Tula Technology, Inc.

Ronald D Yuille

Louis Joseph Serrano

Mark A Shost

Matthew Aaron Younkins

John W Parsels

Joshua P Switkes

Adya S Tripathi

Steven E Carlson

Leo Breton

In one aspect of the invention, an engine is operated in a skip cylinder engine braking mode. In the skip cylinder engine braking mode, selected working cycles of selected working chambers are deactivated. Other selected working cycles of the selected working chambers are operated in a braking mode. Accordingly, individual working chambers are sometimes deactivated and sometimes operated in the braking mode while the engine is operating in the skip cylinder engine braking mode. Various methods for cylinder control are described, which improve fuel economy, catalytic converter performance, and vehicle NVH characteristics.

Engine braking controller

A variety of methods and arrangements for operating an internal combustion engine and one or more motor/generators in a hybrid vehicle are described. Generally, the engine is operated in a variable displacement or skip fire mode. Depending on the state of charge of an energy storage device and/or other factors, the engine is operated to generate more or less than a desired level of torque. The one or more motor/generators are used to add or subtract torque so that the motor/generator(s) and the engine collectively deliver the desired level of torque. In some embodiments, the engine may be run with a substantially open throttle to reduce pumping losses and improve fuel efficiency.

Hybrid vehicle with cylinder deactivation

Methods and arrangements for controlling hybrid powertrains are described. In one aspect, an engine is alternatingly operated at different effective displacements. One displacement delivers less than a requested powertrain output and the other delivers more. A motor/generator system is used to add and subtract torque to/from the powertrain to cause the net delivery of the requested powertrain output. In some embodiments, energy added and subtracted from the powertrain is primarily drawn from and stored in a capacitor (e.g., a supercapacitor or an ultracapacitor) when alternating between effective displacements. In another aspect a hybrid powertrain arrangement includes an engine a motor/generator and an energy storage system that includes both a battery and a capacitor. The capacitor stores and delivers electrical energy to the motor/generator unit during operation of the engine in a variable displacement or skip fire mode.

Hybrid powertrain control

A variety of methods and arrangements for operating an internal combustion engine and one or more motor/generators in a hybrid vehicle are described. In various embodiments, the engine is operated in a skip fire mode. Depending on the state of charge of an energy storage device and/or other factors, the engine is operated to generate more or less than a desired level of torque. The one or more motor/generators are used to add or subtract torque so that the motor/generator(s) and the engine collectively deliver the desired level of torque. In some embodiments, the engine may be run with a substantially open throttle to reduce pumping losses and improve fuel efficiency.

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Sarasota, FL, United States of America

Ronald D Yuille