The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 04, 2014
Filed:
Nov. 19, 2012
Tula Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Leo G. Breton, Washington, DC (US);
Ronald D. Yuille, Sarasota, FL (US);
Mark A. Shost, Northville, MI (US);
Louis J. Serrano, Los Gatos, CA (US);
John W. Parsels, San Jose, CA (US);
Matthew A. Younkins, San Jose, CA (US);
Tula Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
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.