Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110253100 | CYLINDER COMBUSTION PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND CONTROL WITH COORDINATED TORQUE CONTROL - An engine control system includes a disturbance module, a torque correction module, a torque-to-spark module, and a spark correction module. The disturbance module determines a disturbance value for a past combustion stroke of a cylinder of an engine based on rotation of a crankshaft. The torque correction module selectively determines a torque correction for a future combustion stroke of the cylinder based on the disturbance value. The torque-to-spark module determines a spark correction based on the torque correction and determines an uncorrected spark timing based on a torque request. The spark correction module determines a corrected spark timing based on the uncorrected spark timing and the spark correction and generates spark during the future combustion stroke based on the corrected spark timing. | 10-20-2011 |
20110264342 | FEED-FORWARD CAMSHAFT PHASER CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An engine control system includes an inertia phase detection module, a feed-forward (FF) engine speed module, a FF APC module, a FF phaser postion module, and a phaser control module. The inertia phase detection module determines when an inertia phase of a gear shift is occurring within a transmission. The FF engine speed module predicts an engine speed for a future time when the inertia phase ends. The FF APC module predicts an air-per-cylinder (APC) for the future time based on the engine speed. The FF phaser position module determines a FF phaser position based on the engine speed and the APC. The phaser control module controls a camshaft phaser position based on the FF phaser position during the inertia phase of the gear shift. | 10-27-2011 |
20110270509 | FUEL CUTOFF TRANSITION CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An engine control system includes a fuel cutoff (FCO) module, a fuel control module, and a spark control module. The FCO module, when a FCO event is disabled, determines a feed-forward (FF) number of cylinders to offset a delay period associated with supplying fuel to the cylinders of an engine and selectively maintains a FCO torque request at a predetermined torque. The fuel control module commands fuel be supplied to the FF number of cylinders of the engine when the FCO event is disabled. The spark control module maintains a spark timing of the FF number of cylinders at a fully retarded spark timing based on the FCO torque request. | 11-03-2011 |
20120029787 | INCREASED FUEL ECONOMY MODE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An engine control system includes a desired manifold absolute pressure (MAP) module, a MAP to torque module, a threshold determination module, and a fuel economy (FE) mode module. The desired MAP module determines a desired MAP for operation of an engine in one of a cylinder deactivation mode and a low-lift mode based on a difference between a desired vacuum and an air pressure upstream of a throttle valve. The MAP to torque module determines a desired torque output of the engine for operation in the one of the cylinder deactivation mode and the low-lift mode based on the desired MAP. The threshold determination module determines an entry torque based on the desired torque output. The FE mode module selectively triggers operation in the one of the cylinder deactivation mode and the low-lift mode based on a comparison of the entry torque and a torque request. | 02-02-2012 |
20120065864 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES IN HYBRID POWERTRAINS - A method for selectively creating vacuum in a hybrid powertrain controlled by a hybrid control processor and having an engine controlled by an engine control module includes requesting a pressure differential between a first intake point and a second intake point, wherein the first intake point and the second intake point are separated by a throttle. An actual torque capacity is calculated for the engine, wherein the actual torque capacity occurs when pressure is substantially equal at the first intake point and at the second intake point. A desired torque capacity is also calculated for the engine, wherein the desired torque capacity reduces the pressure at the second intake point relative to the pressure at the first intake point, such that the requested pressure differential is created. The engine is then operated at one of the desired torque capacity and the actual torque capacity. | 03-15-2012 |
20120067327 | TORQUE LIMITING ENGINE LUBRICATION PROTECTION SYSTEM - A lubrication torque limit module includes a temperature module that determines a temperature of an engine and generates an engine temperature signal. A limit module generates a torque limit signal based on the temperature signal and a speed of the engine. The torque limit signal identifies an indicated torque maximum limit. A torque arbitration module limits indicated torque of the engine based on the indicated torque maximum limit. The indicated torque of the engine is equal to an unmanaged brake torque of the engine plus an overall friction torque of the engine. | 03-22-2012 |
20120101697 | NEGATIVE-TORQUE DOWNSHIFT EXECUTION FOR FIXED-GEAR TRANSMISSIONS - A method of executing a downshift in a fixed-gear powertrain having an input node and an output node related by a starting speed ratio before the downshift and a finishing speed ratio after is provided. The downshift includes a torque phase and an inertia phase. A starting output torque is calculated as a function of a starting driver request. An electric machine applies a starting regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the starting output torque divided by the starting speed ratio. A finishing output torque is calculated as a function of a finishing driver request. The electric machine applies a finishing regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the finishing output torque divided by the finishing speed ratio. | 04-26-2012 |
20120180759 | TURBOCHARGER BOOST CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GEAR SHIFTS - A method includes: retarding spark timing relative to a predetermined spark timing when an engine torque output reduction is requested for a gear shift; estimating a first torque output of an engine based on N cylinders of the engine being fueled, an engine speed, an air per cylinder (APC), and the predetermined spark timing; estimating a second torque output of the engine based on M cylinders being fueled, the engine speed, the APC, and the spark timing. determining an initial pressure ratio across a turbocharger compressor; determining an adjustment based on M and the first and second torque outputs; generating a desired pressure ratio across the turbocharger compressor based on the adjustment and the initial pressure ratio; and controlling opening of a turbocharger wastegate based on the desired pressure ratio. N is a total number of cylinders of the engine and M is less than or equal to N. | 07-19-2012 |
20120234123 | DRIVELINE STIFFNESS RELAXATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DFCO OPERATION - A powertrain system includes an engine control module that generates a negative torque transition signal based on a pending negative torque event of an engine. A transmission control module receives the negative torque transition signal from the engine control module. The transmission control module increases a slip speed of a torque converter clutch in preparation for the pending negative torque event by adjusting pressure in the torque converter clutch prior to the pending negative torque event. The transmission control module decreases the slip speed in the torque converter clutch based on completion of a transition at least one of to the pending negative torque event and from the pending negative torque event. | 09-20-2012 |
20120309585 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXECUTING A TRANSMISSION SHIFT IN A POWERTRAIN SYSTEM INCLUDING A TORQUE MACHINE AND AN ENGINE - A method for operating a powertrain system including a torque machine coupled to an internal combustion engine that coupled to a transmission includes, upon commanding a shift in a transmission operating range, activating an immediate response mode to effect the shift. Activating the immediate response mode includes controlling the engine to achieve a predicted engine torque command, and controlling motor torque of the torque machine in response to a difference between an actual engine torque and an immediate crankshaft torque for shift command. An arbitrated predicted motor torque is determined A possible crankshaft torque is determined in response to the arbitrated predicted motor torque and the predicted engine torque command. Operation of the transmission at the end of the shift event is commanded in response to the possible crankshaft torque. A predicted response mode is activated to complete the shift in the transmission operating range. | 12-06-2012 |
20130045832 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING CRANKSHAFT TORQUE DURING A TRANSMISSION SHIFT WITH TORQUE CAPACITY-BASED TORQUE REDUCTION RANGE SELECTION - A control system for use with an engine and a transmission in a vehicle is provided that includes at least one controller having a processor with at least one stored algorithm that determines different crankshaft torque capacities associated with different respective torque actuators including a relatively slow torque actuator, such as an airflow actuator, and at least one relatively fast torque actuator, such as a spark actuator or a fuel actuator. The algorithm determines a torque actuation range over which to modify engine torque during an oncoming shift of the transmission. The torque actuation range may be based at least partially on a target gear of the upshift, desired shift duration, and a vehicle operating condition indicative of an operator intent regarding shift duration. Requests for torque modification by use of the torque actuators are then made to provide the torque actuation range. | 02-21-2013 |
20130096797 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING VEHICLE WHEEL AXLE TORQUE AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SAME - A method of controlling torque on a vehicle wheel axle includes comparing a torque intervention request to a predetermined minimum axle torque for a current vehicle speed and a current direction of motion of the vehicle. The predetermined minimum axle torque decreases as vehicle speed in an operator-selected direction of motion increases. An arbitrated axle torque is calculated based on an operator-requested torque, the current vehicle speed, the current direction of motion, and the greater of the torque intervention request and the predetermined minimum torque. Axle torque is applied to the vehicle's wheel axle based at least partially on the arbitrated axle torque. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096810 | ALTERNATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VEHICLE DECELERATION - A system for a vehicle includes a fuel control module and a voltage setting module. The fuel control module cuts off fuel to an engine during a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) event. During the DFCO event, the voltage setting module monitors a brake pedal position, sets a desired voltage to a first predetermined voltage when a brake pedal is not depressed, and sets the desired voltage to a second predetermined voltage when the brake pedal is depressed. The second predetermined voltage is greater than the first predetermined voltage. A regulator generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on the desired voltage and applies the PWM signal to an alternator. | 04-18-2013 |
20130184907 | COORDINATION OF FUEL CUTOFF FOR FAULT DETECTION AND HYBRID OPERATION - A monitoring module selectively generates a request to at least one of: transition from providing rich fueling an engine to operating the engine in a fuel cutoff (FCO) state; and transition from operating the engine in the FCO state to providing rich fueling to the engine. In response to a response to the request, the monitoring module: selectively controls fueling to the engine to perform the at least one of the transitions; and selectively determines whether a fault is present in a component based on a response to the at least one of the transitions. A hybrid control module controls an electric motor of the hybrid vehicle and that selectively generates the response. | 07-18-2013 |
20130310219 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SYNCHRONOUS GEAR SHIFT - A method of commanding a synchronous gear shift begins by receiving a request to shift from a third gear to a first gear, and skipping a second gear having a gear ratio between the gear ratio of the first gear and the gear ratio of the third gear. Subsequently the method includes: reducing a torque command to a predetermined value; opening a clutch disposed on the input shaft of the transmission to decouple the transmission from the engine; transitioning the engine from a torque-control mode into a speed-control mode; commanding the engine to rotate at a speed dictated by the motion of the vehicle and the gear ratio of the first gear; closing the clutch to couple the transmission and the engine; and transitioning the engine back into the torque-control mode. | 11-21-2013 |
20130311055 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INPUT CLUTCH CONTROL - A method of controlling the performance of a vehicle from a stationary condition includes operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode following the disengagement of a driver-operated braking device; and operating the vehicle powertrain in a launch mode following an engagement of a driver-operated acceleration device subsequent to the disengagement of the driver-operated braking device. Operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode includes: applying a friction clutch to couple an engine crankshaft of the vehicle powertrain with an input shaft of the transmission; determining a torque command to accelerate the vehicle powertrain at a predetermined rate; providing the torque command to an engine controller to controllably increase the input torque to the transmission; and operating a closed loop engine speed control module to prevent the crankshaft speed from slowing below a predetermined engine idle speed. | 11-21-2013 |
20130325227 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN COORDINATION DURING A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER REGENERATION EVENT - A hybrid diesel-electric powertrain includes an electric motor in electrical communication with a traction battery, a diesel engine in power-flow communication with the electric motor and with an automatic transmission, and a controller. The diesel engine and electric motor are configured to provide a combined torque to the automatic transmission. The powertrain further includes an exhaust aftertreatment device in fluid communication with the diesel engine. The controller is configured to: receive a regeneration request from the exhaust aftertreatment device; determine if a state-of-charge of the fraction battery is within a predetermined range of a target value; initiate a regeneration event if the state-of-charge of the traction battery is within the predetermined range of the target value; receive an immediate torque request from the automatic transmission; and provide a torque command to the electric motor in response to the immediate torque request. | 12-05-2013 |
20130325228 | HYBRID DIESEL-ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN SMOKE LIMIT AVOIDANCE - A hybrid diesel-electric powertrain includes a diesel engine in power flow communication with an electric motor and a controller. The diesel engine and electric motor are each configured to generate a respective torque in response to a provided torque command. The controller is in communication with the electric motor, the diesel engine, and an accelerator pedal, and configured to receive a driver torque request from the accelerator pedal. In response to the driver torque request, the controller is further configured to command the diesel engine to generate an output torque that is less than a smoke limit torque, and command the electric motor to generate an output torque equal to the difference between the driver torque request and the output torque of the diesel engine. | 12-05-2013 |
20130325233 | CONTROL ARCHITECTURE FOR A MULTI-MODE POWERTRAIN SYSTEM - A controller architecture for a vehicle including a multi-mode powertrain system includes an engine controller having a control routine for determining and executing engine torque commands responsive to a hybrid engine torque command, and a control routine for determining a propulsion axle torque command responsive to an output torque request. The controller architecture further includes transmission controller having a control routine for selecting and effecting operation of the passive transmission in a preferred gear responsive to the output torque request. The controller architecture further includes a hybrid controller having control routines for determining and executing torque commands for each of the non-combustion torque machines and for determining the hybrid engine torque command to achieve a desired axle torque in response to the propulsion axle torque command with the passive transmission operating in the preferred gear. | 12-05-2013 |
20140074373 | COORDINATED ENGINE TORQUE CONTROL - A control system for an engine includes a target air per cylinder (APC) module, a target area module, and a phaser scheduling module. The target APC module determines a target APC based on a target spark timing, a target intake cam phaser angle, and a target exhaust cam phaser angle. The target area module determines a target opening of a throttle valve of the engine based on the target spark timing, the target intake cam phaser angle, and the target exhaust cam phaser angle. The target area module controls the throttle valve based on the target opening. The phaser scheduling module determines the target intake and exhaust cam phaser angles based on the target APC. The phaser scheduling module controls intake and exhaust cam phasers of the engine based on the target intake and exhaust cam phaser angles, respectively. | 03-13-2014 |
20140076279 | AIRFLOW CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An engine control system for a vehicle, includes a delay and rate limit module, a throttle control module, a phaser control module, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control module. The delay and rate limit module applies a delay and a rate limit to a first torque request to produce a second torque request. The throttle control module determines a target throttle opening based on the second torque request and selectively adjusts a throttle valve based on the target throttle opening. The phaser control module determines target intake and exhaust phasing values based on the second torque request and selectively adjusts intake and exhaust valve phasers based on the target intake and exhaust phasing values, respectively. The EGR control module determines a target EGR opening based on the first torque request and selectively adjusts an EGR valve based on the target EGR opening. | 03-20-2014 |
20140100728 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING CATALYST LIGHT-OFF OF A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method of warming a catalyst of an exhaust gas treatment system of a hybrid vehicle includes transitioning a rotational speed of an engine to within a pre-defined speed range with an electric motor, and reducing an engine manifold pressure to within a pre-defined pressure range. The engine is fueled after the rotational speed of the engine is within the pre-defined speed range, and the engine manifold pressure is within the pre-defined pressure range. While the engine is being fueled, the engine manifold pressure is increased to within a catalyst light-off pressure range, and the torque output of the engine is increased to within a catalyst light-off operating torque range. The exhaust gas produced from the operation of the engine within the pre-defined speed range, within the catalyst light-off pressure range, and within the catalyst light-off operating torque range heats the catalyst while minimizing emissions. | 04-10-2014 |
20140123938 | THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING INDUCTION NOISE - A throttle control system includes a target pressure module, a torque determination module, and a target opening module. The target pressure module determines an induction noise value based on an engine operating parameter and determines a target pressure downstream of a throttle valve of an engine based on a pressure at an inlet of the throttle valve and the induction noise value. The torque determination module determines a torque request for the engine based on the target pressure. The target opening module determines a target opening for the throttle valve based on the torque request and selectively adjusts opening of the throttle valve based on the target opening. | 05-08-2014 |
20140277989 | ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD INCORPORATING REGENERATIVE BRAKING AND START-STOP FUNCTIONS - A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cruise control module, an engine control module, and a brake control module. The cruise control module determines a cruise torque request based on at least one of a following distance of a vehicle and a rate at which the vehicle is approaching an object. The engine control module determines a negative torque capacity of a powertrain. The powertrain includes an engine and an electric motor. The brake control module applies a friction brake when the cruise torque request is less than the negative torque capacity of the powertrain. | 09-18-2014 |
20140311446 | AIRFLOW CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL - A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. A first constraint module selectively sets a predetermined range for first one of the target values. The MPC module limits the first one of the target values to within the predetermined range. | 10-23-2014 |
20140316681 | AIRFLOW CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL - A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint control module, based on the second torque request, generates a mass of air per cylinder (APC) setpoint, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) setpoint, an intake valve phasing setpoint, and an exhaust valve phasing setpoint. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the APC, EGR, intake valve phasing, and exhaust valve phasing setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. | 10-23-2014 |
20140316682 | AIRFLOW CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL - A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint control module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A vacuum requesting module requests an amount of vacuum within an intake manifold of the engine. The setpoint module selectively adjusts at least one of the setpoints based on the amount of vacuum requested. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. | 10-23-2014 |
20140316683 | AIRFLOW CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL - A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint control module generates air and exhaust setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module identifies sets of possible target values based on the air and exhaust setpoints, generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively, selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters, and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. A throttle actuator module controls opening of a throttle valve based on a first one of the target values. | 10-23-2014 |
20140358400 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A POWERTRAIN SYSTEM TO PERFORM EXHAUST BRAKING - A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an exhaust braking enabling module, a driver torque module, and an engine actuator control module. The exhaust braking enabling module selectively enables exhaust braking based on driver input and independent of an accelerator pedal position. The driver torque module selectively determines a driver torque request based on a powertrain braking torque capacity when exhaust braking is enabled. The engine actuator control module controls fuel delivery to cylinders of an engine and a vane position of a turbocharger based on the driver torque request. | 12-04-2014 |
20150032308 | DIESEL ENGINE STEADY STATE AND TRANSIENT HYBRID OPTIMIZATION - A method for selecting an engine operating point in a multi-mode powertrain system includes monitoring a desired axle torque based on an operator torque request and vehicle speed. For each available combustion mode of the diesel engine, engine torque and speed ranges are received and a plurality of fuel losses and a plurality of emissions losses are retrieved, each fuel and emissions loss corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of engine operating points within the engine torque and speed ranges. The respective fuel and emissions losses are compared at each of a plurality of potential engine operating points within the engine torque and speed ranges of the available combustion modes. A desired engine operating point within one of the available combustion modes is selected that corresponds to one of the potential engine operating points having a lowest power loss based on the compared respective fuel and emissions losses. | 01-29-2015 |