Patent ID: 8810418
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: B60K,B60Y,G08B

Abstract:
1. A hybrid vehicle powertrain comprising: a hybrid transmission in power-flow communication with an electric traction motor; a fluid pump in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and with the transmission and electric traction motor, the fluid pump configured to supply fluid at an adjustable fluid flow rate to the hybrid transmission and the electric traction motor; and a flow controller electrically connected to the fluid pump and configured to controllably modulate an operating speed of the fluid pump to adjust the fluid flow rate, wherein the flow controller is configured to: provide a speed command to the fluid pump, the speed command being greater than an operating speed of the pump; monitor a rate of change of the speed of the pump in response to the provided speed command; determine a difference between the monitored rate of change to an expected rate of change; compare the difference to a threshold; and limit a total amount of electrical power supplied to the electric traction motor if the difference exceeds the threshold.