IP Library Granted Patent US 7,454,278
Granted Patent B2
US 7,454,278 · App. 11/546,801 · Granted Nov 18, 2008

Cost structure method including fuel economy and engine emission considerations

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,454,278
App. No.
11/546,801
Granted
Nov 18, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A powertrain control selects engine operating points in accordance with power loss minimization controls. Power loss contributions come from a variety of sources including engine power losses. Engine power losses are determined in accordance with engine operating metrics such as power production per unit fuel consumption and power production per unit emission production. Engine power losses are combined in accordance with assigned weighting into a single engine power loss term for use in the power loss minimization control and operating point selection.

Claims (35)

1. A method for controlling a powertrain including an internal combustion engine, comprising:

providing first power loss terms corresponding to engine operating points that attribute power losses to engine operation at the engine operating points relative to an engine operating point that is maximally efficient with respect to engine power per unit fuel consumption;

providing second power loss terms corresponding to engine operating points that attribute power losses to engine operation at the engine operating points relative to an engine operating point that is maximally efficient with respect to engine power per unit emission production;

combining the first and second power loss terms at respective engine operating points into a total engine power loss term;

providing additional power loss terms corresponding to powertrain subsystem power losses at respective engine operating points;

aggregating the total engine power loss term and the additional power loss terms into a total powertrain loss term at respective engine operating points;

determining as the substantially minimum powertrain power loss the minimum aggregated total engine power loss term and additional power loss terms at respective engine operating points; and

controlling the engine toward engine operating points based on said substantially minimum powertrain power loss.

2. The method for controlling a powertrain as claimed in claim 1 wherein said additional power loss terms comprise at least one of powertrain mechanical losses, electrical losses, hydraulic losses, and heat losses.

3. The method for controlling a powertrain as claimed in claim 1 wherein said powertrain comprises a hybrid-electric powertrain including an electric machine and an electrical energy storage system.

4. The method for controlling a powertrain as claimed in claim 3 wherein said additional power loss terms comprise at least one of electric machine losses and electrical energy storage system losses.

5. A powertrain system, comprising:

an engine; and

a computer based controller including a storage medium having a computer program encoded therein for determining an engine torque at a predetermined engine speed that result in a substantially minimum powertrain power loss, wherein said substantially minimum powertrain power loss is based upon engine fuel consumption and emission production.

6. A powertrain system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said substantially minimum powertrain power loss is determined by:

providing first power loss terms corresponding to engine operating points that attribute power losses to engine operation at the engine operating points relative to an engine operating point that is maximally efficient with respect to engine power per unit fuel consumption;

providing second power loss terms corresponding to engine operating points that attribute power losses to engine operation at the engine operating points relative to an engine operating point that is maximally efficient with respect to engine power per unit emission production;

combining the first and second power loss terms at respective engine operating points into a total engine power loss term;

providing additional power loss terms corresponding to powertrain subsystem power losses at respective engine operating points;

aggregating the total engine power loss term and the additional power loss terms into a total powertrain system loss term at respective engine operating points; and

determining as the substantially minimum powertrain power loss the minimum aggregated total engine power loss term and additional power loss terms at respective engine operating points.

7. A powertrain system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said additional power loss terms comprise at least one of powertrain system mechanical losses, electrical losses, hydraulic losses, and heat losses.

8. A powertrain system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said powertrain system comprises a hybrid-electric powertrain including an electric machine and an electrical energy storage system.

9. A powertrain system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said additional power loss terms comprise at least one of electric machine losses and electrical energy storage system losses.

10. A method for controlling a powertrain including an internal combustion engine, comprising:

providing an engine power loss term based upon engine fuel consumption and emission production; and

controlling the engine based on said engine power loss term.

11. The method for controlling a powertrain as claimed in claim 10 wherein controlling the engine comprises controlling the engine to an output torque operating point based on said engine power loss term.

12. The method for controlling a powertrain as claimed in claim 11 wherein controlling the engine to an output torque operating point based on said engine power loss term comprises:

aggregating the engine power loss term at respective engine output torque operating points and at least one additional power loss term corresponding to a powertrain subsystem power loss at respective engine output torque operating points into a total powertrain system loss term at the respective engine operating points;

determining a substantially minimum total powertrain power loss as the minimum aggregated engine power loss term and said at least one additional power loss term; and

controlling the engine the output torque operating point corresponding to the substantially minimum total powertrain power loss.

13. The method for controlling a powertrain as claimed in claim 12 wherein said at least one additional power loss term comprises at least one of powertrain mechanical losses, electrical losses, hydraulic losses, and heat losses.

14. The method for controlling a powertrain as claimed in claim 12 wherein said powertrain comprises a hybrid-electric powertrain including an electric machine and an electrical energy storage system.

15. The method for controlling a powertrain as claimed in claim 14 wherein said at least one additional power loss term comprises at least one of electric machine losses and electrical energy storage system losses.

Assignments (12)
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 025314/0946 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0656 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0140 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0264 →
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 023155/0663 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0563 →
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 022553/0540 →
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 022117/0047 →