Methods of operating a parallel hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a secondary power source
First Claim
1. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle comprising:
- monitoring a braking event;
monitoring an amount of available energy stored within an energy storage device to power a secondary power source;
determining if the braking event indicates an intent to stop the vehicle;
turning an ICE off when the braking event indicates an intent to stop the vehicle and the available energy to power the secondary power source is above a second threshold;
detecting a demand for power output following the braking event;
utilizing the amount of available energy to initially power the secondary power source and thereby propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output if the available energy is above a first threshold;
utilizing power provided by the ICE to continue meeting the demand for power output when the secondary power source is initially used and the amount of available energy is subsequently depleted; and
utilizing power provided by the ICE, instead of the secondary power source, to propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output when the available energy is not above the first threshold.
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Abstract
The invention is directed toward methods for operating a parallel hybrid vehicle in a manner that responds to the operator'"'"'s demand for power output, while maximizing engine efficiency and minimizing disruptions in vehicle drivability. According to principles of the present invention, when the driver of a hybrid vehicle makes a demand for power output immediately after a braking event, the power provided to meet the initial demand is from either an ICE or a secondary power source. Which power source is used, and when it is engaged and disengaged, depends on various vehicle operating conditions. Also, the ICE is selectively turned off and on in response to various operating conditions.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle comprising:
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monitoring a braking event; monitoring an amount of available energy stored within an energy storage device to power a secondary power source; determining if the braking event indicates an intent to stop the vehicle; turning an ICE off when the braking event indicates an intent to stop the vehicle and the available energy to power the secondary power source is above a second threshold; detecting a demand for power output following the braking event; utilizing the amount of available energy to initially power the secondary power source and thereby propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output if the available energy is above a first threshold; utilizing power provided by the ICE to continue meeting the demand for power output when the secondary power source is initially used and the amount of available energy is subsequently depleted; and utilizing power provided by the ICE, instead of the secondary power source, to propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output when the available energy is not above the first threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle having primary and secondary power sources comprising:
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utilizing power provided by the primary power source to propel the vehicle; monitoring an amount of reserve energy stored within the energy storage device; determining when a demand for additional power output will result in a transmission downshift event; and utilizing the amount of reserve energy to power the secondary power source and provide supplemental power to the primary power source in order to reduce or eliminate momentary disruptions in power that would otherwise occur during the downshift event. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle comprising:
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monitoring a braking event; determining if the braking event indicates an intent to stop the vehicle; monitoring an amount of available energy stored within an energy storage device to power a secondary power source; detecting a demand for power output following the braking event; utilizing the amount of available energy to initially power the secondary power source and thereby propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output if the braking event indicates an intent to stop the vehicle; utilizing power provided by an ICE to continue meeting the demand for power output when the secondary power source is initially used and the amount of available energy is subsequently depleted; and utilizing power provided by the ICE, instead of the secondary power source, to propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output when the braking event does not indicate an intent to stop the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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26. The method according to claim 26 further comprising:
restarting the ICE when the available energy is just enough to provide a second specified level of acceleration to the vehicle, through the secondary power source, for a specified amount of time.
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35. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle comprising:
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monitoring a braking event; monitoring an amount of available energy stored within an energy storage device to power a secondary power source; detecting a demand for power output following the braking event; determining if the braking event indicates an intent to stop the vehicle; utilizing the amount of available energy to initially power the secondary power source and thereby propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output when the braking event indicates an intent to stop the vehicle; utilizing the amount of available energy to initially power the secondary power source and thereby propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output when the amount of available energy is sufficient to provide a minimum desired level of vehicle torque; utilizing power provided by an ICE to continue meeting the demand for power output when the secondary power source is initially used and the amount of available energy is subsequently depleted; and utilizing power provided by the ICE to propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output when the braking event does not indicate an intent to stop the vehicle and the amount of available energy is not sufficient to provide the minimum desired level of vehicle torque. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle having, as a primary power source, an internal combustion engine, and having a secondary power source, the method comprising:
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operating the vehicle under power from the primary power source; and shutting off the primary power source during a braking event and operating the vehicle under power from the secondary power source, if an intent to stop is indicated. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57)
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58. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle comprising:
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monitoring a braking event; monitoring an amount of available energy stored within an energy storage device to power a secondary power source; detecting a demand for power output following the braking event; utilizing the amount of available energy to initially power the secondary power source and thereby propel the vehicle in response to the demand for power output if the available energy is above a first selected level; switching to the use of power provided by a primary power source to continue meeting the demand for power output when the secondary power source is initially used and the amount of available energy is subsequently depleted; and continuing, immediately following the switching step, to utilize power provided by the primary power source, instead of the secondary power source, to meet any additional demands for power output until another braking event is detected, regardless of the amount of available energy.
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Specification