Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Kathleen Ellen Bailey

Anthony Mark Phillips

Miroslava Jankovic

Mark Steven Yamazaki

John Richard Blankenship

Brandon R Masterson

Marvin Paul Kraska

David Richens Brigham

Natarajan Sureshbabu

Walt Joseph Ortmann

Susan Rebecca Cikanek

Dan Colvin

Barry Kay Powell

A control method and control system for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain with a multiple-ratio transmission is disclosed in which engine start events are separated in time from transmission ratio shift events to effect a smooth transition from an electric drive state with the engine off to a drive state in which the engine delivers driving power.

Hybrid electric vehicle powertrain with engine start and transmission shift arbitration

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 operating a hybrid vehicle having a primary power generating system and a secondary power generating system coupled via a power transmission assembly for delivery of tractive force for the vehicle. The method includes determining acceleration of input speed to the power transmission assembly when the primary power generating system is deactivated, and inferring activation of the primary power generating system based at least in part on the acceleration of the power transmission assembly.

System and method for engine start detection for hybrid vehicles

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

A method of distributing a torque demand in a hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor is provided. In hybrid operation, the motor initially starts the vehicle. When the vehicle desired power demand reaches a first vehicle operational parameter, a controller switches the torque demand to the engine . An accelerator pedal has a position sensor which determines a non-fixed pedal first position during transition between the motor and engine . The accelerator pedal also has a preset second position wherein a maximum of engine torque is requested. The controller , cognizant of the accelerator pedal first and second positions, linearly scales the accelerator pedal to provide a uniform torque-responsive accelerator pedal.

Hybrid electric vehicle torque distribution

A vehicle system controller for a vehicle having an engine, a motor/generator, and subsystem controllers is provided. The vehicle system controller includes a state machine having a number of predefined states which represent vehicle operating modes. The predefined states include a motor drive state, which represents a vehicle operating mode wherein the motor/generator provides all driveline torques. The vehicle system controller further includes a set of rules which define logical relationships between each of the predefined states. A set of commands, unique to each state, are supplied to the subsystem controllers. The commands are provided to the subsystem controllers to achieve desired vehicle functionality within the states, and to transition between different states.

Control system and method for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle

A starter/alternator system ( ) for hybrid electric vehicle ( ) having an internal combustion engine ( ) and an energy storage device (34) has a controller ( ) coupled to the starter/alternator ( ). The controller ( ) has a state of charge manager ( ) that monitors the state of charge of the energy storage device. The controller has eight battery state-of-charge threshold values that determine the hybrid operating mode of the hybrid electric vehicle. The value of the battery state-of-charge relative to the threshold values is a factor in the determination of the hybrid mode, for example; regenerative braking, charging, battery bleed, boost. The starter/alternator may be operated as a generator or a motor, depending upon the mode.

Method and apparatus for controlling battery charging in a hybrid electric vehicle

An energy control strategy ( ) for a hybrid electric vehicle that controls an electric motor during bleed and charge modes of operation. The control strategy ( ) establishes ( ) a value of the power level at which the battery is to be charged. The power level is used to calculate ( ) the torque to be commanded to the electric motor. The strategy ( ) of the present invention identifies a transition region ( ) for the electric motor's operation that is bounded by upper and lower speed limits. According to the present invention, the desired torque is calculated by applying equations to the regions before, during and after the transition region ( ), the equations being a function of the power level and the predetermined limits and boundaries.

Energy control strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle

A vehicle system controller (,) is presented for a LSR parallel hybrid electric vehicle having an engine (,), a motor (,), wheels (,), a transmission (,) and a battery (,). The vehicle system controller (,) has a state machine having a plurality of predefined states (,) that represent operating modes for the vehicle. A set of rules is defined for controlling the transition between any two states in the state machine. The states (,) are prioritized according to driver demands, energy management concerns and system fault occurrences. The vehicle system controller (,) controls the transitions from a lower priority state to a higher priority state based on the set of rules. In addition, the vehicle system controller (,) will control a transition to a lower state from a higher state when the conditions no longer warrant staying in the current state. A unique set of output commands is defined for each state for the purpose of controlling lower level subsystem controllers. These commands serve to achieve the desire vehicle functionality within each state and insure smooth transitions between states.

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Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Kathleen Ellen Bailey