Patent ID: 8874292

Claim:
A hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine; an electric machine connected to the engine by an upstream clutch; a transmission pump rotatably connected to the electric machine; a transmission gearbox connected to the electric machine by a downstream clutch; and a controller configured to start the engine using one of a plurality of start sequences that control the electric machine, the upstream clutch, and the downstream clutch, the engine start sequence being selected based on a driver demand input, and transmission gearbox input speed (TS) compared to a minimum speed (LP) to operate the transmission pump to generate a specified line pressure; wherein the controller is configured to start the engine when TS is less than LP when an engine start request is received and the driver demand input is null, the engine started by: slipping the downstream clutch, slipping the upstream clutch, increasing torque output from the electric machine to rotate the engine, fueling the engine, engaging the upstream clutch when engine speed and electric machine speed are substantially equal, and engaging the downstream clutch.