Motor torque management associated with audible noise for a hybrid powertrain system

• US 8,280,598 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2009
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Munukur, Rama, Tamai, Goro, McGrogan, Sean W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Shelley
• Application Number:
  US12/503,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20110015813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.21
• US Class Current: 701/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/142 acoustic
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• 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 20/15 Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/081 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/083 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/20 Reducing vibrations in the driveline
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A method for operating a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring operation of the torque machine, and limiting the motor torque output from the torque machine to a maximum allowable motor torque that is associated with an acceptable audible noise level when the motor speed of the torque machine is within a motor speed range associated with objectionable audible noise.

Claims

1. Method for operating a hybrid powertrain system including a torque machine configured to transfer torque to an output member, the method comprising:

monitoring motor torque output from the torque machine and the motor speed of the torque machine;

limiting the motor torque output from the torque machine to a maximum allowable motor torque associated with an acceptable audible noise level when the motor speed of the torque machine is within a motor speed range associated with objectionable audible noise;

determining a state of an audible noise parameter corresponding to the motor torque output from the torque machine and the motor speed of the torque machine;

time-integrating the state of the audible noise parameter when the motor speed of the torque machine is within the motor speed range associated with the objectionable audible noise; and

wherein limiting the motor torque output from the torque machine to the maximum allowable motor torque associated with the acceptable audible noise level when the motor speed of the torque machine is within the motor speed range associated with objectionable audible noise is effected when the time-integrated audible noise parameter exceeds a threshold.

2. Method for operating a hybrid powertrain system including a torque machine configured to transfer torque to an output member, the method comprising:

monitoring motor torque output from the torque machine and the motor speed of the torque machine;

limiting the motor torque output from the torque machine to a maximum allowable motor torque associated with an acceptable audible noise level when the motor speed of the torque machine is within a motor speed range associated with objectionable audible noise;

predicting an elapsed period of time the torque machine operates within the motor speed range associated with objectionable audible noise; and

wherein limiting the motor torque output from the torque machine to the maximum allowable motor torque associated with the acceptable audible noise level when the motor speed of the torque machine is within the motor speed range associated with objectionable audible noise is effected when the predicted elapsed period of time exceeds a threshold.