Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Retrospect Technology, LLC

Michael Woon

Anthony H Heap

Michael Glenn Diaz

Luke David Shepley

Michael Andrew Miller

Shawn Harold Swales

Brendan M Conlon

Kee Yong Kim

Aniket P Kothari

Krunal P Patel

Michael C Muir

Joshua F Pacheco

Changes in the controlling of an autonomous vehicle are caused based on an operational risk determined for the autonomous vehicle. An operational risk monitor module of the autonomous vehicle uses information about objects detected within an environment in which the autonomous vehicle is located and predicted behaviors of those objects to assess the operational risk of the autonomous vehicle along a planned path. The operational risk is used to determine whether to cause a change in the controlling of the autonomous vehicle, for example, based on a comparison between the operational risk and a previously estimated operational risk or based on a determination that the operational risk exceeds a threshold. The operational risk monitor module transmits a signal to one or more control system modules of the autonomous vehicle to indicate to change the controlling of the autonomous vehicle based on the operational risk.

Operational risk assessment for autonomous vehicle control

A powertrain system including an internal combustion engine, a transmission and an electric machine is described, and includes the electric machine rotatably coupled to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The transmission is coupled to a driveline to transfer tractive torque and braking torque thereto. A method for controlling the electric machine includes determining a short-term axle torque capacity, a long-term axle torque capacity and a maximum regenerative braking stall torque capacity, and determining an operator request for braking. A preferred regenerative braking capacity is determined based upon the short-term axle torque capacity, the long-term regenerative braking capacity, the engine stall regenerative braking capacity and the operator request for braking. Torque output from the electric machine is controlled based upon the preferred regenerative braking capacity.

Method and apparatus for the determination of regenerative braking capacity in a vehicle with a step-gear transmission

A method for controlling a powertrain includes, in response to an output torque request that includes deceleration, operating an internal combustion engine in a fuel cutoff state and in a cylinder deactivation state, controlling a clutch of a torque converter in an activated state, and operating an electric machine in a regenerative braking state. A state of the powertrain related to engine speed is monitored. The internal combustion engine is commanded to transition from the cylinder deactivation state to an all-cylinder state and the electric machine operates in the regenerative braking state including ramping down magnitude of regenerative braking torque when the engine speed is less than a first threshold speed. The torque converter clutch is commanded to a released state when the engine speed is less than a second threshold speed, with the first threshold speed being greater than the second threshold speed.

Method and apparatus for controlling a powertrain system during deceleration

A method of prioritizing power output of first and second power-sources in a vehicle includes identifying, via a controller communicating with a satellite, the vehicle's position on a specific road course. The method also includes receiving a request for total amount of power from both power-sources and determining first power-source power and available second power-source target maximum power based on the vehicle position. The method also includes determining, based on the vehicle position, a minimum energy reserve of a source configured to energize the second power-source and available second power-source power based on the determined reserve. The method also includes subtracting the first power-source power from the requested total amount of power to determine a requested second power-source power. Furthermore, the method includes comparing the available and the requested second power-source power and generating the smaller power value to minimize the time for the vehicle to traverse the road course.

Power prioritization in a vehicle using multiple power-sources

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Ypsilanti, MI, United States of America

Michael Woon