Allison Transmission, Inc.

William J Hynes

Jeffrey Kurt Runde

Stephen T West

Steven Morey

A system and method for optimizing the consumption of fuel in a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. A Hybrid Efficiency Index (HEI) is used to quantify a relative efficiency advantage achievable with the expenditure of electrical energy at a given power level. Also disclosed is a minimum efficiency threshold useful for determining which HEI values will result in the optimum use of electrical energy throughout the operation of the vehicle. Methods for adjusting the minimum efficiency threshold with respect to regenerative braking events, storage capacity in the energy storage system, along with other aspects are disclosed as well.

System and method for optimizing power consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle

A method of servicing a hybrid system is disclosed wherein the hybrid system includes a detected fault. As a result of the detected fault the hybrid system has been disabled. The hybrid system includes a controller and a service detection interlock (SDI). The method steps include first powering up the controller and then assessing a special fault flag status. If a special fault flag is set, the next step is to check to see if the SDI is removed. If the SDI is removed then the special fault flag is cleared while the hybrid system remains disabled. The controller is then powered down with the key-off input and with the next key-on input, the hybrid system can be enabled.

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Sheridan, IN, United States of America

William J Hynes