Hybrid vehicle with cylinder deactivation
AssigneeTula Technology, Inc.
InventorsRonald D. YUILLE, Mark A. SHOST, Louis J. SERRANO
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variety of methods and arrangements for operating an internal combustion engine and one or more motor/generators in a hybrid vehicle are described. Generally, the engine is operated in a variable displacement or skip fire mode. Depending on the state of charge of an energy storage device and/or other factors, the engine is operated to generate more or less than a desired level of torque. The one or more motor/generators are used to add or subtract torque so that the motor/generator(s) and the engine collectively deliver the desired level of torque. In some embodiments, the engine may be run with a substantially open throttle to reduce pumping losses and improve fuel efficiency.
Claims35
A hybrid powertrain controller for a vehicle with at least one electric motor/generator and an internal combustion engine having a plurality of working chambers, the hybrid powertrain controller comprising:
- an engine control unit arranged to operate the engine in a skip fire operational mode, wherein in the skip fire operational mode, the engine is operated at a firing fraction selected from a set of available firing fractions;
- and
- an electric motor/generator control unit arranged to operate the at least one electric motor/generator to add torque to or subtract torque from the powertrain of the vehicle wherein the hybrid powertrain controller is arranged to coordinate operation of the engine and the at least one electric/motor generator to deliver a desired net torque wherein selection of the firing fraction and control of the at least one motor/generator are used as the primary adjustment mechanisms to facilitate delivery of the desired torque through variations in the desired net torque.
A hybrid powertrain controller for a vehicle with at least one electric motor/generator and an internal combustion engine having a plurality of working chambers, the hybrid powertrain controller comprising:
- an engine control unit arranged to operate the engine in a variable displacement mode in which some, but not all of the working chambers are fired to add torque to a powertrain of the vehicle and wherein unfired working chambers are deactivated during unfired working cycles, the variable displacement mode having a fixed set of operational states and wherein during operation in the variable displacement mode, an air intake throttle of the engine is held at a substantially fixed position even through some variations in a desired torque output;
- and
- a motor/generator control unit arranged to operate the at least one electric motor/generator to add torque to or subtract torque from the powertrain of the vehicle wherein the hybrid powertrain controller is arranged to coordinate operation of the engine and the at least one electric/motor generator to deliver the desired torque.
A method for operating a hybrid powertrain in a vehicle with at least one electric motor/generator and an internal combustion engine having a plurality of working chambers, the method comprising:
- selectively operating the engine in a skip fire operational mode, wherein in the skip fire operational mode, the engine is operated at a firing fraction selected from a set of available firing fractions;
- operating the at least one electric motor/generator to add torque to or subtract torque from the powertrain of the vehicle;
- and
- coordinating operation of the engine and the electric/motor generator to deliver a desired net torque wherein selection of the firing fraction and control of the at least one motor/generator are used as the primary adjustment mechanisms to facilitate delivery of the desired torque through variations in the desired net torque.
A method for operating a hybrid powertrain in a vehicle with at least one electric motor/generator and an internal combustion engine having a plurality of working chambers, the method comprising:
- operating the engine in a variable displacement mode in which some, but not all of the working chambers are fired to add torque to a powertrain of the vehicle and wherein unfired working chambers are deactivated during unfired working cycles, the variable displacement mode having a fixed set of operational states and wherein during operation in the variable displacement mode, an air intake throttle of the engine is held at a substantially fixed position for extended periods even through variations in a desired torque output;
- and
- operating the at least one electric motor/generator to add torque to or subtract torque from a powertrain of the vehicle;
- and
- coordinating operation of the engine and the at least one electric/motor generator to deliver the desired torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.