Efficiency-based engine, powertrain and vehicle control

A method of controlling a vehicle system having a power-consuming component, comprising the steps of:

• providing an efficiency controller in communication with the power unit;
• providing an actuator associated with the power unit and in communication with the efficiency controller;
• providing a sensor associated with the power unit and in communication with the efficiency controller, wherein said sensor determines present operational data of the power unit and communicates said present operational data to the efficiency controller;
• determining an efficiency of the power unit and communicating said efficiency to said efficiency controller;
• determining a torque to be provided to the vehicle system;
• and
• determining a plurality of optimization constraints as a function of said torque to be provided, said present operational data and said efficiency of the power unit;
• wherein said efficiency controller determines an optimized operation mode of the power unit as a function of said optimization constraints and said present operational data and operates said actuator for manipulating the power unit to operate in said optimized operation mode.

A vehicle comprising:

• a powertrain having a power consumer;
• an actuator associated with said power consumer for selectively manipulating operation of a first power unit;
• a sensor for sensing operational performance of said power unit;
• and
• an efficiency controller in communication with said actuator and said sensor;
• wherein said controller receives present operational data and efficiency data from said sensor for determining an optimized operation mode of said power unit and accordingly actuates said actuator for operating said power unit in said optimized operation mode.