Hybrid vehicle with cylinder deactivation
AssigneeTula Technology, Inc.
InventorsRonald D. Yuille, Mark A. Shost, Louis J. Serrano, Adya S. Tripathi
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. In various embodiments, the engine is operated in a 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.
Claims8
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 manner;
- 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 a powertrain of the vehicle wherein the hybrid powertrain controller is arranged to operate the engine and the at least one electric/motor generator to deliver a 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;
- operating the internal combustion engine in a skip fire manner;
- operating the at least one engine motor/generator to add torque to or to subtract torque from a powertrain of the vehicle;
- and
- operating the engine and the at least one electric/motor generator to deliver a desired torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.