OPPORTUNISTIC CHARGING OF HYBRID VEHICLE BATTERY
First Claim
1. A method of operating a powertrain comprising:
- engaging a first clutch to driveably connect a motor to an engine;
operating the motor to generate a first charging torque based on a state of charge of a battery to charge the battery; and
in response to a decrease in engine speed resulting from a load associated with the first charging torque, controlling the engine to increase the engine speed toward a predetermined engine idle speed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for a modular hybrid electric vehicle operates an internal combustion engine at a torque level above the driver demanded torque improving the engine'"'"'s efficiency. A traction motor driveably connected to the engine is operated at a torque level such that the combined torque satisfies the driver demand. The traction motor torque is limited to avoid inefficient combinations of speed and torque at which the motor is inefficient. During idle operation, the traction motor is operated at a torque determined from a battery state of charge and the engine is operated to maintain a predetermined speed. If the engine speed drops below a threshold, motor torque is adjusted to reduce the load on the engine to avoid stalling.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of operating a powertrain comprising:
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engaging a first clutch to driveably connect a motor to an engine; operating the motor to generate a first charging torque based on a state of charge of a battery to charge the battery; and in response to a decrease in engine speed resulting from a load associated with the first charging torque, controlling the engine to increase the engine speed toward a predetermined engine idle speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of operating a traction motor in a vehicle, the motor having a rotor connected for rotation with an engine at a positive rotor speed, the method comprising:
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applying a negative torque to the engine while generating electrical power, wherein the torque is substantially independent of the rotor speed for rotor speeds above a threshold; and in response to the rotor speed decreasing below the threshold, increasing the torque to decrease load on the engine. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A vehicle powertrain comprising:
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an engine; a motor electrically connected to a battery; a first clutch configured to selectively couple the engine to the motor; and a controller configured to engage the first clutch; operate the motor to generate a first charging torque based on a state of charge of the battery; and respond to a decrease in engine speed resulting from a load on the engine associated with the first charging torque by controlling the engine to increase the engine speed toward a predetermined engine idle speed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification