Reducing torque disturbances and improving fuel economy in hybrid electric powertrains
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorAllen Rayl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An engine control system for controlling transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a hybrid powertrain driven by a displacement on demand engine and an electric machine includes a calculator that calculates a desired powertrain torque. An engine control controls operation of the engine to produce an engine torque. An electric machine control controls operation of the electric machine to produce an electric machine torque. The electric machine torque supplements the engine torque to achieve the desired powertrain torque during a transition from the activated mode to the deactivated mode.
Claims38
An engine control system for controlling transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a hybrid powertrain driven by a displacement on demand engine and an electric machine, comprising:
- a torque calculating module that calculates a desired powertrain torque;
- an engine control module that controls operation of said engine to produce an engine torque;
- and
- an electric machine control module that controls operation of said electric machine to produce an electric machine torque, wherein said electric machine torque supplements said engine torque to achieve said desired powertrain torque during a transition from said activated mode to said deactivated mode.
A hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
- a displacement on demand engine that is operable in one of an activated mode and a deactivated mode;
- electric machine that is operable in one of a motor mode and a generator mode;
- and
- a controller that calculates a desired powertrain torque, that determines a maximum electric machine torque output, that reduces an engine torque output by said maximum electric machine torque output, that increases an electric machine torque output to achieve said desired powertrain torque and that deactivates cylinders of said engine.
A method of transitioning between activated and deactivated modes in a hybrid powertrain driven by a displacement on demand engine and an electric machine, comprising:
- calculating a desired powertrain torque;
- determining a maximum electric machine torque output;
- reducing an engine torque output by said maximum electric machine torque output;
- increasing an electric machine torque output to achieve said desired powertrain torque;
- and
- deactivating cylinders of said engine.
A method of reducing torque disturbances when transitioning between activated and deactivated modes in a hybrid powertrain driven by a displacement on demand engine and an electric machine, comprising:
- calculating a desired powertrain torque;
- activating said cylinders of said engine;
- calculating an excess torque output of said engine;
- and
- operating said electric machine to absorb at least a portion of said excess torque output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.