Method and apparatus for selective operation of a hybrid electric vehicle in various driving modes

1. A method for adaptively controlling a hybrid electric vehicle including an energy generation system, a energy storage system receiving electric current at least from the generation system, and at least one electric motor receiving current from the energy storage system, comprising:

storing an upper energy storage limit and a lower energy storage limit for the energy storage system for each of a plurality of predetermined driving modes;

determining a currently selected driving mode from the plurality of predetermined driving modes;

setting the upper energy storage limit and the lower energy storage limit for the energy storage system based on the currently selected driving mode;

determining parameters for operation of vehicle components within the currently selected driving mode; and

generating command signals to the vehicle components for operation within determined parameters.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected driving mode produces high vehicle energy efficiency.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected driving mode produces high vehicle performance and power.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected driving mode optimizes vehicle operation in hazardous weather conditions.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected driving mode is a zero-emission mode.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected driving mode limits the available speed, torque, or power produced.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected driving mode allows the vehicle to operate in an automated guidance mode.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected driving mode allows the vehicle to be operated from a remote location via radio or other signaling method.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the driving mode based upon an operator input signal.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the driving mode based upon an externally supplied signal.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the driving mode based upon vehicle system states or conditions.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the driving mode based upon vehicle sensor states or measurements.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining whether the currently selected driving mode will cause an unsafe vehicle condition;

determining another driving mode that will eliminate the unsafe vehicle condition and;

changing the current driving mode to the another driving mode.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein an upper torque limit, power limit, or speed limit for operation of the electric drive motor is specified for the currently selected driving mode.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein an upper energy generation limit for the energy generation system is specified for the currently selected driving mode.

16. A hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:

an energy generation system;

a energy storage system that receives electric current at least from the generation system;

at least one electric motor that receives current from the energy storage system; and

a controller that:

stores an upper energy storage limit and a lower energy storage limit for the energy storage system for each of a plurality of predetermined driving modes;

determines a currently selected driving mode from the plurality of predetermined driving modes;

sets the upper energy storage limit and the lower energy storage limit for the energy storage system based on the currently selected driving mode;

determines parameters for operation of vehicle components within the currently selected driving mode; and

generates command signals to the vehicle components for operation within determined parameters.

17. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the selected driving mode produces high vehicle energy efficiency.

18. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the selected driving mode produces high vehicle performance and power.

19. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the selected driving mode optimizes vehicle operation in hazardous weather conditions.

20. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the selected driving mode is a zero-emission mode.

21. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the selected driving mode limits the available speed, torque, or power produced.

22. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the selected driving mode allows the vehicle to operate in an automated guidance mode.

23. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the selected driving mode allows the vehicle to be operated from a remote location via radio or other signaling method.

24. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the controller:

determines the driving mode based upon an operator input signal.

25. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the controller:

determines the driving mode based upon an externally supplied signal.

26. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the controller:

determines the driving mode based upon vehicle system states or conditions.

27. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the controller:

determines the driving mode based upon vehicle sensor states or measurements.

28. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the controller:

determines whether the currently selected driving mode will cause an unsafe vehicle condition;

determines another driving mode that will eliminate the unsafe vehicle condition and;

changes the current driving mode to the another driving mode.

29. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein an upper torque limit, power limit, or speed limit for operation of the electric drive motor is specified for the currently selected driving mode.

30. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein an upper energy generation limit for the energy generation system is specified for the currently selected driving mode.