Patent ID: 8335623

Claim:
A method for operating a powertrain comprising an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member, wherein a microprocessor performs the following steps: monitoring slip across a selectively applied clutch within said transmission to indicate a clutch slip event; and when said monitoring indicates said clutch slip event, initiating a slip remediation response comprising: imposing a limit upon a magnitude of torque permitted from said engine and a magnitude of torque permitted from said electric machine; and progressively reducing said magnitudes based upon said monitored slip indicating a continuing slip event, in order to reduce said slip, thereby ending said clutch slip event, including a delaying command to said electric machine in comparison to a command to said engine, anticipating response lag in said engine as compared to said electric machine, so as to effect said limit upon said engine and said electric machine torques with simultaneous torque reductions.