System and method for optimizing power consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a hybrid system, comprising:
- calculating a fuel consumption rate for an engine using a controller in communication with the engine, the engine configured to consume a fuel to produce an engine output torque;
calculating a target electric motor output torque using the controller, the target electric motor output torque calculated by the controller using a predicted change in a fuel consumption rate and a predicted change in a stored electrical energy caused by a predicted consumption of the stored electrical energy by an electric motor generator;
controlling the electric motor generator to produce an actual electric motor output torque that is substantially equal to the target electric motor output torque using the controller; and
controlling the engine to reduce the engine output torque by an amount corresponding to the target electric motor output torque using the controller.
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Abstract
A system and method for optimizing the consumption of fuel in a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. A Hybrid Efficiency Index (HEI) is used to quantify a relative efficiency advantage achievable with the expenditure of electrical energy at a given power level. Also disclosed is a minimum efficiency threshold useful for determining which HEI values will result in the optimum use of electrical energy throughout the operation of the vehicle. Methods for adjusting the minimum efficiency threshold with respect to regenerative braking events, storage capacity in the energy storage system, along with other aspects are disclosed as well.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a hybrid system, comprising:
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calculating a fuel consumption rate for an engine using a controller in communication with the engine, the engine configured to consume a fuel to produce an engine output torque; calculating a target electric motor output torque using the controller, the target electric motor output torque calculated by the controller using a predicted change in a fuel consumption rate and a predicted change in a stored electrical energy caused by a predicted consumption of the stored electrical energy by an electric motor generator; controlling the electric motor generator to produce an actual electric motor output torque that is substantially equal to the target electric motor output torque using the controller; and controlling the engine to reduce the engine output torque by an amount corresponding to the target electric motor output torque using the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling a hybrid system, comprising:
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calculating one or more fuel consumption rates for an engine sufficient to produce corresponding one or more engine output torque values using a controller, wherein the engine is configured to consume fuel to produce an engine output torque; calculating one or more electric power input levels for an electric motor generator operating in electric motor mode sufficient to produce corresponding one or more target electric motor output torque levels, wherein the engine and the electric motor generator are responsive to the controller, wherein the engine, electric motor generator, and the controller are included in the hybrid system, and wherein the controller calculates engine output torque values to correspond with electric motor output torque levels to determine one or more predicted hybrid system output torque values; using the one or more fuel consumption rates and the one or more electric power input levels to calculate one or more predicted changes in the fuel consumption rates and one or more predicted changes in stored electrical energy corresponding to the one or more electric power input levels; using the controller to select a target engine output torque value and a corresponding target electric motor output torque level based on the corresponding predicted changes in fuel consumption rates and predicted changes in stored electrical energy, wherein the corresponding combined hybrid system output torque value is sufficient to fulfill an operator output power request; controlling the electric motor generator to produce an actual electric motor output torque that is substantially equal to the selected target electric motor output torque using the controller; and controlling the engine to produce an actual engine output torque that is substantially equal to the corresponding target engine output torque using the controller. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification