Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Toledo Stamping & Manufacturing Company

Richard A Marsh

David C Poirier

Norman Joseph Weigert

Andrew M Zettel

Robert Charles Simon, Jr

Mark A Manickaraj

Carol L Johnson

Kevin S Kidston

Aniket P Kothari

Joseph M Tolkacz

Michael R Colville

Peter M Medich

John C Haraf

Gary J Brand

Rick W Szymczyk

Richard C Mamolen

Dale L Phillips

Anthony H Heap

Paul Alan Bauerle

William R Cawthorne

David S Mathews

Lawrence P Ziehr

Daniel P Grenn

Andrew H Leutheuser

George M Claypole

Paul E Reinke

Jonathan R Schwarz

Grant William Brady

R Travis Schwenke

Edmund F Gaffney, Iii

Reena L Datta

Vernon L Newhouse

Andrew J Farah

Daniel B O'Connell

Kulwinder Singh

Scott M Skelton

Rolf B Karlsson

Ramanlal L Patel

Anthony E Cubr

Carlene M Sienkiewicz

Emily R Wu

Thomas A Klingler

Meng-Sang Chew

Danielle A Cory

Kevin A Dietrich

George T Stephens

Michael J Kutcher

Keith R Kabel

Kathy D Rose

Peter Jarzyna

Richard C Rosenberg

Michael Kochem

Paul G Groshek

Barbara A Flowers

Alfred D LePage

Michael J Vanek

David P Garrett

Doug Parks

Janet M Koch

John A Calkins

Shyh-Yeu Jao

Sami M Hamade

Henry Thomas, Jr

A system and method for providing a user of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) more flexibility and control regarding the selection of heating modes, without adversely affecting vehicle engine emissions. According to one embodiment, when the HEV is in a normal heating mode, the user is able to switch to an economy or deferred heating mode, so long as the switch takes place during the following ignition cycle. When the HEV is in an economy heating mode the user is able to switch to a normal heating mode right away, but is only allowed to do so once per ignition cycle. In both instances, the switch between heating modes is initiated by the user through a non-emissions related system, such as a vehicle infotainment module or climate control module.

System and method for controlling heating modes for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)

A vehicle system includes an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, and a heating system configured to transfer heat from the internal combustion engine to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to operate the electric motor and the internal combustion engine according to one of a plurality of drive cycle profiles. The controller selects the drive cycle profile based on an ambient temperature. The drive cycle profiles include a first drive cycle profile that commands power from the electric motor until the battery system reaches a predetermined state of charge and subsequently commands power from the internal combustion engine and a second drive cycle profile that commands power from the internal combustion engine and subsequently commands power from the electric motor.

Vehicle systems and methods with improved heating performance

A method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle with an external power source. In an exemplary embodiment, the method receives one or more utility rate preferences from a user, determines the utility rates of a local utility company, determines the total charging time needed to charge the plug-in electric vehicle, uses the utility rate preferences, the utility rates and the total charging time to develop several charging options that are presented to a user, and charges the plug-in electric vehicle according to the charging option selection made by the user.

Method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle

A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes the following: (a) receiving route data regarding a desired trip; (b) determining a load distribution along the desired trip based on the route data; (c) determining a load threshold based on the load distribution along the desired trip; (d) determining a charge depleting operating threshold based on a state of charge of the energy storage device; (e) commanding the powertrain to shift from a charge-depleting mode to a charge-sustaining mode when a load of the hybrid vehicle is equal to or greater than the load threshold; and (f) commanding the powertrain to shift from the charge-sustaining mode to the charge-depleting mode when the hybrid vehicle has traveled a distance that is greater than or equal to the charge-depleting operating threshold since the powertrain shifted from the charge-depleting mode to the charge-sustaining mode.

Method and system for controlling a hybrid vehicle

An automotive battery module with one or more battery cells and a coolant loss detection and remediation system cooperative with coolant that is configured to provide thermal management of the battery module. Coolant levels in or around the battery module may be detected, while cooperation with a controller permits corrective action in the event that a leakage of coolant is detected. The controller senses a coolant level sensor which is located in a coolant reservoir to determine when the coolant level drops below a predetermined level. When the coolant level is determined to be low, the controller reports the low level condition and takes remedial action. The controller also has a set of enablement conditions that must be satisfied before the controller senses the coolant level sensor.

Coolant loss detection and remediation in a liquid cooled battery pack

Methods and systems for estimating remaining life of an automotive propulsion battery are provided. A total usable capacity of the battery is calculated based on cycling the battery. A first component of degradation is calculated based on driving throughput of the battery. A second component of degradation is calculated based on aging of the battery. The total degradation is calculated based on the sum of the first component and the second component of degradation.

Method and system for estimating battery life

A method and system used to identify an optimal hybrid vehicle operating mode based on a variety of potential factors, and then recommend the optimal operating mode to the driver so that they can make an informed decision regarding their operating mode selection. In one embodiment, the method uses geographic-, vehicle- and/or environmental-related factors to establish one or more operating zones, monitors the location of the hybrid vehicle and determines when it is within one of the operating zones, and then determines an operating mode that is optimal for that particular operating zone.

Method for operating hybrid vehicle

Methods and apparatus are provided for torque control in an electric all wheel drive (e AWD) vehicle. The apparatus is a system having at least one propulsion system capable of determining a desired torque command and torque capability data for a primary and secondary axle. Also included are one or more active chassis systems capable of providing chassis system data and a processor coupled for processing the desired torque command, the torque capability data and the chassis system data to provide a maximum torque limit and a minimum torque limit for the secondary axle. In this way, at least one propulsion system processes the desired torque signal and the maximum torque limit and the minimum torque limit to provide an electric motor torque command and an engine torque command for the eAWD vehicle. A method for torque control in an eAWD vehicle is also provided.

System and methods for torque control in an electronic all wheel drive vehicle

A method for conditioning an energy storage system for a vehicle located in a geographic area includes the steps of obtaining data pertaining to an external temperature of the geographic area, measuring a temperature of the energy storage system, heating the energy storage system if the temperature is less than a first predetermined threshold, and cooling the energy storage system if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined threshold. The first predetermined threshold is dependent upon the external temperature. The second predetermined threshold is also dependent upon the external temperature.

Methods and systems for conditioning energy storage systems of vehicles

Embodiments include methods for charging a battery of an electrical system. The electrical system includes the battery, a battery charger, and a controller. The battery charger is adapted to produce an output power in response to a control signal from the controller. The controller is adapted to control a battery charging process by determining a temperature of the battery pack, determining a voltage setpoint for the battery charger based on the temperature, and providing the control signal to the battery charger. According to an embodiment, when the temperature of the battery exceeds a first temperature value, the battery charging process is temporarily suspended prior to satisfying a charging termination criterion. Determining the temperature of the battery is repeated, and when the temperature of the battery is less than a second temperature value, the battery charging process is resumed.

Battery charging control methods and apparatus

A fuel savings informational system is provided for implementation on an alternative fuel vehicle the operation of which may be characterized by a first plurality of fixed parameters and a second plurality of variable parameters. The system compares the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle to that of a virtual comparison vehicle characterized by a third plurality of fixed parameters, and comprises a plurality of sensors for monitoring the second plurality and a processor coupled thereto. The processor is configured to recall the first and third pluralities, capture data corresponding to the second plurality, and determine the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle from the second plurality. The processor is further configured to estimate the fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle from the first, second, and third pluralities, and compare the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle to the estimated fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle.

Apparatus and method for comparing the fuel consumption of an alternative fuel vehicle with that of a traditionally fueled comparison vehicle

An ignition timing control method for a vehicle which provides an engine torque output waveform for canceling vibrational disturbances caused by sudden throttle plate movement resulting in engine accelerations and decelerations. The ignition timing is variably advanced and retarded in accordance with a phase-shifted derivative of engine speed to produce an appropriate engine torque output waveform for optimally canceling the vehicle vibrational disturbances. The phase shift is accomplished by applying a time delay to the engine speed derivative. A negative bias is added to the ignition timing for retarding ignition timing by a predetermined amount to permit a full sinusoidal canceling waveform. A blend multiplier is utilized to gradually remove the effects of the canceling waveform and bias, thereby gradually returning the ignition timing to its original setting.

Method for controlling ignition timing for an internal combustion engine

A method for determining barometric pressure uses a manifold pressure sensor for measuring the manifold absolute pressure. A pressure drop between the atomosphere and the intake manifold is determined by utilizing stored lookup tables based on measured values of throttle angle and engine speed. Barometric pressure is then determined by summing the manifold absolute pressure and the pressure drop.

Determining barometric pressure using a manifold pressure sensor

A throttle follower controller for establishing a release throttle position upon the release of the throttle by the vehicle operator which is maintained at a specified value for a predetermined time if the vehicle transmission is experiencing an upshift or if an upshift will occur upon the release of the throttle to provide for a smooth upshift. Upon completion of the upshift or if no upshift will occur upon release of the throttle, a controlled transition of the throttle angle to a predetermined lower coastdown value is established to prevent drive-on while preventing a sudden harsh drive line jerk upon release of the vehicle throttle.

Engine throttle stop control system

Potentially damaging operation of a viscous converter clutch (VCC) is detected in relation to the slippage thereacross. The slippage is compared with a reference slip value indicative of excessive VCC slippage to develop a net overslip indicator. The value of the net overslip indicator changes in the direction of a first limit value so long as the detected slip is at least as great as the reference slip, and in the direction of a second limit value so long as the detected slip is less than the reference slip. When the net overslip indicator reaches the first limit value, the friction clutch is disengaged to release the VCC. According to a first embodiment, the transmission fluid temperature at the time of such deactivation is measured and stored, and the VCC is reactivated when transmission fluid temperature falls below the stored temperature, assuming other criteria for activation are also met. According to a second embodiment, the VCC is reactivated a predetermined time after its deactivation and measurement of the transmission fluid temperature is not required.

Control method for protecting a viscous converter clutch in a motor

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Beverly Hills, MI, United States of America

Richard A Marsh