Method and apparatus for torque arbitration and shaping in a multi-mode powertrain system

1. Method for operating a multi-mode powertrain system, comprising:

within a control module;

monitoring an operator request for tractive power;

arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with axle torque constraints and crankshaft torque constraints;

determining an immediate tractive torque request and a predicted tractive torque request based upon the arbitrated operator request for tractive power;

shaping the predicted tractive torque request based upon driveability torque constraints; and

controlling operation of torque-generative devices of the multi-mode powertrain system including operating the torque-generative devices at a torque command based upon the predicted tractive torque request and the driveability-shaped predicted tractive torque request.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling operation of torque-generative devices of the multi-mode powertrain system including operating the torque-generative devices at the torque command based upon the predicted tractive torque request and the driveability-shaped predicted tractive torque request is effected when the immediate tractive torque request is inactive.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling operation of the torque-generative devices including operating the torque-generative devices at the torque command based upon the predicted tractive torque request and the immediate tractive torque request when the immediate tractive torque request is active.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the immediate tractive torque request based upon the arbitrated operator request for tractive power comprises determining the torque command for immediate execution by the torque-generative devices.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the predicted tractive torque request based upon the arbitrated operator request for tractive power comprises determining the torque command based upon a determination of a required torque output for one of the torque-generative devices occurring in a near-term operation of the powertrain system.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling operation of torque-generative devices of the multi-mode powertrain system including operating the torque-generative devices at the torque command based upon the predicted tractive torque request and the shaped predicted tractive torque request comprises controlling operation of an internal combustion engine including operating the internal combustion engine at the torque command based upon the predicted tractive torque request and the shaped predicted tractive torque request.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling operation of torque-generative devices of the multi-mode powertrain system including operating the torque-generative devices at the torque command based upon the predicted tractive torque request and the shaped predicted tractive torque request comprises controlling operation of a non-combustion torque machine based upon the shaped predicted tractive torque request.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein shaping the predicted tractive torque request based upon driveability torque constraints comprises imposing a maximum limit on a time-rate of change of the immediate tractive torque request when the multi-mode powertrain system is operating in a driveline lash zone centered around 0 Nm of axle torque.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with axle torque constraints comprises arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with an axle torque decrease intervention request and an axle torque increase intervention request.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with an axle torque decrease intervention request comprises arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with a traction control intervention request.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with an axle torque increase intervention request comprises arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with a drag control intervention request.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with crankshaft torque constraints comprises arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with a crankshaft torque decrease intervention request and a crankshaft torque increase intervention request.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with a crankshaft torque decrease intervention request comprises arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with a request to decrease engine torque to decrease engine speed to execute an upshift to a higher gear.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with a crankshaft torque increase intervention request comprises arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with a request to increase engine torque to increase engine speed to shift to a lower gear.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein arbitrating the operator request for tractive power further comprises arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with the driveability torque constraints.

16. Method for operating a series-hybrid powertrain system, comprising:

within a control module;

monitoring an operator request for tractive power;

arbitrating the operator request for tractive power with constraints including an axle

torque intervention request and a crankshaft torque intervention request;

determining an immediate tractive torque request and a predicted tractive torque request based upon the arbitrated operator request for tractive power;

shaping the predicted tractive torque request based upon driveability torque constraints;

controlling operation of torque-generative devices of the series-hybrid powertrain

system based upon the predicted tractive torque request and the driveability-

shaped predicted tractive torque request when the immediate tractive torque

request is in an inactive state; and

controlling operation of the torque-generative devices including operating the

torque-generative devices at a torque command based upon the predicted

tractive torque request and the immediate tractive torque request when the

immediate tractive torque request is in an active state.