Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130085034 | Ratio Shift Control System And Method For A Multiple-Ratio Automatic Transmission - A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a powertrain source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a powertrain source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. | 04-04-2013 |
20130199335 | METHOD FOR STARTING AN ENGINE - A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission actuator in response to engine combustion during an engine start. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles. | 08-08-2013 |
20130238204 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE POWERTRAIN - Methods and systems for controlling a vehicle powertrain that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a position of a transmission clutch in response to battery current during engine cranking. The method may reduce clutch wear and improve vehicle launch from a stop. | 09-12-2013 |
20130292223 | Pre-Staging and Boosting for Downshifts to Increase Regenerative Braking - A hybrid vehicle has a battery, a regenerative braking system, a transmission, and a controller. The controller boosts and strokes a hydraulic cylinder of an on-coming clutch when the state-of-charge of the battery allows regenerative braking and in response to a pedal actuation. The controller boosts and strokes the hydraulic cylinder before a disconnect clutch is opened and the transmission is downshifted to increase regenerative braking efficiency. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296103 | Adjusting Motor Torque to Enable Slip of Torque Converter Clutch to be Maintained when Accelerator Pedal Released in Hybrid Vehicle - A controller and a control strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle having a traction motor between an engine and an automatic transmission include maintaining a bypass clutch of a torque converter in an engaged position and applying a motor torque from a traction motor to the torque converter such that slip of the torque converter does not otherwise reach zero while the bypass clutch is maintained in the engaged position. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296106 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING DRIVELINE LASH IN A HYBRID VEHICLE - A vehicle has an engine, an upstream clutch, an electric machine, a downstream clutch, a transmission gearbox, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) control engagement of the downstream clutch, (ii) monitor a vehicle torque, and (iii) control electric machine torque to a designated rate when the vehicle torque changes direction and the electric machine is operating. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes engaging a clutch downstream of the electric machine, monitoring a vehicle torque, and controlling electric machine torque to a designated rate when vehicle torque changes direction and the electric machine is operating. A hybrid vehicle system has an electric machine and a controller configured to (i) control electric machine torque to a designated rate within a time zone, and (ii) control at least one of the electric machine torque and an engine torque to meet driver demand outside of the zone. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296107 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STARTING A TURBOCHARGED ENGINE IN A HYBRID VEHICLE - A vehicle with a modular hybrid transmission that has a combustion engine including a turbocharger and an e-machine use barometric pressure, road grade, and estimated vehicle mass to develop a turbo lag estimate. If it is determined that undesirable turbo lag is likely, the system opens a disconnect clutch between the engine and the e-machine and the engine is started independently of the e-machine. The e-machine is then used to launch the vehicle while the engine is started. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296109 | Method and Apparatus for Starting an Engine of a Modular Hybrid Transmission Based Upon Demanded Torque - A control system including a method and apparatus for operating a hybrid vehicle. A disconnect clutch selectively separates an electric machine from a combustion engine. If a wide open throttle or high torque command is requested and the combustion engine is shut down, a 12 volt starter may be used to start the combustion engine while disconnected from the electric machine and all of the electric machine torque available may be used for traction. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296110 | Modulating Engine Torque to Synchronization Engine Speed with Motor Speed for Disconnect Clutch Engagement in Hybrid Vehicle - A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a traction motor, and a transmission selectively coupled in series by a clutch include modulating engine torque while the clutch is disengaged and while engine speed is less than motor speed to increase the engine speed. The clutch is engaged to connect the engine to the motor in response to the engine speed exceeding the motor speed. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296111 | ENGINE RESTART TORQUE SPIKE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having a traction motor between an engine and a step ratio automatic transmission during a startup of the hybrid vehicle. The method includes performing at least one of adjusting a clutch or an oil pressure to change a transmission tie-up force or downshifting the transmission in response to an actuation rate of a vehicle driver demand. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296114 | VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS OF A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes an engine, a traction motor, and a torque converter that is driven by the traction motor. A clutch arrangement mechanically couples an output of the torque converter to transmission gearing. A controller is provided in the vehicle that is configured to command an increase in slip, or decrease in clutch pressure, in the clutch arrangement in response to an increase in speed of the traction motor. The commanding of an increase in slip enables a product of the torque ratio of the torque converter and an input torque to the torque converter to remain generally constant during the increase in speed of the traction motor. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296116 | Hybrid Torque Converter Control During Rolling Engine Start For Driveline Damping - A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle including a transmission having a torque converter with a bypass clutch include controlling the slip between the impeller and the turbine of the torque converter in slip mode operation to regulate the converter torque ratio and maintain substantially constant torque at the turbine. Controlled slip uses the hydrodynamic coupling of the torque converter to balance the desired and delivered torque while damping torque disturbances transmitted through the driveline to manage noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). | 11-07-2013 |
20130296117 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ENGINE FLARE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT - A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a transmission, and at least one controller. The at least one controller, in response to a gear shift of the transmission that causes a speed of the engine to exceed a predetermined speed, commands a change in current to the electric machine such that the speed of the engine decreases to a target speed to avoid engine flare. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297122 | Methods and Systems for a Driveline Disconnect Clutch - Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, compensation for a driveline disconnect clutch is provided. The approaches may reduce driveline torque disturbances. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297162 | DYNAMIC SHIFT SCHEDULING IN A HYBRID VEHICLE HAVING A STEP RATIO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - A hybrid vehicle having an engine and motor in series with a step ratio automatic transmission shifts the transmission according to a first shift schedule based on driver demand and output speed or a second shift schedule based on efficient operating speeds of the engine and motor associated with the target gear ratio. A powertrain controller continually calculates engine and motor speeds and torques associated with target gear ratios for the second shift schedule to select a gear ratio based on operating efficiency. An arbitration strategy may compare a weighted target gear ratio from the first schedule shift schedule to a weighted target gear ratio from the second shift schedule to dynamically select a desired target gear for powertrain control management. | 11-07-2013 |
20130338892 | CONTROL OF A BACKING VEHICLE - A method for controlling a backing vehicle includes if a back-up sensor indicates that an obstacle is present behind the vehicle and a gear selector is moved to a reverse position, delaying reverse gear engagement and producing a warning signal, and producing a transmission tie-up if brakes are applied insufficiently to stop the vehicle. | 12-19-2013 |
20140011635 | METHOD FOR STARTING AN ENGINE - A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission actuator in response to engine combustion during an engine start. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles. | 01-09-2014 |
20140045650 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for reducing audible clunks and objectionable drive feel in vehicles including start/stop systems. In one example, a vehicle engine is shutdown during vehicle coasting. The vehicle engine is then restarted, while the vehicle is moving with a torque converter clutch disengaged. A transmission clutch pressure is then adjusted during the restart based on a torque converter output speed relative to a torque converter input speed. | 02-13-2014 |
20140046529 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A DRIVELINE DISCONNECT CLUTCH - Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, application of a driveline disconnect clutch to start an engine is described. The approach applies the driveline disconnect clutch to rotate an engine and at least partially disengages the driveline disconnect clutch to reduce the possibility of a reduction in torque applied to vehicle wheels. | 02-13-2014 |
20140057756 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE CONTROL - Systems and methods are provided for restarting an engine that can be selectively deactivated during idle-stop conditions. In one embodiment, the engine is restarted with torque reduction over an interval of the restart, for example, by upshifting the transmission. In response to a vehicle launch request, the torque reduction is decreased, for example, by downshifting the transmission, to expedite return of driveline torque. | 02-27-2014 |
20140080668 | DECELERATION FUEL SHUT OFF SCHEDULING BASED ON VEHICLE PARAMETERS - A method for enacting DFSO in a motor vehicle having an engine and a transmission. The method includes, during a condition of normal engine-braking efficiency, disabling the DFSO below a higher gear of the transmission. During a condition of reduced engine-braking efficiency, by contrast, the DFSO is disabled below a lower gear of the transmission. | 03-20-2014 |
20140200789 | DRIVER FEEDBACK FOR VEHICLE OPERATION - The following description relates to systems and methods for adjusting vehicle response parameters in response to indications of vehicle operator preferences. In one example approach, a method comprises, during a cruise control mode of operation, adjusting a vehicle response parameter from a default set-point based on an indication of vehicle operator preference. | 07-17-2014 |
20140277867 | Vehicle Mass Detection System - A vehicle system and a method for calculating a vehicle mass is provided. In at least one embodiment, the system and the method measure current consumed by an electric machine of the vehicle to calculate vehicle mass. A controller of the vehicle uses the calculated mass to control operation of the vehicle, for example a four wheel drive, transmission, stability control, or brake system of the vehicle. A GPS and tire speed sensor system may be incorporated to detect the presence of a towed object, for example a trailer, and to further adjust operation of the vehicle. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277973 | VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER METHOD AND SYSTEM - A system and method of immobilizing a vehicle include receiving a driver presence signal and a transmission state signal and commanding a transmission tie-up in response to the driver presence signal and the transmission state signal. In one embodiment, controlling a transmission element to tie-up a transmission includes braking approximately simultaneously a combination of transmission elements to inhibit rotation of a transmission output and maintaining transmission line pressure to maintain the transmission tie-up when an engine is off. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278018 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING ENGINE STARTING - A method and a system for improving operation of an automatically started engine are described. In one example, slip of a disconnect clutch is adjusted to limit an amount of engine torque transferred to vehicle wheels. The method and system adjust disconnect clutch slip in response to transmission input shaft speed and/or engine combustion events. | 09-18-2014 |
20150038294 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION COUPLED TO AN ENGINE THAT MAY BE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED - Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles. | 02-05-2015 |
20150046049 | METHOD OF OPERATING A TRANSMISSION - A method of controlling a launch clutch during an engine restart event commands a positive torque capacity before the engine reaches idle speed. Early application of the launch clutch reduces the time delay between brake pedal release and vehicle acceleration. To avoid excessive drag on the engine during the restart event, the torque capacity is adjusted using closed loop control. A controller calculates a maximum rate of change of torque capacity based on measured engine speed and an engine acceleration and does not increase the commanded torque capacity faster than the calculated rate. In some circumstances the maximum rate of change may be negative, resulting in a reduction in commanded torque capacity. | 02-12-2015 |