, the controller estimates the oil temperature from the temperature of coils within at least one of the electric machines. The estimated oil temperature is utilized instead of the sensed oil temperature to control the torque outputs to satisfy torque demands.

Temperature based electric machine control

A method for operating a hybrid electric vehicle having a variable voltage converter (VVC) includes commanding a first voltage across a VVC in response to a signal requesting a VVC test, continuously monitoring a first VVC voltage difference over a first calibratable time period, and generating a diagnostic signal if the first voltage difference exceeds a first calibratable threshold for the duration of a first calibratable time period. The method further includes, in response to the first voltage difference dropping below the first calibratable threshold, commanding a second voltage across the VVC, continuously monitoring a second VVC voltage difference over a second calibratable time period, generating a diagnostic signal if the second voltage difference exceeds a second calibratable threshold for the duration of a second calibratable time period, and signaling a test pass in response to the second voltage difference dropping below the second calibratable threshold.

Hybrid electric vehicle power-up sequencing with VVC test

A vehicle having at least one electric machine capable of propelling the vehicle is provided. An oil circulation path is provided that circulates oil through the electric machines. A controller commands the electric machines to fulfill torque demands. The controller utilizes the oil temperature in the oil circulation path in order to control the commanded torque output by the electric machines. In the event of a failure or fault in the oil temperature sensors, the controller estimates the oil temperature from the temperature of coils within the electric machine. The estimated oil temperature is utilized instead of the sensed oil temperature to control the torque outputs to maintain torque demands.

A hybrid-electric vehicle method of controlling a hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a traction battery, at least two electric-machines, and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a faulted condition one of the electric-machines during a drive cycle, command the other of the electric-machines to function in a mode in which torque output is restricted to a threshold value that depends on a voltage of the battery to maintain vehicle propulsion during the drive cycle.

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Balakrishna Rao