Hybrid propulsion system and method of controlling same

A method of controlling a hybrid propulsion system of a vehicle system, comprising:

• obtaining orientation information associated with a determined travel route for the vehicle system;
• determining one or more energy requirements of the hybrid propulsion system of the vehicle system, wherein the hybrid propulsion system comprises an engine and a plurality of batteries and wherein the one or more energy requirements are based on the orientation information of the determined travel route;
• generating a trip plan of the vehicle system comprising a schedule for controlling an output of one or more batteries of the plurality of batteries such that the engine operates at a constant speed, a constant power, or both, while intake conditions of the hybrid propulsion system remain constant, the schedule being based at least in part on the one or more energy requirements;
• and
• executing the trip plan as the vehicle system travels along the determined travel route to yield a stable low temperature combustion in the hybrid propulsion system;
• wherein the orientation information comprises at least one of altitude information, terrain information, or grade information of the determined travel route.

A vehicle system comprising:

• a hybrid power source to provide power to drive the vehicle system via a power transmission line, the hybrid power source comprising an internal combustion engine and one or more batteries, wherein the internal combustion engine and the one or more batteries are coupled to the power transmission line;
• one or more electric motors connected to the power transmission line;
• a selection device configured to selectively couple the one or more electric motors to the power transmission line;
• and
• a computer configured to:
• obtain orientation information associated with a determined travel route;
• determine one or more energy requirements of the hybrid power source associated with the orientation information of the determined travel route;
• generate a trip plan used by the vehicle system comprising a schedule for controlling an output of the one or more batteries such that the internal combustion engine operates at a constant speed, a constant power, or both, while intake conditions of the hybrid power source remain constant, the schedule being based at least in part on the one or more energy requirements;
• and
• execute the trip plan as the vehicle system travels along the determined travel route to yield a stable low temperature combustion in the hybrid power source;
• wherein the orientation information comprises at least one of altitude information, terrain information, or grade information of the determined travel route.