OPTIMIZATION TO REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION IN CHARGE DEPLETING MODE

• US 20120209462A1
• Filed: 02/15/2011
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Roos, Bryan Nathaniel, Martini, Ryan D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,813,884 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/15 Preventing overcharging
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/115 with planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/12 using control strategies taking into account route information estimation or calculation of non-directly measurable driving parameters B60W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/15 Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/16 for reducing engine exhaust emissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/40 Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0644 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/065 Idle condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18136 Engine braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1843 Overheating of driveline components B60W30/186 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, a motor utilizing electrical energy from an energy storage device, and a plug-in connection. A Method for controlling the powertrain includes monitoring a fuel cut mode, ceasing a fuel flow to the engine based upon the fuel cut mode, and through a period of operation including acceleration of the powertrain, providing an entirety of propelling torque to the powertrain with the electrical energy from the energy storage device based upon the fuel cut mode.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine, a motor utilizing electrical energy from an energy storage device, and a plug-in connection, the method comprising:

monitoring a fuel cut mode;

ceasing a fuel flow to the engine based upon the fuel cut mode; and

through a period of operation including acceleration of the powertrain, providing an entirety of propelling torque to the powertrain with the electrical energy from the energy storage device based upon the fuel cut mode.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising permitting the engine to spin freely during the fuel cut mode.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising permitting the engine to spin freely in a forward direction during the fuel cut mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the entirety of propelling torque to the powertrain comprises maintaining an engine speed at zero.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the powertrain further comprises a second motor and a planetary gear set connected to the engine;

and

wherein maintaining the engine speed at zero comprises balancing torques applied by the motor and the second motor acting upon the planetary gear set to maintain the engine speed at zero.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first efficiency associated with maintaining a zero engine speed;

determining a second efficiency associated with permitting the engine to spin freely; and

selectively maintaining the zero engine speed based upon a comparison of the first and second efficiencies.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the second efficiency comprises determining a fuel cost to reheat an aftertreatment catalyst.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring a state of charge of the energy storage device;

comparing the monitored state of charge to a low state of charge threshold; and

terminating the fuel cut mode based the comparing.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating the fuel cut mode immediately when the powertrain is started.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the fuel cut mode comprises:

monitoring a planned route of travel;

determining a preferred portion of the planned route of travel to operate the fuel cut mode; and

initiating the fuel cut mode based upon the determined preferred portion of the planned route of travel.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the preferred portion of the planned route of travel comprises determining a portion of the planned route of travel in which the fuel cut mode will result in a greatest fuel savings over the entire planned route of travel.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the preferred portion of the planned route of travel comprises a terminal portion of the planned route of travel.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring an output torque of the powertrain; and

suspending the fuel cut mode based upon the monitored output torque of the powertrain exceeding a torque limit for the motor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein monitoring the output torque of the powertrain comprises monitoring an output torque request.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein monitoring the output torque of the powertrain comprises predicting an output torque.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein suspending the fuel cut mode comprises temporarily suspending the fuel cut mode.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the powertrain comprises an electric drive powertrain and the engine comprises a range extender.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the powertrain comprises a hybrid drive powertrain wherein the engine and the motor are operable in a powersplit mode.

19. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

monitoring an end to the fuel cut mode;

increasing the engine speed with the motor before the monitored end to the fuel cut mode; and

starting the engine based upon the monitored end to the fuel cut mode.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring a state of charge of the energy storage device;

comparing the state of charge to a maximum state of charge; and

utilizing engine braking based upon the comparing.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein utilizing engine braking comprises controlling the powertrain to increase an engine speed.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein utilizing engine braking comprises modulating a valve control strategy for the engine to increase a torque required to spin the engine.

23. Apparatus for controlling a powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine, a motor utilizing electrical energy from an energy storage device, and a plug-in connection, the apparatus comprising:

a control module;

monitoring a fuel cut mode;

ceasing a fuel flow to the engine based upon the fuel cut mode; and

through a period of operation including acceleration of the powertrain, commanding the powertrain to provide an entirety of propelling torque to the powertrain with the electrical energy from the energy storage device based upon the fuel cut mode.