Patent ID: 8517892

Claim:
A method of controlling the operation of a parallel hybrid electric vehicle, comprising an engine, a first clutch, an integrated starter/generator/motor (ISGM) coupled to said engine in accordance with the operating state of said first clutch, a combination of a torque converter and a second clutch connected in parallel therewith, said combination being mechanically coupled between said ISGM and an output drive shaft that propels the vehicle, and an energy storage device electrically coupled to said ISGM, comprising: transmitting electrical energy from said energy storage device to said ISGM, wherein said ISGM functions as a motor having an output torque, wherein said ISGM is commanded to a predefined percentage of maximum torque of said ISGM; transmitting a portion of the output torque from said ISGM through said torque converter to the output drive shaft to launch the vehicle; and operating said first clutch to enable a remaining portion of the output torque of said ISGM to be coupled to said engine to enable the starting of said engine.