Patent ID: 9512794
Filing Date: 2016-12-06
CPC Classification: B60W,F02D

Claim Text:
1. A powertrain controller for operating an internal combustion engine in a skip fire manner using an operational firing fraction that is fuel efficient and has acceptable noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics, the powertrain controller comprising: a firing fraction calculator arranged to generate an operational firing fraction to deliver a desired engine torque; a firing determination timing module that is arranged to generate a firing sequence used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner, the skip fire firing sequence being based on the operational firing fraction; and an NVH reduction module that is arranged to determine a smoothing torque that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device wherein the smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out a variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence, thereby reducing NVH that would otherwise be generated by the skip fire firing sequence.