IP Library Granted Patent US 8,285,462
Granted Patent B2
US 8,285,462 · App. 12/254,985 · Granted Oct 9, 2012

Method and apparatus to determine a preferred output torque in mode and fixed gear operation with clutch torque constraints for a hybrid powertrain system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,285,462
App. No.
12/254,985
Granted
Oct 9, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hybrid transmission is operative to transfer torque between an input member and torque machines and an output member in one of a plurality of fixed gear and continuously variable operating range states through selective application of torque transfer clutches. The torque machines are operative to transfer power from an energy storage device. A method for controlling the hybrid transmission includes operating the hybrid transmission in one of the operating range states, determining a first set of internal system constraints on output torque transferred to the output member, determining a second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member, and determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the first set of internal system constraints and the second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member.

Claims (53)

1. Method for controlling a hybrid transmission operative to transfer torque between an input member and torque machines and an output member in one of a plurality of fixed gear and continuously variable operating range states through selective application of torque transfer clutches, the torque machines operative to transfer power from an energy storage device, wherein a control module performs the following steps:

operating the hybrid transmission in one of the operating range states;

determining a first set of internal system constraints on output torque transferred to the output member;

determining a second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member; and

determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the first set of internal system constraints and the second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member;

wherein determining the first set of internal system constraints on output torque comprises determining system constraints that exhibit a linear change in the output torque corresponding to a linear change in one of the constraints and

wherein the linear torque constraints comprise minimum and maximum clutch reactive torques for applied torque transfer clutches.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the second set of internal system constraints on output torque comprises determining system constraints that exhibit a non-linear change in the output torque corresponding to a linear change in one of the constraints.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the non-linear system constraints comprise available power from the energy storage device.

4. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

inducing an external system constraint upon the output torque transferred to the output member; and

determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the first set of internal system constraints and the second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member and is responsive to the external system constraint.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the external system constraint is determined based upon an operator torque request.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising determining a preferred output torque that minimizes power transferred from the energy storage device to the torque machines and is achievable within the allowable output torque range.

7. Method for controlling a hybrid transmission operative to transfer torque between an input member and torque machines and an output member in one of a plurality of fixed gear and continuously variable operating range states through selective application of torque transfer clutches, the torque machines operative to transfer power from an energy storage device, the method comprising:

applying torque transfer clutches and operating the hybrid transmission in one of the operating range states;

determining clutch reactive torque ranges of the applied clutches, motor torque ranges of the torque machines, and power transferred from the energy storage device;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the clutch reactive torque ranges of the applied clutches;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the motor torque ranges of the torque machines;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the power transferred from the energy storage device;

determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the clutch reactive torque ranges of the applied clutches, the motor torque ranges of the torque machines, and the power transferred from the energy storage device; and

controlling output torque from the transmission based upon the allowable output torque range.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

inducing a constraint on the clutch reactive torque range of one of the applied clutches;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the induced constraint on the clutch reactive torque range of one of the applied clutches; and

determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the clutch reactive torque ranges of the applied clutches, the motor torque ranges of the torque machines, the power transferred from the energy storage device, and the induced constraint on the clutch reactive torque range of one of the applied clutches.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining an operator torque request; and

controlling the output torque from the transmission that is achievable within the allowable output torque range, is responsive to the operator torque request and minimizes the power transferred from the energy storage device to the torque machines.

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

inducing a constraint on the motor torque range of one of the torque motors;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the induced constraint on the motor torque range of one of the torque motors; and

determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the clutch reactive torque ranges of the applied clutches, the motor torque ranges of the torque machines, the power transferred from the energy storage device, and the induced constraint on the motor torque range of one of the torque motors.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

determining an operator torque request; and

controlling the output torque from the transmission that is achievable within the allowable output torque range, is responsive to the operator torque request and minimizes the power transferred from the energy storage device to the torque machines.

12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

inducing a constraint on the power transferred from the energy storage device;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the induced constraint on the power transferred from the energy storage device; and

determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based clutch reactive torque ranges of the applied clutches, the motor torque ranges of the torque machines, the power transferred from the energy storage device, and the induced constraint on the power transferred from the energy storage device.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

determining an operator torque request; and

controlling the output torque from the transmission that is achievable within the allowable output torque range, is responsive to the operator torque request and minimizes the power transferred from the energy storage device to the torque machines.

14. Method for controlling a hybrid transmission operative to transfer torque between an input member and first and second torque machines and an output member in one of a plurality of fixed gear and continuously variable operating range states through selective application of torque transfer clutches, the torque machines operative to transfer power from an energy storage device, the method comprising:

determining an operator torque request;

determining clutch reactive torque ranges of applied clutches, motor torque ranges of the torque machines, and power transferred from the energy storage device;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the clutch reactive torque ranges of the applied clutches;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the motor torque ranges of the torque machines;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the power transferred from the energy storage device;

inducing a constraint on the clutch reactive torque range of one of the applied clutches;

determining constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the induced constraint on the clutch reactive torque range of one of the applied clutches;

determining an allowable output torque that is achievable within the constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member based upon the clutch reactive torque ranges of the applied clutches, the motor torque ranges of the torque machines, the power transferred from the energy storage device, and the induced constraint on the clutch reactive torque range of one of the applied clutches; and

controlling the motor torques of the torque machines based upon the allowable output torque.

Assignments (26)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FCA US LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC)
Reel/Frame 048177/0356 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: FCA US LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC)
Reel/Frame 042885/0255 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RELEASING SECOND-LIEN SECURITY INTEREST PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 026426 AND FRAME 0644, REEL 026435 AND FRAME 0652, AND REEL 032384 AND FRAME 0591 Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: FCA US LLC, FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 037784/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 30, 2015
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: FCA US LLC
Reel/Frame 035553/0356 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034189/0065 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 4, 2014
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 032384/0640 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 10, 2011
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 026426/0644 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 6, 2011
From: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 026396/0780 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 25, 2011
From: THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC; CHRYSLER GROUP GLOBAL ELECTRIC MOTORCARS LLC
Reel/Frame 026335/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0245 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0515 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0046 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0909 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0237 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0313 →
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 023155/0769 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023126/0914 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 7, 2009
From: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
To: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 022919/0126 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 022915/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 6, 2009
From: NEW CARCO ACQUISITION LLC
To: THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022915/0489 →
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 022554/0538 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2009
From: CHRYSLER LLC
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.; DAIMLER AG; CHRYSLER LLC; BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 022251/0029 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2009
From: WU, BIN
To: CHRYSLER LLC
Reel/Frame 022225/0167 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0405 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.; DAIMLER AG; CHRYSLER LLC; BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 022163/0249 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2008
From: HEAP, ANTHONY H.; HSIEH, TUNG-MING
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021712/0506 →