Granted Patent B2

US 8,073,602 · App. 12/238,594 · Granted Dec 6, 2011

Abstract

Claims (35)

1. A method for controlling an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically coupled to first and second electric machines to transmit power to an output member, the method comprising:

determining motor torque constraints for the first and second electric machines;

determining battery power constraints for an electrical energy storage device electrically connected to the first and second electric machines;

determining a range for an additional torque input to the electro-mechanical transmission;

determining a preferred output torque to the output member of the electro-mechanical transmission that is achievable within the motor torque constraints, is achievable within the range of the additional torque input, and is based upon the battery power constraints; and

controlling operation of the electro-mechanical transmission and the first and second electric machines to achieve the preferred output torque to the output member of the electro-mechanical transmission;

wherein determining the preferred output torque to the output member of the electro-mechanical transmission comprises:

formulating mathematical equations representing the motor torque constraints comprising maximum and minimum motor torque constraints for the first and second electric machines;

formulating mathematical equations representing maximum and minimum battery power constraints;

formulating a mathematical equation representing the output torque;

formulating mathematical equations representing the range for the additional torque input;

transforming the mathematical equations representing the maximum and minimum battery power constraints to equations of concentric circles having respective radii;

transforming the mathematical equations representing the maximum and minimum motor torque constraints for the first and second electric machines to equations comprising lines;

transforming the mathematical equations representing the range for the additional torque input to equations comprising lines;

transforming the mathematical equation representing the output torque to an equation comprising a line;

determining at least one transformed achievable output torque based upon the transformed mathematical equations representing the maximum and minimum motor torque constraints for the first and second electric machines, the maximum and minimum battery power constraints, and the range for the additional torque input;

determining a transformed achievable output torque corresponding to the at least one transformed achievable output torque; and

retransforming the transformed achievable output torque.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the preferred output torque comprises a commanded output torque to the output member in response an operator torque request.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the preferred output torque comprises a maximum tractive torque to the output member.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the preferred output torque comprises a maximum reactive torque to the output member.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional torque input comprises an engine input torque.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional torque input comprises a clutch reactive torque.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the preferred output torque to the output member of the electro-mechanical transmission further comprises determining a preferred output torque to the output member of the electro-mechanical transmission that is achievable within the range of the additional torque input and that minimizes a violation of a maximum battery power constraint when the additional torque input is achievable within the motor torque constraints and the additional torque input exceeds the maximum battery power constraint.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the preferred output torque to the output member of the electro-mechanical transmission further comprises determining a preferred output torque to the output member of the electro-mechanical transmission that is achievable within the range of the additional torque input and is constrained by a maximum battery power constraint when the additional torque input is achievable within the motor torque constraints and the additional torque input is achievable within the maximum battery power constraint.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising limiting the preferred output torque to the output member of the electro-mechanical transmission to an output torque achievable within the motor torque constraints and achievable within the battery power constraints.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the maximum battery power constraint comprises a maximum battery discharging power.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the minimum battery power constraint comprises a minimum battery charging power.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional torque input comprises an input torque to an input shaft from an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled to the electro-mechanical transmission.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional torque input comprises torque transfer across an applied torque transfer clutch in the transmission.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a transformed achievable output torque from the electro-mechanical transmission comprises determining a transformed achievable maximum output torque from the electro-mechanical transmission; and further comprising:

retransforming the transformed achievable maximum output torque to determine preferred motor torques for the first and second electric machines.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the transformed achievable output torque corresponding to the at least one transformed achievable output torque comprises calculating at least one intersection of the transformed mathematical equations representing the maximum and minimum battery power constraints, the maximum and minimum motor torque constraints for the first and second electric machines, the range for the additional torque input, and the output torque.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a transformed achievable output torque from the electro-mechanical transmission comprises determining a transformed achievable minimum output torque from the electro-mechanical transmission; and further comprising:

retransforming the transformed achievable minimum output torque to determine preferred motor torques for the first and second electric machines.

Assignments (17)