IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,206,687
Granted Patent B1
US 7,206,687 · App. 11/399,236 · Granted Apr 17, 2007

Method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,206,687
App. No.
11/399,236
Granted
Apr 17, 2007
Kind
B1
Abstract

The present invention provides a method adapted to control a hybrid electric vehicle having a primary power source and a secondary power source. The method includes estimating the power capability of the primary power source, and thereafter obtaining a power command from the vehicle's driver. A primary power demand and a secondary power demand which collectively meet the driver power command are then established, and a desired power balance between the primary power demand and the secondary power demand is also obtained. A system power capability is calculated based on the desired power balance and the estimated power capability. The method of the present invention then determines if the driver power command exceeds the system power capability. If the driver power command exceeds the system power capability, the driver power command limited and thereafter the limited driver power command is executed.

Claims (36)

1. A method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle having a primary power source and a secondary power source comprising:

estimating the power capability of the primary power source;

obtaining a driver power command;

establishing a primary power demand for the primary power source, a secondary power demand for the secondary power source, and a desired power balance between the primary power demand and the secondary power demand;

calculating a system power capability based on the desired power balance and the estimated power capability of the primary power source;

determining if the driver power command exceeds the system power capability;

limiting the driver power command if the driver power command exceeds the system power capability; and

executing the limited driver power command.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said obtaining a driver power command includes monitoring the position of a gas pedal, and implementing a throttle lookup table.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said establishing a primary power demand and a secondary power demand includes establishing a primary power demand and secondary power demand which collectively meet the driver power command in an optimally fuel efficient manner.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising executing the driver power command if the driver power command does not exceed the system power capability.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the primary power source is an engine.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the secondary power source is an electric motor/generator.

7. A method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle having a primary power source and a secondary power source comprising:

estimating the power capability of the primary power source;

obtaining a driver power command;

establishing a primary power demand for the primary power source and secondary power demand for the secondary power source which collectively meet the driver power command;

establishing a desired power balance between the primary power demand and the secondary power demand;

calculating a system power capability based on the desired power balance and the estimated power capability of the primary power source;

determining if the driver power command exceeds the system power capability;

executing the driver power command if the driver power command does not exceed the system power capability;

limiting the driver power command if the driver power command exceeds the system power capability; and

executing the limited driver power command if the driver power command exceeds the system power capability.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said obtaining a driver power command includes monitoring the position of a gas pedal, and implementing a throttle lookup table.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the primary power source is an engine.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the secondary power source is an electric motor/generator.

11. A method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine and an electric motor/generator comprising:

estimating the power capability of the engine;

monitoring the position of a gas pedal and implementing a throttle lookup table to obtain a driver power command;

establishing an engine power demand for the engine and a motor/generator power demand for the motor/generator which collectively meet the driver power command;

establishing a desired power balance between the engine power demand and the motor/generator power demand;

calculating a system power capability based on the desired power balance and the estimated power capability of the engine;

determining if the driver power command exceeds the system power capability;

executing the driver power command if the driver power command does not exceed the system power capability;

limiting the driver power command if the driver power command exceeds the system power capability; and

executing the limited driver power command if the driver power command exceeds the system power capability.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034184/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0041 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025314/0901 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0587 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0093 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0142 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023127/0402 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0519 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0493 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2009
From: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022117/0022 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2006
From: HUSEMAN, STEVEN C.
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 017705/0153 →