Patent ID: 7285869
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method for estimating power in a powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle to determine desired driving torque at vehicle traction wheels; the powertrain having a motor, a generator and gearing drivably coupling the engine, the motor and the generator to effect a divided power flow path from the engine to the vehicle traction wheels; and an electronic processor for controlling engine, generator and motor functions including powertrain data storage registers for storing, during successive control loops, repetitive time sampled data representing instantaneous engine speed, generator torque and motor torque; the method comprising the steps of: computing and storing in the registers a desired traction wheel torque in successive control loops; a desired traction wheel torque during a given control loop being a function of driver torque command and motor and generator torque values stored in the registers during a control loop preceding a current control loop; and computing engine power during a current control loop as a function of a delayed desired traction wheel torque value based upon the values of the motor torque and generator torque determined in a previous control loop whereby current computed engine power deviations due to transient powertrain operating conditions are reduced.