Optimal engine operating power management strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsShailesh Kozarekar, Ming Kuang, Joseph Supina, Fazal Syed, Morgan Andreae, Vincent Freyermuth
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for managing power in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple components, including an engine, a motor, a generator and a high voltage battery. Power losses in the individual components are computed. An engine speed corresponding to a minimum value for the power losses is selected to achieve optimal total powertrain efficiency.
Claims12
An engine power management method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having an engine, an electric generator, an electric motor, a battery electrically coupled to the generator and the motor, and gearing mechanically coupling the motor, the generator and the engine to define a power delivery system with a mechanical power flow path and an electrical power flow path as power is distributed to vehicle traction wheels, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining engine power loss for a given vehicle speed and for a given total power command;
- determining generator power loss for the given vehicle speed;
- determining motor power loss for the given vehicle speed;
- determining battery power loss for the given vehicle speed;
- determining mechanical power loss for the given vehicle speed;
- comparing the power losses for the engine, the generator, the motor, the battery and the mechanical power loss for a given vehicle speed;
- and determining an engine speed corresponding to a minimum value for the compared power losses whereby the powertrain operates with an optimum total power delivery system efficiency.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.