Patent ID: 8550958

Claim:
A method for controlling a shift sequence of a multi-mode hybrid transmission operatively connected to an engine, the method comprising: deactivating an offgoing clutch, wherein engagement of the offgoing clutch and a common clutch is operable to select a first electrically-variable transmission (EVT) mode, such that the transmission is not in the first EVT mode; wherein deactivation of said offgoing clutch while maintaining engagement of the common clutch transitions the transmission to an electric torque converter (ETC) mode that is different from said first EVT mode; actuating an oncoming clutch, wherein engagement of the common clutch and the oncoming clutch is operable to select a second EVT mode that is different from said ETC mode and said first EVT mode, neither of which includes engagement of the oncoming clutch; wherein transitioning from said first EVT mode to said second EVT mode is characterized by a lack of a transition through a fixed-gear (FG) mode, such that the transmission transitions directly from the first EVT mode to the ETC mode and then to the second EVT mode; and wherein the engine is in an on-state during deactivation of said offgoing clutch and maintains the on-state during actuation of said oncoming clutch.