Patent ID: 8392043

Claim:
A method of managing electric power flow in a vehicle powertrain; wherein the powertrain includes an electric motor/generator operatively connected to an output member to provide tractive torque for propelling the vehicle, a battery operable to provide electric power to the electric motor/generator, an auxiliary power unit operable to provide electric power to the electric motor/generator, wherein the auxiliary power unit includes an engine and a generator powered by the combustion engine, the method comprising: recording operator input indicative of a current request for electric power for propulsion; determining an amount of the currently requested electric power for propulsion (P REQ ) corresponding with the recorded operator input; averaging the determined amount of the currently requested electric power (P REQ ) with amounts of requested electric power based on previously recorded operator input recorded over time; and determining an amount of electric power required from the auxiliary power unit (P APU,NOM ) to satisfy the current request for electric power based at least in part on the averaged requested electric power for propulsion.