Patent ID: 7240749
Filing Date: 2007-07-10
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,F02B,Y02T,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for a vehicle having a drive line comprising: a variable displacement engine capable of providing torque to drive the vehicle, said engine having a plurality of cylinders; a motor capable of providing torque to drive the vehicle; and an electrical storage device operatively connected to the motor and capable of providing electrical power to the motor, where during at least a fist condition of said electrical storage device, both said engine and said motor provide torque to the vehicle drive line to drive the vehicle, and said engine operates with some of said engine cylinders disabled during at least a portion of said first condition, and said engine operates with all of said engine cylinders active during at least another portion of said first condition, and during at least a second condition of said electrical storage device, said engine provides all requested torque to the vehicle drive line to drive the vehicle and said engine charges said electrical storage device, and said engine operates with some of said engine cylinders disabled during at least a portion of said second condition, and said engine operates with all of said engine cylinders active during at least another portion of said second condition; where at least during some of said first condition, said motor provides a more rapid torque change than the engine to achieve improved vehicle performance.