Patent ID: 7853386
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,F16H,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. Method for identifying preferred operating conditions for a powertrain, comprising: determining ranges of permissible inputs to a transmission; determining a plurality of motor torques input from first and second electrical machines to the transmission, each associated with one of the permissible inputs to the transmission and responsive to an output torque command; determining a plurality of operating costs based on inputs comprising the plurality of motor torques input from the first and second electrical machines to the transmission, the ranges of permissible inputs to the transmission and costs related to fuel economy, emissions and battery life, each operating cost associated with one of the motor torques input from the first and second electrical machines to the transmission and the associated permissible input to the transmission responsive to the output torque command; and, identifying a preferred input to the transmission responsive to the output torque command based upon the determined plurality of operating costs comprising identifying an input to the transmission and the motor torques input from the first and second machines corresponding to a minimum operating cost, wherein lower operating costs are associated with lower fuel consumption at high conversion efficiencies, lower battery power usage and lower emissions.