Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

Daimler Ag

Chrysler Corporation

Chrysler Group LLC

Ryan D Martini

Peter E Wu

Andrew M Zettel

Charles J Van Horn

Jy-Jen F Sah

Anthony H Heap

Syed Naqi

Osama Almasri

Kee Yong Kim

Brian L Spohn

Hanne Buur

Constandi J Shami

Thomas E Mathews

Benjamin L Williams

Sean W McGrogan

Stephen T West

Wei D Wang

Ali K Naqvi

Allen Joseph Lehmen

Bryan Nathaniel Roos

Wilfried Brunssen

Crystal Nassouri

Besim Demirovic

Karl Andrew Sime

Jean Marie Miller

Eric D Piper

Brett T Muller

Kambiz Panahi

Teresa L Cerbolles

Nolan Foster

Morgan Douglas Dykshorn

Darren Crewes

James Kenney

Sam Almasri

Rebecca Trierweiler

Rezaul Karim

Jeffrey R Dec

Sailaja Paladugu

Methods and systems for determining a continuous driving path for a vehicle include: (i) automatically controlling movement of the vehicle along a path while prioritizing the movement so as to minimize vehicle maneuvers, via a processor; (ii) obtaining data including location information as to a location of the vehicle and map information pertaining to the location as the vehicle is travelling autonomously via by the processor; (iii) determining, via the processor, when a decision is needed with respect to further travel of the vehicle, based on the location information and the map information; (iv) requesting, via the processor, driver input as to a driver preference of a driver for movement of the vehicle with regard to the decision; (v) receiving, via one or more sensors, the driver input including the driver preference; and (vi) determining, via the processor, the continuous driving path based on the driver preference.

Method of determining a continuous driving path in the absence of a navigational route for autonomous vehicles

Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, method includes: receiving, via one or more sensing devices, sensor data relating to an environment associated with the vehicle; determining, by a processor, at least one of a type of an intersection, a type of a traffic control device, and a signal of the traffic control device associated with an upcoming intersection based on at least one of the sensor data and map data; defining, by the processor, a first zone and a second zone of the upcoming intersection based on the at least one of the type of the intersection, the type of the traffic control device, and the signal of the traffic control device associated with an upcoming intersection; determining, by the processor, a current zone of the vehicle based on the first zone and the second zone and a position of the vehicle; and selectively controlling, by the processor, lateral movement and longitudinal movement of the vehicle based on a control method that evaluates the current zone, operator instructions, and autonomous control instructions when controlling the vehicle.

Systems and methods for intersection maneuvering by vehicles

A multi-mode powertrain system is described, and includes an internal combustion engine having stop/start capability. A method for controlling the multi-mode powertrain system includes circulating coolant to a heater core via an engine fluidic circuit that includes a water jacket of the internal combustion engine when temperature of the coolant is less than an engine fluidic circuit upper temperature threshold and the engine is in an ON state. Coolant is circulated to the heater core via a bypass fluidic circuit that excludes the water jacket of the internal combustion engine when temperature of the coolant is greater than a bypass fluidic circuit lower temperature threshold when the engine is in an OFF state.

Method and apparatus for controlling a multi-mode powertrain system including an engine having stop/start capability

A method for operating a powertrain system to transfer torque among an engine, torque machines, and a driveline in response to an output torque request includes executing a selection scheme to evaluate operating in a plurality of candidate powertrain states including a pseudo-electric vehicle (EV) range responsive to the output torque request. A respective minimum cost for operating the powertrain system in each of the candidate powertrain states including the pseudo-EV range is determined. A preferred powertrain state is selected, and is one of the candidate powertrain states including the pseudo-EV range associated with a minimum of the respective minimum costs. The powertrain system is controlled in the preferred powertrain state responsive to the output torque request.

Method and apparatus for controlling a multi-mode powertrain system

A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system including an internal combustion engine includes controlling operation of the hybrid powertrain system in response to a preferred minimum coolant temperature trajectory for the internal combustion engine.

Method and apparatus for controlling hybrid powertrain system in response to engine temperature

A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, a motor utilizing electrical energy from an energy storage device, and a plug-in connection. A Method for controlling the powertrain includes monitoring a fuel cut mode, ceasing a fuel flow to the engine based upon the fuel cut mode, and through a period of operation including acceleration of the powertrain, providing an entirety of propelling torque to the powertrain with the electrical energy from the energy storage device based upon the fuel cut mode.

Optimization to reduce fuel consumption in charge depleting mode

A hybrid powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine and a torque machine wherein electrical energy is controllably transferred between an electric energy storage device and the torque machine by a control system. A method for controlling the hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring a voltage, a current, and a power output of the electric energy storage device. A battery power control scheme is executed to control the output power of the electric energy storage device associated with the electrical energy transferred between the electric energy storage device and the torque machine. The battery power control scheme is disabled when the control system loses a power limit authority associated with the electrical energy transferred between the electric storage device and the torque machine during ongoing operation. The battery power control scheme is re-enabled when the control system regains the power limit authority.

Method for managing battery power within a hybrid powertrain system

A method of heating a cabin in a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine employing a coolant to remove engine heat, and a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system using the coolant to heat the cabin is disclosed. The method includes detecting a request to achieve a predetermined temperature inside the cabin. The method also includes selecting a first baseline mode of engine operation to supply thermal energy to the coolant, and selecting a second mode of engine operation to supply additional thermal energy to the coolant if the predetermined temperature has not been achieved via the first mode of operation. The method additionally includes selecting a third mode of engine operation if the predetermined temperature has not been achieved via the second mode of operation. The predetermined temperature may also be maintained by supplying thermal energy to the coolant after the predetermined temperature has been achieved.

Vehicle cabin warm-up

A method of controlling a pump supplying a fluid to a transmission includes sensing a requested power and an excess power for a powertrain. The requested power substantially meets the needs of the powertrain, while the excess power is not part of the requested power. The method includes sensing a triggering condition in response to the ability to convert the excess power into heat in the transmission, and determining that an operating temperature of the transmission is below a maximum. The method also includes determining a calibrated baseline and a dissipation command for the pump. The calibrated baseline command is configured to supply the fluid based upon the requested power, and the dissipation command is configured to supply additional fluid and consume the excess power with the pump. The method operates the pump at a combined command, which is equal to the calibrated baseline command plus the dissipation command.

Method for controlling powertrain pumps

A vehicular powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine. A method for operating the powertrain includes monitoring operator inputs, monitoring a transmission output, and terminating an engine operating mode when a time-rate change in the transmission output exceeds a threshold absent a change in the monitored operator inputs.

Method and apparatus to detect a mode-gear mismatch during operation of an electro-mechanical transmission

A system for robust fault detection in an electrically variable, hydraulically controlled transmission includes independently monitoring hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic control circuit and electric machine rotation for detecting clutch state faults.

Electro-mechanical transmission control system

A method for controlling operation of a hybrid powertrain includes monitoring input speed from the engine to the hybrid transmission, calculating an input speed error between the monitored input speed and a preferred input speed, monitoring operating parameters associated with a plurality of torque actuators wherein the torque actuators include the internal combustion engine, the electric torque machine and the output member, selecting one of the torque actuators, and modifying a state of a control parameter associated with the selected one of the torque actuators in response to the input speed error.

Method and apparatus for controlling mechanical power input from an internal combustion engine coupled to a hybrid transmission

Control of operation of a hybrid powertrain is provided, wherein mechanical power flow to an output is controlled through selective actuation of torque-transfer clutches. Electric machines are coupled to an energy storage system for electric power flow. The electro-mechanical transmission is operated in a continuously variable operating range state, and, operation of the transmission is monitored. Absence of a mismatch between the commanded continuously variable operating range state and an actual operating state of the transmission is determined. Presence of a mismatch between the commanded operating range state and the actual operating state of the transmission may be determined. Operation of the powertrain is modified when a mismatch between the commanded operating range state and the actual operating state of the transmission is detected.

Method and apparatus to detect a mode-gear mismatch during steady state operation of an electro-mechanical transmission

A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. Powertrain operation includes monitoring operator inputs, and determining input speeds and changes in input speeds for the internal combustion engine and the electric machine. The input speeds are compared to threshold input speeds, and the changes in input speeds are compared to threshold changes in input speeds. Input torques of the internal combustion engine and the electric machine are reduced when any one of the input speeds and changes in input speeds exceeds the corresponding threshold.

Method and apparatus to monitor rotational speeds in an electro-mechanical transmission

A method for operating the powertrain includes monitoring operator inputs, monitoring a transmission output, and terminating an engine operating mode when a time-rate change in the transmission output exceeds a threshold absent a change in the monitored operator inputs.

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Wolverine Lake, MI, United States of America

Ryan D Martini