Method for operating a hybrid vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having a primary power source and an auxiliary power source, comprising the steps of:
- (a) monitoring at least one primary power source parameter that relates to an electric motor or a battery of the primary power source and at least one vehicle performance parameter that relates to the performance of the hybrid vehicle and, based at least partially on a comparison of the primary power source parameter to the vehicle performance parameter, determining if the hybrid vehicle enters a steep grade environment where an average grade is steep enough to warrant a specific power management scheme for the hybrid vehicle;
(b) making a first set of adjustments to the power management scheme that controls one or more aspects of the primary power source and/or the auxiliary power source at least partially in response to the hybrid vehicle entering the steep grade environment, and the first set of adjustments is based on an anticipated future need for electrical energy by the hybrid vehicle in the steep grade environment; and
(c) operating the hybrid vehicle according to the power management scheme with the first set of adjustments.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method that may be used to operate a hybrid vehicle in a mountainous or other environment where roads have significant grades or inclines. In this kind of setting, standard methods for managing power within the hybrid vehicle may be insufficient when driving the hybrid vehicle up and down substantial inclines and declines; this can be particularly true if the driver attempts to maintain the hybrid vehicle at higher speeds. Thus, this method may use a power management scheme that is specifically adapted to address this kind of situation and can adjust or change target values accordingly, such as those that pertain to a state-of-charge (SOC) for the hybrid vehicle battery.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having a primary power source and an auxiliary power source, comprising the steps of:
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(a) monitoring at least one primary power source parameter that relates to an electric motor or a battery of the primary power source and at least one vehicle performance parameter that relates to the performance of the hybrid vehicle and, based at least partially on a comparison of the primary power source parameter to the vehicle performance parameter, determining if the hybrid vehicle enters a steep grade environment where an average grade is steep enough to warrant a specific power management scheme for the hybrid vehicle; (b) making a first set of adjustments to the power management scheme that controls one or more aspects of the primary power source and/or the auxiliary power source at least partially in response to the hybrid vehicle entering the steep grade environment, and the first set of adjustments is based on an anticipated future need for electrical energy by the hybrid vehicle in the steep grade environment; and (c) operating the hybrid vehicle according to the power management scheme with the first set of adjustments. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having a primary power source and an auxiliary power source, comprising the steps of:
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(a) monitoring at least one primary power source parameter that relates to an electric motor or a battery of the primary power source and at least one vehicle performance parameter that relates to the performance of the hybrid vehicle and, based at least partially on a comparison of the primary power source parameter to the vehicle performance parameter, determining if the hybrid vehicle enters a steep grade environment; (b) increasing a target value for a battery that is part of the primary power source at least partially in response to the hybrid vehicle entering the steep grade environment, and the increased target value is a precautionary measure that enables the battery to store a higher level of charge when the hybrid vehicle is in the steep grade environment; and (c) using the auxiliary power source to charge the battery to the increased target value so that a higher level of charge is stored on the battery when the hybrid vehicle is in the steep grade environment. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification