Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

David Richens Brigham

Mark John Jennings

Quazi Ehtesham Hussain

William Samuel Schwartz

Mark Steven Yamazaki

Michael Benjamin Levin

Furqan Zafar Shaikh

Michael Alan Tamor

Brandon R Masterson

Danrich Henry Demitroff

Alexander Timofeevich Zaremba

Kathleen Ellen Bailey

Donald Masch

James Patrick O'Neill

Mohammad Shakiba-herfeh

Kukhyun Ahn

Ming Lang Kuang

Shunsuke Okubo

Chad Allan Baker

Douglas Bradley Bell

Timothy Romlein

Amos Lev

Sandra Giardini

Methods and systems for operating a hybrid driveline that includes an engine and an electric machine are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine and electric machine are operated according to a solution of a Hamiltonian that includes a first co-state and a second co-state, an engine fuel flow parameter, a rate of change of battery state of charge parameter, and an emissions flow rate parameter.

System and method for improving vehicle driveline operation

Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may reduce engine warm-up time and increase an amount of time an engine of a hybrid vehicle is deactivated while the hybrid vehicle is powered by a motor. In one example, a phase change material selectively stores and releases exhaust gas energy from and engine to improve vehicle operation.

Methods and systems for utilizing waste heat for a hybrid vehicle

A hybrid vehicle includes powertrain components such as an engine, an automatic transmission, and a traction motor selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch and to the transmission. At least one controller is programmed to control these powertrain components. The vehicle is driven over a drive cycle that includes multiple engine starts and transmission gear shifts. An amount of fuel consumption used during these engine starts and transmissions gear shifts is stored on an on-board storage device. Subsequently, the engine is inhibited from starting and the transmission is inhibited from shifting gears based on the amount of fuel consumption associated with the engine starts and transmission gear shifts performed during the drive cycle as recalled from the storage device.

Minimizing engine pull-ups and gear shifts in a hybrid vehicle

An exhaust gas heat recovery system for a vehicle is configured to selectively distribute a fluid heated by engine exhaust to a first path for generating electricity and a second path for heating one or more powertrain components of the vehicle. A controller selects a distribution of the fluid to the first and second paths based on minimizing a fuel consumption of an engine. The controller further selects a distribution of fluid to the powertrain components to minimize fuel consumption. The controller distributes the fluid according to the selected distribution.

Controller for exhaust heat conversion to heat and electricity

A vehicle includes a powertrain having an engine and at least one controller. The controller is programmed to selectively heat at least one of a plurality of components of the powertrain with a given amount of waste heat based on an expected decrease in friction power associated with an expected increase in temperature from the given amount of waste heat for each of the components.

Selective powertrain heating system

Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may selectively or contemporaneously supply energy from engine exhaust gas to generate electricity or warm the engine. In one example, exhaust gas energy raises a temperature of a heat transfer medium and the heat transfer medium is routed to an engine coolant heat exchanger or an expander via a bypass valve.

Methods and systems for hybrid vehicle waste heat recovery

A method for managing power distribution from an engine and a battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle whereby battery power is used to meet a driver demand for power and engine power complements battery power when either battery state-of-charge limit or battery discharge power limit would be exceeded, an external power grid being used to restore battery power following battery charge depletion.

Charge depleting energy management strategy for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

A propulsion system includes a first torque producing arrangement including an electric machine configured to a first energy source supplying electrical energy to the electric machine. The system also includes a second torque producing arrangement having an engine connected to a second energy source configured to supply gaseous fuel to the engine. The system has a hydrogen production system having an electrolyzer, a water source, a hydrogen dispensing and loading system, and a connection to an electricity grid. Hydrogen is loaded to the second energy source when the electrolyzer is electrolyzing the water. The engine further connects to a third energy source configured to supply a non-hydrogen fuel to the engine. The system has a controller electrically connected to the motor and the engine capable of selecting the propulsion component and the fuel source.

Vehicle propulsion system with selectable energy sources and method of use

A system and method of controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes determining a vehicle speed, determining an operating state of a brake system, and controlling activation of the power source based on at least one of the vehicle speed and the operating state of the brake system.

System and method for controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle

A method for controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle. A hybrid electric vehicle has first and second power sources connected to a motor. The motor is connected to a transmission adapted to drive a vehicle wheel. The method includes comparing a vehicle speed value to first and second threshold values. If the vehicle speed value is less than the first threshold value, then the method determines whether a vehicle brake is released. If the vehicle speed value is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, the method determines whether additional acceleration is demanded. The power source is activated if additional power is demanded or if the vehicle brake has been released. The power source is deactivated if the brake is engaged or if additional power is not demanded.

Method for controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle

An operating strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) manages the flow of energy to both supply the motive demand power of the HEV and maintain the charge of the energy storage system (ESS). A controller operates the main power unit (HPU) and ESS and, using an optimal fuel cost strategy, scans all possible combinations of power from the HPU and ESS that satisfy the motive demand power. The combination with the lowest fuel cost is selected and the ESS is charged, when possible, using marginal charging; but, if the state of charge of the ESS falls below a certain level, fast charging is invoked. A minimum power threshold strategy can be used rather than the fuel cost strategy. The minimum power threshold strategy determines the optimal compromise of HPU operation and ESS operation to maximize fuel economy by using a motive power threshold below which the HPU is not operated except to recharge the ESS.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

David Richens Brigham