IP Library Granted Patent US 7,243,011
Granted Patent B2
US 7,243,011 · App. 10/850,767 · Granted Jul 10, 2007

Hybrid transmission launch algorithm

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,243,011
App. No.
10/850,767
Granted
Jul 10, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A launch system for a hybrid vehicle includes a pump, an electronic throttle, a sensor, and a hybrid control module. The pump is driven by an internal combustion engine and provides pressurized fluid to a transmission. The electronic throttle selectively adjusts airflow to the internal combustion engine and current to an electric motor. The sensor detects when a brake pedal has been released. The hybrid control module increases pressure of the pressurized fluid and limits torque transfer from at least one of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor when the sensor detects that the brake pedal has been released until a predetermined condition has been met. The hybrid control module increases pressure of the pressurized fluid with the pump by increasing the revolutions of the internal combustion engine and limits torque to the transmission by retarding the responsiveness of the electronic throttle.

Claims (20)

1. A launch system for a hybrid vehicle, comprising:

a pump that is driven by an internal combustion engine and that provides pressurized fluid to a transmission;

an electronic throttle that selectively adjusts airflow to said internal combustion engine;

an electric motor that drives the internal combustion engine during a vehicle launch;

a sensor that detects when a brake pedal has been released; and

a hybrid control module that controls said electronic throttle to increase pressure of said pressurized fluid and to inhibit torque transfer to said transmission when said sensor detects that said brake pedal has been released until one of a predetermined pressure and time condition has been met.

2. The launch system of claim 1 wherein said hybrid control module increases pressure of said pressurized fluid with said pump by increasing idle speed of said internal combustion engine.

3. The launch system of claim 2 wherein said hybrid control module limits torque to said transmission by retarding responsiveness of said electronic throttle.

4. The launch system of claim 3 wherein said predetermined time condition is met when a predetermined time period has expired.

5. The launch system of claim 3 wherein said predetermined pressure condition is met when a pressure of said pressurized fluid reaches a predetermined pressure.

6. A method for launching a hybrid vehicle, comprising:

providing a pump that is driven by an internal combustion engine and that provides pressurized fluid to a transmission;

selectively adjusting airflow to said internal combustion engine;

driving said internal combustion engine using an electric motor during a vehicle launch;

detecting when a brake pedal has been released; and

increasing pressure of said pressurized fluid and inhibiting torque transfer to said transmission when said brake pedal has been released until one of a predetermined pressure and time condition has been met.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising increasing pressure of said pressurized fluid with said pump by increasing idle speed of said internal combustion engine.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising limiting torque to said transmission by retarding airflow to said internal combustion engine and retarding current to said electric motor.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said predetermined time condition has been met when a predetermined time period has expired.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said predetermined pressure condition has been met when a pressure of said pressurized fluid reaches a predetermined pressure.

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 025327/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0442 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025311/0770 →
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 022201/0610 →
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 Aug 24, 2004
From: KOENIG, JOHN J.; DREWS, SARAH C.; MC GUIRE, MARCI L.
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015081/0048 →