Patent ID: 8122986

Claim:
A method for controlling a powertrain in a vehicle, the powertrain including an engine and an electric machine, each of which is operable to output torque to propel the vehicle, the vehicle including an air intake for receiving engine intake air, a compressor operable to compress the intake air before it enters the engine, and a throttle disposed between the air intake and the engine for controlling an amount of intake air entering the engine, the method comprising: determining a driver demand indicative of a demanded torque; boosting torque output of the powertrain with the electric machine when the driver demand requires operation of the compressor and the driver demand is not met by the engine; sensing over time a pressure of the intake air downstream of the compressor and upstream of the throttle; controlling the torque boost of the electric machine based at least in part on the sensed pressure to maintain the torque output of the powertrain to meet the driver demand; and ending the torque boost of the electric machine when it is determined that the engine can meet the driver demand.