Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Thomas K Dye

Bryan Nathaniel Roos

Jonathan R Schwarz

Ian L Hanna

Gregory E Smith

A method for enabling a user of a hybrid vehicle to assign different modes of operation to different segments of a particular route instead of, for example, simply operating the vehicle in an electric mode until its battery is depleted and then switching to an engine or charge-sustaining mode. This method may be useful in situations where a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is being frequently driven on a particular route whose distance exceeds the PHEV's electric mode range. The customized route, complete with operating mode selections for certain route segments, can be stored at the vehicle and automatically implemented when the vehicle recognizes the stored route. Other potential features include evaluating the route after it has been developed and/or driven and providing the user with some feedback so that they can make it more efficient.

Method of selecting modes of operation for a hybrid vehicle

An exemplary system and method for use in cold environments in order to heat a high voltage vehicle battery, such as the type commonly found in hybrid vehicles. Some high voltage vehicle batteries&#x2014;like those based on lithium-ion chemistries&#x2014;perform better when their battery temperature is in a certain temperature range. In an exemplary embodiment, a battery heating system includes a switch, a battery heater and a high voltage vehicle battery, and initially uses electrical power from an external power source to heat the battery and then uses electrical power from an internal power source to heat the battery. The switch determines which power source is used to heat the battery, and may be dictated by whether the battery heating system is plugged into the external power source and/or a vehicle propulsion system is active, to cite several possibilities.

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Novi, MI, United States of America

Thomas K Dye