Method for attenuating vibrations in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain

1. A method for attenuating vibration in a primary rotary power source in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain, the powertrain including a secondary rotary power source and gearing defining in part, respectively, separate torque flow paths from the primary and secondary power sources to vehicle traction wheels, the secondary power source including an electric motor electrically coupled to an electric generator, the generator being mechanically coupled to the primary power source, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring actual speed of the primary power source;

determining a primary power source speed command;

determining a generator torque command based upon a closed loop control of primary power source speed using the actual speed of the primary power source as a feedback variable, the generator torque command corresponding to generator torque transmitted to an element of the gearing; and

coordinating torque of the gearing element and a motor torque commanded by a vehicle driver to develop a coordinated motor torque command whereby engine speed and dynamic acceleration fluctuations during engine start events and engine stopping events are attenuated.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the primary power source is an engine mechanically coupled to the vehicle traction wheels;

the motor being mechanically coupled to the vehicle traction wheels independently of the engine.

3. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the generator torque transmitted to the element of the gearing is determined by developing a generator inertia torque value and combining the generator inertia torque value with the generator torque.

4. A method for attenuating vibration in a primary rotary power source in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain, the powertrain including a secondary rotary power source and gearing defining in part, respectively, separate torque flow paths from the primary and secondary power sources to vehicle traction wheels, the secondary power source including an electric motor electrically coupled to an electric generator, the generator being mechanically coupled to the primary power source, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring actual rotary speed of the primary power source;

commanding a desired primary power source speed;

measuring actual rotary speed of the electric motor;

determining a primary power source speed command;

determining a generator torque command based upon a closed loop control of primary power source speed using the actual speed of the primary power source as a feedback variable, the generator torque corresponding to torque transmitted to an element of the gearing;

coordinating torque of the gearing element and motor torque commanded by the vehicle driver to develop a coordinated motor torque command;

deriving an active damping torque for the electric motor as a function of the actual rotary speed of the electric motor; and

combining the active damping motor torque and the coordinated motor torque command to develop an effective motor torque command whereby engine speed and dynamic acceleration fluctuations during engine start events and engine stopping events are attenuated.

5. The method set forth in claim 4 wherein the primary power source is an engine mechanically coupled to the vehicle traction wheels;

the motor being mechanically coupled to the vehicle traction wheels independently of the engine.

6. The method set forth in claim 4 wherein the active damping torque is computed using a motor speed filter.

7. The method set forth in claim 6 wherein the motor speed filter is characterized by a differential of measured motor speed.

8. The method set forth in claim 4 wherein the generator torque transmitted to the element of the gearing is determined by developing a generator inertia torque value and combining the generator inertia torque value with the generator torque.

9. A method for controlling an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain, the powertrain including a subsystem comprising an electric motor, a battery and a generator, the powertrain having gearing defining in part, respectively, separate torque flow paths from the engine and the motor to vehicle traction wheels, the generator being mechanically coupled to the engine through the gearing, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring actual rotary speed of the engine;

measuring actual motor rotary speed;

determining an engine speed command;

determining a generator torque as a function of the engine speed command, the generator torque corresponding to torque transmitted to an element of the gearing whereby the gearing coordinates torque of the gearing element and motor torque commanded by a vehicle driver to develop a coordinated torque value; and

computing an effective motor torque command based upon the coordinated torque value whereby engine speed and dynamic acceleration fluctuations during engine start events and engine stopping events are attenuated.

10. The method set forth in claim 9 wherein the effective motor torque command is computed by filtering the actual motor rotary speed to develop an active damping motor torque and combining the active damping motor torque with the coordinated torque value.