IP Library Granted Patent US 7,232,401
Granted Patent B2
US 7,232,401 · App. 10/766,100 · Granted Jun 19, 2007

Method of compensating torque at cylinder switching on a DOD engine with electric parallel hybrid

Assignee: General Motors Corporation
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 7,232,401
App. No.
10/766,100
Granted
Jun 19, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for managing torque in a hybrid electric vehicle uses a displacement on demand (DOD) internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric machine and a battery. The method includes smoothing disturbances in ICE torque during a DOD transition using the electric machine.

Claims (39)

1. A method for managing torque in a hybrid electric vehicle with a variable displacement internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric machine and a battery, comprising:

operating the ICE in an activated mode where all cylinders are active;

transitioning the ICE from the activated mode to a deactivated mode where the engine is operating with less than all cylinders active; and

smoothing disturbances in ICE torque during the deactivation transition using the electric machine.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of smoothing disturbances comprises generating electricity from excess ICE torque when the ICE torque is greater than a desired torque.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising storing the electricity in the battery.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of smoothing disturbances comprises using the electric machine to supply torque when the ICE torque is less than a desired torque.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transitioning the ICE from the deactivated mode to the activated mode; and

smoothing disturbances in ICE torque during the reactivation transition using the electric machine.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of smoothing disturbances comprises using the electric machine to supply torque when the ICE torque is less than a desired torque.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of smoothing disturbances comprises generating electricity from excess ICE torque when the ICE torque is greater than a desired torque.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the electricity is stored in the battery.

9. A method for managing torque in a hybrid electric vehicle with a variable displacement internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric machine and a battery, comprising:

operating the ICE in a deactivated mode where the ICE is operating with less than all cylinders active;

transitioning the ICE from the deactivated mode to an activated mode where the ICE is operating with all cylinders active;

smoothing disturbances in ICE torque during the reactivation transition between the deactivated mode and the activated mode using the electric machine; and

wherein the step of smoothing disturbances comprises using the electric machine to generate electricity from excess ICE torque when the ICE torque is greater than a desired torque.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the electricity is stored in the battery.

11. A method for managing torque in a hybrid electric vehicle with a variable displacement internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric machine and a battery, comprising:

operating the ICE in a deactivated mode where the ICE is operating with less than all cylinders active;

transitioning the ICE from the deactivated mode to an activated mode where the ICE is operating with all cylinders active;

smoothing disturbances in ICE torque during the reactivation transition between the deactivated mode and the activated mode using the electric machine;

transitioning the ICE from the activated mode to the deactivated mode; and

smoothing disturbances in ICE torque during the deactivation transition using the electric machine.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of smoothing disturbances in ICE torque comprises using the electric machine to supply torque when the ICE torque is less than a desired torque.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of smoothing disturbances comprises using the electric machine to generate electricity from excess ICE torque when the ICE torque is greater than a desired torque.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the electricity is stored in the battery.

15. A torque management system for a hybrid electric vehicle with a variable displacement internal combustion engine (ICE), comprising:

an electric machine; and

a torque management module that smoothes disturbances in ICE torque using the electric machine during transitions from a deactivated mode where the engine is operating with less than all cylinders active to an activated mode where the engine is operating with all cylinders active.

16. The torque management system of claim 15 wherein the torque management module commands the electric machine to generate torque when the displacement on demand ICE first transitions to the activated mode.

17. The torque management system of claim 15 wherein the torque management module commands the electric machine to smooth disturbances during transitions from an activated mode where the engine is operating with all cylinders active to a deactivated mode where the engine is operating with less than all cylinders active.

18. The torque management system of claim 17 wherein the torque management module commands the electric machine to generate torque shortly after the displacement on demand ICE enters the deactivated mode.

19. The torque management system of claim 17 wherein the torque management module commands the electric machine to generate electricity from ICE torque when the ICE enters the deactivated mode.

20. The torque management system of claim 15 wherein the torque management module commands the electric machine to generate electricity from ICE torque shortly after entering the activated mode.

21. The torque management system of claim 15 further comprising: an inverter that is connected to the electric machine; and at least one battery that is connected to the inverter.

22. The torque management system of claim 21 wherein the battery can be at least one of lead acid batteries, lithium ion batteries, and lithium polymer batteries.

23. The torque management system of claim 15 wherein the torque management module commands the electric machine to smooth disturbances in ICE torque when the ICE torque is not equal to a desired torque.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034371/0676 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025780/0902 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0262 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0347 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025311/0725 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0052 →
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 023127/0468 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0429 →
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 022553/0446 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0547 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2009
From: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022117/0022 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2004
From: ALBERTSON, WILLIAM C.
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014784/0284 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050164826A1 · Jul 28, 2005