Method and apparatus for detecting engine firing in a hybrid powertrain system

• US 8,214,095 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2009
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Lehmen, Allen J., Smith, Kevin J., Nicholson, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shafi, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US12/472,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20100305800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/35, 701/208, 701/211, 701/213, 701/300, 701/84, 180/65.21, 180 651- 658, 340/995.1, 340/995.19, 903/930
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• 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 2510/0657 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0661 Torque change rate
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1015 Input shaft speed, e.g. turbine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1025 Input torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/186 excessive wear or burn out of friction elements, e.g. clutches
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes commanding engine operation to transition from an engine-off state to an engine-on state. A control scheme detects engine firing based upon input speed, input torque and a change in the input torque.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a powertrain system including an internal combustion engine coupled via an input member to a hybrid transmission including a torque machine, the hybrid transmission configured to transfer torque between the engine, the torque machine, and an output member, wherein a microprocessor performs the following steps:

commanding engine operation to transition from an engine-off state to an engine-on state;

spinning the engine and subsequently fueling the engine;

monitoring an input speed and determining an input torque from the engine to the input member;

performing a first engine firing diagnostic comprising detecting the engine is firing when the input speed is greater than an input flare speed;

performing a second engine firing diagnostic comprising detecting the engine is firing when the input torque is a positive value, the input torque is increasing, and a time-rate change in the input torque exceeds a threshold;

performing a third engine firing diagnostic comprising detecting the engine is firing when the input torque is greater than a threshold after a calibrated time period, and performing the first engine firing diagnostic and subsequently performing the second engine firing diagnostic only when performance of the first engine firing diagnostic does not detect the engine is firing, and subsequently performing the third engine firing diagnostic only when performance of the second engine firing diagnostic does not detect the engine is firing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein commanding the engine operation to transition from the engine-off state to the engine-on state comprises an engine autostart.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising sparking the engine subsequent to spinning the engine.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising monitoring a torque output from the torque machine to the hybrid transmission, and determining a magnitude of the input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission corresponding to the torque output from the torque machine.

5. A method for controlling a powertrain system including an internal combustion engine coupled to a hybrid transmission including a torque machine, the hybrid transmission configured to transfer torque between the engine, the torque machine, and an output member, wherein a microprocessor performs the following steps:

commanding an engine starting event;

spinning the engine and then fueling the engine;

monitoring an input speed and determining an input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission; and

determining that the engine did not start and run only when

the input speed fails to exceed an input flare speed, and

the input torque is less than a threshold after a calibrated time period.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising discontinuing the engine starting event when it is determined that the engine did not start and run.

7. A method for controlling a powertrain system including an internal combustion engine coupled to a hybrid transmission including first and second torque machines, the hybrid transmission configured to transfer torque between the engine, the first and second torque machines and an output member, wherein a microprocessor performs the following steps:

commanding engine operation to transition from an engine-off state to an engine-on state;

spinning the engine and then fueling the engine;

monitoring an input speed and determining an input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission;

providing a first engine firing diagnostic configured to detect the engine is firing when the input speed is greater than an input flare speed;

providing a second engine firing diagnostic configured to detect the engine is firing when the input torque is a positive value, the input torque is increasing, and a time-rate change in the input torque exceeds a threshold;

providing a third engine firing diagnostic configured to detect the engine is firing when the input torque is greater than a threshold after a calibrated time period; and

performing the first engine firing diagnostic and subsequently performing the second engine firing diagnostic only when performance of the first engine firing diagnostic does not detect the engine is firing and subsequently performing the third engine firing diagnostic only when performance of the second engine firing diagnostic does not detect the engine is firing.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining an input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission comprises:

monitoring the input speed and an output speed of the output member;

determining motor torques transferred between the first and second torque machines and the transmission; and

calculating the input torque associated with time-rate changes in the rotational speeds of the input member and the output member and the motor torques transferred between the first and second torque machines and the transmission.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein commanding the engine operation to transition from the engine-off state to the engine-on state comprises an engine autostart.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising sparking the engine subsequent to spinning the engine.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising discontinuing the engine starting event when it is determined that the engine did not start and run.